Archive for the ‘Breeds’ Category
While no dog is truly hypoallergenic, there may be some breeds of dogs that are less triggering for your allergies than others due to their low shedding coats, which is essential to know if you need a service dog or a psychiatric service dog.
In recent years, the term “hypoallergenic” has been used to describe certain types of dogs. Considering that 10-20% of the population is allergic to dogs, it’s no surprise that this label has gained popularity. However, if you have been pinning all your hopes on finding a hypoallergenic service dog as the perfect solution, it’s important to understand the science behind the hype.
While some individual dogs may indeed elicit fewer allergy symptoms than others, studies suggest that no specific breed (or mix of breeds) is truly hypoallergenic.
One revealing study found no significant differences in the levels of the primary dog allergen in homes with dogs labeled as hypoallergenic compared with those that weren’t. The authors noted the need for more research to confirm these findings, but the results certainly challenge the common myth about hypoallergenic breeds.
Five Service Dog Breeds That Are Better for AllergiesSome popular purebred dogs are frequently referred to as “hypoallergenic” because of their low-shedding attributes. These are 5 of the most popular service dog breeds for allergy sufferers:
1. PoodlePoodles are often celebrated for their hypoallergenic coats, which shed minimally and produce less dander. Their intelligence and trainability make them exceptional service dogs. Due to their adaptability and quick learning abilities, poodles excel in various roles.
2. LabradoodleLabradoodles are a crossbreed between a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle. They inherit the hypoallergenic coat of the Poodle while maintaining the Labrador’s friendly and loyal nature. This combination makes Labradoodles ideal for service work and mental health support.
3. Portuguese Water DogPortuguese Water Dogs are known for their curly, water-resistant coats, which are less likely to trigger allergies. Their high energy levels and loyalty make them excellent service dogs, particularly for individuals needing assistance with physical tasks or those who enjoy an active lifestyle.
4. Miniature SchnauzerMiniature Schnauzers have a wiry, hypoallergenic coat that sheds minimally. Their alertness, trainability, and affectionate nature make them great candidates for service roles, especially in environments where a smaller dog is preferable.
5. Bichon FriseBichon Frises are small, hypoallergenic dogs with a cheerful disposition. Their gentle and sociable nature makes them excellent psychiatric service dogs, while their adaptability allows them to perform various service tasks effectively.
These breeds are often considered for service roles due to their intelligence, trainability, and temperament. However, it’s crucial to remember that there are no guarantees they will result in fewer allergy symptoms in all individuals. There may be less hair, but you can’t avoid their dander and saliva!
If you can, try spending as much time as possible around one of these dog breeds to see how severely your allergies are triggered by them. Each individual will respond differently to each dog, so it’s important to get firsthand experience.
Managing Dog Allergy SymptomsFor some allergy sufferers, their reaction to dog allergens is too severe to consider having a dog. For others, their need for a service dog can become a reality with careful management of allergies. Some minor sniffles and irritation can be significantly outweighed by the health necessities of a service dog.
Here are some tips for mitigating dog allergies:
1. Building ToleranceSome dog owners claim they have built up a tolerance to allergens. Allergen immunotherapy shots may be an option for building up true tolerance. Ask your doctor or allergy specialist about whether treatment is right for you.
2. Housekeeping HabitsGood housekeeping habits can also help keep allergies at bay. Keep your service dog out of your bedroom if that is possible. That is, of course, difficult for many service dog owners who need their dog by their side 24-7.
Use a HEPA air filter and vacuum regularly, and consider wearing an N95 or other filtering mask while doing so. Invest in a vacuum cleaner with a certified asthma and allergy-friendly filter.
3. Consider CarpetHardwood floors are a popular option in homes these days, and one study found that homes with carpets had higher levels of dog allergens than those with hardwood floors. If you prefer to keep carpets in your home, consider opting for low-pile carpets and steam cleaning and vacuuming them regularly.
4. Regular GroomingSome people opt to bathe their service dogs more frequently. However, this might not significantly reduce symptoms, and over-bathing could strip the dog’s coat of valuable oils. Ask your veterinarian how frequently you can bathe your dog without harming its coat and skin health.
Finding the Best Service Dog For Your AllergiesWhile no dog breed is entirely hypoallergenic, certain breeds are less likely to trigger allergic reactions due to their coat characteristics, shedding patterns, and ability to trap dander. Understanding the science behind dog allergies and hypoallergenic traits can help individuals make informed decisions when selecting a service dog.
Combining the right breed choice with effective allergy management strategies can significantly enhance the quality of life for those who need service dogs but suffer from allergies.
Bringing a new furry companion into your life is a huge decision, and finding the right breeder can play a huge part when it comes to ensuring a healthy and happy companion.
In this article, we will walk you through the steps to find a responsible breeder, while also highlighting the importance of considering adoption as a compassionate alternative!
There are many breeders, but not all are ethical and reputable. Therefore, staying updated and educated on how to make the most informed decision for you and your family can go a long way!
Table of contents 1. Research the Breed 2. Seek Out Recommendations and Reviews 3. Visit Websites That Have Good Reputation 4. Interview the Breeder 5. Conduct In-Person Visits 6. Review Contracts Carefully 7. How to Tell a Puppy Mill from a Reputable Breeder 8. Consider Adoption 1. Research the BreedBefore taking the time and diving into finding a good breeder, research the breed you’re looking for.
Every breed is unique and has needs that require a certain lifestyle and ownership. Knowing what you are ready for and what type of temperament would fit into your family can set you up for success and help you understand your new pup on a deeper level!
It is essential to research and select the breed that matches your routine, physical lifestyle, preferences, and general capabilities.
Some aspects of your life that you may want to evaluate before you research your breed should be:
Lifestyle – How active are you? How much of your life do you plan on involving your dog in? Living Situation – Are you in an apartment or a house with a yard? With roommates or living alone? Is everyone in your family on board with adding a dog to your family? Budget – Would you be able to pay for a bigger dog’s food/vet budget? A dog can cost up to $1,825 in the first year alone! Time Commitment – Some breeds need much more of your daily attention than others, and knowing how much time you can commit each day to training and exercise plays a huge role. Allergies – Do you have any allergies that may be affected by a dog? Most allergies to dogs are not hair-related, but if dog hair bothers you, you may want to go with a breed that has minimal shedding.These questions should be evaluated thoroughly. Once you know the answers, it’s crucial to see if they match the breed you were looking at. If they don’t, consider further research into breeds that may be a better match!
2. Seek Out Recommendations and ReviewsReaching out to valued members of your communities (well-rated vets, trainers, and groomers) can go a long way! These professionals typically can steer you in the right direction of finding a good breeder and giving some additional insight into what dog breed may best match your situation. Creating relationships with these professionals can also be beneficial, so you know who you can trust once your new family member does come into your life!
Avoid recommendations from people you don’t know or professionals who lack experience in the dog community. There is so much information out there; choose your guidance wisely!
Most breeders have social media. Using their pages to find previous owners who have bought from them before can also be a good way to seek out recommendations.
3. Visit Websites That Have Good ReputationThere are tons of great resources out there that can help steer you in the right direction of knowing what breeders are out there. The American Kennel Club (AKC) and the United Kennel Club (UKC) are reputable organizations that list breeders on their website by breed and location.
Even though these organizations are reputable, it is important to note that the requirements for a breeder to be listed on these websites are not very strict, and these organizations do not contact in-person visits to ensure accuracy. It is advised to use websites like these as a resource to find the breeders who list their dogs as AKC and UKC certified, and conduct your own research from there!
Follow social media and other available sources to make sure the dog breeder has a good reputation. 4. Interview the BreederOnce you feel confident that you have found the right fit for a breeder, it’s time to get to know them!
Reach out with questions you want to ask them! These questions should gauge their ethics, policies, knowledge of the breed, etc.
Some good questions you may want to ask a potential dog breeder are:
How long have you been breeding this breed? What type of health testing do you conduct on your parent dogs? Are the puppies vaccinated and dewormed? Do you have any references or reviews from previous puppy owners? Can I visit and meet the parents and puppies? How do you socialize your puppies? Who comes in contact with them during the first 8 weeks?In addition to these basic questions, now is your time to ask anything else that might be on your mind. There are no silly questions when it comes to finding the right breeder, so ask away!
It may seem overkill to ask many questions, but any breeder annoyed or frustrated while answering may not be a good fit anyway! These are common questions that any reputable breeder would most likely be happy to answer – especially since it shows you are a serious and prepared future puppy parent!
During an interview with a breeder, it’s also crucial to trust your instincts! If anything they say or do leaves a bad taste in your mouth, it’s time to move on to the next!
It’s common for a good breeder to ask YOU a ton of questions as well to ensure that you would be a good fit for one of their pups! They will also typically never pressure you into buying a dog, as they might even have a waiting list for their puppies!
If you feel good about the breeder you spoke with, it’s time to move to the exciting part: meeting in person!
5. Conduct In-Person VisitsNow it’s time to meet the breeder in person! In some cases, the puppies may not be born yet, but if they are, it’s time to meet the puppies and parents, too.
Seeing the dogs’ living conditions and their routine through your own eyes can provide valuable insight into the breeders’ practices. Pay close attention to the dogs and puppies to make sure there are no red flags during your visit.
6. Review Contracts CarefullyOnce you feel ready to make your choice, it’s important to carefully review the documents and contracts that get sent your way!
