I know my friend and her daughter have major allergies and they are fine with their Havanese. The allergies are why they chose that particular breed. They are cute little dogs too!

West Highland White Terrier is another consideration. You might contact rescue organizations for specific breeds you are considering and find out about fostering an animal to see how it goes with your daughter.

My sister-in-law is very allergic, but has no problems being with our Yorkshire Terrier. Yorkies are "hypoallergenic" and don't shed at all.

Basenji is another breed that not only is considered hypoallergenic but they also don't bark.

My grandson wants a dog, but is allergic (well, he really wants a cat, but he's off the charts allergic to those), so I've been watching and listening to tales about low allergy dogs. One day I was at the park and a woman was walking the most adorable dog (I am NOT a dog person) - so much so that I had to ask the breed. Turns out it was a Schnauzer-doodle. We talked for a while and she said it's her second one, the first was because her then young son was allergic and the breed worked for him. Now he's grown and she got the 2nd one; says he now uses this one as a chick magnet because it's so cute. She agreed to let my grandson come hang out to see if he reacts. When I was doing research, it turns out that Schnauzers are naturally low allergy dogs on their own, so when bred with poodles, they are one of the best for allergy prone people.

As someone who is allergic to dogs, but not cats three years ago, but I am now allergic to cats and dogs, be aware, her allergies could change. I would not get another cat or dog if she has problems with them until a "trial run". She might get too attached, so even that might be risky. Just a suggestion from someone who suffers daily.

rob yes that is why I am gathering info now.............and getting ideas even if it is possible. I have severe ragweed allergies (though I am pretty good with cats and dogs) and certainly wouldn't want her to suffer through them continuously. That is why I am seeing if other folks here with allergies might be good with certain breeds so they could be looked into. Olychick cute pup.......a cousin has a pure Schnauzer and unfortunately she seems to react to it heavily, and I am wary of the doodles because she has reacted to others........but everyone appears to be different and that is why I am getting other people's experiences! .

Look at small dogs, they always have less allergens.

My daughter had a Bichon Frise and now has a miniature Maltese. I have allergic reactions to most pets, but never had any to those two breeds.

Moni

If the daughter grew up with the cat and the cat is now 17 the daughter is within a year or two of that. Soon the daughter should be out of the house other than for visits. Simply wait until then unless you plan on her living with you into her thirties or forties.

Each person is different and a lot depends on what products you use on a dog as to if there is an allergy problem. Sometimes the allergy is not to the dog but to the shampoo etc. that is used as maintenance. Most dogs that are considered allergy free have hair and not fur with an undercoat.

Remember when the Obama family got Bo? Portuguese Water Dog, no problems. For ANY mixed breed, and I cannot stress this enough, you don't know what your pup will get in the genes race. Even pups within one litter, same sire/dam, will have differing levels of the same issues. Just like humans with same parents.

I’m extremely allergic to dogs with “greasy” fur like Dobermans and Rottweilers. I’m also allergic to dogs with tons of hair, like Labs, golden retrievers, huskies, malamutes, etc...

Breeds I’m fine with are Rhodesian Ridgebacks (my friend has one), Portuguese Water Dog (my other friend has one), Havanese.

I’ve wanted a Basenji but I hear they do have slightly greasy fur. I could be wrong but I do want one!

Here is a listing of various dog breeds that tend to be hypoallergenic: Hypoallergenic dog breeds.

Don't forget Portuguese water dogs, like the Obama's Bo - they decided on that breed because of Malia's dog allergies.

One of the Obama girls has allergies toward dogs and seems to do well with the Portuguese Water dog. The Australian labradoodle was originally bred as service dogs for people with allergies. The F1b golden doodle (that is a goldendoodle, 1/2 poodle and 1/2 golden retriever) bred with a poodle making it more poodle than retriever will not necessarily be 100% hypoallergenic, but will be more so than the golden doodle or other dogs. If your daughter has only a very slight reaction when she's around your friends dog, there's a good chance if she were around the dog all the time, she would build up some immunity. My kids grew up with a cat in the house. Three out of four had some allergies in the Spring (DH too). They were fine with the cat they lived with for many years. However, when they left home and were away from the cat, they suffered when they came to visit with the same cat. Watery, red eyes, stuffy nose, etc. I decided when Jenny died (she lived to be 21 1/2 years old) I wouldn't get anymore cats.

