Doodle romps Toronto/Ontario

[Nadini & Moeka]

Hi there,

My husband and I both have allergies to dogs, though mine are much more mild than his. I've been researching double doodles and understand that there is a chance that they may elicit less of a reaction, if any. However, prior to committing to one, I'd like us to be more exposed to them first. Can anyone suggest where we might be able to meet one/some around Toronto?

Thanks,

Nadini

[BG and Gavin]

Hi Nadini.  Welcome to DK.  Funny thing about doodles are they are a mixed breed and you can never be sure how the genes will line up.  They will vary greatly between litters and even within litters.  I do not think you can ever be certain if they will effect your allergies even if you get a multi-gen or double doodle.  Plus some people are allergic the the saliva of the dog, not the dander.  I would really urge you to consider a standard poodle in this circumstance.  That way you and your husband can be certain, after exposing yourself to one, that you are not allergic. There is a group here for members in the GTA that you can join if you wish to reach out further:  http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/torontodoodles 

[Nadini & Moeka]

I have read that...and I think someone else here posted that he was supposed to get a male pup but ending up going with a female because his daughter didn't have a reaction to her...I think I've just really fallen in love with doodles and would first like to test the waters (more so for my husband)...which is why I'm really interested in having us meet a few of them and just see what our reactions are like...For myself, it's more likely the dander because most times the dog doesn't have to be around for my eyes to get itchy. Is there a way to test if you're specifically allergic to the dander versus the saliva? Also, some breeders have told me you can build up a resistance to a reaction from your pet, has anyone every had experience with that?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I would not get a puppy if there is any chance that you will have to rehome him due to allergies. It is just not fair to the dog. There are several different purebreds that are guaranteed to be non-shedding and more allergy friendly than any type of doodle. A double doodle is no more likely to be allergy friendly than any other generation of doodle. Your best bet is an F1B, in which one parent is a purebred poodle and you only have shedding breeds on one side of the dog's "family". But even then there are no guarantees. 

Keep in mind that if you have other types of allergies, to pollen for example, having a dog with a thick or curly coat in the house is going to exacerbate those allergies, because they bring all kinds of air=borne allergens into the house from outside. Often, this is why people think they are allergic to dogs.

In dog allergies, it is a particular protein that causes the allergic response, and this protein is in the dog's saliva and the dander. It is called Can f 1 or KNF-1. Here is some information about this: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1364166/

You can be tested to find out if you are allergic to this protein. 

Sometimes people have an allergic response to the dog's licking them. This is indicative of a contact allergy and not a true 'dog allergy".

I would not count on developing a resistance to a reaction, and I would not support any breeder who is willing to take that kind of chance with one of her dogs. Is she going to take him back if you don't? 

Meeting other doodles of any kind is not going to help you test the waters, because no two have the same coat. You might be fine with one and not another. Also, you can be fine with a puppy's coat, but not fine with him as an adult; puppies go through several coats changes before they mature. 

It is very risky for a person who has dog allergies to get a doodle. Please be very careful with this, so that nobody's heart is broken, including the dog's. 

PLEASE read the following article and take it to heart: 

The Allergy Myth from The Labradoodle Trust 

And here is a video in which a leading allergy doctor talks about doodles, and dog allergies: 

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

[Nadini & Moeka]

I've really taken into consideration all that was said here and I think our first order of business is to be tested to see what it is specifically that we are allergic to.

After we've gotten this confirmed, I'll keep you all posted on if this is possible!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Nadini, I think this is a very wise and responsible decision. Please do let us know what the tests show.  

[BG and Gavin]

I wish every new prospective puppy owner was as responsible as you Nadini.