The Obama's dog has arrived at the White House, and he has a blog.
First dog Bo is a Portugese water hound, and was chosen because one of the Obama daughters has an allergy to dogs.
The Obamas wanted a rescue hound, and they were pretty lucky to find a water hound in a pound - there aren't that many "hypoallergenic" dogs to be found in rescue homes. (And those that are are snapped up pretty quickly).
If you suffer from dog allegies, don't despair, there is a breed of dog that might suit you - and there are plenty waiting for a new home. The breed's a greyhound - they tend to be better for people with allergies because they have just one coat.
To find a rescue kennels near you start here or here.
Showing posts with label Allergies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Allergies. Show all posts
Tuesday, 14 April 2009
Friday, 27 February 2009
White House dog breed chosen
It looks like the Obamas have finally settled on a Portugese water hound as the next dog-in-residence at the White House. Apparently the search is now on for a rescue dog.
I wish them luck and I am sure that they will find a dog waiting to be rescued somewhere in the United States - but they would a made life a whole lot easier for themselves if they had chosen a greyhound!
Like Portugese water hounds, greyhounds also seem to be good for some people that have allergies to dogs. This seems to be because they have just the one coat.
There are thousands of greyhounds waiting to be rehomed. Click here for a starting point for UK rehoming kennels, there are many others as well. I'm still working on lists for the US & elsewhere in the world - do send me links if you want to be included and are not already.
If you have allergies, and want a dog, go visit your local kennels! You should be able to spend plenty of time with the dogs to see if they trigger your allergies. They'll have all ages of dog, and while your unlikely to get a very young puppy, you may be able to get a young dog - like my lovely Ava - who has all the bounce, energy and naughtiness of a puppy. If you want a more sedate dog, they'll be there too. You could choose an old age pensioner, or go for a placid five-year old.
One final hint - ask to look at the black dogs. They're often overlooked, because they are not as pretty as some of the others. And I find these guys are often the best dogs in the kennels. (Just don't tell blue-and-white Ava I said that, she'd never forgive me).
I wish them luck and I am sure that they will find a dog waiting to be rescued somewhere in the United States - but they would a made life a whole lot easier for themselves if they had chosen a greyhound!
Like Portugese water hounds, greyhounds also seem to be good for some people that have allergies to dogs. This seems to be because they have just the one coat.
There are thousands of greyhounds waiting to be rehomed. Click here for a starting point for UK rehoming kennels, there are many others as well. I'm still working on lists for the US & elsewhere in the world - do send me links if you want to be included and are not already.
If you have allergies, and want a dog, go visit your local kennels! You should be able to spend plenty of time with the dogs to see if they trigger your allergies. They'll have all ages of dog, and while your unlikely to get a very young puppy, you may be able to get a young dog - like my lovely Ava - who has all the bounce, energy and naughtiness of a puppy. If you want a more sedate dog, they'll be there too. You could choose an old age pensioner, or go for a placid five-year old.
One final hint - ask to look at the black dogs. They're often overlooked, because they are not as pretty as some of the others. And I find these guys are often the best dogs in the kennels. (Just don't tell blue-and-white Ava I said that, she'd never forgive me).
Thursday, 12 February 2009
Another allergy finding
Well I promised another allergy finding (apologies to all of you that have never had a sniffle, sore eyes, or itchy skin when around a dog).
As usual the last time I was at the kennels I walked the lovely Ava and Nobby again, and once again, the lovely Ava asked for a hug. She's so cute when she does this that I couldn't resist - this is despite the fact that she had just waded through some big puddles and the mucky girl had mud and water all the way up her legs.
My big girlie is really coming out of herself, so, after I had told her it was OK to put her paws on my shoulders, she jumped up, and firmly planted one on my chin and lower lip, scragging my face a little.
I moved her paw down and gave her a big hug all the time thinking: "Oh heck, that'll do it, I'm going to come up with several massive itchy red welts on my face."
