Are Whippets Hypoallergenic? Vet Approved Facts & FAQ
By Grant Piper
Updated on
Pet allergies are a major problem that can affect one in five people. Anyone with serious allergies can attest to how miserable they can be. Dogs are the most popular companion animal in the world, and it is entirely possible to be a serious fan of dogs and suffer from equally serious dog allergies. That causes people to try and search out mystical hypoallergenic dogs that allow them to get all of the benefits of living with a dog without any allergies.
One dog breed that comes up in these conversations is the Whippet. Whippets are popular dogs, and they often appear on lists that claim they are hypoallergenic. But Whippets are not hypoallergenic. In fact, Whippets might not provide any allergy relief to people who suffer from pet allergies. Here is everything you need to know about Whippets and pet allergies.
Whippets Are Not Hypoallergenic
Contrary to some information you might find online, Whippets are not hypoallergenic. Whippets have the potential to aggravate a person’s allergies no matter what you might have heard secondhand. While Whippets do have short coats, that does not mean that they are hypoallergenic. The length of the coat does not affect the amount of allergens a dog produces or sheds. Even hairless dog breeds can trigger allergies in susceptible people. If you are looking for a dog that is hypoallergenic and believe that a Whippet will eliminate all of your allergy woes, you will be sadly disappointed.
Why Some People Think Whippets Are Hypoallergenic
Many people believe that a dog’s allergenic potential is tied to the length of its coat. Unfortunately, that is not the case.
A short coat does not eliminate everything that can set off a person’s allergies.
Even with a short coat, Whippets still shed. Whippets shed during the summer when the days get long and warm. Even with a short coat, Whippets can end up shedding a surprising amount during shedding season. If you are a person whose allergies seem aggravated by dog hair and shedding, then a Whippet is still going to cause issues, es
What Causes Dog Allergies?
The main culprit of dog allergies is a set of proteins called allergens that all dogs produce. Allergens are not harmful per se; it is how a person reacts to them that causes the allergy symptoms. If a person is allergic to one of these proteins, coming in contact with them will cause a reaction. Many people think that they are allergic to a dog’s fur, but that is only part of the problem. The offending proteins are distributed everywhere by hair and dander (dead skin cells) but are produced in dog’s saliva, dander, and urine. That means even if you get a dog with an extremely short coat, if you let your dog lick your face, or if you sleep in the same room as your dog, you are going to get blasted with this protein that is going to set off your allergies.
There are currently 7 known types of dog allergens; the most studied ones are Can f1 and Can f2. Some people are more reactive to certain allergens than others, and at the same time, each particular dog produces a different amount of allergens. That is why some people can do well around some dogs but not others.
Can You Still Own a Whippet If You Are Allergic to Dogs?
Possibly. Whether or not you can own a Whippet if you (or your family members) have dog allergies will depend on the severity of your allergies. and the particular Whippet you are planning to adopt. It is important to understand what your allergic threshold is since you may be suffering from other types of allergies at the same time. Minimizing your exposure to allergens other than your dog’s can help you stay below your symptom threshold, which means you won’t experience uncomfortable allergy manifestations, such as runny nose, itchy eyes, and sneezing, among others.
If you have dog-related allergies, one of the best things to do will be to try and spend time around a Whippet to see how bad your allergies are. See if you can watch a friend’s Whippet or volunteer to foster a Whippet and see how you react around the dog. You don’t want to get a Whippet thinking it will be easy on your allergies only to find out that your allergies are still unbearable.
Are Any Dogs Truly Hypoallergenic?
No dogs are truly hypoallergenic. All dogs give off these proteins that activate people’s allergies. Some dogs are considered less allergenic than others based on their degree of shedding, but no dog is truly hypoallergenic. If you see advertisements or information about specific dog breeds (or breeders) that claim to be fully hypoallergenic, be wary. A truly hypoallergenic dog does not exist. There are plenty of people who are allergic to dogs that own and love dogs, but their dogs are not hypoallergenic. They have just found a way to manage their allergies.
Final Thoughts
Some people who suffer from dog-related allergies might find that some particular Whippets are nicer on their system than other dogs, but these dogs are not hypoallergenic. If you are worried about how your allergies will behave with a Whippet, the best thing to do is to see if you can spend time around a particular Whippet to judge how your allergies will react.
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Featured Image Credit: 12019, Pixabay