I agree with Rob333, you don’t want to get a dog and then break your daughters heart sending it away. I’m allergic to cats, dogs, dust mites, dust, fall ragweed and perfumes, aftershaves and a few others. As I have aged new allergies came up! That could happen to her. You didn’t say how old she is, but my first allergies started when I was 19. Has only gotten worse since then. 70 now.

Look at the list and see what you would prefer. Very small, medium or large dog.

I agree with Sushi, do not get a mix as you never really know what you are getting.

It seems that your daughter's allergy toward the cat was not severe. I am wondering if the allergy test show HOW severe or are they just yes or no answer. My rationale is that if she did was able to live with a cat that is not hypoallergenic than maybe she will do better with a dog that is.

The sniffles are caused by watering eyes. Have you tried the allergy relief eye drops? I am allergic to both cats and dogs, which we have had at least one each of for the past 30 years. However, I can be around them as long as I don't touch them and then touch my eyes or get their hairs inside my eyes.

For much of the 30 years we had chow chows. Those dogs don't shed like other dogs. Living in the south we got them clipped all the way down four times a year. When they start to shed clumps of undercoat, it's time to get them shorn. And it seemed I could touch the chows and it never bothered my eyes. Cats always bother my eyes. Now we have a catahoula leopard dog which sheds like crazy, especially when spooked by thunder. At least his wiry hair does not fly around like cats fur and some other dog hair.

My daughter tried to get a support dog for her special needs son. He is also allergic to dogs. After a lot of research we found that it’s not just about the dander but also the saliva. A dog that licked him would cause a quick reaction of a red blotch. Unfortunately he didn’t get a dog but is able to tolerate cats.

I have pet allergies too. Dr recommended Schnauzers a long time before I got Schultz. No problems at all. They are great with kids. Playful and easily trained.

As others have pointed out, allergic reactions can be very individual. Socks' suggestion to try fostering a dog is a good one.

For those with cat allergies, I'd like to add that you may find your reaction varies by cat color. I read an article about this in Cat Fancy years ago, and it certainly has been true for me. I've been allergic to cats since I was about 13, but I've had many cats since then and presently have four. Black or black & white cats are the least allergenic for me. My Rocky, who is orange with a lot of white, is also in the "least allergenic" category. At the opposite end of the spectrum are most of the grey or brown tabbies I've known. Hair length doesn't factor into my reaction at all. With each of my cats, I'm fine as long as I don't touch my eyes after touching them.

Many many years ago, I had a panel of allergic reaction tests. At that time (35 years?) there were two separate cat tests. I think one was SIamese lines, as explained, but it was called "new" cat, As opposed to the old cat test, not a new cat, but a new test.

Schnauzers and Yorkies have already been mentioned and are great dogs. We have a Snorkie.

Look at hairless toy fox terrier.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Hairless_Terrier

They are the best breed for people who have allergies. And they are beyond precious.

I would love to have one.

https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/american-hairless-terrier/

I have lots and lots of allergies and have had them since I was a toddler (I'm almost 75 now). I have learned that just living with a dog or cat can eventually de-sensitize one to that animal, much like allergy shots. When we were going between Maine and KY, we had 3 cats - they did not bother me at all and one slept on my head. But when I would go down from ME to NYC to visit DD and her husband, their two cats would have my wheezing and my eyes watering within a few hours of being there. I would be miserable, even with meds, the entire time I was there.

Then they moved to KY to a house 2 miles from mine. I started seeing them multiple times a week and suddenly realized that they didn't bother me at all! They eventually died of old age, and two new kitchens were bought - they bothered me for a short time and then no longer.

I rarely go to DD"s house anymore and was there over the weekend with DS was in town with his family. I hadn't seen their 3 cats much in at least 2-3 years, and after a couple of hours in the house, they bothered me. I'm sure if I went there more often, I would again be de-sensitized to them.

The only time my two dogs bother me is when there is tons of pollen in the air - the kind that covers ones cars with yellow "dust". When they bring it into the house on their coats, I notice it. I just try to get them to come in quickly after going potty at that time.

As far as the dogs, have you considered that the reaction may not be to the animal but to what it was washed in? I'm not allergic to animals but many of the animal grooming product have fragrance in them. That would give me a terrible reaction.

I have never thought about the amount of dander a dog might have as opposed to shedding but maybe that’s why I’m bothered by cats and not our dog. She does shed a lot, but I try to brush her daily so it’s kept to a minimum.

