Considering how much dogs love humans and how good it feels to cuddle a large, fluffy dog, it's frustrating when allergies sit between you and your furry friend.
You start itching, sneezing, and having a runny nose immediately when your companion gets into the house or when you start cuddling. Fortunately, some large hypoallergenic dogs shed minimally, even during seasonal changes, so you don't have to worry about dog allergies.
Breeds, Care, and Allergen Management
Let's start by busting the myth about hypoallergenic dog breeds. There are no dog breeds that are 100% hypoallergenic. After all, allergies result from the proteins in the dog's hair, saliva, urine, and skin flakes. Saying that a dog is 100% hypoallergenic means that the dog doesn't pee, has no skin, and doesn't produce saliva.
Of course that's not true. However, there are dogs that don't shed much, such that they can live with allergic people without triggering allergic reactions. Here are some of the large dog breeds that fall under this category, their care instructions and tips on how to combat dander in your home.
Portuguese Water Dog
As the name suggests, the Portuguese Water Dog breed originated from Portugal. These dogs are closely related to Spaniel Water Dogs and are known to have the same ancestry as Standard Poodles. They are water-loving and were bred to help fishermen lure fish into the net and retrieve hooks and fishing equipment from the waters.
Fast forward, Portuguese Water Dogs are being used for water rescue operations. The dogs are deeply empathetic toward their owners and children, which is why they make good therapy dogs, assistance dogs for hearing impaired people and mobility dogs for visually impaired ones.
The dogs are medium-sized, weighing 40 to 60 pounds. The distinctive feature of the breed is their webbed feet which aid them in swimming. They have a profuse single layered coat that is either wavy or curly and waterproof.
Curly coated Portuguese Water Dogs have cylindrical curls that are compact and somewhat lusterless while the wavy coated ones have gently falling waves of hair with a slight sheen. The single-layer coat doesn't shed much, making the dog a great choice for parents allergic to dog dander and hair.
However, since the dog's hair grows constantly, it is prone to matting. Brush the dog for at least 30 minutes two to three times per week and keep the hair separated to allow the skin to breathe and prevent matting.
Afghan Hound
The Afghan Hound is probably the most glamorous pooch in the canine world. These dogs have a slender build, a smooth gait, and an aloof personality. As the name suggests, this breed originated from the Afghanistan mountains.
However, much of the breed's history has been lost to war-like factions led by leaders such as Genghis Khan and Alexander the Great, who overran the region. The good news is that the American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1926.
Since these hunting dogs chased after prey and held it down until their humans arrived, they are extremely independent and don't really like being told what to do. So, make sure you use positive reinforcement training. Otherwise, brace yourself for frustrating training sessions.
Another thing is that these dogs are large, measuring about 24 to 29 inches in height and 44 to 60 pounds in weight. Their most striking feature is their Regal appearance owing to their proud Carriage smooth face and long silky coat that flows almost to the ground.
These dogs are not big shedders; you don't have to worry about dander if you are allergic. When properly groomed, the Afghan coat is very fine in texture, thick and silky, similar to human hair. However, the coat tangles and mats very easily, so brush the dog daily.
Irish Water Spaniel
The Irish Water Spaniel is the oldest and largest of the Spaniel breeds. It is one of the Ireland native breeds along with the Kerry Blue Terrier, Irish Setter, and Irish Wolfhound. This dog was initially bred to be an active sporting dog.
These dogs are often mistaken for a large brown Poodle because of their distinctive top knot and the curly hair that covers their body. But with a keen eye, you'll notice that the Spaniel's top knot consists of long, loose curls growing down from the head covering the eyes.
The dog has a dense, tightly curled double coat that looks like wool. The dog doesn't shed much, and the little it sheds doesn't fall out in clumps or cling to the fabric of furniture and clothing quite as much as other types of hair. This makes the breed a good choice for allergic people.
But if you thought that this unique and beautiful coat doesn't come at an expense, you were wrong. This breed needs daily grooming to keep its coat natural and free from tangles. So, make sure you comb the coat all the way down to the skin to remove any mats and tangles at least three times a week.
