20 replies to this topic

[Eggy72]

I don't currently own an AI dog, but I have been looking at them online and think they look and sound pretty cool. The problem is that my wife has allergies. Her allergies are not super bad, but they are probably moderate. At the moment we own a dog that is a basenji mix and he doesn't seem to bother her allergies. We don't know what else he's mixed with, though. Does anyone have any information on the AIs and allergies? I appreciate all of your help.

Adam
Edgewood, MD

[Allison]

Here's a quote from one of our members:

Quote

Bob and I are both very allergic to a variety of dogs and most especially cats. I can honestly tell you that Halfie only triggers our allergies when she's been playing in the dirt. Her normal coat doesn't trigger them. I would liken her hair texture to that of a Chihuaha and would recommend IA dogs to anyone who are allergy sensitive to dogs.

More here.

[Michelle]

Eggy72, on Jan 26 2008, 11:36 AM, said:

I don't currently own an AI dog, but I have been looking at them online and think they look and sound pretty cool. The problem is that my wife has allergies. Her allergies are not super bad, but they are probably moderate. At the moment we own a dog that is a basenji mix and he doesn't seem to bother her allergies. We don't know what else he's mixed with, though. Does anyone have any information on the AIs and allergies? I appreciate all of your help.

Adam
Edgewood, MD

Hi Adam,

I've had allergies (dust, mold, pollen) most of my life, pretty bad at times. Cats definitely bother me, but dogs don't seem to and my allergies didn't get any better for the years I didn't have a dog. I am on medication most of the time, and have been so since I got my AI dog. The meds work really well, to the point I forget I have allergies, but even when I am not on them, I don't get the itchy eyes and nose when I'm near my dog. Shedding is minimal, especially if I brush her once a week. If you really like the breed, you could try to find someone with one and see if it aggravates your allergies.

Good luck.

[Michael and Sonia]

Eggy72, on Jan 26 2008, 11:36 AM, said:

I don't currently own an AI dog, but I have been looking at them online and think they look and sound pretty cool. The problem is that my wife has allergies. Her allergies are not super bad, but they are probably moderate. At the moment we own a dog that is a basenji mix and he doesn't seem to bother her allergies. We don't know what else he's mixed with, though. Does anyone have any information on the AIs and allergies? I appreciate all of your help.

Adam
Edgewood, MD

Hi Adam,

I am very allergic to dogs, therefore, my husband and I decided to get an AIDog. We've had her for 5 months already and I feel great, no allergies, at least not to her. And another is on the way to us in 2 weeks!

-Sonia

[judyk]

Eggy72, on Jan 26 2008, 07:36 PM, said:

I don't currently own an AI dog, but I have been looking at them online and think they look and sound pretty cool. The problem is that my wife has allergies. Her allergies are not super bad, but they are probably moderate. At the moment we own a dog that is a basenji mix and he doesn't seem to bother her allergies. We don't know what else he's mixed with, though. Does anyone have any information on the AIs and allergies? I appreciate all of your help.

Adam
Edgewood, MD

Hi Adam!

While I don't have allergies my husband does. He's had to take medication since we began including the AIDS in our family. Both my son and grandson have allergies and when they visit they get itchy eyes and sneeze. The allergist told my husband it's because of the dander and the fact that they shed all the time. It hasn't stopped us from owning five at one time or another! It all depends on how much you want to clean and brush the pups!!

Judy K in Michigan

[Allison]

We have a couple gals in our family who have dog allergies, too. Some of our dogs have heavier fur, than others of our dogs. My dog's fur is so tight.. It is like felt. Really, like very soft felt. It doesn't bother anyone. Tell Kim that allergies are a problem, and let him pick the right dog for you.

[luna6killer]

Eggy72, on Jan 26 2008, 07:36 PM, said:

I don't currently own an AI dog, but I have been looking at them online and think they look and sound pretty cool. The problem is that my wife has allergies. Her allergies are not super bad, but they are probably moderate. At the moment we own a dog that is a basenji mix and he doesn't seem to bother her allergies. We don't know what else he's mixed with, though. Does anyone have any information on the AIs and allergies? I appreciate all of your help.