Usually dog claws don't even have to puncture my skin to make me come up in a reaction, which looks a little bit like insect bites. In fact I've sometimes been seen to dance the fandango trying to avoid the claws of little dogs when they're trying to jump up and I'm in shorts. The little dogs think it's a great game.
I usually carry antihistamine cream with me, which calms the reaction down, but of course on this day I'd forgotten it.
Anyhow, Nobby and Ava were at the start of their walk and I wasn't going to let them suffer because of my stupidity. So we carried on, and I forgot all about the scratch, until... erm... that evening when I looked in the mirror at home and saw four very faint triangular marks in a rough paw mark on my face.
I suppose it could be that her claws weren't very doggy at that point (very muddy though), but it looks like the greyhounds have passed another allergy-test.
Just the final allergy test of getting them into the home to pass then - and the reason I haven't done this is I'm terrified they'll make me sniffle in an enclosed environment, and I'm not ready to find out that news yet!!
As usual the last time I was at the kennels I walked the lovely Ava and Nobby again, and once again, the lovely Ava asked for a hug. She's so cute when she does this that I couldn't resist - this is despite the fact that she had just waded through some big puddles and the mucky girl had mud and water all the way up her legs.
My big girlie is really coming out of herself, so, after I had told her it was OK to put her paws on my shoulders, she jumped up, and firmly planted one on my chin and lower lip, scragging my face a little.
I moved her paw down and gave her a big hug all the time thinking: "Oh heck, that'll do it, I'm going to come up with several massive itchy red welts on my face."
Usually dog claws don't even have to puncture my skin to make me come up in a reaction, which looks a little bit like insect bites. In fact I've sometimes been seen to dance the fandango trying to avoid the claws of little dogs when they're trying to jump up and I'm in shorts. The little dogs think it's a great game.
I usually carry antihistamine cream with me, which calms the reaction down, but of course on this day I'd forgotten it.
Anyhow, Nobby and Ava were at the start of their walk and I wasn't going to let them suffer because of my stupidity. So we carried on, and I forgot all about the scratch, until... erm... that evening when I looked in the mirror at home and saw four very faint triangular marks in a rough paw mark on my face.
I suppose it could be that her claws weren't very doggy at that point (very muddy though), but it looks like the greyhounds have passed another allergy-test.
Just the final allergy test of getting them into the home to pass then - and the reason I haven't done this is I'm terrified they'll make me sniffle in an enclosed environment, and I'm not ready to find out that news yet!!
Wednesday, 21 January 2009
Allergies... again
A quick post today, but following my post on allergies earlier in the week. Lots of people are still visiting this blog to find out a bit more about dog allergies and I just want to stress that if you are allergic to most dogs you MAY still be allergic to greyhounds. For instance I've not had one in the house, so am still not sure if they'll make me sniffle in this environment. So don't necessarily assume they will be the dog for you!
However, there is a good chance that they will NOT inflame your allergies. This seems to be because they do not have an undercoat.
Also, if you choose to take on a greyhound they are likely to already have their adult coat - puppy coats of dogs like labradoodles often do not inflame allergies, while the dogs adult coat may (depending on the dog - labradoodle coats are very variable).
So - if you have allergies - go and visit the local retired greyhound rehoming kennels (see links on the right or do a search on the internet). Get up close and personal - take them for a walk, fuss them, cuddle them - and see whether you react. Let's hope they ARE the dog for you
However, there is a good chance that they will NOT inflame your allergies. This seems to be because they do not have an undercoat.
Also, if you choose to take on a greyhound they are likely to already have their adult coat - puppy coats of dogs like labradoodles often do not inflame allergies, while the dogs adult coat may (depending on the dog - labradoodle coats are very variable).
So - if you have allergies - go and visit the local retired greyhound rehoming kennels (see links on the right or do a search on the internet). Get up close and personal - take them for a walk, fuss them, cuddle them - and see whether you react. Let's hope they ARE the dog for you
Sunday, 18 January 2009
Even more on allergies and greyhounds
Not surprisingly, given all the speculation on the new dog for the Whitehouse, there's been an awful lot in the papers about allergies to dogs recently - and it's still one of the most popular reasons that people are coming to this blog.