My brother in law is highly allergic to dogs and they have a standard poodle that he’s fine with. They also keep his fur cut down too.

Love the dog pics!

You could possibly try fostering a dog. If it works, you keep it. If not, it goes to a new home.

One of my neighbors has children with allergies. Their children were allowed to raise ducks who were later released into the neighborhood pond.

I have allergies to all fur bearing animals, pollens, dusts, molds, etc, and asthma. I could never imagine life without a dog, and have worked at shelters and rescue. Some coats and dogs flare me more than others. What has worked for me for my personal pets, are dogs with an extremely short, fine coat. I would keep a soft cloth by the door to mist with a water bottle for a wipe down on reentry into the home on pollen and mold days. With my dog Deja, I was able to live with her symptom free. She was a Beagle mix, absolutely with some terrier of some sort. We slept under the covers in the same bed.

I was always pretty good with Labs/mixes, as long as they were wiped often with damp cloth and bathed every 3 weeks, or so. Dogs with a coat similar to a Dobermans, a Greyhounds, pit bulls, or even finer, seemed best for allergies and asthma in my case. No Shar Pei. Those flare me something fierce. Had a Bichon, many years ago. Kept her shaved. No allergy symptoms.

Now I have a Catahoula/some kind of herding shepherd mix who has a short coat and some sort of wicked undercoat who sheds like a beast. I am having some problems, even without pollen in the air. Hoping this settles somewhat as in a few months she'll be on a year of living indoors and getting dog food. Fostering is a fantastic experience, if you consider it! Those programs will find good matches for your family and a dog in need.

Whoopsie. Just saw this was an older subject! Still got to put a photo of The Beast out there.I wonder why I got a thingy for this?

Update. Cat above passed late in 2019 at 18.5 years. Waited about a year and we did get a dog.....1 year old mixed breed, about 35 pounds. Girls really wanted a dog and we were then ready to take on the responsibility of a new fuzzy friend. This dog has short hair and he does shed. Oddly my daughter is not overly allergic to him.......if he licks her face or something like that she will get itchy.....so she has discouraged that. She has some days of sniffles, some not.....but no different than before the dog arrived (about a month ago). When my daughter is around my cousin's Goldendoodle or my parent's mini aussiedoodle (groomed and do not shed) she has a much much greater reaction....often to the point she needs to take meds). Every evening she is sitting with the dog on the couch, dog half on her lap or leaning on her. Just having poodle type hair does not make a dog hypoallergenic (though it obviously does for many people!).

You are so right about poodle type dogs! We have a labradoodle that is 3/4 standard poodle and 1/4 lab. She has a wonderful personality, as do most "doodles" we have met. BUT--it's a common misconception that doodles don't shed, and that they are hypoallergenic Our Finley sheds like crazy! We wouldn't trade her for the world. We vacuum every day (Yaaay for a Robot vacuum!), and I always tell her "It's a good thing we love you, Finley"!

I'm glad you found a pup that works for your family.

old thread, but I appreciate updates. Woodnative, that's great that your daughter's allergies are not overly troublesome with this new dog. My allergies are mild, except for my fingers get very itchy when I'm use kibble as training treats. I don't know if it's an ingredient in the kibble, or the texture of it, or something in the dogs' saliva. Anyhow, congratulations on your new pup!

DD is also allergic to cats and most dogs . She just got a standard poodle puppy. What a sweet dog! I am on the waiting list for a standard poodle puppy for myself now. She will keep the dog with puppy hair cut not the traditional poodle cut. He has no shedding, no bad dog smells, and he looks like a little teddy bear. :-) I brush his hair a couple times a week.

Oh, how lucky your DD is. Poodles are so loving and intelligent and playful and relatively easy to care for and train. Congratulations! What an adorable puppy! I too am looking forward to a standard poodle in the late spring.

Thanks Zalco! Waiting to see your puppy photos in the spring! :-)

I've heard that allergic reaction is not due to due to dog hair alone; Its the dander and oils. My wife does not react to poodles, but have reactions to other dog breeds and all cats. (She's cat lover - sad.) She can stand clean cats if she takes medication beforehand and does not overdo exposure time. (When she was a teenager, a dermatologist fond that she reacted to dried Mississippi river mud/dist at the Davenport location.)

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/hypoallergenic-dog-breeds/