Dog advice for allergy sufferer
Discussion
I'm looking for some advice to help change my stance on introducing a dog into our family.
We are a family of three, one of whom is a 5yr old who would dearly love a pet. My wife has had dogs and cats previously but then she met me and there were no more! The reason is that i'm allergic to most animals i come into contact with - dogs, cats and horses come to mind. I start sneezing, scratchingmy skin and rubbing my eyes. I also have eczema if that matters.
The allergy is the main reason why I'm not in favour of having a pet. The other issue, is that i work 5 days a week and my wife 3 days. I dont believe its fair to the dog to leave it alone for 8 hours a day. However, there are ways around this if it is deemed to be an issue.
We have a largish house, back garden and playing fields within 5 mins walk. We are in an isolated area with a wide array of wildlife in the vicinity, which might get interesting should we get a dog. The garden backs onto a lake but there is a 4ft high fence between us and the lake.
We like to get out and about, either walking or cycling. It would be great to get a dog that could run with us when we ride (canal paths and bridleways). However, the dog wont want for exercise, changes in scenary and places to explore. I would also want to obedience train the dog properly through classes.
We've been looking at dogs that are classed as hypoallergenic and helped by pictures in the 'show us your dog' thread we are considering Miniature Schnauzer, Labradoodle and Cockapoo's. I 'd really like to consider a Polish Lowland Sheepdog but ultimately i dont think we would be a good match for the dog especially with leaving it home alone.
I realise the allergy concern will only be answered by visiting dogs that we are considering and i may have to put up with some discomfort, however, is my other concern about leaving the dog home-alone valid or will the dog get used to it?
Which dogs do you think might be best suited to us/me from the hypoallergenic list or does my shortlist contain the relevant ones?
We are a family of three, one of whom is a 5yr old who would dearly love a pet. My wife has had dogs and cats previously but then she met me and there were no more! The reason is that i'm allergic to most animals i come into contact with - dogs, cats and horses come to mind. I start sneezing, scratchingmy skin and rubbing my eyes. I also have eczema if that matters.
The allergy is the main reason why I'm not in favour of having a pet. The other issue, is that i work 5 days a week and my wife 3 days. I dont believe its fair to the dog to leave it alone for 8 hours a day. However, there are ways around this if it is deemed to be an issue.
We have a largish house, back garden and playing fields within 5 mins walk. We are in an isolated area with a wide array of wildlife in the vicinity, which might get interesting should we get a dog. The garden backs onto a lake but there is a 4ft high fence between us and the lake.
We like to get out and about, either walking or cycling. It would be great to get a dog that could run with us when we ride (canal paths and bridleways). However, the dog wont want for exercise, changes in scenary and places to explore. I would also want to obedience train the dog properly through classes.
We've been looking at dogs that are classed as hypoallergenic and helped by pictures in the 'show us your dog' thread we are considering Miniature Schnauzer, Labradoodle and Cockapoo's. I 'd really like to consider a Polish Lowland Sheepdog but ultimately i dont think we would be a good match for the dog especially with leaving it home alone.
I realise the allergy concern will only be answered by visiting dogs that we are considering and i may have to put up with some discomfort, however, is my other concern about leaving the dog home-alone valid or will the dog get used to it?
Which dogs do you think might be best suited to us/me from the hypoallergenic list or does my shortlist contain the relevant ones?
After an evening of reading about various 'hypoallergenic' dogs we have ammended our list to - Miniature schnauzer, Polish Sheepdog and various terriers - Airdale, Border, Tibetan, Welsh, Irish and Lakeland.
I'm contacting a number of breeders to discuss suitability of the dog for me, though im sure it should really be the suitability of me to the dog!
With regard to the dog being home alone, we are looking at a dog walker as an option. There is also the possibility of the dog coming to work with me.
Thanks to williaa68 and Mids for thier kind offer. Alas, im in the NW of England
I'm contacting a number of breeders to discuss suitability of the dog for me, though im sure it should really be the suitability of me to the dog!
With regard to the dog being home alone, we are looking at a dog walker as an option. There is also the possibility of the dog coming to work with me.
Thanks to williaa68 and Mids for thier kind offer. Alas, im in the NW of England
Thread update...
We went to a pet show on Saturday with the hope of meeting some breeds that were suitable for me to be around. We chatted with a number of owners about their dogs and then spent Saturday evening contacting breeders.
On Sunday we made arrangements to go and see an Airedale Terrier family. There were only two puppies available from the litter and one was being retained a little longer by the breeder as it was smaller than its siblings.
We saw the litter, mum and mums sister. We got to handle the puppy throuhout our visit (2hrs) and play with mum. I only had a slight reaction and this could have been down to the labs that the breeder keeps. My daughter was fine with the puppy, mum and all the other dogs she met that day.
The breeder was excellent and obviously has a passion for her dogs and making sure they go to good homes.
A deposit was placed and we will be bringing Alfie home on 5 November.
We went to a pet show on Saturday with the hope of meeting some breeds that were suitable for me to be around. We chatted with a number of owners about their dogs and then spent Saturday evening contacting breeders.
On Sunday we made arrangements to go and see an Airedale Terrier family. There were only two puppies available from the litter and one was being retained a little longer by the breeder as it was smaller than its siblings.
We saw the litter, mum and mums sister. We got to handle the puppy throuhout our visit (2hrs) and play with mum. I only had a slight reaction and this could have been down to the labs that the breeder keeps. My daughter was fine with the puppy, mum and all the other dogs she met that day.
The breeder was excellent and obviously has a passion for her dogs and making sure they go to good homes.
A deposit was placed and we will be bringing Alfie home on 5 November.
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