Are Pomeranians Hypoallergenic? Vet Approved Facts & FAQ
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It’s heartbreaking when you have or want to invite a lovable pup into your household when a family member is allergic to dogs. It’s also unfortunate that unreputable sellers take advantage of people’s emotions and sell them on the idea of hypoallergenic pets. The truth remains that there isn’t such a thing as a hypoallergenic dog with any canine breed, even Pomeranians.
Some think that the animal’s hair triggers allergies. Instead, the problem comes from proteins in a dog’s urine, saliva, and skin cells. These allergens are found in every dog, no matter the breed. The reason some breeds are considered more allergy-friendly is that they shed less and deposit fewer proteins.
Allergy Facts
Allergies affect roughly 25% of Americans, and animal dander is a common source of discomfort.1 You have a few options if you have this chronic health condition. You can avoid the source to prevent a reaction, and having a dog companion may not be possible. You can limit your contact by keeping your pet outside of your bedroom and having another member of the household attend to their grooming.
You can also take medications or allergy shots (immunotherapy). If you have a dog allergy, you should discuss it with your doctor before welcoming a dog into your home. The goal of trying to create a hypoallergenic dog breed by selective breeding is to make it possible to be around a dog without experiencing severe symptoms.
Breeders often concentrate on reducing shedding when choosing dogs to breed, which can help but doesn’t completely solve the problem. There are currently seven proteins produced by dogs that people can be allergic to, Can f1 to f7.
Pomeranian Characteristics That Affect Allergies
Pomeranians have dense double coats. The undercoat is fluffy and short and covered with longer guard hairs. It’s the proverbial double-edged sword. The pup’s coat is gorgeous but requires work to keep it looking its best. Pomeranians also shed constantly throughout the year, with increased shedding during the spring and fall.
That means they require daily brushing to prevent mats and reduce the hair shed around your house. Since shed hair helps give the allergy proteins wings to travel, decreasing the amount in your home can reduce your allergy symptoms.
However, the act of brushing your dog can increase your symptoms since you are making the allergy proteins airborne. With that in mind, it’s best to have someone without allergies brush your dog if possible.
An Unexpected Twist
Breed aside, the sex may be a better determinate of the allergy-producing potential of a dog. That’s because one of the allergenic proteins is found in the prostate of intact male dogs. The protein mixes with the urine and creates problems in individuals allergic to it.
People with allergies to this protein only may do well with a female dog or a male that has been neutered. That’s because female dogs lack a prostate, and the prostate shrinks in size following neutering.
Precise tests exist to determine if you’re allergic to the specific protein Can-f5. Your doctor can determine if male dogs are more of the problem. Theoretically, if you only react to Can f5 proteins, you could get a female or fixed male Pomeranian. More recently, another male-only protein called Can f7 has also been found.
Final Thoughts
There’s a good reason that the Pomeranian is the 23rd most popular breed with the American Kennel Club (AKC). They’re so darn cute! However, they are not hypoallergenic dogs. No breed is. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have a Pomeranian as a pet if you suffer from allergies. However, you may need to take some precautions and should speak with your doctor first.
Featured Image Credit: SubertT, Shutterstock
