best dog/house keeping suggestions for a family with allergies

[Oakstable]

I am amazed at the amount of dust in our house. We live in the country so there are no manicured lawns. We use a wood stove to heat the house. And we have two Dobies and two cats in the house. Because of the male Dobie, the cats do not get out in the house until the male is in his crate for the night.

Anyway, the amount of dust is amazing.

We still have carpets but will replace the LR carpet with laminate.

I’ve been concerned that tile would be really cold in the winter.

What do you folks with indoor dogs prefer?

[CanterQueen]

@Jazzy Lady;3779046

If you want the best of both worlds, look into a labradoodle. Hypoallergenic and great dogs.

We have a rescued second generation Laboradoodle. From a raided puppy mill in Howard County, MD. GREAT dog. He is smart and very good around the horses and mini-donkey – which is a lot more than I can say about our Westie. :winkgrin:

IF you’re thinking about getting a Labradoodle, make sure it’s not first generation “Standard Labradoodle” (poodle bred to a labrador), as they shed. They need to be what’s called a FB1 Labradoodle (Labrador & Poodle) bred back to a Poodle.

I have mild allergies and haven’t had any issues with our FB1 boy.

[Oakstable]

We have a Kenmore Progressive, best vaccuum we have ever owned.

[CanterQueen]

@Oakstable;3779218

We have a Kenmore Progressive, best vaccuum we have ever owned.

:yes::yes::yes::yes::yes:

[Loves_to_ride]

Wow, thanks for all the replies!
Even those who kindly suggested another breed.

We aren’t nuts, honest, we just really, really love goldens.

My last dog was a GSD/husky/collie cross and the family had no allergic reactions to that one. Although she was a wonderful dog, she had a TON of hair; shedded constantly.

We are working with our allergist who is aware of the dog and is willing to work with us so that’s good. Not happy (understand potential issues) but given that the allergies are on the mild side, is willing to partner with us on this. My husband and son have mild allergies to dogs. Cats however are a big no-no.

Rules are:
No dog in bedrooms.
No dog on furniture.
There are already “dog-free” zones planned out (gates already in place.)
Great suggestion on high-quality food. Any ingredients to avoid?
No one had any reaction after 2 2 hour visits with the puppies (2 litters combined, so 16 puppies) and each family member held each puppy (puppy age 8 weeks).
We already run Hepa filters (Austin Air Healthmate) in the bedrooms but I may look into the Austin Air for Pets for the downstairs living area.
The breeder already agreed to take the puppy back if allergies are on issue, at any time. She really wants her dogs in an environment where they (and the family) are happy.
We have hardwood/tile/vinyl throughout most of the house already and a couple of throw rugs but they are in the “non dog” area.
We have 2 great groomers in the bordering towns so I was planning on 2 sessions a month but it’s good to know that I could actually go weekly if necessary.
The Roomba is an interesting idea to complement vaccuuming! We are piped and wired for central vac also so it may be time to finally buy the unit.

I’ve seen allergan sprays in sprays that you put down before vaccuuming on floors/carpets. Do they actually work?

I really appreciate everyone’s feedback, even if it is to get a different kind of dog. This has been something we have been thinking about for a year as we all love dogs but the allergy issue has kept us from getting another one. After much soul-searching, and finding what seems like a very good breeder willing to take the dog back, we’ve cautiously decided to proceed. We aren’t doing this with our eyes closed; this has been months of research, discussion and consderation.

Thanks everyone! As always, very helpful and thoughtful advice…

[BuddyRoo]

Probably the best thing to do is speak to your family doctor/allergist.

Contrary to popular belief, it’s not the hair that causes the problem with allergies…it’s the dander–the shedding of skin cells that contain protein that the body recognizes as “not self” and reacts to.

Like others have mentioned, regular baths can really help this. A higher quality dog food with good Omega 3 fatty acids can also help because this seems to reduce the amount of dry skin in some dogs.

Also…people who are allergic to pets usually have other allergies…carpet and upholstered furniture tend to collect pet and human dander and offer even more “food” to dust mites.

Not sure how your house is set up, but having ceramic tile and hardwood surfaces with throw rugs that can be washed regularly has really helped me. Also…leather furniture that can be washed.

Another thing that can help are good furnace filters or air filtration systems.

I am allergic to dogs, cats, horses, all manner of pollens, hay, etc etc etc. However, having lived around all such things for most of my life, it was kind of like taking allergy shots–something perhaps your allergist will suggest as well? I do know that after a few years being away from cats altogether, I’m now MUCH more reactive to them. They don’t need to be in the same room…it’s just the danged air in the house. I can’t stay at my mom’s house for more than a few minutes w/o breaking into hives if I’m not taking meds.

Good luck!

[HandsomeBayFarm]

Invest in an Ozone machine or portable air purifier.

