When you hear the term "hypoallergenic pet", do you picture
a breed created in a lab or cleanroom?
Think again. These breeds of dogs
and cats are usually just regular breeds that are more suitable for owners who suffer
from allergies.
Why are hypoallergenic pets so great? They shed less hair and produce less dander
than the average animal. That's good news for the 10% of the U.S. population
with animal allergies, many of whom would still like to enjoy having a pet.
Hypoallergenic Dogs
The list of hypoallergenic dog breeds is
fairly long. I wasn't surprised to see the American hairless
terrier there (what's there to be allergic to?), but what about the wiry Airedale terrier or
the long and silky Yorkshire
terrier? What makes these pets
easier to breathe around than cocker spaniels or Irish setters?
Apparently, it's not just a pet's fur that causes an allergic
reaction. The problem is caused mainly by dander (loose skin cells), but saliva
is also an offender. Hypoallergenic pets
still produce a small amount of dander; however, they cause fewer people to
experience allergy symptoms. Some hypoallergenic
dogs actually produce fewer dander allergens because they shed skin cells less
often. For example, the Airedale sheds its skin cells every 21 days as opposed
to the Irish setter, which sheds every three to four days.
These days, it's becoming more common to hear about mixed
breeds like the "labradoodle" or "maltipoo". Mixed breeds like these,
especially when they contain poodle DNA, have the ability to be hypoallergenic.
But the possibility becomes more likely after the third generation of breeding.
Hypoallergenic Cats
As with dogs, there is a list of cat breeds
that are known to be less offensive to allergy sufferers. As many cats tend to
be mixed breeds or of unknown origin, their level on the hypoallergenic scale can
be hard to judge.
Lifestyle
Pets, a self-described "unique company" that works "in the various
disciplines of animal life sciences", has created three breeds of hypoallergenic
cats that are billed as "the only scientifically-proven cats that help those
individuals with feline allergies". These
cats are called the ALLERCA GD, CHAKAN GD, and ASHERA GD. Science will cost you
– anywhere from $5,950 for the "standard" cat to $31,000 for the one that
resembles a leopard.
Think you could make big bucks by buying a pair for breeding
and selling their offspring? Think again. Lifestyle Pets has a mandatory
spay/neuter policy before delivering kittens to customers. This company really has thought of everything.
Lifestyle Pets also offers hypoallergenic dogs starting at $15,000 and family
protection dogs (trained German Shepherds) from $85,000 to $120,000. These canine protectors are not
hypoallergenic (unfortunately) but maybe you could ditch the surveillance
system!
Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypoallergenic_dog_breeds
http://www.sciencedaily.com/articles/h/hypoallergenic_dog_breeds.htm
http://www.allergyescape.com/hypoallergenic-dog.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cat_allergy#Hypoallergenic_cats
http://www.lifestylepets.com/hypocat.html
http://www.achooallergy.com/pet-allergy-faqs.asp
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