Standard Poodle
A Standard Poodle is a large breed of dog that can weigh from 60 to 80 pounds. That is huge and a lot bigger than what most people think when they hear the name Poodle. They are also the second most intelligent dog breeds behind the Border Collie.
This intelligence makes them a great option for first time dog owners because of the ease of training. Living with a Standard Poodle is like having a hilarious, intelligent roommate with a fabulous coat. They're incredibly loyal and will bring endless laughter to your life.
In fact, Standard Poodles are voted the seventh most popular dog breed in the United States. Poodles have a signature coat - a dense mass of soft curls with a texture reminiscent of lamb's wool. These dogs shed minimally and are considered to be the most hypoallergenic dog breeds out there.
However, their dead hair gets trapped within the growing coat and can form painful mats. So, just like the Irish Water Spaniels, it's advisable to brush Standard Poodles around two to three times per week to prevent matting.
Giant Schnauzer
There are three Schnauzer sizes, and all are distinct breeds. You've got the Giant Schnauzer, the Standard and the Miniature one. So, Giant Schnauzers are called giant mainly because they're bigger than the mini and the standard, not because they are giant breeds compared to other giant breeds like the Great Danes.
In fact, these dogs weigh around 95 pounds, which means they fall under the large breed category, not the giant category. This breed was created by German landowners who wanted a tough dog to drive their cattle.
During the World War One era, these dogs became the standard police dogs in Germany, just like the German Shepherds in the US. These dogs are intelligent, and it’s not uncommon for a Giant Schnauzer to choose who is the leader of the family and who to obey.
So, start training your furry friend the day you bring him home. Another thing is that Giant Schnauzer dogs have double coats.
There is the harsh outer coat that protects them from the weather elements and a soft undercoat that keeps them warm. The good thing is that they are non-shedding, and you'll only find some hairs that collect around the corners as they break off, just like human hair. This makes them a great option for people with allergies.
Airedale Terrier
The Airedale Terriers were originally bred to catch otters, rats, and small vermin in the Aire Valley of Yorkshire. They are the largest dogs of the Terriers, and probably that's why they are called the king of terriers. The males usually weigh somewhere between 55 and 60 pounds, and the females weigh between 45 and 55 pounds.
Airedale is one of the few dogs in the terrier group that really gets attached to their owners. The other small terriers prefer to run in a pack and be closer to each other than their humans. The Airedale is pretty responsive to its people, which makes it a little easier to train.
As a working and hunting dog, they are a double-coated breed. They have a soft undercoat that helps repel water, and then the harsh top coat helps protect the dog's skin from being scratched by brambles and stuff as they're hunting for vermin and other things.
The dog doesn't shed a lot of furs, even during the shedding seasons. However, you need to brush the dog two to three times a week to prevent tangles. It's also advisable to hand-strip the coat three to four times a year.
Tips for Reducing Allergens
Keep in mind that there's no truly hypoallergenic dog breed, and it's expected even for the above dog breeds to shed minimally. For allergic people, here are tips that can help you eliminate this minimal dander and avoid allergies altogether.
- Use air purifiers: Air purifiers are the best option to remove loose dog hairs around the house. Go for a purifier with HEPA filters that can trap around 99.9% of the dog hairs floating in the air.
- Use allergen-blocking dog sprays: These sprays break down the structure of the dog hair proteins that cause allergies. This neutralizes the ability of the dander to cause allergies.
- Use allergy medications: This is the ultimate option. Have some allergy medications at home. If the worst happens and you notice the signs of allergy, take the medications to help block histamine production.
Final Thoughts
Allergies can be a deal breaker for most aspiring dog owners. Not many allergic people are ready for the itches, sneezes, and running noses resulting from a dog's dander. Fortunately, all is not lost. The above dog breeds don't shed much, and with proper grooming and a simple air purifier, you can live happily with your furry friend.