I run a pet frinedly hotel and use one after a pet has checked out of a room. After shampooing the carpet and replacing all of the bedding…the most allergic person can not tell that a pet stayed in that room the night before.

I took the Ozone machine home while we were remodeling our living room. We came across alot of mold and dust - which I am allergic to. With the machine on in the room - I was absolutely allergey free.

Good Luck!

[seabreeze]

1. Get allergy meds.

2. Buy an Oreck.

3. Use the Oreck frequently.

Enjoy your dog!

[Fairview_Horse_Cente]

Since you love Goldens, you would also love Labs. They are very short coated, and don’t shed their coats. It would be a shame to get attached to a puppy and need to give it up. I know I personally could not do that. Hope things work out for you.

[Jazzy_Lady]

[QUOTE=Fairview Horse Center;3779761]
Since you love Goldens, you would also love Labs. They are very short coated, and don’t shed their coats. It would be a shame to get attached to a puppy and need to give it up. I know I personally could not do that. Hope things work out for you.[/QUOTE]

What kind of labs are you getting??? My labs shed like CRAZY!

[Bluey]

[QUOTE=Fairview Horse Center;3779761]
Since you love Goldens, you would also love Labs. They are very short coated, and don’t shed their coats. It would be a shame to get attached to a puppy and need to give it up. I know I personally could not do that. Hope things work out for you.[/QUOTE]

All the labs I know shed very much.
Any short haired dog will shed many times more and all year around, than one with long guard hairs, that tend to shed more seasonally, twice a year, although they shed the down coat all the time.

Good for you to get the dog you want.
There are some very nice and very experienced golden owners in our dog club, that have been in the top ten in the nation in obedience and agility and know the breed very well.
If you have any questions your breeder can’t answer, PM and I will pass it on.
I have never been allergic to their dogs, as they show in agility and also use them in theraphy at two local hospitals and so keep them extremely clean.

There is a product called “Allerpet” for dogs and a similar one for cats that you can buy to rub your dog down when allergies are over the top, but generally, keeping them wiped with a damp towel does the trick fine.

I took allergy shots for 12 years and they helped tremendously.
None of the stuff in there was for animal allergies, the Dr was scared I would have a reaction with that, as I am really bad for them.
Just keeping the allergies to other stuff like molds, mites and pollen to a minimum helped so very much with the animal allergies.
Try that route if your Dr agrees it may help you.
One of our dog club members got cat allergy shots and she is completely allergy free to cats now.

Good luck with your puppy.
Don’t forget to post pictures.

[Marengo]

My family with mostly allergic members successfully had a beagle for 15 years. We did most of what you’re planning on doing and it seemed to work. We started with a baby gate at the foot of the stairs leading to the bedrooms until our dog was trained not to go upstairs (no small task to teach a beagle something like this). We had almost no carpet and he got bathed once a week. When it was my day to work at the barn I would come home and give him a warm bath before I showered myself. He actually came to enjoy the bath, I swear, he would just fall asleep in it and later really enjoyed being rubbed with towels to dry him off. He did start shedding more later in life but that just meant that we needed a swiffer for the inbetween vaccuming times. He also wasn’t big on licking people but I believe most goldens are so try to not let the puppy do that. Good luck with your golden, I hope it works out.

If I got a dog again I would look at the non-shedding breeds. Ironically enough before we got the beagle we went to a wheaten terrier breeder who turned us away saying that she didn’t want to place a puppy in a home that might become allergic to it. We only got a beagle because someone on our street had one and everyone in our family seemed fine with visiting it. Another poster mentioned the Kuvasz breed of dog, I’ve never read anywhere that these dogs don’t shed. I’d like to know if it is a confirmed minimal shedding dog to put on my list of ‘possible breeds for the future’.

[Fairview_Horse_Cente]

I have had field trial labs, lighter bodied, (mature 55 lbs) smaller, refined head - the last from ashlandkennel.com

I never find any hair around the house, no hairs if you brush them, and no hairs in the chair cover. It gets dirty, but not hairy.

She is VERY short coated.

[affirmed]

Grooming…

I have been a dog groomer for 25 years. Lucky me, right?

ALL dogs shed or lose hair, some just more than others. I guarantee you can find someone allergic to ALL breeds of dogs, hypoallergenic, non- or low-shedding breeds withstanding. Cats are the worst; they are covered in their own saliva. You can teach a dog not to lick-personally, I am not a huge fan–neither of my dogs lick–we taught them when they were young.

Weekly baths? Yes, but ONLY if you are using good shampoo and feeding a great dog food. I would also add Omega-3’s, available from your vet. Good allergy shampoo is also available from your vet. Side note: Furminator shampoo and solution/conditioner are the BEST for shedding out a dog. I go through tons of that stuff.

