So... thinkin' about getting a dog...

[rich_one]

First off, I apologize up front for the length of this post.

The winds of change are a blowin' through my home, and my wife and I are somewhat at a crossroads. As many of you know, my oldest daughter is currently away in college. Well, my son will be graduating in a few weeks, and then he will be off first to basic training, then to college himself.

And then there is our youngest daughter, who is turning 6 next month.

Things were different with my son and oldest daughter. They came up together. They always had each other, and are very close to this day because of that. But my youngest daughter... well, she only has us.

Not that I mean to imply that's chopped liver or something. I mean, we have a lot of fun, and do a lot with her. And when her cousins come over, she has a great time... but when they go home, she is pretty sad, most of the time. This, of course, led to my wife and I talking.

Maybe the timing is right to get a puppy... a new member of the family. Especially now, with our two oldest kids moving into adulthood, and our youngest clearly lacking a companion outside of us.

But there's a catch... my wife is very allergic to dander, and to complicate that further, she is asthmatic. And so, I have been researching dog breeds. I have come to believe there is no such thing as a truly "hypoallergenic" breed, but do believe there are breeds that release dander at much lower levels than other breeds. My wife will be speaking to her doctor about this on Thursday, but right now, we are hoping of going with a game plan of her taking some precautions herself (constantly washing her hands, talking to her doctor about possible prescriptions that could help, and considering taking allergy shots), and us taking precautions in the house as a whole (our bedroom off limits to the puppy, so wifey has a safe zone, constant vacuuming and frequent shampooing of the carpets, more frequent dusting, and making sure all filters in our ventilation system are HEPA rated).

I guess the purpose of the post is two-fold. I would love to know what other members have dogs that have allergies to dander... particularly if you are asthmatic. I would love to know what breeds you have, how they affect you, and what practices you have in place to manage your allergies. I sincerely appreciate your input, both fact and opinion. Our end goal here is to acquire a new family member, that fits. It is time for a new addition to the family, and we want to make the best, most educated choice possible, because we know we will all fall in love with him or her, and we want to make sure we don't make a mistake. Thanks in advance.

-Rich

[Reel Addiction]

I think with all of the precautions your wife will take there will still could be a problem. If she plays with the dog or pets it she may break out.

Just my thought but its up to you in the end.

[rich_one]

Originally Posted by Reel Addiction

I think with all of the precautions your wife will take there will still could be a problem. If she plays with the dog or pets it she may break out.

Just my thought but its up to you in the end.

Thanks, man.

To be clear... they do not break her out. They seem to at time complicate her asthma. However, we have two friends that have dogs... one a bichon frise, and one a lhasa apso... that do not seem to bother her. Of course, we are only visiting for short periods of time, but she has pet these dogs with no ill effects, while if we go to a friend's home who had say, a doberman, the effects set into her very quickly.

-Rich

[Wblaze]

Rich -- I have always been highly allergic to dogs and cats and have had dogs (2+) consistently for the last 14 years. There is no such thing as a hypoallergetic dog, but if she is not allergic to saliva then a dog that does not shed will not be a dander issue. If you want to chat live about it, pm me you phone number and I can share my experience

[mscichlid]

Bichon Frise
Poodle
Maltese
Are breeds to consider. However, if you could adopt one, it would be so much better.

[rich_one]

Originally Posted by mscichlid

Bichon Frise
Poodle
Maltese
Are breeds to consider. However, if you could adopt one, it would be so much better.

Our intention is to adopt. We do not intend to pay a breeder. Much of my research has been pointing me towards a Portuguese Water Dog. But they are somewhat rare, from an adoption standpoint, as far as I can tell. We have also considered a Bichon. I have read conflicting studies on poodles, that have been conflicting enough to convince me to leave them alone.

-Rich

[mscichlid]

A standard poodle. Not the nippy things.

or a designer dog, i.e those mixed with poodles.

[rich_one]

Originally Posted by mscichlid

A standard poodle. Not the nippy things.

or a designer dog, i.e those mixed with poodles.

Ah... I see I have more to look into.

As it stands at the moment, I think the two front runners are the Bichon and the Portuguese Water Dog. Bichon may have an edge, due to being MUCH easier to find.

-Rich

[rich_one]

Oh... and my youngest daughter's birthday is on June 15... I am definitely hoping to make a decision in time to acquire it by then and give her a super surprise!

-Rich

[scientist0724]

Could always get a hairless dog...
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/xoloitzcuintle.htm

Arlene