Do you have a pet allergy but are also a lover of big dogs? Are you wondering if there is a dog breed out there that won’t completely trigger your allergies? While no dog is 100% hypoallergenic, smaller breeds are most often the best pick for dog lovers with allergies. However, if you have your heart set on adopting a larger breed dog, you should know that you still have options.
Afghan hounds are a regal breed with long silky coats and tall stature. And perhaps the best thing about them is that they are one of the best options for allergy sufferers looking to adopt a large breed dog. Read on to learn more.
What Causes Pet Allergies?
Many people mistakenly believe that pet hair is responsible for triggering their pet allergies. While pet hair can collect allergens, it is not responsible for causing reactions in people with allergies.
In reality, most pet allergies are actually triggered by exposure to the animals’ dead flakes of skin (dander). Any animal that has fur will produce dander which is why there isn’t any dog breed that would be considered 100% hypoallergenic.
Our body’s immune system works to find foreign substances like bacteria or viruses and to rid our body of them. This response is very beneficial most of the time as it helps us ward off potentially dangerous diseases. People who have pet allergies, however, have very sensitive and overactive immune systems that will trigger an allergic reaction to the harmless proteins found in the pet’s saliva, dander, and urine.
Pet allergens wind up everywhere when you have an animal in the home. Since the allergens can be carried in the animal’s fur, they can be deposited into every nook and cranny of your space. When you pet an animal, the allergens become airborne, potentially embedding themselves onto your clothing. Dusting and vacuuming can also cause the allergens to spread into the air where they can travel around your home or even stay suspended in the air for a while.
Can I Adopt an Afghan Hound if I Have Dog Allergies?
We have good news for allergy sufferers. The Afghan Hound is one of the best dog breeds to adopt if you have pet allergies.
The Afghan’s long and silky coat might deter a lot of allergy sufferers, but the truth is that this breed doesn’t shed much at all, considering the length of its coat. They don’t have undercoats which can further exacerbate allergies, and their dander levels are considerably lower than seen in other breeds. You can thank the Afghan’s long coat for this, as most of the dander it does produce will become trapped in their fur and not all over your home.
Afghan Hounds aren’t droolers, either, which will keep you safe from the protein in their saliva that can trigger allergens.
How Can I Reduce Allergen Exposure?
Since no dog is 100% hypoallergenic, you still might have occasional allergy flare-ups when sharing your home with an Afghan Hound. There are some small things you can do to reduce how many flare-ups you experience.
First, prepare to do regular thorough home cleaning. Cleaning your home will remove allergy-causing dust and dander. You should also wash any fabric surface that your pet may come into contact with, such as their bed and sofa covers.
Create a space in your home that will be an allergen-free zone. This means banning your pet from entering that room entirely. We recommend making this room your bedroom.
Invest in a high-quality HEPA air filter to help rid your air of dander and other allergens.
Bathe your pet weekly to help rid their coat of dander.
Conclusion
The Afghan Hound is a great breed to consider if other pets have triggered your allergies in the past. Remember, though, that no animal is 100% hypoallergenic so you still may have a reaction though it shouldn’t be as severe as it would be with other breeds. You can reduce the likelihood of having an allergic reaction by committing to bathe your Afghan weekly and cleaning a little more diligently.
Featured Image Credit: WildStrawberry, Shutterstock