Adam
Edgewood, MD

Hi Adam

Hope you're still checking the forum - just wanted to say that no dog is truly hypo-allergenic - it's the dander rather than the hair that people are allergic too. But with that said, there are some dogs (poodles for one) that are less of a problem than others. some of the AI dogs have a undercoat which might be a problem with some people - plus they shed that out each year too <g> the ones that are single coated might be a good bet - I have allergies to both cats and dogs and never really had that much of a problem with my aidogs. Best bet is - as mentioned - finding someone with one and checking it out. If it doesn't cause her that much trouble, then definitely look into these dogs - they're a blast to own!!

Cyndi

[Newc]

luna6killer, on Mar 2 2008, 04:52 PM, said:

Hi Adam

Hope you're still checking the forum - just wanted to say that no dog is truly hypo-allergenic - it's the dander rather than the hair that people are allergic too. But with that said, there are some dogs (poodles for one) that are less of a problem than others. some of the AI dogs have a undercoat which might be a problem with some people - plus they shed that out each year too <g> the ones that are single coated might be a good bet - I have allergies to both cats and dogs and never really had that much of a problem with my aidogs. Best bet is - as mentioned - finding someone with one and checking it out. If it doesn't cause her that much trouble, then definitely look into these dogs - they're a blast to own!!

Cyndi

Hi,
I realize that spring is THE time of the year for animals to shed the winter coat. If anyone has ever noticed or kept track, I was wondering about how long it takes for that undercoat to go away and the shedding to cease w/ your dogs??? I notice that most of the hairs in her bedding are sorta zig-zag shaped, very few straight ones.
Also.... what are the opinions and recommendations of how frequently a dog should be bathed and *if* it really would cut down on the shedding/dander???

[liz]

Newc, on Apr 9 2008, 05:52 AM, said:

Hi,
I realize that spring is THE time of the year for animals to shed the winter coat. If anyone has ever noticed or kept track, I was wondering about how long it takes for that undercoat to go away and the shedding to cease w/ your dogs??? I notice that most of the hairs in her bedding are sorta zig-zag shaped, very few straight ones.
Also.... what are the opinions and recommendations of how frequently a dog should be bathed and *if* it really would cut down on the shedding/dander???

I use a comb a bit like a horse's curry comb on Shunka, this gets rid of his loose undercoat very well.

I just don't bath him in general, he keeps naturally clean, so it can be years before he needs a bath, he had one the other day though, he went into a field where calves had been born and rolled - not a sweet smelling dog any more!

Actually he has no strong dog smell even when he is wet, and his coat is always very easy to clean, just a wipe over and it is done when he has picked up mud when it is wet.

[Allison]

Newc, you should tell Eggy72 about your daughter's non-reaction to our dogs. He can't see where you posted before. I believe she even uses an inhaler, isn't that right, but that she does not need it around our dogs.

I give Coyo a bath whenever he needs it--it's one word he knows...and runs from.

But afterwards, he's so very happy, running around and jumping into the play stance, with a big smile.

[Lisa]

Allison, on Apr 9 2008, 07:16 AM, said:

Newc, you should tell Eggy72 about your daughter's non-reaction to our dogs. He can't see where you posted before. I believe she even uses an inhaler, isn't that right, but that she does not need it around our dogs.

I give Coyo a bath whenever he needs it--it's one word he knows...and runs from.

But afterwards, he's so very happy, running around and jumping into the play stance, with a big smile.

Hawk doesn't like bath's either. He gives me that look! Like Coyo, Hawk runs around the yard like a crazy dog. It must feel good.
He doesn't smell either, well most of the time. So, Hawk who is 3 has probably had about 3 baths in his life. One of them was because he tangeled with a skunk. Hawk is funny when he cleans himself. He washes his face like a cat. He even cleans behind his ears.

He doesn't like to be brushed either. I got a "shed ender" last year. It works great, if he'd let me use it. I found the best thing to use on him is one of my old hair brushes. It's not rough, but it has enough bristles to do the job.

