The upcoming adoption of a dog by the Obama family has brought a lot of attention to the question of hypoallergenic dogs to minimize allergens in the White House. But just what is a hypoallergenic dog.
According to the ASPCA, "There is no such thing as a truly non-allergenic or hypoallergenic dog. Dogs (and cats) produce allergenic proteins that can be found in their dander and saliva, regardless of their breed or the length and color of their hair, or lack thereof. Some may produce more - or less - allergens than others simply because of their individual nature."
If you're looking for a hypoallergenic og, the ASPCA notes that you'll want to pay special attention to single-coated dogs, who do not have a thick undercoat, or hairless dogs. They note that even hairless dogs can produce enough dander. Dogs might be thought to be “hypo-allergenic” because they don’t shed, or they have a springy undercoat doesn't hold much hair or dander.
Dogs Considered Hypoallergenic:
- Basenjis
- Bichons
- Chinese Cresteds
- Greyhounds
- Irish Water Spaniels
- Lhasa Apsos
- Malteses
- Poodles
- Portugese Water Dogs
- Samoyeds
- Schnauzers
- Terriers:
- Airedale Terrier
- BedlingtonTerrier
- Cairn Terrier
- Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Fox Terrier
- Kerry Blue Terrier
- Scottish Terrier
- Wheaton Terrier
- West Highland Terrier
- Yorkshire Terrier
As holiday shopping begins in earnest today, American Humane is suggesting that giftgivers hold off on the decision to buy a pet until after the holidays. "There are millions of animals at local shelters that need homes. However, giving a pet as a surprise gift is never a good idea, especially during the holidays," says American Humane president and CEO Marie Belew Wheatley. "The holidays are stressful for everyone, including animals. By surprising people with a pet, you are assuming they have the financial, emotional and time resources necessary to care for an animal, as well as the desire to care for a living being for the long term."
Some tips from American Humane:
- The choice of a pet should be made by the person who will be taking care of the pet.
- A pet can overwhelm a family, especially when it is a surprise.
- Before purchasing or adopting a pet, educate yourself on the breeds as well as how to give an animal a good home and the long-term commitment of owning a pet.
- The holidays are just too hectic for a new pet; a calmer time of year is a wiser choice to bring a pet in to into the home. children can confuse proper treatment of an animal with the excitement of new toys. Pets need a calm, safe place where they can feel comfortable and begin to acclimate to their new surroundings.
- The irregular schedules during the holidays can make families miss out on the best opportunity to train a young pet.
- If you're set on a pet as a gift, as a local shelter for a gift certificate so the family can make the best decision about the breed, age and size of the pet during a calmer time of the year.
Putting clothes on your dog--and keeping them on there--is no easy order. Even in cold weather when a dog sweater is so helpful, many dogs will tear clothes off within minutes.
But you can train your dog to wear clothes. Here are some tips from Jenny Gregorich of PoochieHeaven.com, a luxury dog boutique:
1. Distract. “The main goal is to keep your dog from going after the clothes in the first place. You should try to keep your dog interested in chew toys, bones, or other objects that can draw his attention away from the clothes that he's wearing.”
2. Keep it Short. “It's important to note that your dog should not be kept dressed up all day to begin with. That can cause him to become uncomfortable in his new dog clothes, which will simply end with him destroying what he's wearing." Gregorich suggests starting off with a 10- or 15-minute session with the clothing, gradually building up the length of time as he feels more natural with the dog clothes.
3. Make Sure It Fits. “Proper fitting of dog clothes is also an important thing to keep in mind. If you buy clothes that are too tight, your dog will be uncomfortable and try to scratch or bite them off. Conversely, if you buy clothes that are too loose, he'll do the same thing. You may need to try various sizes before you find that your dog is comfortable, so feel free to experiment.”
Whether you walk your dog at dusk in the city or walk in the country during hunting season, a safety vest is a great investment for your dog's safety.
Several vests are available on the market with bright orange or yellow coloring; also look for ones with reflective stripes for night use. Some use Velcro straps while others have a buckle system but they all have the same goal: help Spot get spotted.
Remember: Purchase any of product through a DogTipper link for a book from our free bonus program!
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Rachael Ray is a well-known dog lover, often seen with her dog, Isaboo. Ray is also the creator of Rachael's Rescue, an organization that donates the profits of Rachael Ray's Nutrish pet food and treats to organizations that help animals in need.So it's no surprise that the tv host and cookbook author has come out with a list of some helpful tips to keep your dog safe during the upcoming Halloween festivities. Here's Rachael Ray's five tips for keeping your pup safe at Halloween:
- Know Pet Snack No-No's. As most pet owners know, chocolate is a no-no; theobromine, a molecule found in chocolate, is poisonous for dogs. Keep candy out of reach, too; the wrappers can get stuck in dogs' throats.
- Don't Be Scared to Give Your Dog a Nutritious Treat. While everyone is enjoying in the night's revelry, you may want to share some treats with your pet. Give them a nutritious and delicious snack like the new Isaboo Booscotti treats made with peanut butter or bacon. Or if your dog is more of a chewy burger-lover, try the beefy Isaboo Grill Bites.
- Keep Precious Paws Inside. Strangers (especially those in crazy costumes) and loud doorbells can be scary and stressful for pets! So keep your pet inside and when opening the door, watch your dog closely so he doesn't pull a fast one on you and escape.
- Dress Up Your Pup Safely. Some comic canines may love their bumble-bee costumes, but be sure the costume doesn't constrict the dog's movement, breathing ability, hearing or even vision! The key is to have fun, but always put your dog's safety first.
- Watch Out for Jack-O-Lanterns. Wagging tails and lit candles are a recipe for disaster. In order to avoid a dog's tail catching on fire, keep carved pumpkins and candles outside to reduce the risk of your pet getting into a dangerous situation.
