Hypoallergenic Dogs

There is a misconception that some dogs are “hypoallergenic. Hypoallergenic means they are less likely (hypo) to cause allergies. The reason these dogs are thought to be hypoallergenic is because they do not shed. In truth, the allergenic proteins from these dogs stimulate allergies just as proteins from other dogs do, but we are exposed to fewer proteins when dogs do not shed.

We can classify dog coat types into two broad groups:

• those with have hair follicles that produce hair in cycles and shed seasonally and
• those that produce hair continuously and do not shed.

Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, Border Collies, and Golden Retrievers, produce hair in cycles. The growth and shedding in these dogs is partially determined by the amount of sunlight and the temperature. As dogs move indoors and became exposed to constant temperatures and limited amounts of natural light, they are less inclined to shed twice a year--spring and fall--and more likely to shed continuously. That’s why many report shedding problems with their Labradors and other healthy dogs kept indoors.

In contrast, “hypoallergenic dogs,” such as Poodles and Shih Tzus, have hair that grows continuously. These dogs require clipping.

In addition to sunlight and temperature, other factors influence shedding and the health of the skin and coat: nutrition, skin cleanliness, thyroid and adrenal hormones. Nutrition for healthy skin includes meat without hormones or antibiotics, vegetables, flax and fish oils. Consistent bathing and grooming are necessary stimulate blood flow to hair follicles and promote robust skin. Thyroid hormones determine the hair follicle growth cycle, and when dogs have hypothyroidism, their follicles remain in a dormant part of the growth cycle for much longer than normal. Thus hypothyroid dogs often have thin, dry and lackluster coats. Another endocrine disease, Cushing's disease, causes thin coats, which can progress to large bald areas. For these reasons, great nutrition, clean, well brushed coats, normal endocrine gland function (thyroid and adrenals) have the fewest problems with shedding and poor coats.

Regardless of whether your dog is a shedder or a nonshedder, fatty acids will help it have a healthy skin and coat. Two major classes of fatty acids are Omega 6s and the Omega 3s. Omega 6 fatty acids benefit pets with dry skin and Omega 3 fatty acids benefit pets with allergies and hot spots.

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