[NikNak]

Hi all!

I would love your help and advice!!! Our family really, really, really wants a poodle! One of my sons is allergic to dogs (multiple testing has confirmed this - he gets a tight chest, coughs, and gets itchy eyes) but he does OK with my parents' cavapoo when we stay with them (they live abroad so we can't use their breeder).

So we're trying to find the best size/gender of poodle for our family, and would also love breeder recommendations. I grew up with dogs before we had kids (golden retrievers, GSDs, and greyhound) but poodles are new for me. We live in New York state.

I love standard poodles but a few people have told me that a toy poodle might be better from a "hypoallergenic" POV. (I know there's no true hypoallergenic breeds). Someone else told me that miniature poodles are the most hypoallergenic of the three sizes. Help! What do you think? Is there much difference? And I've been told that female dogs are less allergy-provoking than boys as they lack the prostate protein? Does that make a difference?

I read that some breeders will let you come and visit their adults dogs to check for allergy reactiveness and have a 2-3 week return policy. I obvs hate the thought of having to return a puppy, but I want to try and do everything we can in advance to make sure we're getting a dog that my son won't react to. Does anyone have any recommendations of reputable nearby(ish) breeders that would do this?

The dog would not be allowed into the bedrooms upstairs or onto our furniture (sadly!) to help minimize my son having a flare up. And we have wood floors so hopefully that will help?

Are we crazy to be even trying to make this work??

All advice would be awesome!!

 

[Sarah Poo]

Hi,

I just got a toy poodle puppy one month ago and was in a similar situation (my mother is very allergic to dogs, she has asthma). I suggest you take a look at the discussion because the members of the forum gave me really helpful advices for allergies: HELP !! Allergy (asthma) to my poodle puppy!!.

We have hardwood floor as well and our puppy is not allowed into the bedrooms or furniture also. Plus, I wash her bedding once a week.

If I were you, I would definitely not get a standard poodle if your son is severely allergic. Our Charlie is a toy poodle and my mom still has asthma when we are in a restricted area without air circulation (such as a car). However, that's just my opinion

 

[AliFenrisMom]

I am pretty new to dog ownership but I have dog allergies and asthma that my friends' dogs always set off. Any fur on me would mean a runny nose, cough, red eyes, possible asthma attacks. Funny enough my cat allergies have always been minimal and I've had cats for decades. I recently got a standard poodle (male) and allergies was one of the reasons I wanted one. I did test myself when he was just a pup with my breeder (in Florida so not close to you) but I had no allergic reactions. However, after bringing him home I developed mild reactions on par with those that I get to cats (a daily claritin keeps me reaction free). So my standard poodle does not set me off severely like other dogs (GSDs, Milionis, Boxers, Bulldogs, etc.) have.

That said, all allergies are individual. You may be able to make this work. When you have a breeder in mind, talk to them about meeting any of the parents possible, previous litters, or later the pups. I would think any ethical breeder would have no issue with that. But note that in my sessions with the pups and dam I did not develop any allergic reactions. I held and played with the pups, petted the dam. It was only after bringing him home that I developed mild symptoms.

 

[NikNak]

I am pretty new to dog ownership but I have dog allergies and asthma that my friends' dogs always set off. Any fur on me would mean a runny nose, cough, red eyes, possible asthma attacks. Funny enough my cat allergies have always been minimal and I've had cats for decades. I recently got a standard poodle (male) and allergies was one of the reasons I wanted one. I did test myself when he was just a pup with my breeder (in Florida so not close to you) but I had no allergic reactions. However, after bringing him home I developed mild reactions on par with those that I get to cats (a daily claritin keeps me reaction free). So my standard poodle does not set me off severely like other dogs (GSDs, Milionis, Boxers, Bulldogs, etc.) have.

That said, all allergies are individual. You may be able to make this work. When you have a breeder in mind, talk to them about meeting any of the parents possible, previous litters, or later the pups. I would think any ethical breeder would have no issue with that. But note that in my sessions with the pups and dam I did not develop any allergic reactions. I held and played with the pups, petted the dam. It was only after bringing him home that I developed mild symptoms.

