Are Shorkies Hypoallergenic? (An Allergy Sufferers Guide)

If you’re an allergy sufferer on the hunt for a canine companion, you likely have one goal in mind: to find a pet that won’t cause intolerable itching, watery eyes, and other hassling side effects. Well, if the Shorkie is on your radar for adoption, you need to know whether or not they’re hypoallergenic. So, is this adorable canine okay for allergy sufferers or not?

Shorkies are considered hypoallergenic because they have minimal shedding. This means that less allergy-coated dander will be lying around the home that could trigger an allergic reaction. The best way to know whether or not a Shorkie is a good fit for your home is to spend time around the breed before bringing them home permanently.

Allergy sufferers may find relief (and a loving companion) in the Shorkie. Keep reading to find out more details about whether or not a Shorkie is hypoallergenic, as well as other critical information you’ll be glad to know about.

Are Shorkies Hypoallergenic?

Anyone who is allergic to canines will need to find a hypoallergenic dog. However, keep in mind that no dog is truly hypoallergenic. Allergies are typically not caused by the actual fur of a dog. Instead, it is an allergic reaction to the saliva and urine of the pet. When your dog grooms itself, the allergy-ridden proteins attach to the fur, which is then shed around the home.

Does this mean you’re entirely out of luck? No. You need to find a dog that minimally sheds to reduce the amount of allergy-ridden dander that’s left around the home. As a bonus, a dog that doesn’t shed too much won’t leave a hairy mess on your floors and furniture.

A Shorkie is an excellent choice for allergy sufferers and is considered a hypoallergenic canine. That’s all thanks to the Shih Tzu and Yorkshire Terrier combination. Since both have a single coat that doesn’t shed much, you won’t have to worry about excess allergy-ridden dander hanging around the home.

Do Shorkies Shed? Shed a Lot?

Besides their adorable appearance and charming personality, people are drawn to Shorkies because they do not shed very much. Again, this is all thanks to the Shih Tzu and Yorkshire Terrier parents. But why?

Both the Yorkshire Terrier and Shih Tzu have a single coat. They do not have the dense second coat found on many other breeds. And while the second coat is essential for certain breeds, it is the coat that requires shedding throughout the year (as well as in general). Without the undercoat, there is minimal shedding with these parent breeds.

That’s not to say you won’t ever find a hair lying around your home, though. Every dog will have some amount of shedding. But with the Shorkie, it is kept to a minimum, and you should rarely find hairs lying around. This is especially true if you keep your Shorkie groomed and brushed religiously.

Are Shorkies Good for Allergies?

Seeing as how the Shorkie minimally sheds, this breed is a good choice for those who suffer from allergies. You won’t have to worry about massive amounts of allergy-ridden dander and hair lying around the home, which means less chance of allergies being triggered.

Are Shorkie Puppies Hypoallergenic?

While it’s true that a puppy’s coat can change from puppyhood to adulthood, you shouldn’t fear a Shorkie puppy causing allergies. Shorkie puppies are also hypoallergenic so that you can raise them from the puppy stage with ease. (Not to mention you will love the spunky, playful, and eagerly loving personality of a Shorkie puppy!)

Managing Allergies With a Shorkie

The great thing about a Shorkie is that they are as close to being “hypoallergenic” as it gets. However, as mentioned previously, that doesn’t mean that the chances are nonexistent. While allergy triggers are minimal, you can manage them further by taking the proper precautions.

Regular Bathing

Shorkies are a bit on the high-maintenance side when it comes to bathing. They should be bathed at least every other week, but no more than that. Otherwise, you can accidentally dry out their skin, which is a big no-no for your furry pal.

Top three tips for choosing a shampoo for your Shorkie:

• Since the Shorkie is prone to dry skin, it’s imperative to find a moisturizing shampoo.
• Avoid anything with fragrances or harsh chemicals.
• Double-check to make sure no harmful animal testing was done to create the product, too.

Not only will regular bathing cut down on the amount of allergy-ridden dander is on your Shorkie, but it will also keep their single coat in tip-top condition.

Tip: If your Shorkie looks a little tattered and smelly, you can always use a baby wipe between baths. It’s best to use a moisturizing wipe that doesn’t have any fragrances or chemicals.

Brush Daily

Yes, you read that correctly. A Shorkie needs to be brushed daily. It all comes down to their single, fine coat. The Shorkie coat can become a tangled mess quite quickly. Save yourself the trouble of dealing with knots by brushing your Shorkie’s coat every morning or night (or both, to be on the safe side).

The added benefit of daily brushing is removing any hairs covered in the allergy-causing dander. When removing the hair from the brush, take it directly to the outdoor trash bin so they do not linger around your home and potentially cause an allergy trigger.

Keep Your Shorkie Out of Certain Rooms

Some people love to snuggle with their pets, especially at bedtime. While this can be a calming and wonderful experience for both the pet and the owner, it might not be the best option for someone struggling with allergies.

Keep your Shorkie out of rooms you spend a lot of time in, such as the bedroom. That way, you won’t have to worry about allergy-ridden dander and proteins sticking to your bedroom furniture. You also won’t have excessive exposure to these allergy-causing materials, which minimizes the risk of an allergic reaction.

Wash Your Hands Regularly

You’re going to pet your Shorkie. How could you not? This tiny pooch loves to snuggle and cuddle, and you won’t want to keep your hands off of it. However, if you pet your Shorkie, you’re going to end up with allergy-ridden dander on your hands. Throughout the day, you’ll scratch your eye, eat, or do something else that unloads the dander into your body.

The best way to keep allergies from triggering is to wash your hands regularly, especially after handling your Shorkie. This means you’re going to wash your hands reasonably regularly, so you will want to consider buying a moisturizing soap to ensure your hands do not dry out over time.

Don’t “Dry” Clean

No, this isn’t suggesting you take your dog to the dry cleaner. This suggestion is for when you clean your home. Use wet products, such as a mop or Swiffer wet jet, rather than a broom or duster.

Why? Because allergy-causing dander will not be picked up that well with “dry” cleaning methods. Instead, the dander is whisked into the air, which causes a more significant potential for allergy triggers.

When cleaning your home, use wet products as much as possible. Clean the house regularly, too, to ensure no allergy-causing materials are lying around.

Take Your Shorkie to the Groomer Regularly

Yes, Shorkies are high-maintenance when it comes to their grooming. That’s because of their single coat that is prone to matting, knotting, and otherwise becoming tangled and grotesque. While bathing every other week and brushing is a great start, don’t forget the importance of professional grooming.

Shorkies should be professionally groomed at least every other month. Here, the Shorkie will get a deep wash and conditioning. Their coat will be cut and cared for. In the end, your Shorkie will have a beautiful coat in pristine condition. This makes for a happy and healthy Shorkie overall, which any pet owner would be thrilled with.

Use an Air Purifier

If you really want to make sure that no allergy-ridden particles are flying around your home, the best thing to do is opt to purchase an air purifier that nix allergies in their path (Amazon link). These uniquely-designed cleaners get rid of allergy-causing dander in the air, leaving you with a clean home (and nose).

Final Thoughts

If you’re an allergy sufferer looking for a great hound to join the family, the Shorkie is a superior choice. They have a single coat that does not shed much, which allows you to keep your allergy triggers at bay. Ensure more minor flare-ups by regularly bathing, grooming, and brushing your Shorkie, and consider using wet materials to clean with an air purifier that filters allergy-casing particles.