Are Pomeranians Hypoallergenic

You may be considering adding a fluffy Pomeranian to your family but, you are concerned with all of that fur. Are Pomeranians Hypoallergenic?

Pomeranians are not Hypoallergenic. Some dogs are considered hypoallergenic because they shed less than others and have hair instead of fur. The misconception is that hypoallergenic dogs do not produce allergens which is false. All dogs produce allergens.

In this article, I discuss what it means to be considered a hypoallergenic dog breed, what causes pet allergies, and which dogs may be a better fit in a home with allergies.

What Does Hypoallergenic Mean

The term Hypoallergenic was first used in the 1950s in an advertising campaign for cosmetics.

In the Greek language, the prefix “hypo” means “less” or “less of”.

When paired with the word “allergenic” you end up with the word hypoallergenic meaning “less allergens”.

The term hypoallergenic is now used freely when labeling cosmetics, textiles, foods, and pets.

Unfortunately, over time, the use of the term hypoallergenic has started to mislead people into thinking that the product or animal doesn’t have any allergens.

Why are some dogs considered hypoallergenic

What Are Hypoallergenic Dogs

Hypoallergenic dogs have become extremely popular amongst those that suffer from pet allergies.

A hypoallergenic dog is one that is considered to have less dander and has a shedding pattern that reduces the amount of fur that is shed. Some dogs considered hypoallergenic will appear to never shed.

A study was done in 1988 that discovered there are not any differences in the allergens found in different dog breeds.

The results of the study are quite surprising considering all of the excitement over “hypoallergenic dogs”. In the end, what the study has discovered is if you are allergic to dogs you are allergic to all dogs.

Why Are Some Dogs Considered Hypoallergenic

If a study has determined that all dogs have an equal amount of allergens then why are some dogs considered hypoallergenic?

Since the term, “hypoallergenic” means “less allergens”, it is possible for different variables to come into play that can make some dog breeds “hypoallergenic” or “less allergenic” than others.

Some of the variables that can make one dog breed less allergenic than another are.

Does A Short-Haired Pomeranian Exist?

Are Dogs With Hair Hypoallergenic

Dogs with hair are more hypoallergenic compared to dogs with fur.

Dogs with hair shed less than dogs with fur.

Since a dog with hair sheds less, there will be a reduction in the amount of hair left around the allergy sufferers’ home and clothing.

Do Pomeranians Have Hair Or Fur?

Are Hairless Dogs Hypoallergenic

Hairless dogs are more hypoallergenic compared to dogs with hair or fur.

A hairless dog obviously does not have hair or has a minimal amount of hair.

The massive reduction in hair and fur reduces the number of allergens within your environment.

Are Small Dogs Hypoallergenic

A smaller dog will produce fewer allergens compared to a larger dog based on the pure size of the dog.

What Causes An Allergic Reaction

It’s a misconception that people are allergic to dog hair.

It’s not the dog hair itself that causes an allergic reaction. A protein that is found in dogs’ dander, salvia, and skin is actually the culprit that causes pet allergies.

Dog hair gets a bad wrap because the dander clings to the dog hair. If a dog sheds a lot of hair or fur the dander is spread more, which can cause an increased allergy response.

Do Pomeranians Have A Lot Of Dander?

What Are The Symptoms Of An Allergic Reaction

Some of the symptoms that can be associated with pet allergies are.

Sneezing
Itchy eyes
Watery eyes
Coughing
Nasal congestion
Runny nose
Itchy nose
Itchy throat
Postnasal drip
Facial pressure
Difficulty breathing
Wheezing
Chest tightness
Red itchy skin
Bumps on the skin

Pet allergies can vary from person to person. Some may only have a mild allergy and be irritated only if they hug and kiss the animal, while others can have a severe response just being around someone who has a pet.

Are Mixed Breeds Hypoallergenic

Mixed breeds or designer dogs have become very popular in recent years.

The Goldendoodle has gotten quite the reputation of being a wonderful family dog as well as being hypoallergenic.

Poodles themselves are classified as being a hypoallergenic dog breed. They have very curly hair that doesn’t shed that often.

Golden Retrievers on the other hand are not hypoallergenic and are actually a bad fit for someone with allergies.

Your Goldendoodle may or may not be allergy-friendly. A first-generation Goldendoodle can actually be more of a Golden Retriever than a Poodle.

It’s something to look into and keep in mind if you are looking for a Hypoallergenic dog for your family.

What Dogs Breeds Are Best For Those With Allergies

The AKC has an entire list of dog breeds that are considered Hypoallergenic. Let’s take a look at some of them.

Afghan Hound – They make the list due to having long hair that doesn’t shed that often.
American Hairless Terrier- Hairless gives this pick away as to why it’s included on the list.
Bedlington Terrier- This dog’s coat is made up of curly hair that doesn’t shed often.
Bichon Frise- Their silky curly coat of hair rarely sheds.
Chinese Crested- These unique dogs barely shed.
Coton de Telear- similar to the Bichon Frise in coat style.
Schnauzers- Beautiful coats of hair that rarely shed.
Maltese- Long silky white hair that doesn’t shed much.
Poodles- Their dense curly coats of hair rarely shed.

Do Hypoallergenic Dogs Require Grooming

Many hypoallergenic dogs have long coats of hair or dense curly coats which require a lot of grooming to maintain.

These dogs need to be brushed often, bathed regularly and have their overgrown hair trimmed.

On the other hand, hairless breeds do not require a lot of grooming.

Are There Any Other Hypoallergenic Pets

Even though cats are known for pet allergies there are actually many cat breeds that could be considered as being hypoallergenic.

The Siberian breed has been found to carry a different protein mutation that is less likely to trigger an allergy response.

Other cat breeds that can be considered hypoallergenic are low-shedding breeds like the Bengal, Burmese, Cornish Rex, Colorpoint Shorthair, Siamese, and Russian Blue.

Fish and reptiles do not have dander and are completely hypoallergenic.

Birds surprisingly carry a lot of dander, some lower dander breeds are Parakeets, Finches, and Canaries.

Small furry animals like mice, ferrets, gerbils, and hamsters may work for some people.

Final Thoughts

Although Pomeranians are not considered hypoallergenic they may still be the right fit for some people.

Depending on your level of sensitivity towards pet allergens a Pomeranian does shed less than some popular family dogs like Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers.

Before you bring a new companion into your home just make sure you do your due diligence to ensure you have the best fit for you and your new friend.