Due to its extraordinary abilities and endearing personality, the Labrador retriever dog breed is popular with the masses.
Unfortunately, dog allergies make it such that some individuals cannot have a dog in their homes. And certain dog breeds are known to be more allergen-provoking than others, depending on the individual.
Ergo, a new dog owner may inquire, “Are Labradors retrievers hypoallergenic?” Unfortunately, they do not fall within the hypoallergenic category. This blog post will elaborate on what this means in the section below. But the short answer is that Labradors are not hypoallergenic since they lose their coats seasonally, like many other dog breeds.
What Does Hypoallergic Mean?
The term “hypoallergenic” refers to substances that are not likely to trigger an allergic response. Nevertheless, even the so-called hypoallergenic dog breeds might trigger allergic reactions in certain people.
Allergic reactions occur when an individual’s immune system overreacts to specific proteins, known as allergens.
If you suffer from dog allergies, your immune system overreact to allergens your dog produces. Apart from far, dogs’ saliva, urine, and other bodily fluids also contain allergies.
Hence, this suggests that even hairless dogs produce allergens.
Some dog-allergic individuals do not respond to all canine allergens. And this allows some individuals to accept particular pups better than others.
Allergen production varies across dogs, even those of the same breed. As a result, some people may be allergic to canines from a litter. At the same time, they are okay with another belonging to the same litter.
Every dog produces one or more allergens. Ergo, some create fewer allergens and might be safer for those with allergies. Unfortunately, these canines might affect individuals with extreme allergies and asthma.
The Myth of the Hypoallergenic Dog
Whether hypoallergenic pups generate fewer allergens than other dogs has been the subject of many scientific investigations. Nonetheless, no conclusive research has been discovered on the allergen degree of various dog breeds.
Several studies indicated that the allergen level in the homes of persons who claimed to have hypoallergenic pets were higher than average.
Most people who suffer from dog allergies attribute it to a dog’s fur. As a result, a canine breed that is well-known for not shedding its hair is frequently incorrectly referred to as “hypoallergenic.”
As mentioned earlier, a dog’s dandruff, saliva, and other bodily fluids can serve as alternate sources of allergens. There is, thus, no such thing as a truly hypoallergenic dog.
Low-shedding dogs might trigger as many allergy responses as their hairy counterparts. It’s possible that they only trigger individual allergic responses.
Saliva and dander are produced to varying degrees by all dogs, even hairless breeds. It seems that both the kinds and levels of allergens present in various canines and the degree to which they affect different humans vary.
Those who are allergic to one kind of dog may not be sensitive to any dogs at all. When deciding on a dog, it’s also essential to consider its size.
Due to less hair, saliva, and other allergen-producing byproducts, smaller dogs tend to be less of a problem for those with allergies. The allergen production capacity of a dog increases with its size.
Dogs are unsafe for those with allergies since no canine is entirely devoid of allergens.
Do some Dog Breeds tend to be Less Allergenic than Others?
What steps should you take if you want to have a dog but also avoid having your allergies flare up?
Although it’s possible to develop an allergy to any canine’s fur or bodily fluids, some pups are less prone to cause allergic reactions.
These canine breeds tend to shed less than others, meaning you’ll find less fur in your house, vehicle, and furnishings.
As a result of decreased shedding, they may be less prone to release allergen-causing skin flakes. Hence, you’ll be less exposed to their bodily fluids even though they still exist.
Remember that dogs may trigger an allergic reaction and that everyone’s immune system works differently.
The American Kennel Club has compiled a list of pup breeds that seem to have lower incidences of dog allergies, including:
- Afghan Hound
- Bichon Frise
- Chinese Crested
- Havanese
- Komondor
- Maltese
- Poodle
- Portuguese Water Dog
- Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
- Xoloitzcuintli
As much as I like my Labrador, I suffer from severe allergies. How Do I Proceed at This Point?
Given that you now understand what is meant by the phrase “hypoallergenic” and realize that Labradors are not, you may be asking whether there is anything you can do to lessen the likelihood of developing canine allergies in your house.
Those who are already committed to their relationships with Labradors are much admired. While it’s true that labs and allergies don’t always go hand in hand, there are steps you may take to improve your condition.
Several changes you may implement within your surrounding may cause a big difference and perhaps make dealing with dog allergies easier.
Don’t let your Dog on the Couch, the Bed, or the Car Seat
You may also reduce the likelihood of your Labrador’s fur triggering an allergic reaction by keeping it away from beds, couches, and other places where humans spend a lot of time.
Beds, couches, and other upholstered furniture at home and in the automobile are classified under this category.
We understand this might not be easy, mainly if your dog is spoiled and only allowed on the best chairs in the house.
If you suffer from allergies, you should consider limiting the amount of time your Labrador spends in areas that are problematic to clean, especially if you have asthma or other respiratory conditions.
To reduce the quantity of canine hair transferred to your clothing and furniture, keep your dog off these items as much as possible, or at least cover them.
Maintain a Regular Bathing Schedule
If your pup’s shedding is giving you allergy symptoms, one solution is to keep it clean.
Washing your Labrador retriever more than once every few weeks is not recommended.
However, it is crucial to maintain your Lab on a regular bathing plan so that it does not go too long between washings. Monthly is a safe bet if you’re searching for a starting point.
This is a great way to reduce your exposure to allergens that your dog may be carrying, such as grass, pollen, and other environmental irritants.
Regular Vacuuming with Appropriate Vacuuming Tools is Essential
It’s essential to use equipment designed specifically for dealing with Labrador hair. Several vacuum cleaners aren’t designed to deal with pet hair.
Your ability to reduce the amount of dog hair you find in your house is directly proportional to the quality of vacuum you use.
Dog hair may be more easily managed if you maintain a regular vacuuming regimen. In addition, we propose the finest vacuums, which can be set to automatically clean up dog hair once a day to prevent buildup.
Even if you don’t suffer from allergies, it’s vital to make use of the resources already at your disposal to stay ahead of the shedding issue.
Final Thoughts
The question, “Are Labradors hypoallergenic?” is a useful one to ask for anyone with allergies and considering getting a lab as a pet.
A Lab may not be the best choice if you have allergies caused by pets. As a result of their regular shedding, these canines might be a potential allergy trigger.
If you have severe allergies and can’t have a lab, don’t despair; there are other breeds of dogs you can adopt instead.