Thanks - that's so helpful! It's my worry about visiting a breeder in advance - that we may feel reassured, but then when we bring the puppy or dog home the allergies then kick in...🤞🤞

 

[NikNak]

Hi,

I just got a toy poodle puppy one month ago and was in a similar situation (my mother is very allergic to dogs, she has asthma). I suggest you take a look at the discussion because the members of the forum gave me really helpful advices for allergies: HELP !! Allergy (asthma) to my poodle puppy!!.

We have hardwood floor as well and our puppy is not allowed into the bedrooms or furniture also. Plus, I wash her bedding once a week.

If I were you, I would definitely not get a standard poodle if your son is severely allergic. Our Charlie is a toy poodle and my mom still has asthma when we are in a restricted area without air circulation (such as a car). However, that's just my opinion

Thanks so much - your forum had some really helpful posts in it!

 

[Happy'sDad]

My friend's young son has a dog allergy. While he doesn't seem to react to contact with my SPOO's coat, her saliva causes a significant reaction.

 

[Newport]

You're not crazy. Poodles can work very well for some people with dog allergies. Many reputable breeders are quite sympathetic towards allergy sufferers, and are used to working with puppy buyers with allergy concerns.

 

[Basil_the_Spoo]

Yeah, your on the right track. I (31) had bad allergies growing up but was determined to get a dog for companionship. I like to stick my face in Basil's hair and if she hasn't been bathed in 2-1/2 weeks I can smell a sneeze fit forming.. it's the oil and icky stuff on her skin for me. So, she gets a shower every 1 to 1-1/2 weeks.

My mom has to wash her hands after petting Basil to avoid any skin reaction.

Search the forum for allergy related threads.

 

[Dechi]

I am allergic to anything with hair or feathers. I have chronic asthma from my allergies and I also get contact dermititis. I have two toy poodles and I am allergic to them. Poodles will trigger allergic reasons, but often milder than other breeds.

I do not recommend getting a standard poodle with a child who has allergic asthma. The smaller, the better. I see no logic in miniatures being the less allergenic, as they are usually bigger than toys. I would get a toy if I were in your shoes.

Also, make arrangements with the breeder. That’s what I do. I tell them there is a slight chance I cannot tolerate the puppy and we agree on a set period of time to bring the puppy back, usually 2-3 weeks max (it’s not fair for the puppy, or the family to stretch it longer than that). That’s how long it takes me to know if I can live with a specific dog. The first few days I’m fine, then the allergies start, and then when it goes well, they gradually lessen to where it’s acceptable. I've had to give back a chihuahua that I just couldn‘t tolerate. That’s when I decided for a second toy poodle and I’m lucky it worked out.

Also, get a commercial grade air purifier and set it in your son’s room so he gets fresh air at night. No dogs in his room/bed. Even better if the dog isn’t allowed on the floor where the rooms are. Teach your son to wash his hands after touching the dog and to not touch his face and eyes.

If you live in a cold climate, have an air exchanger installed so you can get fresh air even during winter. If not, make sure to aerate the house as much as possible. A good air exchanger will replace 100% of the air in the house 3 times per day.

I hope it works out for you. Your son’s health is what matters and taking these steps will help you in your project of owning a dog. Last advice, prepare your son to the possibility that it doesn’t work, so he doesn’t have his heart broken if the puppy has to go.

 

[skuma150]

I have a (mild?) dog allergy and and recently got a mini poodle puppy. I say mild with a question mark because I have been around dogs and haven’t had such a severe reaction, but I haven’t really been allergy tested in years to confirm whether or not my allergy went away.

I now realize that if I constantly touch my her with my bare hands, and let her lick me, my allergies start to flare(itchy skin, I also have eczema), sneezing. I’ve mitigated my symptoms by not allowing my puppy to come into my room, I keep her downstairs. I wash my hands immediately if touching with bare hands. I do not touch my face after touching with bare hands. Its easier now in winter as I’m always wearing long sleeves in the house, so I don’t necessarily have to handle her with bare skin. I’m determined to not let my allergies prevent me from loving her. Hope it works out for you.