It seems the Obamas have settled on either a labradoodle or a portugese water hound. And guess what? The portugese water hound shares a coat characteristic with the greyhound - neither have an undercoat.
In an earlier post I speculated that the greyhound's lack of undercoat may be the reason that they don't seem to inflame my allergies in the same way as other dogs, and now it seems that this may have some basis in fact.
Incidentally I've also seen that the very best dog for allergy sufferers is the poodle, because they have a "woollen" coat.
However, if like me, you'd prefer a rescue dog, I'd thoroughly recommend giving a greyhound a go. There are plenty of retired racing hounds waiting for a good home.
You'll be able to spend plenty of time with them to see if they inflame your allergies and, crucially, you'll be able to spend time with dogs that have their adult coat. Many dogs - like labradoodles - may have a different non-allergenic coat as a puppy, which may mean that you become allergic to the dog as he or she gets older.
Go on, visit your local retired greyhound kennels and give a hound a home.
It seems the Obamas have settled on either a labradoodle or a portugese water hound. And guess what? The portugese water hound shares a coat characteristic with the greyhound - neither have an undercoat.
In an earlier post I speculated that the greyhound's lack of undercoat may be the reason that they don't seem to inflame my allergies in the same way as other dogs, and now it seems that this may have some basis in fact.
Incidentally I've also seen that the very best dog for allergy sufferers is the poodle, because they have a "woollen" coat.
However, if like me, you'd prefer a rescue dog, I'd thoroughly recommend giving a greyhound a go. There are plenty of retired racing hounds waiting for a good home.
You'll be able to spend plenty of time with them to see if they inflame your allergies and, crucially, you'll be able to spend time with dogs that have their adult coat. Many dogs - like labradoodles - may have a different non-allergenic coat as a puppy, which may mean that you become allergic to the dog as he or she gets older.
Go on, visit your local retired greyhound kennels and give a hound a home.
Friday, 28 November 2008
A bit more about allergies and greyhounds
Quite a few people seem to have come to this blog to find out more about why some people who have dog allergies are not allergic to greyhounds.
There seems to be a lot of myth and misinformation around dog allergies - and the cause of my dog allergy is still a bit of a mystery to me.
I discovered that I wasn't allergic to all dogs several years ago, when - to my initial horror - I found that I had to spend Christmas in a house with a dog that was, at least partly, Irish wolfhound. He was certainly Irish wolfhound in size and had a wiry coat, however, he definitely was a bit of a mix of other breeds. Probably several. And a total loony.
No-one had warned me, I had no asthma inhaler or anti-histamines with me (the anti-histamines don't tend to work for me anyone), and all the pharmacies were closed for the festive season. To add insult to injury the next door neighbour's poodle seemed to spend most of her day lounging around with the Wolfhound. I resigned myself to a miserable Christmas.
The allergies never appeared, and I spent most of the holiday either tickling the Wolfhound, or sitting with the poodle staring mournfully into my face, begging for cuddles.
Since starting to walk greyhounds from the local rehoming kennels it also seems that I'm not allergic to these dogs.
I've recently discovered that greyhounds and poodles have something in common - they both have just a single coat. Most dogs have a undercoat underneath their top-coat, so I think it may be this undercoat that I'm allergic to.
However there seems to be no rhyme or reason to the dogs people are allergic to - a friend's son is OK with golden retrievers. I am not. Wheaten terriers are often named as good dogs for those with allergies. I come in bumps when I touch them.
So, the only advice I can give to those looking for a dog that will not trigger their allergies is spend tons of time with different breeds. And don't forget the anti-histamines.
There seems to be a lot of myth and misinformation around dog allergies - and the cause of my dog allergy is still a bit of a mystery to me.
I discovered that I wasn't allergic to all dogs several years ago, when - to my initial horror - I found that I had to spend Christmas in a house with a dog that was, at least partly, Irish wolfhound. He was certainly Irish wolfhound in size and had a wiry coat, however, he definitely was a bit of a mix of other breeds. Probably several. And a total loony.
