looking for a definitive list of hypoallergenic dogs. i know there
listed on a lot of sites but they often disagree with each other.
we're also wondering about shar peis--are they considered
hypoallergenic?

Hi charidea,

Thank you for your question.  

Unfortunately shar pei's are not on any definitive list of breed
considered to be hypoallergenic.

Before I list the dog breeds that are considered to be hypoallergenic,
I'd like to draw your attention to this information.

Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds - What does "hypoallergenic" really mean?
http://dogs.about.com/od/dogbreeds/a/hypoallergenic.htm

"To be hypoallergenic is to have a decreased tendency to cause
allergies. Hypo means less, not none. Hypoallergenic dog breeds will
still produce allergens, but because of their coat type, will
typically produce less than others. People with severe allergies and
asthma will still be affected by a hypoallergenic dog.

There is no such thing as a non-allergenic dog. 

What coat-type makes the difference?

There are two coat types that produce a lesser amount of allergens:
single-coated dogs, who do not have a thick undercoat, and hairless
dogs. However even hairless dogs can produce enough dander to to
affect a highly allergic person."

========

This IS the list I'd go with according to the AKC
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8871707/site/newsweek/

"Basenji, Maltese, bichon frise, Chinese crested, soft-coated wheaten
terrier and poodle, most of which have single-layer coats, which shed
less and do not produce as much dander as longer-haired breeds."

========

Allergyespcape.com - the hypoallergenic dog
http://www.allergyescape.com/hypoallergenic-dog.html

"The fact is, every individual is different and each person has a
unique allergic threshold; this makes it impossible to generalize
about hypoallergenic dog breeds for the general population."

[edit]

(scroll 1/2 down the page to: hypoallergenic dog breeds

? Poodle - The Poodle is an elegant, medium to large-sized dog, with a
profuse, but well groomed and clipped, wiry curly coat

? Labradoodle - The Labradoodle's body is slightly heavier than that
of a Poodle. The forelimbs are robust and muscular with ears set flat
against the head and level with the eye. Excessive hair in the ear
canal while the head is broad with well-defined eyebrows.

? Bichon Frise - The Bichon Frise is a puffball of a dog with a loose
curled coat. It is usually all white, cream, gray, or apricot

? Havenese - Smaller dog with dark eyes and long tail, covered with
long silky hair. The profuse coat can be wavy or curly. A
double-coated breed with soft hair on outer and undercoat. Adult coat
reaches 6 to 8 inches, and has a pearly sheen. Some Havanese can be
short haired

? Miniature Schnauzer - The Miniature Schnauzer is small,
squarely-proportioned, has a long bushy beard, long head, and bushy
mustache and eyebrows

? Kerry Blue Terrier - A well-built, muscular, medium-sized dog with
terrier style and terrier character. This dog is born black but the
coat changes color through various transitions

? Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier - A medium-sized, squarely proportioned
dog that is strong and gracefully. The head is rectangular, rather
long, with a short, strong muzzle. Its jaws are able to seize and grip
prey well, and it has large teeth

? Maltese - A hardy little dog with a silky white coat hanging
straight to the ground on each side. The coat has no undercoat and
should not be wavy or curly. The color is pure white or ivory

? Portugese Water Dog - A hardy, muscular, medium-sized dog. The coat
can be shiny, thick, open curl, or tight curl. The non-shedding coat
comes in black, white or brown, parti-color (white with dark spots),
black or brown with white markings, or even silver fox or gray. The
body is slightly longer than it is tall

? Italian Greyhound - An elegant, miniature Greyhound with a long head
that thins gradually to a pointed muzzle. It has a dark nose, thin
lips, deep brisket, arched back, and tucked-in abdomen

? Basenji - A small, unusual, elegant, athletic dog similar in size to
a fox terrier. They have a smooth shiny coat that is copper colored,
red, black or tan

? Chinese Crested - Hairless except for feet, head, and tail. They do
not have the protective hair that other breeds have and therefore can
get injured easily. These dogs are sweet, lively, and playful. They
are affectionate with children

? Chihuahua - A tiny dog with an apple-shaped head and a short pointed
muzzle. It has round, large, very dark eyes, sometimes ruby or
luminous in color. Trademark large ears

