Pet allergies

[JackReacher]

We're considering getting a dog, but our choices are limited given my allergies. I know a few people who have dealt with this, but I also wanted to throw it out here for discussion.

I assume an allergy pill and/or peridodic allergy shots will do the trick. Anyone here been through that process? Any advice?

Thx.

 

[MisterCreosote]

If your allergy isn't too severe, just regular cleaning of the house and the dog and limiting where the dog can go in the house, and maybe an inhaler, ought to do the trick. Petting the dog would probably trigger it, too.

If it's severe enough that you'd need antihistamines every day, or allergy shots, I'd maybe think about another pet option.

If not, rescue a beagle. They're awesome.

 

[JackReacher]

I'm in the process of finding an allergy doctor (allergist?) in the area. I'll know a lot more after that, I hope. If it can be managed without too much annoyance, beagles are for sure on my list, near the top.

Is the shedding with beagles as out of control as I hear, MC? That's also another issue, obviously.

 

[Mr. Sunshine]

Get a pug.

Or something like this:

 

[JackReacher]

Ha. Pass.

 

[Mr. Sunshine]

Ha. Pass.

A hairless dog solves your problem!

 

[JackReacher]

Solves one problem, that's for sure. Creates several more.

 

[Mr. Sunshine]

Solves one problem, that's for sure. Creates several more.

As long as you don't carry it around in your purse, no one will be the wiser.

 

[Mr. Sunshine]

To be serious for a moment, as was mentioned it's the severity of the allergy that is key. I have a niece and nephew with pet allergies. The nephew can handle dogs and cats with limited aggravation and has had a number of pets, but the niece can't be in the same room as an animal for more than 5 minutes without problems.

 

[cranberry]

That's exactly the reason why our first dog was an Irish terrier. A few other terriers work, too. Look for a dog that requires a haircut rather than a shedder. Poodles are recommended for people with allergies, too, but I couldn't bring myself to get a poodle.

 

[Vombatus]

Hairless is AWESOME!

 

[MisterCreosote]

Is the shedding with beagles as out of control as I hear, MC? That's also another issue, obviously.

Not sure who you heard that from, but beagles are pretty good with shedding. The biggest problems I had was their dirty paws because they're diggers. Also, one of them liked to roll around in her own ****, but that's a dog thing in general, not specific to any breed.

 

[JackReacher]

I don't think my allergies are severe, but they're definitely there. For instance, when I'm around my brother's pug (usually an hour or so at a time), I'm fine. But when we went to look at schnauzers (typically good for people with allergies) the other day, I left the house with a runny nose and one sneeze. But she had about a million of those things running around. I'm hoping with just one dog, I can survive. I don't mind doing the shots and pills or whatever. I'd just rather not, obviously.

We also went to an adoption event a few weekends ago, spent maybe 30 min walking around, and showed no signs.

It's kinda hit and miss. When I was younger, it was more of an issue. Just want to nip it in the bud just in case, I guess.

 

[Mr. Sunshine]

Labs are cool. How about a Labradoodle? But one that doesn't look ridiculous.

 

[JackReacher]

Well, we live in a townhouse, so we don't have a TON of room for a big dog. We kinda like the shih tzu-poodle mixes and the schnauzer-poodle mixes. But that's going off the theory that we'll be getting a "hypoallergenic" dog.

 

[Mr. Sunshine]

Well, we live in a townhouse, so we don't have a TON of room for a big dog. We kinda like the shih tzu-poodle mixes and the schnauzer-poodle mixes. But that's going off the theory that we'll be getting a "hypoallergenic" dog.

Dude.

 

[Mr. Sunshine]

Well, pugs are cool because they don't take up much room, they're easy to deal with and they have big-dog attitude.

 

[JackReacher]

Dude. I'm also not the only one making this decision.

 

[Mr. Sunshine]

Dude. I'm also not the only one making this decision.

Obviously. But chicks dig pugs.

 

[bigpern23]

Labs are cool. How about a Labradoodle? But one that doesn't look ridiculous.

My mother-in-law has a pretty bad pet allergy (she gets shots for it), so when we got a puppy a couple of years ago, we got a labradoodle. Very smart dog, doesn't shed and doesn't bother her allergies. She still has to deal with the yellow lab my wife got eight years ago, but the labradoodle is great for someone with allergies.