No-one had warned me, I had no asthma inhaler or anti-histamines with me (the anti-histamines don't tend to work for me anyone), and all the pharmacies were closed for the festive season. To add insult to injury the next door neighbour's poodle seemed to spend most of her day lounging around with the Wolfhound. I resigned myself to a miserable Christmas.
The allergies never appeared, and I spent most of the holiday either tickling the Wolfhound, or sitting with the poodle staring mournfully into my face, begging for cuddles.
Since starting to walk greyhounds from the local rehoming kennels it also seems that I'm not allergic to these dogs.
I've recently discovered that greyhounds and poodles have something in common - they both have just a single coat. Most dogs have a undercoat underneath their top-coat, so I think it may be this undercoat that I'm allergic to.
However there seems to be no rhyme or reason to the dogs people are allergic to - a friend's son is OK with golden retrievers. I am not. Wheaten terriers are often named as good dogs for those with allergies. I come in bumps when I touch them.
So, the only advice I can give to those looking for a dog that will not trigger their allergies is spend tons of time with different breeds. And don't forget the anti-histamines.
Monday, 10 November 2008
Greyhounds and allergies
Well it turns out that my suggestion that the Obamas should take on a greyhound wasn't quite so tongue in cheek as I thought.
No, I don't have an inside line to the President-elect's office, but I do know that greyhounds can be good for some people who are allergic to most dogs. In fact it seems to be a bit of an open secret - and I've met many people at the local retired greyhound rehoming kennels who find that greyhounds do not trigger their allergies.
I seem to be one of them - I am dreadfully allergic to most dogs. I don't even have to touch one and I can be wheezing and sneezing within a few minutes of walking into a room that's had a dog in it. If I touch them I come up in inflamed itchy patches on my skin, and if I touch my eyes afterwards they swell up and water. Antihistamines do not do any good.
Not so for greyhounds - after all the time spent cuddling and fussing them over the past few months I am confident they don't trigger my skin allergies.
I don't know whether they make me wheeze and sneeze, because I haven't spent any time with them indoors - however, I do know if I decided I might want to take one on I could take him home with me for a few days to test whether he triggers my allergies.
I'd strongly encourage anyone with allergies to go to their local greyhound kennels and give these dogs a go. They're likely to have their adult coat so you can be sure you won't develop allergies to them as they grow from puppy to dog - as can be the problem with labradoodles and goldendoodles.
Also it gives you the chance of giving a home to a "rescue" dog, with all the advantages of the back-up and support of the retired greyhound kennel team, a knowledge of the dog's character, and the chance to give him or her a second chance in life.
No, I don't have an inside line to the President-elect's office, but I do know that greyhounds can be good for some people who are allergic to most dogs. In fact it seems to be a bit of an open secret - and I've met many people at the local retired greyhound rehoming kennels who find that greyhounds do not trigger their allergies.
I seem to be one of them - I am dreadfully allergic to most dogs. I don't even have to touch one and I can be wheezing and sneezing within a few minutes of walking into a room that's had a dog in it. If I touch them I come up in inflamed itchy patches on my skin, and if I touch my eyes afterwards they swell up and water. Antihistamines do not do any good.
Not so for greyhounds - after all the time spent cuddling and fussing them over the past few months I am confident they don't trigger my skin allergies.
I don't know whether they make me wheeze and sneeze, because I haven't spent any time with them indoors - however, I do know if I decided I might want to take one on I could take him home with me for a few days to test whether he triggers my allergies.
I'd strongly encourage anyone with allergies to go to their local greyhound kennels and give these dogs a go. They're likely to have their adult coat so you can be sure you won't develop allergies to them as they grow from puppy to dog - as can be the problem with labradoodles and goldendoodles.
Also it gives you the chance of giving a home to a "rescue" dog, with all the advantages of the back-up and support of the retired greyhound kennel team, a knowledge of the dog's character, and the chance to give him or her a second chance in life.
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