Allergy-Prone Dog Breeds

Dog Breeds Susceptible To Allergies

When we considered ways to help people prevent their allergy to dogs, one possibility discussed was buying an allergy friendly or hypoallergenic dog. However, as we discovered, the topic is highly contentious; the issue of whether certain dog breeds are beneficial to allergy sufferers yields diametrically opposed opinions.

By contrast, when it comes to the issue of allergies affecting dogs, both anecdotal and scientific evidence are broadly in agreement; certain breeds of dog are seemingly more allergy-prone. Retrievers, Setters and Terriers, together with a number of breeds unrelated to these groups, appear especially susceptible to allergies; in particular to inhalant (atopic) allergies.

In the context of allergies in dogs prevention, it could be argued that by choosing not to buy an allergy-prone breed in the first place, you are implementing ‘prevention’ in its most basic, yet effective form i.e. problem avoidance. However, some of the most popular breeds of dog are included in the above mentioned groups, and furthermore, even though avoidance reduces the potential risk, buying a dog outside of those groups does not guarantee it will be allergy-free. Terminological issues aside, although pure breeds appear to be more allergy-prone and susceptible to symptoms such as atopic dermatitis, even mixed-breed/crossbreed dogs can still be affected.

Moreover, our understanding of the variables involved in breed predisposition, as well as the result of their interplay, is incomplete at this juncture and subject to future research. For example, if we consider just one variable such as geographical location, Jaeger et al.2010 noted that:
“breed predisposition [to atopic dermatitis] can vary greatly both between continents and also between different locations on the same continent“, as well as, “some breeds showed predispositions for certain body sites [where lesions develop] which also varied in some instances with the geographical location.”

List of Dog Breeds Affected by Allergies

The following pictorial list of dog breeds most commonly affected by allergies is compiled from a variety of studies and sources of literature. Information available for the various breeds is not uniform e.g. Labrador Retrievers are cited significantly more frequently than breeds such as the Cesky Terrier, and accounts of the severity, frequency and range of allergies noted can differ between sources. In addition, be aware that:

• A variety of possible traits can be used to categorize dogs  e.g. size, weight, past use etc. In fact, official organizations can differ significantly in the way they group dog breeds and in the terminology they use. There exists 30+ international kennel clubs (a.k.a. kennel council or canine council) who regulate breeding, showing and the promotion of more than one dog breed. By contrast, there are 100’s of breed clubs worldwide that are composed of members sharing an interest in just a single breed.
  To illustrate the point regarding dog breed grouping, we will consider the approach of just 3 organizations:

• Given the above issue and for the sake of simplicity, the list below will comprise of groups based on those most allergy-prone i.e. Retrievers, Setters and Terriers, together with an additional group covering ‘other’ breeds.
• The list includes some breeds that have a tendency to suffer from allergies yet which are considered allergy friendly for people e.g. American Hairless Terrier, Bichon Frise, Shih Tzu.