Lisa

[Newc]

Thanks for the advice.
Niki did not do too well w/ the road trip from Southern Oregon to the Tacoma area. She got car-sick ,drooling all over the place... ya know. So the next day I gave her a bath, but she was still a little freaked out w/ her new living situation. So I probably didn't clean her as well as I should have. What I'm saying.... is that my pup sorta stinks!!!! hahah.... just a strong "dog" smell. It sounds like maybe she needs one more thorough bath and THEN see if her "odiferous eminations" cease. I kinda figured maybe the smell and the shedding is a little enhanced because of the stress of leaving her home in Oregon. Is that a fair assumption?

[Newc]

Allison, on Apr 9 2008, 07:16 AM, said:

Newc, you should tell Eggy72 about your daughter's non-reaction to our dogs. He can't see where you posted before. I believe she even uses an inhaler, isn't that right, but that she does not need it around our dogs.

I give Coyo a bath whenever he needs it--it's one word he knows...and runs from.

But afterwards, he's so very happy, running around and jumping into the play stance, with a big smile.

Hi Allison,
Yes she uses an inhaler when her lungs start to tighten up after exposure. Hopefully it's something she'll outgrow. Actually yesterday she had to use the inhaler for the 1ST time since Niki arrived. We don't know if it's related or not. Another reason why I'm considering a more thorough bath w/ a mild shampoo for pups.

[Allison]

And you've had Niki for a full week, right?

Have you read any of the posts about our Medicine dogs? You know that's another name we call them, Medicine dogs. We have a couple of diabetic owners, whose dogs can tell them when their blood sugar is getting low. Cool eh? And they weren't taught to do it, they figured it out!

I wonder if Niki will find a way to help your daughter.

Yeah, Coyo gets to smelling like an old rug, sort of stale, and when he was young, he bounded into everything, so I give him a bath whenever my nose tells me to, or if I see him start to scratch a lot. It has never bothered his skin, or coat.

And, as Lisa Said, he sort of grooms himself, like a cat. Lisa, I think our dogs have a lot in common. Coyo doesn't like to be brushed, either.

[Lisa]

Allison, on Apr 9 2008, 11:26 AM, said:

And you've had Niki for a full week, right?

Have you read any of the posts about our Medicine dogs? You know that's another name we call them, Medicine dogs. We have a couple of diabetic owners, whose dogs can tell them when their blood sugar is getting low. Cool eh? And they weren't taught to do it, they figured it out!

I wonder if Niki will find a way to help your daughter.

Yeah, Coyo gets to smelling like an old rug, sort of stale, and when he was young, he bounded into everything, so I give him a bath whenever my nose tells me to, or if I see him start to scratch a lot. It has never bothered his skin, or coat.

And, as Lisa Said, he sort of grooms himself, like a cat. Lisa, I think our dogs have a lot in common. Coyo doesn't like to be brushed, either.

Allison, I think your right about these guys having allot in common.
Hawk is a clingy boy. I can't go to the bathroom without him coming in with me. He whines when I go away and leave him. I found this out from Darin and my daughter. They said that he stands by the window and watch me leave and whines. After a while he lays around with such a sad look. But hey, I need time away too. These guys, "gotta love them".

[judyk]

Newc, on Apr 9 2008, 12:52 AM, said:

Hi,
I realize that spring is THE time of the year for animals to shed the winter coat. If anyone has ever noticed or kept track, I was wondering about how long it takes for that undercoat to go away and the shedding to cease w/ your dogs??? I notice that most of the hairs in her bedding are sorta zig-zag shaped, very few straight ones.
Also.... what are the opinions and recommendations of how frequently a dog should be bathed and *if* it really would cut down on the shedding/dander???

Hello!

We've owned five of these great dogs and not one has ever had a bath!!! They keep themselves clean and don't smell like some other breeds. Can you imagine if Kim had to bathe all the dogs he keeps!!! He'd really be wacked out!!! He's the one that told us that they really don't need bathing and, like everything else he's told us, he was right!!

Judy K in Michigan

[Shannon/Kevin]

I think in the almost 2 years we have had Tareva I have given her maybe 3 baths. Now she likes to try to get in the bath tub with my daughter when she is in it. Sassy we got in Feb. now when I took her out of the crate at the airport she had that kennel dog smell but by the time we drove the 3 hours home she was fine and has been given a bath since we have had her, but she has fell in the tub a couple times when RayAn has been in the tub.
Now we have had a little shedding and I really mean a little. The most Tareva shed was her puppy coat. Tareva does not mind the brushing as long as it is when she is asleep.LOL
When we get out the vacuum we just run the hose over her a few time and she loves that. Sassy don't really know what to think of it.

