What is the best breed of dog for an asthmatic?

Answer 1

It isn't so much the fur, but more so the dander and saliva. Dogs shed tiny flakes of skin as the skin replaces itself just as our skin does. It is called dander. However, in some breeds, the shedding of hair or fur carries saliva and dander with it. Try to select a non/low-shedding, low-dander breed or mix of dog.

Remember, there is no such thing as a completely Hypoallergenic dog, so do not purchase a pup if the breeder or store tells you it's completely "hypoallergenic". This means they haven't done their homework!!

The good thing is that many children out-grow Asthma so it's best to be patient. If the asthma symptoms aren't very severe or are well controlled, you should visit with several types of low shedding/low dander dogs and puppies to see which would be a good match for your child or your family. Also, if the child is around the dog on a regular basis, they will often become accustomed and immune to the dog and build up a tolerance to it. If your child's asthma is extremely bad or they are having regular attacks, please wait until the child gets a bit older and outgrows the severity of the condition to purchase a dog. It will be more kind to the child and the pup as well.

Dog hair is generally not an allergy trigger, but symptoms begin appearing when the hair sheds out dander and saliva along with it. This is why you should try to select a non-shedding or low-shedding breed. Please do not purchase a short-coated dog. Short coated dogs typically shed more than long-haired dogs. This is a little-known fact that very few people outside of animal care actually know. (I work in animal care and I am a Dog Breed Specialist and Animal Care Technician for a puppy-specialist store.)

If a person lives in an environment that constantly triggers their asthma, but is not allergic to dogs, they may still be irritated by the fine dander shed by the dog. If the other allergens in the environment are reduced, and the asthma controlled by medication, they may then be able to tolerate a dog. Dogs with a skin problem, such as having an allergy themselves, or having a skin infection, will replace their skin faster and shed more dander. Please do not wash your dog excessively. This will dry out the skin and cause dry skin and frequent scratching which will release the dander into the air. Also, your pup could possibly get a skin infection from scratching, which will be irritating to you and to him!

• The breeds of dog recommended for allergy sufferers are as follows:

  Affenpinscher, Airedale Terrier, American Hairless Terrier, Australian Terrier, Basenji, Bedlington Terrier, Bergamasco, Bichon Frise, Black Russian Terrier, Bolognese, Border Terrier, Bouvier des Flandres, Brussels Griffon, Cairn, Cesky Terrier, Chacy Ranior, Chinese Crested (hairless), Coton De Tulear, Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Glen of Imaal Terrier, Hairless Khala, Havanese, Irish Terrier, Kerry Blue Terrier, Komondor, Lagotto Romagnolo, Lakeland Terrier, Lowchen, Maltese, Manchester Terrier, Norfolk Terrier, Norwich Terrier, Peruvian Inca Orchid, PBGV, Polish Owczarek Nizinny, Poodles (all sizes), Portuguese Water Dog, Puli, Scottie, Sealyham Terrier, Shih-Tzu, Silky Terrier, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, Spanish Water Dog, Standard Poodle, Schnauzer (all sizes), Tibetan Terrier, Welsh Terrier, Westie, Wirehaired Fox Terrier, Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, Xoloitzcuintle, Yorkshire Terrier

  A mix of any of these dogs (such as a Malti-poo, Yorkie-poo, Westie-poo, Schnoodle, etc) will also be non-shedding. However, beware of a 1/2 shedding to 1/2 non-shedding mix such as a Labradoodle or Goldendoodle. These dogs have several definable coat types, and only some of them are non-shedding. You'd be best to find a multi-generation cross, such as 1/3 lab to 2/3 poodle, or better yet- 1/4 lab to 3/4 poodle. You are almost completely assured that this will be a non-shedding mix.

There are other opinions in the Discussion box to the left in the blue area under tools.

Answer 2

probably a min pin because they have no hair... really any hairless dog...

• The breeds of dog recommended for allergy sufferers are as follows:

  Affenpinscher, Airedale Terrier, American Hairless Terrier, Australian Terrier, Basenji, Bedlington Terrier, Bergamasco, Bichon Frise, Black Russian Terrier, Bolognese, Border Terrier, Bouvier des Flandres, Brussels Griffon, Cairn, Cesky Terrier, Chacy Ranior, Chinese Crested (hairless), Coton De Tulear, Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Glen of Imaal Terrier, Hairless Khala, Havanese, Irish Terrier, Kerry Blue Terrier, Komondor, Lagotto Romagnolo, Lakeland Terrier, Lowchen, Maltese, Manchester Terrier, Norfolk Terrier, Norwich Terrier, Peruvian Inca Orchid, PBGV, Polish Owczarek Nizinny, Poodles (all sizes), Portuguese Water Dog, Puli, Scottie, Sealyham Terrier, Shih-Tzu, Silky Terrier, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, Spanish Water Dog, Standard Poodle, Schnauzer (all sizes), Tibetan Terrier, Welsh Terrier, Westie, Wirehaired Fox Terrier, Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, Xoloitzcuintle, Yorkshire Terrier

  A mix of any of these dogs (such as a Malti-poo, Yorkie-poo, Westie-poo, Schnoodle, etc) will also be non-shedding. However, beware of a 1/2 shedding to 1/2 non-shedding mix such as a Labradoodle or Goldendoodle. These dogs have several definable coat types, and only some of them are non-shedding. You'd be best to find a multi-generation cross, such as 1/3 lab to 2/3 poodle, or better yet- 1/4 lab to 3/4 poodle. You are almost completely assured that this will be a non-shedding mix.

Answer 3

Poodles don't shed as much as many other breeds, so people with asthma and Allergies seem to do better with them than other breeds of dogs. The reason is that the hair that sheds holds dander which is the typical cause of allergic reactions to dogs. The shedding hair then deposits dander (or saliva or urine that can also hold the proteins that cause the allergic reaction) more throughout the home and this increases the problem for those with allergies and asthma.

Answer 4

all dogs are fine for children with asma as long as their not allergic to dog,if they are allergic to dogs i suggest a shih tzu because the allergy isn't of the dog itself its acually of the fir and shih tzus have human hait acually so they don't shed at all

Answer 5

a hairless dog or at least a chihuahua Unfortunately there is no dog that will be safe around your child because it's not the fur on the dog, but dog dander off their skin. For now I would not get a dog as hard as it is for your child. In time, many young people will out-grow asthma. My husband had it as a child and it stopped when he reached puberty. If your child has a light case of asthma then discuss this prospect with your family doctor first.

Answer 6

The best dog for a mom with asthma would be a Golden Retreiver.

Answer 7

Yorkie.

Answer 8

A poodle or a Schnauzer