Contracts from a good breeder should include:
Health and behavior guarantees – Of course, there is no way to know if a random behavior or health concern arises, but a good breeder would do everything in their power to breed healthy dogs, both mentally and physically. Spay/neuter requirements – Most breeders would require their dogs to be spayed and neutered to prevent unwanted pregnancies and to reduce irresponsible breeding. Thorough return policies – Ideally, their policy would be to return the dog to THEM in case you can no longer care for the dog, as they would typically have a list of people wanting to take the dog in these cases!If the contract seems too vague or doesn’t cover items to the ones above, investigate further. A breeder who is too casual about homing their dogs without the proper documentation might not be a breeder you want to stick with.
7. How to Tell a Puppy Mill from a Reputable BreederKnowing the difference between a puppy mill and a breeder might be one of the most important things to understand in finding the right breeder.
A puppy mill is a commercial facility that focuses on breeding as many dogs as possible for profit and is incredibly unregulated. The conditions of a puppy mill would be dirty, unethical, and unorganized. These factors can cause many issues with the puppies’ health and would have long-lasting effects on the dogs raised in a facility like this.
During your breeder search process, look out for red flags that indicate they may not care about the well-being of their dogs and puppies.
Some red flags that you might be dealing with a puppy mill are:
They won’t share information about the puppies or parents with you, or seem like they withhold information. They have many cages stacked on each other in their facility. They come up with excuses as to why you can’t meet the puppies’ parents (like “they are out of town,” or “resting in another room.”) They offer to send the puppy to you before they reach the mature weaning age (6-8 weeks) They offer to drive or fly the dog to you without meeting or interviewing you first. They don’t take too much interest in you, your living situations, or your lifestyle. They offer and sell a range of different breeds on their website or social media pages.If you find yourself in a situation where you suspect the breeder you’re speaking with may be a puppy mill, it’s time to move on and find someone else.
It is also important to note that there are several websites that scam people every day by trying to get money or down payments from you BEFORE you meet the dog. Therefore, it is crucial to follow the golden rule: Don’t pay for a puppy that you haven’t met yet!
Research the dog breeder well, and do not fall for scams or puppy mills. 8. Consider AdoptionWhile finding a good breeder is important, it is equally important to consider the compassionate alternative: adopting a dog who needs a home!
Whether you are looking for a young puppy or an adult dog, there are amazing rescues and shelters that can still pair you with your dream dog.
Not only do shelters and rescues tend to have an abundance of young, healthy puppies, but they also have tons of adult dogs! If you evaluate your lifestyle and what kind of dog would fit best into your home, you may find that an adult dog is a much better fit than a young puppy. Puppies can take a lot of patience, extra time, and work. This is where adopting an older and more established dog can have its benefits!
If you’re still looking around for your new family member, check out your local rescues and shelters pages for their available dogs and puppies! You might just fall in love!
If you still choose to go through a breeder to find your new dog, staying educated and prepared helps battle the problem of dog population. Puppy mills and unethical backyard breeding are huge contributors to dogs who end up in shelters in the first place. Additionally, knowing the type of dog that would fit your lifestyle can prevent the unfortunate reality of rehoming in the future.
While finding the right breeder can be a lengthy process, it will all be worth it when you bring home your new best friend!
If you’re someone who’s dealing with anxiety, you know how challenging it can be to manage your symptoms. Did you know that if you have a disabling condition, a service dog can make a significant difference in your life?
Service dogs can be trained to perform tasks that can address symptoms of anxiety disorders, such as panic attacks and anxiety attacks.
Here are the best dog breeds for service dogs that can help with anxiety:
Labrador Retriever – These dogs are among the most popular breeds for service dogs because of their loyalty, cheerfulness, and calm temperament. Common tasks: Deep Pressure Therapy, fetching medication, providing comfort during panic attacks Golden Retriever – Golden Retrievers are another favored breed for service dogs because they’re friendly, gentle, and love to please their handlers. Common tasks: alerting handlers of oncoming panic attacks, fetching medication, providing comfort during stressful situations German Shepherd – German Shepherds are known for their loyalty, intelligence, and protective nature. Common tasks: Deep Pressure Therapy, alerting handlers of oncoming panic attacks, providing comfort during stressful situations Poodle – Poodles are hypoallergenic and don’t shed much, making them an excellent choice for individuals who are allergic to dogs or have asthma. They’re also highly intelligent and trainable, making them ideal for service dog training. Common tasks: Deep Pressure Therapy, retrieving medication, alerting handlers of oncoming panic attacks, tactile stimulation, and providing comfort during stressful situations Cavalier King Charles Spaniel – These dogs are known for their sweet and affectionate nature, making them excellent companion dogs for those with anxiety. Common tasks: Deep Pressure Therapy, fetching medication, tactile stimulation to alleviate panic attacksIt’s important to note that under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service dogs can be trained by the handler or a professional trainer. There is no certification requirement for service dogs, although psychiatric service dog owners can obtain a PSD letter.
While these breeds are excellent choices for service dogs, it’s important to remember that any dog can be trained to become a service dog for anxiety. The most important consideration is whether the particular dog is suited for your needs in terms of temperament, intelligence, and physical ability.
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