What is the smallest ALD you have seen?

[Diana Erhart]

My darling daughter, is in college and getting her own apartment next year.  She is talking about getting a small dog at some point after that.  We have a mini Australian Labradoodle with a wool coat at our home (24 pounds so maybe closer to a small medium?).  We got an ALD because my husband has severe allergies.  He had previously ended up in the ER with anaphalyctic shock.  We have not had any issues with our Charlie though.  

 

DD wants a small dog (under 10 pounds) when she gets one, but I know that it will end up spending alot of time at our house.  Has anyone ever seen or heard of an Australian Labradoodle that small?  I figure I need to start investigating this way ahead of the time she would actually want to get a dog.  Also, does anyone who has as severe of allergies as my husband have a pure-bred poodle or some other poodle mix that has worked for them?  Would he potentially not be allergic to the poodle since he is not allergic to the australian labradoodle?  Any experiences/advice/knowledge anyone would care to share is greatly appreciated!

[Diana Erhart]

Thanks to all of you who have responded.  Yes, it is a big responsibility.  But like I said above, I am looking into this very early because I know she will eventually get a dog and I want her to make the most feasible choice possible considering that it will probably spend alot of time with me.  She also wants the small size so she can take it with her most places when she does go away.  It is very encouraging to hear that a poodle may be possible.  She wants to get a rescue dog whenever the time is right for her and I am sure that she would eventually be able to find a small rescue poodle that is a little bit older, not a puppy.  She learned from us getting a puppy when she was still living at home that a puppy is too much for her to handle.

 

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

My sister got a chihuahua in college. He has been her constant companion and best friend :)  8 years together next April.....

[Kelly S.]

My Zsusie (golden doodle) is 6 months old... and she only weighs 11lbs.  She will probably grow a little more, but is not expected to be too much bigger (or so we think). She is a great size!!!

I also have family members who are severely allergic to dogs...  but have NO problems when around Zsusie!  She doesn't shed at all! It's wonderful!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Zsusie is going to be a perfect little size!!!  What a little girl.  You are right - she probably won't grow much. At 6 months, Peri was 17 pounds and she is 25 pounds full grown.

[DeeDee and Sheila]

My Sheila is a miniature ALD and weighs 9.4 lbs fully grown.  My breeder has alot of smaller ALD's.  Sheila is a 7th gen ALD.  And she has fleece hair, not wool, even though she looks more poodley unless I have the face cut with whiskers.  She is darling.  She's my pal and I pop her in the car seat or in my arms whenever danger, etc. 

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

  Don't take offense.  Karen and Carol are correct. I think shelters can give you actual statistics.  Actually the ASPCA  had an article on this very subject.  Yes there are many exceptions, however even one DUMPING of animals is too much for me.  

But my first hand knowledge,    I work at a college.  Each semester numerous cats and dogs are abandoned when the students move on.  Last year a Goat was found in the middle of the downtown interstate.  A Pig was found wandering around campus last Summer. 

 

Okay--I know I shouldn't, but I feed some of the stray cats.  As the months go on they become emaciated.  Last summer they were found drinking out of the fountain.  :(   Fact--college kids dump animals or they can't keep them and then are straddled with the burden of finding them a home, or worse--they take them to kill shelters.   

 

Watch the shelter postings next week and then again next May. 

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Oh and FYI--My Starlit, a rescue,  was a pet of a College Student.  She picked her up while on Winter Break.  She was on Craigs List before Spring Break. 

[Diana Erhart]

I really didn't want this to turn into a discussion on whether college students are good pet owners.  I personally think each person is different in maturity, responsibility, living situations, etc.  Not every college student is a "bad" pet owner and not every older adult is a "good" pet owner.  Forever families can come in many different situations.  It is my hope that rescue organizations look at the individual person/family wanting to adopt a dog and not make blanket generalizations.  That being said, can we please just discuss the original question I posed as to the small size doodles.  Thanks!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Well put ..... and I applaud your efforts to be proactive and preparing in advance to make this a positive experience for your entire family! 

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Yes.  Thank you for your patience.  No there is NO Blanket situation.  Just you writing this post and investigating before hand shows a lot of consideration and responsibility.    Best Wishes to your family.

[Camilla and Darwin]

AMEN.

[Elizabeth & Cosmo]

I have moderate-to-severe allergies to animal dander, I guess. I have never gone into anaphylactic shock, but I do have reactions ranging from asthma-like (at the most severe end) to itching, sneezing, swollen eyes and lips, and itchy whelps on my skin. I have had these reactions all my life.

When I was growing up, my family had several poodles over the years: one standard, one miniature, and two toys. I was never allergic to them--but I was allergic to our dachshund and Irish setter (and cats, horses, and cattle). As an adult, I have also spent a lot of time with my mother's Bichon Frise, and I had no reaction to him.

I don't have any reaction to Cosmo, our multigen ALD. He has a beautiful, soft, wavy fleece coat, and I have to admit it took me a couple of months to believe I wouldn't have a reaction to him (after a lifetime of conditioning to not let animals close to my face, don't touch eyes after petting one, wash hands, arms, and face after touching one, shower and wash hair if exposure has been long, etc.). But I can bury my face in Cosmo's coat and snuggle up with him all I want, with no allergic reaction!

So the breeds I can personally account for are poodles, Bichons, and multigen ALDs. The poodle, however, is the only one with a type that fits the under-10-pounds criterion.

Poodles are great dogs and they are very available. If you and your daughter choose to get one, I encourage you to search out a reputable breeder and make sure you can meet parents and/or other adult dogs to evaluate their temperament. They should be happy, dignified, and smart--not timid or frenzied.

The AKC has some great information on their web site about dogs they recommend for allergic people: http://www.akc.org/about/faq_allergies.cfm

I hope this helps!