Can anyone explain human allergies to dogs (how they manifest)?

[jenn D]

This is probably not the best title but I'm looking for what things trigger an allergic reaction in humans who are allergic to dogs. My daughter made a friends and they are hitting it off. Mom of the girl says girl is allergic to most dogs. So we are very careful when she is around our house since we have 4 doodles. So far no reaction but I don't let doodles get near her. Last weekend we had a playdate at our schools playground. Mom of girl asked if we could bring the dogs to the playground and she let her dsughter pet them. She had no reaction even after some significant petting. However, the mom said she did break out in hives after being licked by a Labrador previously so I did not let the dogs lick the girl.
So I just want to know how best to protect this child when they are over. I figure just to keep the dogs away but how much should I clean first and would that do any good? Can you be allergic to dog saliva and not touching them? I'm confused about what people are allergic to. I hear 'dander' comments thrown about and I just don't understand. The mom is very nice and said "don't you have hypoallergenic dogs? Maybe that's why she is ok." I told her my boys don't shed but dogs are still dogs and aren't really hypoallergenic. I'm glad her daughter did not react to the boys at the playground but I just want to keep everyone safe when she comes over.
I'm very confused over this allergy thing. Can anyone shed some light for me? I've heard some people are allergic to certain breeds. Is this true or bunk? This girl is very delightful and becoming fast friends with my daughter so I want to be sensitive to her needs. The dogs are not allowed upstairs anyway because all the tiny toys are up there in the kids room and loft so that is a relatively dog free space but the reality is we still live with 4 doodles.
Thanks for the help doodle friends. Big Mac and PB&J say hi!

[F, Calla & Luca]

This article answers most of your questions.
http://www.webmd.com/allergies/guide/dog-allergies?page=1

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

You often hear people debating what it is that causes people to have an allergic reaction to dogs. Some people talk about shedding and dander, others talk about saliva. The fact is, it's a particular protein called Can f 1 (KNF-1 in this video) that provokes the allergic reaction, and that protein is contained in both the dander (dead skin cells) and the saliva of all dogs, as well as the urine. 

In this video, a noted allergy doctor explains why getting a puppy, any breed puppy, is a risky thing to do if you have dog allergies. And there's a cute Goldendoodle puppy in the video, too. 

http://www.webmd.com/allergies/video/hypoallergenic-dogs

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Oh, and the protein is the same in all dogs, but some dogs have more of less of it, and that's what makes the difference, not the breed. The doctor explains it in the video I posted.

[jenn D]

Thanks for the article and video. I think it answered some of my questions, the allergen is the KNF-1 protein which exists in some level in saliva and dander. It's also pretty clear that know matter how much I clean the protein is most likely everywhere in my house. Thanks for the info.

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

So, I'm still a little confused about this topic.  Why are some breeds less likely to trigger an allergic reaction in people who are hypersensitive to the KNF-1 protein?  The first article says that this isn't the case (rather it's a matter of each individual dog), but clearly, some dog breeds cause less allergies in most people who react to high levels of the problematic saliva and dander.  Can anyone clarify this?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Because the levels of KNF-1 protein are different in every dog. Some breeds apparently do make less of it, from what I understand. 

[BG and Gavin]

Anecdotally, I beleive that there is both a difference in individual dogs and certain breed produce less. I am much more allergic to some dogs than others. In a most extreme case, we went to an office Christmas party at a coworkers brand new 3000 sq ft house. I was in the kitchen and could barely breathe, red cheeks, wheezing and had to use my rescue inhaler. I innocently inquired if she had any pets. Why yes she did. She took me down to the basement to a little room tucked away the furthers point from the kitchen and introduced me to her two dogs who she had put away for the party. This was a brand new house, cleaned spiffily for the office party and I was incapacitated. My friends lab mix only bothers me slightly. I have never met a doodle that triggered my allergies. It's a crap shoot.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'd bet serious money that JD would trigger your allergies. :(

[BG and Gavin]

Hmmm, sounds like a challenge. Road trip?? :)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

LOL, we'd love to meet you and Gavin!

Seriously though, you know I'm always nervous when someone says that doodles (as a whole) don't trigger their allergies, because there are already way too many people who believe that any and all doodles are "safe" for people with dog allergies, and we know that just isn't true. Jane's Murphy (who doesn't shed) is just one of the many, many doodles given up to rescue by their owners because they did affect their owners allergies. :) 

[BG and Gavin]

Oh gosh don't get me wrong, I would never advocate someone get a doodle if they had allergies. I knew I was taking a little gamble myself. However, I have lived my entire life taking antihistamines due to animals including cats, dogs and horses which I happliy lived with. I was prepared to continue if necessary, but fortunately I have not had to.

Yes Adina, I have environmental allergies as well, but less severe as I have gotten older.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Oh I know you wouldn't BG, but someone who doesn't might happen across this discussion, lol.