Adding a new furry friend to the family is an exciting thing, but you have to make sure to balance your allergies with your desire for a new dog. Many people turn to designer dog breeds such as the Cavachon because they are advertised as being hypoallergenic. Before we got our own Cavachon, Kirby, we wondered how he would do with my allergies. You need to know how the Cavachon stacks up when it comes to your allergies.
The American Kennel Club claims that no dog is truly hypoallergenic, but some breeds can come reasonably close. The Cavachon sheds very little due to their Bichon Frise ancestry. They are as allergy-friendly as you can get in a designer dog breed.
For more information on the Cavachon, here is everything you need to know to manage your allergies appropriately.
Can a Dog Truly Be Hypoallergenic?
Breeders and enthusiasts often advertise designer dog breeds as being hypoallergenic. People portray these breeds as an excellent alternative for those who suffer from extreme or mildly inconvenient canine allergies. Unfortunately, this type of advertising can be a little bit misleading.
According to the American Kennel Club, no dog is truly hypoallergenic. There are a few breeds that are easier on allergy sufferers and minimize the symptoms they experience. However, adding a designer dog breed to the family is not always a foolproof solution.
Many people mistakenly believe that they are allergic to the fur of their pets. They think that their allergies will be minimized if they can get a dog who sheds very little or not at all. While low-shedding coats should undoubtedly be considered, this is not often the root cause of the allergy.
Instead, you are more than likely allergic to the protein found in your dog’s bodily fluids. Their saliva and urine contain proteins that trigger those uncomfortable symptoms from you, such as watery eyes or a runny nose.
The protein in their fluids binds to their dander when your dog grooms itself. As fur is released and shed into the home, the dander is often attached to it. This means that the protein is floating around your home on the dander.
This is why allergy sufferers need to get a dog that sheds very little such as the Yorkiepoo and the Cavachon. When your dog does not shed much, less dander will fill your home. As a result, you may experience fewer allergy symptoms from your canine companion.
Do Cavachons Shed? A Lot?
The Cavachon is a cross between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Bichon Frise. They are known for being intelligent dogs, but what can you expect when it comes to shedding? Taking a closer look at each of the parents who create this breed can give you a clue as to how much shedding you can expect.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is known for being a moderate shedder. Their long hair and feathers require quite a bit of maintenance if you hope to avoid tangles and matted hair. Routine grooming can also help to minimize the amount of hair that they will shed within your home.
On the other hand, the Bichon Frise is considered closer to hypoallergenic and sheds very little. They have an undercoat that often traps their loose hair, preventing it from falling to the floor. Much like the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, you must brush them regularly to remove this loose hair and prevent mats.
When you cross the two breeds together, you get the lovable Cavachon. Most dogs of this breed take after their Bichon Frise ancestry and shed very little, if at all. This makes them ideal for allergy sufferers.
Are Cavachons Hypoallergenic?
If you want to get a dog that is as hypoallergenic as possible, you might want to consider adding a Cavachon to your shortlist. These dogs are as hypoallergenic as they come, and they promise to be extremely gentle on your allergies.
When our family was trying to figure out what breed would best suit us, we had to keep our allergies in mind. Our Cavachon, Kirby, has been an excellent companion since the first moment we brought him home. He has been nearly perfect for us when it comes to minimizing the uncomfortable symptoms of my allergies.
What Makes Cavachons as Hypoallergenic as Possible?
While no dog will be truly hypoallergenic, the good news is that Cavachons are as safe for your allergies as possible. Despite the official statement from the American Kennel Club about hypoallergenic breeds, many people still label the Cavachon as hypoallergenic.
What Qualifies this Breed as Safe for Your Allergies?
First, they tend to produce less dander than other dogs. This is partially due to their small stature. Small dogs will always have less dander than larger dogs simply because of the size ratio. It is more important than that, though. The breed itself produces less dander than other dogs of the same approximate size.
In addition to less dander in your home, they also have less of the protein found in their urine and saliva. Since this protein often binds to dander and is released into your home, a lower concentration of the chemical responsible for your allergies helps the Cavachon hit a home run when it comes to being hypoallergenic.
How to Minimize Allergies with Your Furry Friend
Even though this breed tends to shed very little, you should still take a few precautions to help minimize any lingering allergy symptoms you might experience. Here are a few helpful hints to help you stay as healthy and comfortable as possible with your new Cavachon.
Practice regular grooming
Most people thinking about adding a dog to the family know that there will be some routine grooming involved. If you haven’t thought about it yet, here are some of the things that will need to be taken care of regularly:
- Nail trims
- Haircuts
- Brushing
- Cleaning around eyes and ears
When you have dog allergies, one of the most important things you will need to do is to brush them daily. This helps to prevent mats and tangles in your Cavachon’s fur. It is also essential to remove all of their loose hair in a controlled environment. By brushing, you can collect all of their shed hair into a neat pile that can easily be swept up when finished.
Limit Indoor Time
The Cavachon does not shed much, but there is a straightforward way to eliminate loose hair in your home. You can minimize shedding by relegating your dog to the backyard for most of the day when the weather is nice. Always be sure to leave them shade, plenty of water, and give them something to do while they are out there to keep them from getting into trouble.
If you live in an area where the climate does not lend itself to letting your dog stay outside, consider limiting where they are allowed in your home.
If you suffer from dog allergies, you need to have some areas in your home to retreat to if things become overwhelming. Most allergy sufferers keep their dogs out of the bedroom and other rooms where they spend a lot of time, such as in an office or a den. Consider what would be the most helpful for you and keep your dog out at all times.
Eliminate Carpet
Carpet can easily trap pet hair and dander in its fibers. If you have been thinking about making an upgrade, this is the best time to do so. It can be quite an investment, but your allergies will thank you.
Hard surface floors are much easier to sweep and vacuum. They ensure that you can pick up all of your dog’s shed hair without having to work as hard. Consider choosing laminate, luxury vinyl plank, tile, or hardwood over the carpet to minimize your allergies.
Replace Air Filters More Regularly
As a general rule of thumb, you should be replacing your air filters about once a quarter. People with allergies or pets will want to replace those filters far more often. You may even want to replace them as often as once a month.
Quality matters when you purchase a new air filter. Look for high-efficiency particulate air filters, often abbreviated as HEPA filters. These can filter out smaller particles such as pet dander from your air. Do not be tempted to purchase the least expensive air filter at your local home improvement store. This is one scenario where you may get what you pay for.
Cavachons: Great for Allergy Sufferers
If you are thinking about getting a new canine companion, you should be sure to do plenty of research on which breeds will be the best for your allergies. Cavachons are a low-shedding breed with hypoallergenic properties. Our own experience with allergies and Cavachons has been resoundingly positive. Hopefully, yours will be too!
More on Cavachons
If you’re simply in love with Cavachons like us and can’t get enough, then check out our other posts below:
