Allergies to dogs can strike anyone at any age, yet with how attached most owners are to their dogs, they seem to chose living with their allergies rather then giving up their beloved pets.
If you find yourself getting congested or suffering a runny nose, itchy nose, sneezing, itchy and watery eyes, coughing, sore throat, skin rashes or hives, headaches, fatigue, difficulties breathing, or asthma symptoms when you're around dogs, then you probably have allergies.
You can still indulge in your appreciation for canines, but you will need to learn some basic techniques for protecting your health, while still enjoying your pet's company.
Firstly, dog allergens can adhere to clothing, drapes, walls, furniture and even remain airborne for quite awhile. You can ease your allergies by observing some basic rules of cleanliness.
Keep the dog out of areas where you will be sleeping or spending prolonged periods of time. Wash your hands after playtime, petting or grooming. You may need to take an over the counter allergy medication prior to playtime, extensive petting or grooming. A shower and change of clothing may help as well.
Never allow the dog to jump, sleep or play on furniture where you will be sitting, sleeping or using extensively. Dander will pool in these areas and cause a severe allergic reaction. Keep floors swept or vacuumed, and shampoo or steam carpets every second or third month. Keep the dog's bedding, toys and feeding area washed and clean also.
Second. A good HEPA air filter may help keep airborne dander under control, but you will need to maintain a rigorous grooming schedule if you want to prevent dander at the source. If grooming the dog yourself is a problem, you might need to recruit a friend or family member for this job.
Bathing should be once or twice a week, but be sure that the shampoo does not dry out the dog's skin or it will create worse dander. The use of a soft body brush can be daily, if gentle. It will remove loose dander on and in the hair.
A full body scrub down should be scheduled once or twice a week, this will work loose any flakes deeper in the coat. When I say 'scrub' I'm suggesting a firm body brush that will be able to massage the skin but not hurt the dog. If you brush too roughly your dog will quickly learn to dislike grooming, and it will become a miserable chore for both of you!
Third. No dog should be considered completely non-allergenic because, regardless of strict grooming and prevention techniques, all dogs produce dander, saliva and urine, which are the cause of allergies. There are some breeds, however, that produce less dander than others, and sufferers should seriously consider choosing from one of these breeds.
Airedales, Poodles and Schnauzers make the best choices for allergy sufferers. All three of these breeds shed less dander then other breeds. They also shed very little hair, and have very little dog odor if they are kept regularly groomed and cared for.
Airedales
Airedales are a medium large breed originated in England where they were bred to be a brave, strong, and intelligent hunting dog. Today it is highly prized as a companion for it's beauty, shape and type. They're called the "King of Terriers" by dog fanciers. They have a merry temperament and love to play games. They are good learners, good with children and adapt themselves easily to either home, yard or garden.
On the downside, Airedale's coat should be trimmed by a professional, as they require their hair to be "plucked" or it will cause unhealthy skin problems, severe irritation, itching and of course, more dander.
Poodles
One of the best features of this breed is choice in size. The standard and giant sized Poodles are a good choice for a family or individual with a large house or yard. They make excellent watchdogs or pets, and are so intelligent that they can be easily housebroken and even taught to do tricks. The miniature and toy poodles are less then 15 inches tall at the shoulder, and are just as intelligent and loving as their larger counterparts.
Poodles are an excellent choice for allergen sensitive owners. They do not shed, and the coat can be clipped quite close by your groomer, making soft brushing less of a chore. In fact, some poodle owners even learn how to clip their own dogs. Bathing is very simple for a poodle with a short coat, just avoid those lion manes and you'll have a perfect companion.
Schnauzers
This breed also comes in a variety of sizes from Giant to Miniature, and the best part is that they have almost NO doggy odor! Just like Poodles, the Schnauzer needs to be clipped because they do not shed out hair as most dogs do. But unlike the Poodle, most Schnauzers are allowed to keep their beard and some fuzzy socks. If necessary, however you can modify his furry attire to best suit your needs.
Schnauzers are very brave, intelligent and aristocratic. He is excellent in a family setting, and was even given the name "kinder watcher" for his loving care of the children. They are so talented and versatile that they are equally suited for hunting, tracking, retrieving, security, guarding, military work, agility, competitive obedience and even learning tricks.
So if you find yourself driving past the dog park and thinking about how much you'd enjoy having a dog in your life, now might be a great time to act upon your desires.
You don't have to give up your love of dogs; you just need to find the right balance to fit a dog into your life. These beautiful and loving creatures truly deserve a warm place in our hearts, and the title of man's best friend.
Visit http://www.avidpets.com for additional helpful tips and advice on http://www.avidpets.com.
disinfecting cleaning services Arlington Heights ..The idea of picking up a horse's hooves can intimidate... Read More
A former coworker has a dog that had begun itching... Read More
Breeding tropical fish can be a lot of fun. Try... Read More
Vaccinations play an important part in the preventive healthcare of... Read More
As we find ourselves in the middle of winter, it's... Read More
Cat arthritis is not a very common ailment among healthy... Read More
For some 25 years I have alerted the public to... Read More
Thanks to Disney's Motion Picture 'Finding Nemo,' almost everybody is... Read More
A puppy wanting to chew makes you want to scream!... Read More
How to Deal With Anxiety in Your DogAnxiety in dogs... Read More
Many dogs today suffer from itchy skin caused by a... Read More
Beautiful as they are, Boston Terriers have some genetic traits... Read More
If you're like me, then you don't really have the... Read More
If you are seriously considering keeping fish as pets or... Read More
Pets provide an unconditional love that requires very little on... Read More
Because your dog lives with humans, he's going to have... Read More
When I carried him home, he was this tiny little... Read More
To vaccinate or not to vaccinate? That's become the burning... Read More
Part2: Does your puppy want to be crate trained?Yes! in... Read More
Americans are more concerned about health than ever before, so... Read More
My son and I have a cat. Her name is... Read More
Was he the world's greatest horse trainer of all time?... Read More
A major part of a horse's diet is hay or... Read More
It's important to understand your dog's sleeping habits and how... Read More
Dog careAccepting responsibility of your new pet friend is truly... Read More
bathroom cleaning service Mundelein ..Cats are living longer lives thanks to dedicated care from... Read More
Have you ever held any Westie puppies? These tiny creatures... Read More
A respiratory tract ailment can be fatal to your parrot... Read More
Shy dogs are more common than most people think, but... Read More
From the first day of life on a leash, most... Read More
If you are beginning to feel like an endangered species... Read More
Before we talk about using the essential oils, we first... Read More
Okay, so it's not the cleanest or most appealing of... Read More
If you decide you want a purebred, make sure it's... Read More
You spoil your pooch as close to rotten as you... Read More
The first dog trick that is generally taught a dog... Read More
Purebred dogs of all breeds can be found in shelters,... Read More
What if you want a Boxer, but cannot stomach the... Read More
Chihuahua Training is Easy! You may be wondering if Chihuahua... Read More
This is a very controversial topic which has a lot... Read More
You might think the most important bit of dog health... Read More
Show an uninformed dog lover a photo of a Westie,... Read More
It has been said that everything old is new again.... Read More
The information in this article is based on the successful... Read More
You can look at westhighland terriers and know if it... Read More
Training Tips for a Happy and Healthy Relationship with Your... Read More
PROBIOTICS - The Good Bacteria - Does your pet have... Read More
The numbers will make any pet lover blanch with disgust,... Read More
As there are certain health issues that affect only the... Read More
For a cat, scratching is a natural, necessary act. Besides... Read More
Pet |