Daily Dog Care|Dog Day Care|How to Take Care of a Dog

Do you love dogs, but have allergies? If you have a smaller home, a medium sized hypoallergenic dog might be perfect. Hypoallergenic dogs have a tendency to create less allergic reactions because of an absence of fur or a very low amount compared to most pets. There are a few breeds that fit into the criteria. The Spanish Water Dog, the Bouvier des Flandres, and the Mexican Hairless are all medium sized, hypoallergenic dogs that work great for families and singles alike.

If big, friendly, shaggy dogs are your thing, the Spanish Water Dog is a good fit. They resemble the sheep dog on the Warner Brothers Looney Tunes cartoons. The dogs live for playing, swimming and even working. When acclimated correctly, the Spanish Water Dog is a great playmate for children. If you have a pool or live near an ocean or lake, the Spanish Water Dog lives true to its name. They love swimming. As for the work aspect, these dogs have natural herding instincts and are excellent guard dogs. These dogs do require a lot of attention, so be ready for that. They must be exposed to other dogs and/or children between the ages of two to twelve months if they are to fully accept being around them, otherwise they can become aloof or guarded around them.

The Bouvier des Flandres also fits into the hypoallergenic shaggy dog category. This strong built breed is traditionally used for hard work such as cattle and sheep herding, pulling carts, and police or guard dog work. Along with their strong work abilities, they are generally gentle and protective of their adopted families. Even former United States President, Ronald Regan, chose this breed for a pet. Their thicker hair makes them great dogs for outdoor work and play in colder climates. Be ready to take care of the Bouvier des Flandres if one is added to your home. Maintenance on these dogs thick hair (not fur) does require brushing weekly and visits for a trim every six to eight weeks. This dog can be prone to both voluvus and bloat syndromes because of their deep chests. They can also be very strong-willed and intimidating animals when they feel strongly about something, especially when going after cats. Proper discipline is a must when owning a Bouvier.

The Mexican Hairless, also known as the Xoloitzcuintle or Xolo, is an extremely rare breed of dog. They range in weight anywhere from ten to fifty pounds and are almost always completely devoid of hair; they resemble dogs seen in Egyptian Hieroglyphics. Some of the Xolos do sport a very thin coat of hair or have various amounts of hair on their heads or bodies. They have been bred for over 4000 years in Mesoamerica (between central Mexico and Costa Rica). Although not recognized by the American Kennel Club, the Mexican equivalent does recognize this breed. The dogs are hard to find in Mexico and even harder to find in the US because they were considered next to extinct prior to the 1950s.

Dogs that are considered hypoallergenic may cause fewer allergic reactions in people who own them other breeds. There are many breeds of long hair, short hair, and hairless varieties to choose from depending on your particular allergies and what you are looking for in a dog. Hypoallergenic dogs are sold mostly by breeders, but you can also find them in pet stores and sometimes in animal shelters. If you decide to buy a hypoallergenic dog, there are ways to care for them that may require a little more work than non-hypoallergenic breeds.

Caring for your hypoallergenic dog begins with caring for their coat. While many hypoallergenic breeds such as Terriers, Schnauzers, and Poodles have short hair, this hair can be coarse and will continue to grow unless the dogs are properly groomed. These dogs do not shed and have hair that can be compared to human hair. You will have to keep your dog groomed in order to prevent matting. Matting can cause skin rashes and other health problems if the dogs coat is not taken care of.

Brushing your dog is also important especially in breeds that have longer hair such as the Afghan Hound. While these dogs are considered hypoallergenic, their coats are long and shiny. They do not shed either, so brushing and grooming are important. Brush your dog at least twice a week to keep excess hair from building up.

Some hypoallergenic dogs have undercoats, while others do not. Undercoats protect dogs from cold temperatures by storing body heat. Dogs that do not have an undercoat will not survive long in cold temperatures. Unless a breeder says you can keep your dog outside, you should keep the dog indoors.

If you have a hairless dog, you will have to protect their skin with lotions and skin creams. You should not leave these dogs outside for long periods of time as they will suffer from sun burn and dehydration.

Caring for your dog is not only making sure their coat and skin are protected, it also means making sure that they get enough exercise and time with you each day. Dogs that are left alone for long periods of time can become destructive. Training your dog by developing a routine will help them adjust to the times when you cannot be at home.
If you will be out of town for more than two or three days, you should find a friend that can check in on your dog or you should consider boarding the dog until you come home.

Protecting your hypoallergenic dog from cold temperatures, the sun, and from developing skin rashes are ways that you can help your dog live a long, healthy life. Because many breeds of hypoallergenic dogs are small in size, they are prone to arthritis, eyesight issues, tumors, and other problems. While you cannot predict how your dog will age, you should research different breeds to see what types of health issues they may have some day. Regular checkups with a vet will help your dog live a long life.