Nothing can be more disappointing to a dog lover than to be told that they can’t own a dog because they have allergies. A popular advice that is given to people with allergies is to get a dog that is hypoallergenic.
Given that the Labrador Retriever is a gentle, cheerful, and family-loving dog that anyone would love to own, a question that is commonly asked is if the breed is hypoallergenic.
However, the answer to the question on whether a Lab is hypoallergenic or not is just one out of seven things you need to know about allergies and dogs. So, let’s get right to it!
1) What Causes Dog Allergies?
In general, an allergy is a condition wherein a person’s immune system responds to foreign proteins and other substances, called allergens, which are not typically harmful to the human body.
When a person is said to have dog allergies, it means that their immune system reacts to allergens that are being produced by their beloved pets. While most people relate dog allergies to a canine’s hair and fur, allergens are also present in their mucus, saliva, urine, etc.
You know that you have dog allergies if you exhibit any of the following symptoms:
- Runny nose or sneezing
- Itchy eyes, nose, and/or throat
- Postnasal drip
- Nasal congestion
- Cough
- Swelling of the face or facial pain
2) What is a “Hypoallergenic dog”?
Because people commonly equate allergies with a dog’s hair or fur, a “hypoallergenic dog” is defined as any breed of dog that is either hairless or sheds very little or not at all.
But here’s the thing. As we have mentioned above, allergens don’t just come from a dog’s hair and fur. A person may react to allergens originating from the dog’s saliva or urine. So even hairless dogs can produce allergens.
Dog allergies can be a confusing medical condition. A person may not be allergic to one breed, but have reactions with another breed. You’ll be surprised to learn that even dogs belonging to the same breed do not produce the same types of allergens.
For example, if you have a litter of puppies, you might find yourself suffering an allergy attack to a couple of puppies, but not with the other puppies in the same litter.
What about “hypoallergenic dogs”? Studies comparing homes with hypoallergenic dogs and non-hypoallergenic dogs showed no difference in the allergen levels. In some cases, the allergen levels in homes with hypoallergenic dogs proved to be higher than those with regular dogs. One study went so far as to declare that there is a “lack of evidence to describe any dog breed as hypoallergenic”.
This brings us to our question…
3) Are Labrador Retrievers hypoallergenic?
The short answer to this question is NO, Labs are not hypoallergenic.
The reason for this is their characteristic double coat. The Lab’s double coat has a rough and wiry outer layer that is waterproof, which the dog needs when swimming to retrieve game or just to play. Beneath this waterproof layer is a softer undercoat which aids in regulating the Lab’s body temperature.
The problem with this double coat is the shedding. Generally speaking, a Lab sheds all year round. However, in locations with four seasons, you can expect the Lab to shed heavier twice a year. For three weeks in the spring, the Lab sheds its heavy, dense winter coat in preparation for the hot summer weather.
When fall comes in, the Lab then proceeds to shed its summer coat for the bulkier winter coat. Even if you live in a location with just hot or rainy weather, such as in tropical regions, some Labs have the tendency to be heavy shedders all year round. The shedding is also complicated by the accumulation of dander in the shed hairs or furs.
Needless to say, all that shed hair and fur and dander not only creates a mess in the home, but also puts the person at risk of suffering from allergies.
4) How to Control Labrador Retriever Shedding
The key to controlling Labrador Retriever shedding is by ensuring that your house is regularly cleaned so that hair, fur, and dander do not accumulate.
Here are the steps that you need to take to control Lab shedding:
- Give your Lab frequent baths. Bathing your dog in warm water frequently helps in washing away allergens that are stuck to your dog’s fur. There are special shampoos and conditioners that can also minimize shedding. Give your dog a brisk massage as you shampoo them in order to loosen and remove dead hair and dander. Ideally, your Labs should be bathed twice a week, but may be done more frequently especially during periods of heavy shedding. Dry your dog completely with a soft towel.
- Give your Lab regular brushing. Labs can be brushed once a week to get the dead hair and dander out. However, during heavy shedding periods, they should be brushed once a day. Start with a rubber brush to loosen the dead hairs as well as to stimulate the release of natural skin oils, which help to keep its coat silky and shiny. End with a bristle brush to completely remove the dead hairs and dander. When you brush, start from the head going down to its tail. Always brush in the direction of the hair growth. Make sure that you remove all hairs from your dog brushes and wash them.
- Vacuum your home daily. Use a vacuum cleaner to remove hairs and fur from furniture and carpets. If you have a robot vacuum cleaner, it is advisable to turn it on at night so that the hair accumulation is minimized. You might want to consider removing carpets and other furnishings and decor wherein hairs and dander frequently get trapped in.
- Let your Lab be groomed by a professional groomer at least once a month. Professional groomers have all the necessary tools to remove allergens from your dog’s double coat.
5) Should a Lab be shaved?
Many Lab owners have considered shaving their dog in order to keep the shedding under control. However, even with allergies, the Lab’s double coat should never be shaved since it serves as your dog’s protection and body temperature regulator.
When you shave your dog, you expose its skin to heat, harmful bacteria and other elements in their environment, which may lead to skin infection, rashes, and sunburn. Shaving also does not stop your dog from shedding. It will continue to shed but with shorter hairs.
In addition, shaving affects the quality of its double coat. When the undercoat grows back, it is no longer soft, but heavy, rough, and prickly which can irritate your Lab’s skin.
If you thought that shaving can prevent you from suffering allergy attacks, guess again! When you shave your Lab, you not only expose yourself to the hairs that you cut off. You also end up freeing dander that have been concealed in other parts of your dog’s body. Suffice to say, you end up getting exposed to more allergens.
6) Other tips for preventing dog allergies
We earlier mentioned that allergens not only come from your Lab’s fur, but also from their saliva as well. Giving your dog daily tooth brushing helps to keep their teeth healthy and cleans their mouth of allergens.
You may also consider changing your dog’s diet if they are shedding excessively off-season. Heavy shedding could be indicative of nutritional deficiencies in your Lab. Aside from choosing dog food with meat and vegetables, you should also consider giving your Lab vitamins, minerals, and other vet-approved supplements to maintain coat health.
7) Can I still own a Labrador even if I have allergies?
Of course, you can still have a Labrador Retriever for a pet, even if you have allergies. However, as we have mentioned earlier, you need to make the effort to clean your house regularly and maintain good grooming in your dog. A good suggestion is to purchase a HEPA air filter which can remove allergens in your home.
You should also consider consulting with your doctor. It may be necessary for you to switch to stronger allergy medications or to take these same meds on a regular basis.
Although Labrador Retrievers are not hypoallergenic, it hasn’t deterred people with allergies from owning and taking care of their beloved pets. Even with the sniffles and itchiness of allergies, the love that a Lab gives is immeasurable and giving up such a loving dog for a lifelong medical condition is too heavy a sacrifice to make.
