The beautiful Golden Retriever is a Scottish breed of retriever dog. It is mostly a medium-sized dog. This dog is usually gentle and affectionate, and most importantly, it has a striking golden coat. But there is a common question with every dog lover that Are Golden Retrievers Hypoallergenic? So here’s a detailed guide on it.
It is commonly kept as a pet, among the most frequently registered breeds, especially in western countries. It is an obedient dog, which is why it is used as a gundog and guide dog.
The following article is specially made up of the discussion of the hypoallergenic traits of the Golden Retriever. Let’s dive directly into the main part.
Are All Golden Retrievers Hypoallergenic?
We know because of the characteristics of the Golden Retriever that it is a great family pet. But it is sad for some people with bad allergies to know that this great dog is not hypoallergenic. This breed frequently sheds.
No dog breed is a hundred percent hypoallergenic. But still, some breeds are suitable for people having pet allergies. Unfortunately, the loving, energetic, and playful Golden Retriever does not fall into that category. You cannot keep it around people with allergies.
People are too confused when the talk comes to hypoallergenic dogs. Have you ever heard that no dog breed can be hypoallergenic? The real answer to this is that individual dogs can cause fewer allergy symptoms than others; now, this does not mean that they will not cause any irritation. It will happen from time to time.
Another common belief is that people are allergic to a dog’s fur or hair. It is not true, and they are allergic to dander. What is dander? Dander is the small flakes of skin that are shed by dogs and can cause allergic reactions. This is the reason why the Golden Retriever is called a shedding breed.
The actual reason why people get confused about their allergies is that when the dog sheds fur or hair, It also sheds dander. It falls off and spreads through the air and throughout your home. Those loose particles of dander cause your allergies to flare up. The shedding of these both at a time is the main confusion. So, Are Golden Retrievers Hypoallergenic? Hope you got your answer.
All Dogs Don’t Have Same Allergens:
Understanding this point may positively affect your desire to have a Golden Retriever, even if you have an allergy. This is because not all dogs produce the same allergens. There are a total of six different allergens that dogs have.
A point to note is that dogs cannot have all of those. Therefore, if you are allergic, you must be allergic to one specific allergen. Understanding your allergy, you can likely locate a Golden Retriever that doesn’t have the allergen you are prone to, and in the end, you can keep the dog.
Taking an example of the male producing Can f5. This is a protein that is created in the prostate. Interestingly, one-third of allergic people are specifically prone to this protein.
Now that a person is allergic to Can f5, he can easily have a female Golden Retriever without a problem. As for our recommendation, we highly recommend having female dogs. However, getting them fixed could solve the allergen problems if you want to have a male dog.
Now a problem arises here: knowing which allergen you are prone to. Dog allergy tests use all six allergens at once, which will not allow you to know about the specific allergen. You have to get yourself tested for each allergen specifically. This is possible upon request at some centers providing this facility.
You can be allergic to more than one of the proteins that the Golden Retriever produces. Therefore, you need to get tested for all of them before adopting a female Golden Retriever because, except for Can f5, they produce all the other canine proteins.
Golden Retriever’s Allergen Level Reduction:
If you still want to have a Golden Retriever, even being allergic to them. Then we have gathered some points that can reduce some of the allergens they contain.
The easiest and most traditional way, along with being the best, to reduce a Golden Retriever’s allergen level is to bathe them regularly. Normally the Golden Retriever doesn’t need to be bathed very much. If you have an allergy to them, washing your dog regularly can help remove many allergens.
The most common allergen is the Can f1 protein. And washing the dog reduces Can f1 levels to as low as 16%. To keep the allergen levels low, you must bathe your dog at least twice a week. We recommend using a sensitive-skin shampoo because regular bathing and washing of your dog can cause their coats to be deprived of essential and beneficial oils.
The recommended shampoo will not strip off all the oils from the coat. Now, if you are keeping the dog even if you have an allergic person at home, keeping the dog and the person’s interaction as low as possible is recommended, don’t let the dog go there if the allergic person has a specific homeroom.
This will create an “allergen-free zone,” and the overall number of allergens the person comes into contact with will decrease. As a result, the symptoms will decrease as well.
Some more precautions include having an air filter that can also be handy for those suffering from allergies. Besides this, you can also try a medical treatment, such as antihistamine pills. Make regular visits to both your doctor and your dog’s vet.
Golden Retriever Hypoallergenic and Allergies:
Golden Retrievers are not the dogs that cause the worst allergies. Many other canines out there cause even worse allergies than Golden Retrievers. However, that doesn’t mean they are good to keep with persons with allergies.
If you are keeping it anyhow, the severity of the person’s allergies and what specific proteins he is allergic to should be considered.
Always try to keep up with the essential maintenance of your dog. This includes bathing regularly and keeping your dog groomed. In this way, you might be able to keep a Golden Retriever if you have allergies successfully. This will lessen the symptoms, but you’ll still feel a bit of irritation.
Frequently Asked Questions:
No breed is truly allergy-safe. The same is the case with Golden Retrievers, but still, if you want one, you should ensure all the precautionary measures mentioned above.
Yes! They shed a lot year-round. Two specific times of the year, their shedding is excessive when they blow their coats in spring and fall.
No! As a plus point, Golden Retrievers do not bark excessively. They will rarely bark out of control.
Final Verdict
So, this was a brief article on the most questioned topic, Are Golden Retrievers Hypoallergenic? Hope that you got all the information you were looking for. Plus, we hope this article helps you keep a Golden Retriever even if you are prone to allergies. These dogs are not hypoallergenic. But the myth breaking is that no dog is truly hypoallergenic.
The common misconception is that people are allergic to dog hair, but actually, they are allergic to the proteins their dog produces. These proteins are in the form of skin, saliva, and urine. All dogs produce skin, so all dogs also produce allergens.
You’ll have to take a few extra steps if you have allergies to dogs and want to keep a Golden Retriever. Keep the above information in mind, and you’ll be comfortable around your dog.
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