Having a loving dog at home fulfils your life with happiness that cannot be expressed in words, and that is what millions of dog owners will swear by! However, things can be a little hard when you have a chronic health condition and still want to bring home a dog. People coping with a chronic respiratory condition like Asthma need to be careful in this regard. It is possible to stay with a dog if you have a respiratory condition, but you have to be cautious.
Find out your allergy level before adopting a dog
A significant percentage of people afflicted with chronic respiratory conditions feel an aggravation of symptoms after exposure to dog hair. However, there can be worse cases. Some people develop allergies after coming in contact with dog skin and saliva too. You may have a feeling that adopting a short-haired dog will be good for people with respiratory ailments, but this is not true. Dog experts are of the view two dogs belonging to the same species may make a person feel less or more allergic. People who are allergic to dog hair or saliva tend to develop reactions like itchy eyes, coughing, skin irritations, and sneezing.
Picking the right dog breeds for people coping with respiratory ailments
There are a few dog breeds that are said to be hypoallergenic. This means these breeds are less likely to make asthmatic and respiratory ailment-afflicted people feel allergic. So, you can consider picking from these dogs if you or anyone at home copes with respiratory ailments. The key idea is picking a dog breed that sheds less and has curly hair.
Poodle- These cuddly-looking toy-shaped dogs are affectionate, and they are known for sweet temperaments. They have curly coats, and so they suit households with people having asthma. However, remember that poodles need plenty of exercise and grooming.
Bichon Frise- This is a small dog breed that looks cute. It is ideal if you have a respiratory condition and live in a small apartment. The dog has curly hair that needs periodic grooming, but shedding is minimal.
Portuguese water dog- Made popular by the Obama family, this breed of dog loves staying in the water. They have a water-repellent coat. The curly fur makes this breed perfect for people with asthmatic conditions.
Shih Tzu- These sweet and small0szied dogs are known for staying close to their owners. Shih Tzu is a good lap dog, and they do not shed much. However, long hair means you will need to groom the dog regularly.
Yorkshire terrier- The dog breed is small but feisty. They are among the top hypoallergenic dog breeds.
Labradoodle- This dog breed is a mix between a poodle and a Labrador retriever. They are calm and full of affection. Their fur rolls inward, and thus they are hypoallergenic.
You may also pick from other allergy-friendly dog breeds, such as wire fox terriers and Maltese. However, it would be best if you consult a dog health expert before picking such a breed.