Bathing removes the naturally occurring oils, and this can make a dog scratch, and scratch, and scratch if done too often…try to maintain a happy balance; its individual to the dog. Generally, weekly baths are harsh on a dog’s skin, and you could cause skin problems if it isn’t done correctly.
The best advice I can give for a good bath is RINSE, RINSE, RINSE.

Also, Allerpet does work. Follow the directions, or find a groomer that will do the treatment for you. I use it for my customers all the time. I would also consider purchasing (or finding a groomer who uses one, probably a better idea) a high velocity dryer. If used properly, a HVD used BEFORE and AFTER the bath will blow out dirt, dander, loose hair.

Congratulations on your new puppy; you have a very positive, responsible outlook on this; I wish your family the best.

Melissa

[Paula]

Best tip - get rid of your carpet and get hardwood or tile floors. You can never really get carpet clean. I have a hairy dog that I am allergic to and my asthma went away when we pulled all the carpets out and replaced them with ceramic tile. So much easier to clean and you can totally get them hair free. Much more pet friendly. Also get rid of curtains and and have shades that don’t catch dust. Good luck!

[AKB]

I used to be allergic to Golden Retrievers (but not other retrievers). When we went to visit the breeder, I could only stay in their home for a few minutes. After the first year or two of owning a Golden, my Golden Retriever allergies were gone. When I worked in an allergy practice, I was amazed at how many owners eventually developed tolerance to their own breed. Of course, you might have to take a lot of allergy medicine (e.g., Claritin, Singulair, Flonase) until you develop a tolerance. I don’t know of any way to predict whether or not you will develop a tolerance. Interestingly, the people I saw at the allergy practice did not develop tolerance to their cats. Cat allergic people tended to stay cat allergic.

I agree with the poster who advised getting rid of the carpets. Area rugs, preferable small ones, are much easier to clean than wall to wall carpeting. Leather furniture is good. Avoid anything that will collect dust, mold, or dander. Avoid clutter. Only buy bedding that is very washable (e.g., cotton quilts).

Good luck. It would be easier to start with a breed that you know you are not allergic to. If you really want a Golden, and have a backup plan in case it doesn’t work, I would try it.

[Elmstead]

Ditto on the carpet removal. Our son has allergies and asthma, both of which have improved since our house is now all hard flooring (wood and tile).

We have a standard size multi-gen Labradoodle (best dog ever, by the way) living indoors and he doesn’t shed but he does bring in grass, shavings, dust, pollen, etc. on his fleecy coat. He isn’t allowed on furniture, or to sleep in kids’ rooms- so that helps. Well, that and daily vacuuming, dusting, etc.

Good luck!

I also splurged on an IQ Air purifier for son’s room several years ago. Expensive-but works wonders.

[Loves_to_ride]

Thanks everyone!

With all of the great advice and comments in this thread, I think I am ready to do battle with allergies, to the best of my abilities.

[RedEqHunter]

My boyfriend is very, very allergic to cats and dogs (and dust mites!). Of course, we adopted the stray cat that refused to leave our doorstep and I moved in my two beagles. :yes:

The main floor of the house has laminate flooring and tile so that is where the dogs live. Gates and closed doors confine them to that floor. Their bedding (including the quilt that covers the leather couch) is washed weekly or more if it looks hairy. The rooms are swept every other day and the bedding is vacuumed about once a week (halfway between washing time).

The other floors of the house (we have a finished basement) are vacuumed every three days. We have a hepa Kenmore upright - it’s great.

We also have a hepa air purifier in each room - a big one does the kitchen/living room and another big one does the rooms in the finished basement. I vacuum the pre-filters weekly. They are always disgusting.

I try to bathe the dogs once a month. I think once a week would be too much for all of us. The cat’s on his own! (Yes, I have bathed a cat before, and no, it wasn’t a good experience!)

Should add that the boyfriend is on 3 types of allergy meds. I would hate to put kids on them, but…

[KnKShowmom]

I am allergic to dogs, cats, horses, dust, mold and mildew and survive with 1 horse and 2 labs!

You sound like you have a good game plan - the tile and hardwoods are key. We I moved into my house it was wall to wall carpet and you wouldn’t believe the piles of dirt that were under it when we pulled it up to put in hardwood!

For what its worth - there are several breeds which have hair, not fur and those are the only ones which are truly allergy free. The rest of the breeds just cause different reactions to different people’s allergies. I think I am fine with Labs because being a water breed, they tend to have a coat which lays flat and has a oil texture to it. I can’t be around a Golden for very long due to the lighter, ‘flyaway’ fur they have. Same with cats, short hair are fine but can’t be around the long hair ones.

I was on allergy shots for a while, but now just use Zyrtec at night (and sleep great) and Rhinocort in the morning and that seems to be keeping everything under conrol.

Good Luck with your puppy, hope you have many happy years together!