Golden retriever and allergic child

Answer 1

Goldens are not ideal dogs for children with Allergies; dogs with oily coats like Labrador retrievers actually slough off less dander/skin than dogs like goldens.

If you already have the dog and the child together, remove carpets from the child's room and make sure the dog is not allowed in the child's room. Vacuum/sweep daily. You may want to use a Hepa filter in rooms where the child will be. Dust weekly. Launder the child's clothes after he pets or plays with the dog, and make sure the child has bathed before going to bed so the bedroom/bedding stay dander-free. The dog should sleep in a different part of the house than the child.

The dog should eat the highest-quality diet you can possibly afford to make sure his skin and coat are healthy: the ingredients cannot include the words wheat, gluten, corn, or byproduct(s). Flax seed oil or salmon oil supplements can also benefit the dog's skin and coat.

The dog needs to be brushed vigorously at least twice a week (outdoors or in the garage--away from areas where the child lives) and bathed about once a month, or when dirty. (Excessive bathing can cause more dander actually.)

Follow your child's doctor's advice about treating allergies (antihistamines, etc.).

All these steps should make life with dog and child fairly easy--and the rewards for a child of growing up with a dog are great.

Many times, people who are initially allergic to a dog will desensitize to the dog over time. (I myself was initially highly allergic to my puppy, but within 6 months had no allergy to her at all.)