ALLERGY-PRONE DOG BREEDS
RETRIEVERS
		GOLDEN RETRIEVER Alternate Names: Golden or Goldie Size: Medium Characteristics: Robust, active, playful, intelligent, faithful Care: Brush twice weekly and enjoys daily walk
		LABRADOR RETRIEVER Alternate Names: Labrador or Lab Size: Medium Characteristics: Sturdy, energetic, intelligent, friendly, loyal Care: Twice weekly brushing and enjoys daily exercise
SETTERS
		ENGLISH SETTER Alternate Names: Lawerack, Laverack, Llewelin/Llewellyn, Setter or English Size: Medium Characteristics: Affable, charming, reasonably active, friendly, gentle Care: Regular grooming to avoid mats and regular exercise
		IRISH SETTER Alternate Names: Red Setter, Irish Red Setter or Irishman Size: Large Characteristics: Sturdy, playful, energetic, affable, sensitive Care: Regular grooming to avoid mats and daily exercise
TERRIERS
		AMERICAN HAIRLESS TERRIER (Formerly considered variant of Rat Terrier) Alternate Names: AHT Size: Small/Medium Characteristics: Strong, energetic, social, curious, intelligent Care: Ongoing skin care and protection from extreme temperature/UV, regular exercise
		AMERICAN PIT BULL TERRIER Alternate Names: APBT, Pitbull, Pit Bull or Pit Size: Medium Characteristics: Powerful, confident, exuberant, intelligent, loyal family pets if raised properly Care: Correct training and socialization is essential, brush weekly, occasionally groom and daily exercise
		BOSTON TERRIER Alternate Names: Boston Bull, Boston Bull Terrier, Boxwood, American Gentleman or Boston Size: Small Characteristics: Gentle, lively, friendly, charming, curious Care: Brush weekly and regular walks
		BULL TERRIER Alternate Names: English Bull Terrier, Gladiator, White Cavalier, Bully or BT Size: Medium Characteristics: Robust, powerful, loyal, energetic, playful Care: Brush weekly and  daily walks
		CAIRN TERRIER (Formerly of Skye Terrier class) Alternate Names: n/a Size: Small Characteristics: Hardy, tenacious, curious, alert, intelligent Care: Regular brushing, grooming and exercise
		CESKY TERRIER Alternate Names: Ceský Teriér or Bohemian Terrier Size: Small Characteristics: Robust, feisty, curious but stranger-wary, intelligent, a mellow terrier Care: Regular brushing, grooming and exercise
		FOX TERRIER (SMOOTH) Alternate Names: Smooth Fox Terrier, Smooth or Foxie Size: Small Characteristics: Sturdy, bold, excellent watchdog, independent, friendly Care: Minimal brushing/grooming, daily exercise
		FOX TERRIER (WIRE) Alternate Names: Wire Fox Terrier, Wire-Haired Fox Terrier, Wirehaired Terrier or Foxie Size: Small Characteristics: Sturdy, slightly more spirited than smooth fox terrier, excellent watchdog, playful, sociable Care: Twice weekly brushing and occasional grooming, daily exercise
		MINIATURE SCHNAUZER Alternate Names: Zwergschnauzer, Dwarf Schnauzer or Mini Size: Small Characteristics: Sturdy, excellent watchdog, bright, extrovert yet obedient Care: Regular brushing, grooming and moderate exercise
		SCOTTISH TERRIER Alternate Names: Aberdeen Terrier, Scottie or Diehard Size: Small Characteristics: Excellent watchdog, brave, independent, intelligent, dignified Care: Regular brushing, occasional grooming and moderate exercise
		SEALYHAM TERRIER Alternate Names: Welsh Border Terrier, Cowley Terrier or Sealy Size: Small Characteristics: Sturdy, inquisitive, alert, friendly, relatively mellow terrier Care: Walk daily, brush twice weekly and groom monthly
		WEST HIGHLAND WHITE TERRIER Alternate Names: Poltalloch Terrier, Roseneath Terrier, White Roseneath Terrier or Westie/Westy Size: Small Characteristics: Sturdy, curious, intelligent, independent, loyal Care: Brush and exercise regularly, occasional grooming
		WHEATEN TERRIER Alternate Names: Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier, SCWT, Irish Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier, variant spellings of Wheatie or Poor Man’s Wolfhound Size: Medium Characteristics: Affectionate, confident, alert, exuberant, friendly Care: Regular brushing and grooming, daily exercise
OTHER
		BEAGLE Alternate Names: English Beagle Size: Medium Characteristics: Sturdy, fun loving, inquisitive, intelligent, loyal Care: Brush twice weekly, occasional grooming and daily exercise
		BICHON FRISE Alternate Names: Bichon à poil fries, Bichon Tenerife or Bichon Size: Small Characteristics: Cheerful, mischievous, independent, affectionate, bursts of energy Care: Daily brushing, regular grooming and exercise
