Even dogs that don’t shed can trigger an allergic reaction. (G. Paul Burnett/The New York Times, Phil Mansfield for The New York Times, Scott Mullin for The New York Times, Tony Cenicola/The New York Times)Few appointments in the new Obama administration are as eagerly awaited as the choice of first dog. Animal advocacy groups are lobbying for a rescue pet. Meanwhile, the American Kennel Club has seized on the fact that Malia Obama has allergies, suggesting that the first family choose among several so-called “hypoallergenic” breeds like the Bichon Frise or the poodle.
Now allergy specialists are weighing in as well, noting that there really is no such thing as a nonallergenic dog. People who are allergic to dogs are reacting to the pet dander, not the pet hair. Dogs like poodles, with coats that don’t shed, and hairless dogs will typically produce less dander than other types of dogs, but they still can produce enough dander to affect a highly allergic person.
Dr. Jonathan Field, director of the allergy and asthma clinic at New York University’s Langone Medical Center/Bellevue, said he gets questions all the time from parents who want dogs despite a child’s allergies. “Pet allergies are not due to hair, but are from pet dander — skin flakes — but also can be reactions to saliva or urine,” Dr. Field said. “Before investing in a dog, I suggest that parents have their child spend time with an animal — if possible — to see how they react.”
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not all shelter pets are mutts- there are plenty of abandoned purbreds to be rescued if they really must have a designer dog!
FROM TPP — And there are also lots of breed-oriented rescue groups — poodle rescues, shih tzu rescues, retriever rescues etc…
— JanineBoth my husband and I have severe allergies. We own Samoyeds–their thick undercoat keeps the dander in and they’ve triggered no allergy problems for us. Yes they are from Samoyed Rescue!
— hbI suggest a Jack Russell terriier named “Fred” as the first pet. He has very little hair, no dander, and no allergies himself. He does, however, have some other odd habits. See
http://writingfrontier.com/2008/10/12/smart-dog/
— Writing FrontierMy youngest daughter has allergies, and we went with a Minature Doberman Pincher. They hardly have any hair and my daughter has yet to have any allergic reactions to him.
— laceshiaPlus, they are perfect for kids and a great starter pet
I agree with #1, got my Shiba Inu from a rescue and very happy with him. Not that I’d probably recommend a Shiba for the White House, but getting a rescue dog of any breed sets a great example!
— LewisIn fact, many purebred dogs end up in kennels, for the same reason many mutts do: families discover they don’t have the time (or aren’t willing to make the time) to train, housebreak, and walk a dog. So I wonder, who is going to walk, housebreak, and train the Obama dog?. The little girls will be at school. Is there an official “dog walker” on the government payroll? I’ve always wondered who walked the two Scotties currently in residence. ,
— vwoodhullWell, maybe we should recommend hypoallergenic dogs to the Obamas then: http://www.nameobamaspuppy.com/choosebreed.htm
— DavidI own a Bichon Frise for that very reason, I was afraid of developing a reaction. They don’t shed, they are hypoallergenic and they are fun and very friendly.
— NadineMany people become desensitized to their own dogs. Keeping them clean is important, and quality food helps a great deal.
— PaxChildren who grow up cuddling pets or livestock don’t suffer from allergies, asthma or other respiratory disease as often as children who don’t (*). Mr. President, get the dog!
Konstantin Monastyrsky, author of Gut Sense and Fiber Menace
*Thomas M. Ball, M.D., M.P.H, et al. Siblings, Day-Care Attendance, and the Risk of Asthma and Wheezing during Childhood, New England Journal of Medicine, 2000 Aug;343:538–543.
— Konstantin MonastyrskyRe: Who walks the dog raises several issues. The little girls will have to be accompanied by the Secret Service at all times, which means that a) the family chooses a small dog who stays within the confines of the White House lawn, or b) someone on staff (the official “dog walker”) walks the dog. Also, for the real “down and dirty” of politics, let us remember that D.C. has a pooper-scooper law,. Who will pick up after the dog?
— vwoodhullTPP - your photos are misleading as you feature a pug - a dog that sheds terribly thanks to the double coat on the fawn dogs. It is a common misconception that these short-haired dogs don’t shed much.
— KateI’m probably allergic to my dog Ruby but have found that if she doesn’t sleep in the same room as me at night, I have fewer teary eyes and sniffles. By the way, we found her at the San Francisco SPCA 6 years ago; she was well-vetted, meaning that the SPCA had tested her and considered her a good “family” dog, and she was also spayed and given all her shots. I absolutely adore her and am willing to put up with some allergic reactions for the chance to be with her.
