Australian Shepherds are a beautiful dog breed that can make for wonderful house pets and loyal companions for life. But are they a hypoallergenic breed that can be suitable pets or those with allergies?
We are going to be taking a look at whether the Australian Shepherd is a hypoallergenic breed, as well as having a look at the breed in general. Let’s get started.
The Australian Shepherd
A trendy and well-known dog breed, the Australian Shepherd is one of the most common breeds in Australia (as their name would suggest!). They’re known for their loyalty, intellect, size, and temperament.
The Australian Shepherd was bred from the original English Shepherd dog. It has been bred for centuries to be an excellent herding dog as well as a companion dog. This makes them great for families who have children because of their friendly nature.
They also make good guard dogs, as they are known to be extremely protective of their owners as well as being very intelligent and obedient, making them easy to train. The Australian Shepherd is usually considered to be a medium-size dog breed.
On average, they range from 20 to 24 inches tall and weigh between 50 pounds and 80 lbs. They tend to have a large, short body and a thick coat of fur.
Allergies To Dogs
If you have allergies to dogs, it is important to be aware of which breeds you can handle. It’s essential to find out about any allergies you may have before bringing a new dog home. Certain breeds of dogs are more likely than others (especially if you already have other allergy symptoms) to cause an allergic reaction.
There are many different reasons why someone might be allergic to dogs. Some of the main reasons include:
Dander
Dander is the term used to describe dandruff and the shed hair that comes off a dog’s coat. Dander is able to cause an allergic reaction when it is breathed in
Shed Skin
The term shed skin refers to the dead cells that come off of a dog’s skin. Much like with dander, a person can breathe in these dead cells, which can lead to an allergic reaction.
How Do I Know If I Am Allergic To Dogs?
There are several ways to determine if you’re allergic to dogs. You should first talk to your doctor about any allergies you may have. They will be able to test you to see whether you’re allergic to certain types of animals.
These tests could include skin prick testing and blood tests. Your doctor may ask you questions in regard to this, such as:
- Do you have any current allergies that you are aware of?
- If so, are you on any medications for these allergies?
- Do you experience any of these symptoms when around dogs?
- Have you ever had an allergic reaction when around dogs?
What Is A Hypoallergenic Dog Breed?
Hypoallergenic dogs are breeds of dogs that are less likely to trigger an allergic reaction in people who suffer from allergies. They can be a great option for a household where one or more family members suffer from dog allergies, especially if these allergies are severe.
It’s important to note that not all dogs are hypoallergenic. However, there are many breeds that are less likely to cause an allergic reaction in people with allergies.
Are Australian Shepherds Hypoallergenic?
As far as allergies go, the Australian Shepherd is considered to be a non-hypoallergenic breed of dog. They’re actually one of the more allergic breeds out there due to their strong, coarse hair coat. If you have allergies, your skin may become inflamed or irritated if it comes into contact with this fur.
While this might sound scary, it’s not necessarily dangerous. Allergic reactions usually aren’t too severe, and they only last a few days at most before subsiding. If you keep an eye on things, you shouldn’t have any major issues if your allergies are only mild.
Should I Have An Australian Shepherd If I Have Allergies?
Australian Shepherds may not be the best breed for people suffering from allergies, but they are not necessarily the worst. They shed a lot and their fur is very thick and coarse, which makes them prone to causing irritation and inflammation.
They might not be the best breed for a home with someone with severe dog fur allergies, but mild irritations are certainly manageable, so long as you regularly clean up their shed fur and groom them regularly.
The best way to deal with allergies is to make sure you are aware of them. You can live with allergies, but you need to be prepared for them. Make sure to speak with your doctor if you’re concerned about managing your allergies, as they can give you tips on how to minimize them.
Dealing With Australian Shepherds Shedding
As mentioned, Australian Shepherds shed a fair amount of fur, so it is necessary to keep your home free of their shed coat, especially if you want this breed as a pet despite allergies.
The Australian Shepherd is actually one of the worst breeds when it comes to this issue. This is because they have such thick, dense coats that will need to be brushed and maintained regularly. To reduce the amount of hair shedding, you’ll need to bathe them daily.
If you aren’t comfortable doing this yourself, you can take your dog to a professional groomer. They can remove excess hair by brushing it away and trimming the undercoat to make it look cleaner.
Final Thoughts
If you have allergies, then an Australian Shepherd might not be the most suitable dog breed for you due to their thick, heavy coat that can cause skin irritation if you have certain allergies.
That being said, there are ways to help with any allergies if you are set on having an Australian Shepherd as a pet. Daily baths and regular grooming can reduce hair accumulation in your home, whilst careful interactions can limit any irritations.
As long as you don’t have any severe allergies, an Australian Shepherd is still a possibility for a pet, even though they are not hypoallergenic.