		BOXER Alternate Names: German Boxer or Deutscher Boxer Size: Large Characteristics: Powerful, intelligent, patient, affectionate, protective Care: Regular brushing, occasional  grooming, daily exercise
		BRUSSELS GRIFFON Alternate Names: Griffon Bruxellois, Belgium Griffon, Petit Brabançon, Griffon, Bruss or Griff Size: Small Characteristics: Charming, affectionate, intelligent, very sociable – dislike being left alone, curious Care: Twice weekly brushing, occasional grooming, daily walks
		BULLDOG Alternate Names: English Bulldog, British Bulldog or Sourmug Size: Medium Characteristics: Brave, loyal, mellow, lovable, friendly Care: Brush weekly, keep cool in hot weather, wipe face daily and regular walks
		CHINESE CRESTED Alternate Names: Crested or Puff Size: Small Characteristics: Very strong bond with owner/family, loving, playful, alert, curious Care: Ongoing skin care and protection from extreme temperature/UV, regular brushing of coat and moderate exercise
		CHINESE SHAR PEI Alternate Names: Shar Pei Size: Medium Characteristics: Powerful, intelligent, tenacious, loyal, aloof to strangers Care: Must be trained and socialized when young, minimal brushing and grooming, daily exercise
		COCKER SPANIEL Alternate Names: American Cocker Spaniel and English Cocker Spaniel are separate breeds typically referred to as Cocker Spaniel in their own countries, Cocker Size: Medium Characteristics: Strong, agile, responsive, sensitive, intelligent Care: Regular brushing and grooming, daily exercise
		COLLIE Alternate Names: Includes numerous breeds e.g. Bearded Collie, Border Collie, German Collie, Scotch Collie Size: Large Characteristics: Very intelligent, loyal, sensitive, graceful, low dog odor Care: Weekly brushing, occasional grooming, daily exercise
		DACHSHUND Alternate Names: Numerous names based on one’s locale e.g. Teckel, Tekkel Doxie, Dash it Hound, Weenie/Wiener Dog, Hotdog/Sausage Dog, Bassotto, Sosis, Perro Salchicha, Worshond, Taksis, Jamnik or simply Dachsie Size: Small Characteristics: Friendly, intelligent, curious, stubborn, playful Care: Long hair type require regular grooming, moderate exercise
		DALMATIAN Alternate Names: Carriage Dog, Coach Dog, Spotted Coach Dog, Firehouse Dog, Plum Pudding Dog or Dal/Dally Size: Medium Characteristics: Energetic, strong, intelligent, dignified, loving with family Care: Regular brushing, occasional grooming, daily exercise
		GERMAN SHEPHERD Alternate Names: Alsatian, Alsatian Wolf Dog, Berger Allemand or Deutscher Schäferhund Size: Large Characteristics: Energetic, very intelligent, good guard dog, affectionate, loyal Care: Regular brushing, grooming and daily exercise
		LHASA APSO Alternate Names: Lhasa or Lion Dog Size: Small Characteristics: Sturdy, alert/good watchdogs, independent, loyal, protective Care: Regular brushing, grooming and exercise
		MALTESE Alternate Names: Ancient Dog of Malta, Roman Ladies’ Dog, Maltese Lion Dog or Cokie Size: Small Characteristics: Brave, friendly, gentle, energetic, playful Care: Brushed daily, groomed regularly, moderate exercise
		POODLE Alternate Names: Pudle, Caniche or Barbone Size: Toy – Medium – Standard Characteristics: Active, affectionate, proud, very intelligent, highly trainable Care: Daily brushing, regular grooming, daily exercise
		PEKINGESE Alternate Names: Pekinese, Peking Lion Dog, Lion Dog, Chinese Spaniel, Pelchie Dog, Peking Palasthund or Peke Size: Small Characteristics: Graceful, sophisticated, high self-esteem, intelligent, affectionate Care: Regular brushing and grooming, relatively little exercise
		PERUVIAN HAIRLESS Alternate Names: Perro Sin Pelo de Perú, Inca Hairless Dog, Viringo, Peruvian Inca Orchid or Dielmatian Size: Small – Medium – Large Characteristics: Elegant, loyal, agile, affectionate with family, wary of strangers Care: Must be trained and socialized when young, minimal grooming, ongoing skin care and protection from extreme temperature/UV, regular exercise
		PUG Alternate Names: Chinese Pug, Dutch Bulldog, Dutch Mastiff, Mini Mastiff, Mops or Carlin Size: Small Characteristics: Compact, humorous, mellow, loving, enjoys companionship Care: Weekly brushing, wipe face daily, minimal grooming and exercise
		SHIH TZU Alternate Names: Lion Dog, Chinese Lion Dog or Chrysanthemum Dog Size: Small Characteristics: Charming, friendly, loyal, affectionate, lively Care: Daily brushing, regular grooming, minimal exercise