[Newc]

We've had Niki for almost 1 month. Our discoveries... so far... in regards to allergies with my daughter and our AIDog:

1) AIDogs definitely cause less allergic reactions, than most other breeds we've encountered, but they still produce dander, and will cause reactions over time, depending on sensitivity of person.

2) After petting/handling ANY dog, hands must be washed. Not just the allergic person, but everyone who lives in the house should practice this protocol.

3) Not a good idea to let an allergic person bath, brush, or handle bedding of an AIDog or any dog.

4) Try to keep prolonged interactions of allergy sufferers w/ AIDogs to the outdoors as much as possible.

5) Designate one area of the home to a dog. It's easier to know where the dander is going to be. Carpets trap dust, hair etc. so we prefer our pup hangs out in the family room and kitchen areas, where we have hardwoods for easy maintenance.

6) Wash a pup's indoor bedding at least once every 7-10 days to keep dander levels low.

I'm sure I'll come up w/ more rules of thumb, but this is a good start. I'm not a doctor, but if you keep these things in mind, allergy sufferers have the potential to raise a dog as part of their family with little adverse effects.

[Karen]

Newc, on Apr 21 2008, 07:51 AM, said:

We've had Niki for almost 1 month. Our discoveries... so far... in regards to allergies with my daughter and our AIDog:

1) AIDogs definitely cause less allergic reactions, than most other breeds we've encountered, but they still produce dander, and will cause reactions over time, depending on sensitivity of person.

2) After petting/handling ANY dog, hands must be washed. Not just the allergic person, but everyone who lives in the house should practice this protocol.

3) Not a good idea to let an allergic person bath, brush, or handle bedding of an AIDog or any dog.

4) Try to keep prolonged interactions of allergy sufferers w/ AIDogs to the outdoors as much as possible.

5) Designate one area of the home to a dog. It's easier to know where the dander is going to be. Carpets trap dust, hair etc. so we prefer our pup hangs out in the family room and kitchen areas, where we have hardwoods for easy maintenance.

6) Wash a pup's indoor bedding at least once every 7-10 days to keep dander levels low.

I'm sure I'll come up w/ more rules of thumb, but this is a good start. I'm not a doctor, but if you keep these things in mind, allergy sufferers have the potential to raise a dog as part of their family with little adverse effects.

Good timing for this post, since We just had an extended session with the allergist for my son and I learned some new things.

Dogs and cats secrete proteins that some people are allergic to. For both animals, it is saliva and skin cells that carry the protein. So in addition to the hand washing, sensitive people should not allow a dog to lick them, take care with their food and water bowls, and not allow a dog in their bedroom. And the handout we got that covers animals says in bold letters at the top
There is no such thing as a hypo-allergenic dog
The cat protein does not break down as easily as the dog. So washing bedding, floors and clothing, especially in hot water, does help the dog situation but not so much for the cat.

We moved into a new house in a new part of the country last year, and took some pretty drastic steps to cut down on allergens in the house and make life easier for our son. We got rid of ALL wall-to-wall carpeting, bought a leather couch for the family room, bought lightweight draperies that don't hold a lot of dust, and did our best to make cleaning easier and faster, so it would be done more often. I use a steam cleaner on the floors (hardwood and marmoleum, and some cork which isn't as good), and in between steam cleaning I use a Swiffer Wet Jet that I fill with vinegar and water. I use that almost every day. We also got a canister vacuum with a HEPA filter, and shut the forced-air register in his bedroom and installed a radient panel wall heater.

These measures seem to have helped - his allergen load for dogs has decreased in spite of the extra dog. And there is no way he would want to not have a dog, in spite of his problems. Now he thinks we should always have two dogs, a Superdog like Roscoe and a Dog Dog like Danza.

Karen H.

[Shannon/Kevin]

Karen, on Apr 21 2008, 01:04 PM, said:

shut the forced-air register in his bedroom and installed a radient panel wall heater.

I have heard that if you take the vents off and put cheese cloth on the the vents back on over the cheese cloth helps. I do not know if it really works or not but it is an idea.