Are Schnauzers Hypoallergenic? Breed Facts & FAQs
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Originating in Germany several hundred years ago, Schnauzers are some of the most popular and instantly recognizable dogs around. Their name comes from the German word that means snout, and one look at a Schnauzer is all it takes to know why. Often called the “old men” of the dog world, Schnauzers wear beards that make them easy to tell apart from other breeds.
These dogs don’t shed, and they’re not prolific droolers. For these reasons, Schnauzers are one of the breeds that are considered to be hypoallergenic, though no breed is truly hypoallergenic. So, are Schnauzers good pets for people with dog allergies? Let’s take a closer look and find out.
Are Any Dog Breeds Truly Hypoallergenic?
Before we start discussing the Schnauzer breed, we need to dispel the common myth of hypoallergenic dogs.
Approximately 10% of the population is allergic to canines. But they’re not just allergic to dogs in general. Rather, they’re allergic to specific allergens that dogs create. These allergens are generally held in the dog’s saliva and dander.
The truth is that all dogs have dander and saliva; even breeds that are considered to be hypoallergenic. This means that every single dog is producing allergens. If you’ve got a dog of any kind, hypoallergenic or not, you will have pet allergens in your house. In fact, even households with no pets have detectable levels of pet allergens. According to WebMD, 90% of all US households contain enough pet allergens to detect them! This is despite the fact that only 67% of US households even own pets.
So, why are some breeds considered hypoallergenic? Even though they produce saliva and dander that have pet allergens in them, some breeds seem to have a reduced effect on the people that suffer from pet allergies. Most often, this is because they either don’t shed or they don’t drool.
Three Sizes of Schnauzers
There are three distinct Schnauzer sizes, each considered to be their own breed: Miniature, Standard, and Giant Schnauzers. Thankfully, all three breeds share the same hypoallergenic classification and exhibit the same traits that make them a better choice for people who suffer from dog allergies.
Are Schnauzers Hypoallergenic?
As we’ve mentioned, all dogs create saliva and dander, including Schnauzers. So, why are Schnauzers considered hypoallergenic?
One good reason is that they don’t shed! When dogs shed, the hair they release is often covered in both dander and saliva, which means it’s transferring to the air and settling on the ground in your home, just waiting to inflame your allergies and cause a reaction. But if your dog doesn’t shed, then there will be far fewer allergens in your home.
Do Schnauzers Drool?
The other reason Schnauzers have less of an impact on allergies is that they’re very low drooling dogs. Some dogs drool quite a lot, and when that saliva dries, all that’s left behind is the allergen that the saliva contains. Since Schnauzers don’t drool much, they’re not introducing as many allergens into your home.
Are Schnauzers Good Pets for People with Dog Allergies?
This question is a bit tricky. The truth is, if you have dog allergies, no dog is really good for you. However, this is quite dependent on the severity of your allergies. If you only suffer from minor allergies, then a Schnauzer may not even cause a reaction in you. On the other hand, if your dog allergies are severe, then there might not be any dogs that won’t cause you to have an allergic reaction.
The best way to find out how you’ll react to a Schnauzer is to spend time with one before adding one to your family so you can gauge your own reaction and make a sound decision based on your results.
Conclusion
Schnauzers are one of the dog breeds that are considered to be hypoallergenic. This is because they hardly drool and they don’t shed, so they’ll be releasing fewer allergens into your home. That said, even Schnauzers produce allergens, so, if your dog allergies are severe, they still might not be a good fit.
Related Read:
- 14 Schnauzer Mixed Breeds (With Pictures)
- Standard vs. Miniature Schnauzer: What Are the Differences?
Featured Image Credit: Radomir Rezny, Pixabay