— Laura PattersonAs a practicing allergist of 35 years I totally agree with Dr. Feld. This may turn out to be a disaster. The only guaranteed allergy free dogs are those made of plastic and sold at toy stores. No living dog is allergy free. Hopefully living in a home as large as the White House, keeping the dog isolated to a kennel, and keeping Malia away from it will avoid problems for the Obamas. Otherwise the family is making a great mistake. I hope this first decision after the election by President-elect Obama is not an indicator of more poor decisions in the future.
— an allergistIt is true that you can acclimate to pets. I was always severely allergic to cats, until I rescued two little adorable kittens. I didn’t intend to keep them because of my allergies, but after a few weeks, lo and behold, I was not very much bothered the by dander, so they have a new home with me now!
— SharonWe got a puppy from a rescue not knowing he was a purebred foxhound. Tally-ho! He is the sweetest, funniest, cuddliest fella. A great family guy.
P.S. His name is Psammy (the P is silent). Just this week, in honor of Obama’s election, he acquired a middle name: Hupssein.
— plashyfenMy 4-year-old son is allergic to dogs and it’s not *just* the dander. A lick from a dog causes a hive. I wouldn’t feel comfortable with a low-dander dog because that doesn’t address the saliva issue. I hope Malia doesn’t have the same problem.
— LizaWhen I was little, I really really wanted a dog. My mother said I couldn’t, as I was allergic. Many years later, I had myself tested for something else and found out also that I was not and never had been allergic to dogs.
I thought of getting one now, but after the pooper-scooper laws, I’m not so sure anymore. And you can’t really make up later for unfulfilled childhod dreams.
— SusannaA second on the Samoyeds. I am super allergic to retrievers but have not been allergic to any of our three, rescue Samoyeds. And the Obamas will have a staff to vacuum clean!
— CathyThey really should rescue a dog. Not for the publicity, not because it makes them look responsible. Because its the right thing to do. Practically everyone I know that has a dog, has rescued it from Lolipop Farms in Rochester, NY.
— RyanA rescue puppy sets a great example! There are many great dogs that need loving homes, including many purebreds and desirable mixed breeds. As for allergies, exposure to pets often builds a tolerance, and Malia can also receive allergy shots to help minimize discomfort. Not sleeping with the dog and keeping the pet and its bed/toys/ living spaces clean helps minimize dander.
— JennyI agree — let the kids pick their puppy. Our family has allergy issues, too, espeicially to cats and shedding dogs. Frequent grooming and baths for the dog will help a lot. We have had very few problems with the Wheaton Terrier and Poodle breed (left fluffy, not with those fancy cuts). Do not try to take a piece of pizza away from a dog who snitched it from the table when no one was looking — even the nicest dog can bite (first “hand” experience)!
— RandallI had a standard poodle: fun, doesn’t shed at all, smarter than me, gentle, quiet as a cat indoors, lots of action outside, and great with kids. I have allergies, and she triggered nothing. Soft-coated wheaten terriers are nice, too.
— JMSBut Malia wanted a golden doodle. Let her get what she wants! You don’t get to have many dogs in a lifetime. I think in general a larger dog with kids is easier on the dog, but these kids seem like they’d be pretty gentle.
Giant Schnoodle, a cross between a Giant Schnauzer and a Poodle. I have allergic friends who have no problems with my dog. That is, except for his size. He’s 11 months old and he’s already 110 pounds. HE’S HUGE! But lovable and smart. He’s very gentle with my daughters.
— Jonvwoodhull — yes, there’s an official White House animal handler, quoted in yesterday’s story about Barney biting a reporter. But the Obamas seem keen on “teachable moments” and will probably insist their daughters be active in raising the puppy.
Konstantin Monastyrsky– That doctor is wrong. I grew up out in the country, always got asthma while raking fall leaves, helped out in a friend’s barn, had dogs and cats, and had to take allergy meds growing up. The hives and itchy eyes and sneezes were a bother but I didn’t care — I loved my dog, I loved animals. Now I still have a cat, and balance the problem by using Pergo floors instead of carpets, vertical blinds instead of curtains. The musty old White House is admittedly harder to make dust mite free.
As for people saying what kind of dog they have to have — while everything the Obamas do now is symbolic, here’s a plea for letting their daughters be kept out of the spotlight as much as possible and allowed to live their lives. Let the kids pick their puppy, not focus groups and PACs!
— K. Miller