Are OES's hypo-allergenic?
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| There's no dog that is truly hypo allergenic-- anyone who tells you that there is is mistaken. Some are better than others for allergies but there is no "allergy free" dog. That being, said, it seems to vary with this breed. Some people have no problem with them, others do. I think you'll find you'll get mixed reviews. It sounds like you're dong the right thing by hanging out with them to see how you react. I'd keep trying to do that as much as possible to see how it affects you.
Good luck! |
| I have a good friend that is very allergic to dogs. She's at our house, with our 2 oes pups at least 3 times a week. The strange thing is MOST of the time she is okay, but every once in a while the dogs will affect her. |
| I have very bad allergies.
Most of the time Harry does not affect me but for several months now I have problems when I groom him. So I just keep the kleenex by the grooming table. When I am done grooming - no more sneezing. This dog is in my bed, on the blanket we use when we nap and all over the furniture and carpet. It doesn't seem to effect me with that. |
Anonymous wrote: I am not as concerned about the shedding or loss of hair or dust bunnies, I am more concerned with whether or not they are good with people who have allergies to most dogs. I have been around OES's several times but not for extended periods of time where I might start to have an allergic reaction. I have been thinking about getting one since I was 12 and I am now 30. I am too selfish for a dog right now because I know how much work they take. In a couple of years, I will be able to dedicate the time. I just need to know how people with allergies react to them. Any suggestions
Your allergic sensitivety to an OES will depend upon a number of factors, some of which can be controlled, others though cannot. However, a properly groomed and clean OES is pretty much a mid to low allergy trigger dog. They don't shed as per the proper definition of shedding and if you mitigate coat loss due to breakage and natural folicle renewal you should be free of hair induced allergic reactions. Dander, sloughed off skin, which is the single biggest dog allergy trigger can be quite well controlled by keeping the Bobtail clean with healthy skin. That is a function of adequate grooming, bathing and a good dietary regiment. To some extent, and this varies person by person, allegic reactions can be reduced by exposure. The more you are exposed to the allergen the more of a resistance you build up. Obviously you can't do this if you have severe asthma attacks or your eyes swell up to a point where they are closed, but if it is a matter of nasal, eye or skin irritations which you can tolerate for the time being then maybe you can "immunize" yourself over the next few years visiting your Bobtail friends and getting used to that environment and reducing your allergic reaction. I hope it works out and that you make the right choice for yourself and more importantly for the dog. Too many Bobtails end up in rescue because of allergies or a work load that is much greater than a new owner anticipated and can accomplish. For many reasons Bobtails are NOT "first dogs" for anyone. Continue to be honest with yourself about what you can and cannot do and you should be able make the decision that will work all around. Good luck Carl |
| Thanks for the info Carl and Judi! Its nice to know that my obsessive grooming habits may in fact be responsible for my friend not being incapacitated most of the times she's over! I'd be willing to bet that the few times she does have trouble is when I am close to "bath day" as opposed to just after it. |
| At the start of my ownership with Archie I developed asthma.
I hadn't had it before, it was quite a difficult decision to stick with it, to cope I was wearing face masks when grooming him. As well as having to take inhaled steroids. This appears to have been a puppy thing, as I am no longer required to take medication twice daily and haven't had an attack in months. It was a tough few months and had me questioning whether to keep him or not, very heartbreaking I can tell you. That all appears to be behind me now. I am glad I toughed it out. Otherwise there wouldn't be the daft lump asleep in the kitchen doorway right now! (that change in about 5 mins when we go out for a walk in the rain  )
One thing the doctor said to me it could have been also stress induced from the responsibility of ownership. But to myself it was directly related to grooming. It maybe worth checking your family history, my son has had asthma - normally illness related, and I found out my Brothers daughter developed it with a cat they had, she is fine with their dogs. We have had cats forever and did not suspect I would get effected. |
| Dogs can bother me. But for me it is the licking. The hair does not bother me. I also find the no carpet also helps much easier to clean. |
| All of the above is good advice.
I'd suggest continued visits, and when you get really serious, try to either house sit (that way you're immersed in the OES-filled environment) or borrow one for a few days as a trial period. |
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