From: davek@informix.com (David Kosenko)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Subject: Re: Non-allergenic Dogs
Date: 2 Oct 92 17:32:22 GMT
Distribution: rec
Organization: Informix Software, Inc.

Karen Plaskon writes:
>Hi all.  I'm looking for some information on dog breeds that tend to
>be non-allergenic.  Also, what causes dogs to be allergenic?  I've
>heard that in cats, it's the "dander" (combo of saliva, skin and
>hair).  I've heard that poodles, and terrier-like dogs tend to cause
>less allergies.  If I were to get a dog, however (which I'd like to!)
>I'd prefer not to get a poodle or a terrier-looking dog.  
>Please post me directly, as I could never keep up with the reading of
>this group!  I'll summarize and post any interesting info I receive.

A a life-long allergy sufferer and relatively new  owner of both a dog
(Golden Retriever) and a cat, I think I can provide some info on this
topic.

First on cats.  If you are "allergic to cats", then it is 99% likely that
it is the protiens in cat saliva that bother you.  The cat licks itself,
leaving the protiens on the fur.  The saliva dries and the proteins break
off and become airborne.  You breath them in and, like pollen, they contact
receptor areas in your nasal passages (or the linings of your eyes) which
causes you rbody to react as though a germ were present, thus the typical
"allergic reaction" (runny nose, swollet watery eyes, sneezing, etc.).  It
seems that bathing a cat in water for a few months can somehow affect the
protein in the saliva so that it becomes "non-allergenic".  I am allergic
to cats, and doing this with my cat seems to have worked just fine.

For dogs, I am not so well informed.  I *believe* that dog allergies are
at least in part similar to cat allergies, i.e. proteins in the saliva are
causative agents.  I believe that with dogs, though, oils secreted by the
skin can also be a problem.  I seem to have no allergic reaction to my
*dog* whatsoever (I can bury my face in his fur with no reaction).

Dander and hair/fur poses a complete different problem, for the most part.
If cat saliva is a problem, then shed fur and dander can be an additional 
source of protein, but compared to the living cat is rather insignificant.
Hair and dander itself is rarely a cause of allergies (though oils on it may
be - again, probably insignificant relative to the supply on the animal
itself).  What IS a major source of allergic distress is the droppings of the
dust mites that live everywhere in your house and feed off the dander (dead
skin) of your pets, just as they feed off the dead skins cells you slough
off by the millions (all that dust under your bed is comprised, in large
part, of dead skin that has worked its way through your matress and boxspring,
along with hair, settled airborn pollutants, dust mites and their droppings).
More pets mean more dander mean more dust mites mean more dust mite turds!
(as Dave Barry would say, 'I am not making this up.'  Dust mite droppings
are about the same size as pollen granules, and have the same effect on
your repiratory system).  So having a "non-allergenic" dog does not
guarantee "no allergies"; as in my case, the dog won't get you but the
dust mites will (any Tom Lehrer fans out there ;-)

So by getting a dog that sheds less, the result it to leave less dust
mite food around.  I'm not convinced, however, that the amount of skin
sloughed off would be any less (and that is really what those mites chow on).

But all is not lost!  I find that by keeping very up to date on my cleaning, 
I can reduce the ambient DMT (dust mite turd) level to a tolerable point.
ALthough daily pollen levels can affect this, I find that if I sneeze a lot
in the morning, it means I have let too many days go by without dusting,
sweeping, vacuming, and/or mopping.  With 1 dog, 1 cat, myself, sawdust
from the basement shop, and ambient "other" dust, I find that "cleaning
up" every other day keeps me comfortable (bearing in mind that I have
radiator heat in my house - as an apartment dweller with forced hot air
heat,  the constantly agitated dust was more of a problem with no pets
and no sawdust).

Keep in mind that I am not a doctor (nor have I ever played one on TV).
This info has been gleaned over many years of reading articles on allergies
(U.S. News and World Report had a really good one just a few months ago),
talking to my allergist, and trying different "living arrangements" to 
see what was most comfortable for *me*.


Dave
-- 
Disclaimer: These opinions are not those of Informix Software, Inc.
**************************************************************************
The heart and the mind on a parallel course, never the two shall meet.
						-E. Saliers
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs