Allergies are still a bit of a mystery, but it seems there is a strong tie to genetics, so if your parents or one of your siblings is allergic to pets, there is a chance you will be to.

Helpful Resources: Hypo-allergenic Dogs This is a great site for learning what dog breeds you can have if you suffer from dog allergies. These are hypo-allergenic dog breeds. The list is not all-inclusive, but there are several dogs listed. Pet Allergies This is a great site for learning about per allergies, especially allergies to dogs. It talks about who gets them, what causes them, how to treat them, and what you can do if you have them and want a dog. Dog Allergies This site provides a great look at dog allergies and other pet allergies. It has an overview section, causes of pet allergies, and symptoms of allergies. There is a lot of information about dog allergies. Living With a Dog This site teaches you how to live with a dog if you have a dog allergy, and how to manage the allergies to dogs that you have. It has things you can do daily and weekly to help with your allergies. Caring for Your Pets This site has a lot of useful information about caring for your pets, and it teaches all about what to do if you have an allergy to a pet. It offers great tips for reducing the symptoms of allergies. Pet Allergies This site provides you with allergy information for those with pet allergies, especially those that are allergic to their dogs. It offers tips for dog purchasing if you have an allergy, or if you think you might have one. Human Allergies to Dogs This site teaches you everything you ought to know about human allergies to dogs, and what to do about them if you suffer from this unfortunate pet allergy. It addresses sneeze-free dog breeds. Human Allergy to Pets This is a great site for learning about the human allergy to pets. It talks about the hypoallergenic breeds of dogs, it also talks about the things you can do to manage your pet allergies. Handling Dog Allergies This site gives some great tips for how to handle dog allergies. It shows both sides of your options. You can avoid exposure to dogs, or you can treat your symptoms with medication. Affects of Pet Allergies This site helps you understand the affects of having a pet allergy, and how a pet allergy is diagnosed, and then if you are diagnosed with an allergy to pets how to treat those allergies.

So, to answer the question of who gets allergies to their dog, the answer is anyone can, and according to statistics about fifteen percent of the population do, many of which get them through genetics.

What part of the dog are people allergic to?

People that are allergic to animals, specifically dogs, are usually allergic to the dander (dead skin that is continually shed), the saliva, or the urine. The reason dog allergies are common is because dogs and cats are the most common pets. Thus, they top the list of animals that people are the most allergic to. It is important to know though that if you are allergic to a dog, chances are you have an allergy to other pets as well, including birds, hamsters, rabbits, mice, guinea pigs, and the larger animals such as horses, goats, and cows. So do not mistakenly get a bird because you can't get a dog, you might be allergic to that as well.

While you may be allergic to many animals, there are some that will cause more severe allergic reactions as well. This holds true within the same species. You may be more allergic to a Shitzu then to a pug, and that has to do with what part of the dog you are allergic to. For example, if you are allergic to the dander, you can get a dog that sheds less frequently, and thus your symptoms will not be as strong. These dogs are referred to as hypo-allergenic dogs.

What are the symptoms when you are allergic to a dog?

The symptoms vary from person to person, but most people with allergies to pets or dogs will suffer from itchy eyes, runny nose, asthma symptoms, red itchy skin or a rash.

Many people do not recognize these symptoms as an allergy or a reaction to a pet, especially if it is a child who is reacting. The reason is that these symptoms are the same as those of having a cold, and since kids tend to get sick often, most adults will associate the runny nose or congestion with colds rather than their beloved pet.

Are there any truly hypoallergenic dogs?

As mentioned previously, there are dogs that are better breeds for people with dog allergies, but the truth is that there are not real hypo-allergenic dogs because all dogs shed, and have hair, saliva, and urine, so the only way to get a hypo-allergenic one is to get a robot dog.

However, where there are no hypoallergenic dogs, there are there dogs that do not shed as much as others. All dogs shed, though some dogs have a much denser hair coat than others and shed a larger quantity of hair than those with a thin hair coat, and some have less dander than other dogs.

Some breeds, in general, appear to have less dander than others, and thus do not typically cause as severe of reactions in people with dog allergies, and these include: Poodles, Terriers and Schnauzers. As we mentioned earlier, many people are allergic to certain types or individual animals and not others, so one of the best ways to find out if you are allergic is to simply try it out. If you want a dog, do not buy it from the pet store because there will be a lot of other pets there, and you may be reacting to a different breed, or animal. Take time to research online what breeds produce the fewest reactions, then test yourself out on one. See if you react, and how severely you react BEFORE purchasing a dog.

People with pet allergies might want to consider getting a reptile or fish as a pet. The allergens between dogs and reptiles and fish are not similar, and thus, it is unlikely you will allergic to a pet fish or pet reptile, even if you are allergic to a dog.

So, if you want to keep your dog, what can you do to help with the symptoms?

The following are some simple tips for helping you have a pet without symptoms, or at least reducing the symptoms you do have, or that those who visit your home and have allergies have.

• Keep your pet out of you room. We spend from one third to one half of our time in our bedrooms. You can greatly reduce symptoms simply by keeping them out of the bedroom, and away from your pillow.


• Install a good "HEPA" air cleaner. This will reduce the amount of allergens in your air.


• Close the ducts to the bedrooms and use electric heaters. They can transfer dander and allergens into your room from other rooms through the air.


• Clean and vacuum regularly. Regularly means two to three times a week. If possible, get rid of your carpet, it is bad for all allergy sufferers, but it only intensifies things if you suffer from dog allergies.


• Bathe your pet weekly. Or have them groomed. It is best to do this with plain water, no shampoos or soaps as they can actually add to the allergy problem rather than help it.


• Do not allow your pet on the furniture. If you do, be sure to hot water wash it at least once a week to reduce the amount of allergens.


• Do not allow your pet in your car, or use car seat covers when your pet is in the car so that you can wash them and rid the car of allergens.


• Brush your pet daily and use an allergy-reducing spray such as Allerpet to help control their dander. Brushing your dog daily, especially during shedding season, in a well-ventilated area such as the outdoors can greatly minimize the dust from floating furballs inside the house, and help with symptoms.


• Keep your pet's skin healthy. You do this by feeding a good multivitamin and a fatty acid supplement and healthy foods.


• Have your pet spend time outdoors.


• Wash your hands after handling the pet, or any of the pet's things.


• See your physician and discuss possible immunotherapy (allergy shot treatment) or medications to help with symptoms, or help you build a tolerance to the pet.

Obviously if you are allergic to a dog the best option is to simply not have a dog, but this is really not that realistic, especially because even if you do not have a dog you can not avoid them entirely, other people have them. So, instead, you want to develop management strategies to help with symptoms, and consider immunotherapy to help you build a tolerance to the pet dander.

People with pet allergies have supersensitive immune systems that react to harmless proteins (allergens) in the pet's dander, saliva or urine. There hair is not what causes the allergy, it just happens to be a good host for holding the things that do. Because these allergy-producing proteins can cause nasal congestion, sneezing, itchy and watery eyes, skin rashes, headaches, fatigue, coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing, and serious asthma attacks, it is wise to be vigilant about keeping your home cleaned, as this will allow you to have a dog without all the suffering. It is a lot of work to constantly wash sheets, walls, pets, etc. but if you want to have a dog, and have an allergy, it is worth it.