The number of doodle breeders is constantly growing due to the appeal of a “hypoallergenic” dog. Whether you have dander related allergies or you just hate cleaning up dog hair, it is understandable why so many people would want to jump on the hypoallergenic bandwagon. But did you know that research proves there is no such thing as a truly hypoallergenic pooch? It is very important to us that we are 100% honest with our buyers and educate them along the way. Today we are going to talk about the differences between a dog who is allergy-friendly and the facts about hypoallergenic dogs.
Photo courtesy of Rocky Mountain Bernedoodles
What Makes a Dog Allergy Friendly?
An allergy-friendly dog is a dog whose coat has been bred in such a way that the dander output is lower than other dogs. But did you know that most allergy sufferers are not actually allergic to dog dander? Rather, they are allergic to the a protein in dog’s saliva which can stick to the dander on your pet’s skin.
But how do you know if a dog is allergy friendly? We have spent years studying and learning about the Australian Labradoodle (the only truly allergy-friendly doodle on the market), which will cross over well into our breeding of Bernedoodles and Australian Bernedoodles. If your allergy is strictly dander related, there is one easy way to tell: coat type.
Understanding Coat Composition
Dogs have three potential coat options: wool, fleece and hair. The hair coat is the traditional coat of many breeds. Think of your Golden Retrievers or German Shepherds. A hair coat will have an odor and will shed in varying degrees. The hair coat is not allergy-friendly and will definitely still shed. If you are doodle shopping, this coat is seen most in the earlier generational crossings. If your pooch is a first generation cross, they will most likely have a hair coat and will not be a good fit for an allergy sufferer.
Then there is the wool or fleece coat. The wool coat is most similar to the coat of a Poodle or sometimes even a sheep! This coat is very soft, but will require regular grooming as it can be easy to mat up. A fleece coat is soft and can either be wavy or spiraled. Of the curlier textured coats, the fleece is easier to manage. Both wool and fleece are allergy friendly!
Photo courtesy of Rocky Mountain Bernedoodles
Be an Informed Buyer
MWB Tip of the Day: Many breeders will advertise their F1 or F1B crosses as hypoallergenic. Sometimes this is due to a lack of knowledge about the breed or coat, while others it is a blatant use of mis-advertising to result in sales. We recommend you research your breeder of choice in depth to determine if they are giving you the whole truth about your pup’s allergen level.
If you are looking for an allergy-friendly Bernedoodle, you will most definitely want to look at our Australian Bernedoodle puppies. These puppies are a cross between an allergy-friendly Australian Labradoodle and a Bernese Mountain Dog. These puppies are much more likely to possess the appropriate coat for allergy sufferers.
As always, if you ever have any questions about Bernedoodles or allergy-friendly pups, we would love to help you out! Feel free to reach out with any questions you may have.