? Mexican Hairless (Xoloitzcuintle) - Pronounced
(show-low-its-queen-tlee), there are three varieties: Standard,
Miniature, and Toy. It has a broad skull and a long muzzle with a
black or flesh-colored nose

=========

Hypoallergenic, or Just Hype? Breeders say certain types of cats and
dogs don?t provoke allergies. Sorting out fact from fiction.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8871707/site/newsweek/

See photos:

The bichon frise (left), labradoodle (center) and poodle seem to be
less likely to provoke reactions in their owners


"Still, says Kentor, a limited number of studies do suggest that some
dogs and cats seem to stir up fewer reactions than others. In the
canine world, poodles, Portugese water dogs and bichon frise are the
least allergenic dogs, followed closely by terriers. The dogs that
cause the most problems are the ?big and hairy ones,? says Kentor,
like golden retrievers and labradors. The American Kennel Club (AKC)
recommends the Basenji, Maltese, bichon frise, Chinese crested,
soft-coated wheaten terrier and poodle, most of which have
single-layer coats, which shed less and do not produce as much dander
as longer-haired breeds. And the club say those breeds have become
increasingly popular in recent years. Among the AKC's 153 breeds, the
Chinese crested, for example, moved from 73rd in 1995 to 57th in 2004
among total AKC registrations. Similarly, the Portuguese water dog
rose from 86th in registrations in 1995 to 69th in 2004. The poodle
has remained in the top 10 most popular breeds over the last decade,
the Maltese has ranked in the top 25, and the bichon frise has been in
the top 30.

The labradoodle isn?t yet ranked by the AKC because the breed is not
yet recognized by the club. Lisa Peterson, director of club
communications at the AKC, cautions that because the mix is relatively
new, there's not yet enough consistency among litters to ensure each
dog will have fewer allergens. Some may have a coat of hair, which is
preferred for those with allergies, but others may grow a fur coat
like the labrador, one of the most allergenic coats of any breed.
?It?s a crap shoot,? she says."

=========

Another list can be found at Hypoallergenic dog breeds:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypoallergenic_dog_breeds

=========

search:

personal knowledge in addition to the following keywords:

hypoallergenic dog breeds shar pei

=========

Best regards,
tlspiegel

---

Request for Answer Clarification by charidea-ga on 26 Sep 2005 06:17 PDT

so i guess what we heard is wrong ("poodles have hair and most dogs
have fur" --?--so... ) "supposedly anything crossed with a poodle 
[your 'poos' and 'oodles'] have a better chance of being
hypoallergenic than anything else.... "

i wonder if there's a way to rank the 'oodles' and 'poos' (given
caution about variation in litter)?

---

Clarification of Answer by tlspiegel-ga on 26 Sep 2005 09:13 PDT

Hi caridea,

Your request for clarification raises a new set of even more
interesting questions.

I believe that to answer it well, your question will require more time
and effort than the average amount of time and effort associated with
this price.  Here is a link to guidelines about pricing your question,
in the pricing guide: https://answers.google.com/answers/pricing.html

If you'd like to post another question, asking for tlspiegel in the
subject, I'll be happy to provide an in depth answer.  I "specialize"
in animal questions and would be delighted to further the research for
you.  :)

With that said, I can provide this excerpt for you at this time...

http://www.mspca.org/site/pp.asp?c=gtIUK4OSG&b=126985

"Nearly all allergies to pets are caused by a glandular protein that
the animal secretes onto its skin. As the skin is shed, tiny flakes,
known as dander, float around in the air and stick to walls, carpets,
furniture and clothing. From there, they can easily make their way
into noses, eyes and throats. A person also can have an allergic
reaction to the protein in a pet?s saliva or urine. Contrary to
widespread belief, a pet?s fur or hair itself is not the cause of the
problems. ?The animal?s hair may get a coating of the protein as well,
but it?s the skin flakes, because they are so tiny, that go everywhere
and concentrate a hundredfold over what the animal carries,? explains
John S. Sullivan, an allergist who practices at the Fallon Clinic in
Leominster, Mass."

Best regards,
tlspiegel

prompt and thorough