Allergy-free pet? A myth.

Allergy-free pet? A myth.

The popularity of certain breeds of dogs has increased due to claims of being hypoallergenic.

Hypoallergenic dogs are believed to produce less dander and saliva and shed less fur and due to this may cost around upward of £500.

A recent study has found that these breeds which include Bichon Frise, Poodles and Portugese water dogs produced just as much allergen in the home as the average dog.

Senior author Dr Christine Johnson at Henry Ford Hospital in Michigan , said: 'We found no scientific basis to the claim hypoallergenic dogs have less allergens.

'Based on previous allergy studies conducted here at Henry Ford, exposure to a dog early in life provides protection against dog allergy development.

'But the idea that you can buy a certain breed of dog and think it will cause less allergy problems for a person already dog-allergic is not borne out by our study.'

Henry Ford researchers analyzed dust samples collected from 173 homes one month after a newborn was brought home.

The dust samples were collected from the carpet or floor in the baby's bedroom and analysed for the dog allergen Can f 1.

Dr Christine Johnson, led the first study looking at the impact of hypoallergenic dogs in the home

Only homes with one dog were involved in the study. Sixty dog breeds were involved in the study, 11 of which are considered hypoallergenic dogs.

Researchers compared purebred hypoallergenic dogs with mongrels or purebreds with one hypoallergenic parent and a variety of non-hypoallergenic dogs.

They found no significant differences in allergen levels in the homes.

Researchers found in homes where the dog was not allowed in the baby's bedroom, the allergen level for hypoallergenic dogs was actually slightly higher compared to allergen levels of non-hypoallergenic dogs.

While researchers acknowledged limitations in their study - the amount of time the dog spent in the baby's bedroom was not recorded and the size of its sample did not allow looking at specific breeds - they say parents should not rely on dog breeds classified as hypoallergenic.

The study is the first to measure environmental allergen associated with hypoallergenic dogs.

Clare Millar, Director of allergyfriendlyhotel.com says

This is interesting research due to the fact there has been an increase in the popularity and cost of these supposedly ‘hypoallergenic’ dogs. Animals in hotel rooms are a problem as their allergens remain for a long period time after the animal has left. Even with through cleaning, allergens will remain which is why it is better for people with allergies to animals to search for an allergy friendly hotel which is pet free. Our website directory will point out those hotels that are pet free and highlight if pets are allowed or owners of a B&B have a pet of their own and the type of animal.

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