Please help

[Lisa Sabo]

My family really wants to get a dog. The problem is that my daughter and I have allergies and asthma and have had to get rid of a dog in the past. I've done some research and it seems as though an Australian Labradoodle may be an option for us. I am just afraid to take a chance. I don't want to suffer with allergies and I also don't want to have to get rid of another dog. I'm wondering if anyone has had any experience with these dogs and allergies, or if you have any advice for me. I'm looking forward to your responses.
Thanks,
Lisa

[Adina P]

Hello Lisa,

You've asked an excellent question and I applaud you for asking this before you plunge ahead into adopting a labradoodle. Home here are some suggestions or at least some things to think about:

-- what are you and your daughter allergic to? Do you know if it's doggy dander or hair or saliva? An allergy to saliva wouldn't be influenced by whether or not the dog sheds.

-- have you met any labradoodles and had a chance to pet them? we have a number of members that live in New York, perhaps you could meet up with a few individuals and their labradoodles to test out your response. You could try meeting somebody with an Australian labradoodle, an American multigenerational one, even some F1b's--you might get a feel for what kind of coats you respond to and don't respond to.

-- have you met any standard poodles? Did either you or your daughter react to the dog? I ask because I have a coworker who is even allergic to standard poodles who don't shed at all.

Anyway those are my suggestions, you'll probably be best off to actually meet some labradoodles--preferably ones who do not live with shedding dogs at home... If there's a golden retriever or lab that they play or wrestle with it made influence your reaction.

[Lisa Sabo]

Thank you Adina for your advice, makes sense. I don't know if we're allergic to dander or saliva. I'm in the process of trying to "test" some dogs. I know someone with a Labradoodle but I don't know what kind it is, I'll have to find out and set up a meeting.
What do you mean by standard poodle, is it the size or the fact that it is pure poodle? I do know someone with a poodle. I will begin my journey, I'm a little afraid to find out that there won't be any dog that our family can have.
Thanks for your time,
Lisa

[Adina P]

standard is just size...their coats I think are the same...I only said standard as that is the size many want in a labradoodle.

[Adina P]

Good idea to meet people at the romp, but I would set aside individual dates with them for later. Too many kinds and generations of doodles at romps to really be able to tell WHICH if any you are allergic to IF you do react.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Lisa, it's great that you are trying to research this before getting a dog. If there is a problem with allergies and asthma that was so severe you had to get rid of a dog in the past, I really think that you would be better off with a poodle. Poodles are wonderful, brilliant dogs who are affectionate, extremely intelligent and easy to train, and wonderful to live with. They come in three sizes, with the standards being the largest and many people feel, the best as far as temperament. They are the least likely of any breed to cause a problem for allergy/asthma sufferers. I have had many friends & relatives with severe asthma & allergies who lived happily with poodles for many years.
The problem with spending time around doodles is that there is absolutely no consistency in their coats from one to another, and you will have no guarantee that the one you get won't cause yourself & your daughter to suffer. Even if you spent time around a puppy from the same parents as the puppy you would be getting, there is no way of knowing that the coats or hair-type will be the same. A poodle is a poodle is a poodle as far as their coats go...if one doesn't bother you, the next one won't either. That is not true of doodles. Labradoodles and goldendoodles are NOT breeds, even the Australian ones, and do not "breed true", no matter what anyone may have told you. There is a huge variation in coat type even among puppies from the same litter. They are wonderful dogs, I adore them, but if i were you, I would not take a chance on breaking both your family's heart, and the dogs'. Thank you for approaching this so responsibly.

[fergie11]

I agree with Karen. Check out Standard poodles. They are great dogs. I never realized that until I got doodles and did much more research on the breeds involved. I've only seen small yippy little poodles but since then have met many wonderful, calm, intelligent standard poodles. I love them now and if I could have 3, I'd have one.

[Noble Vestal Labradoodles]

Lisa,

We have a ton of experience in this area. Our dogs are certified Therapy Dogs and work in hospitals and schools most of our dogs human companions suffer from sever allergies but they are not allergic to our dogs. In fact most will lay on the floor on the dog and read or will have the dog on their lap or bed and never have a reaction.

I can give the the names and email address of several of our clients who suffer from allergies so that you can talk to them about their experience.

I am completely confident in our dogs and would never place them if I thought there would be a chance of them being returned (it isnt worth it to me).

You are welcome to contact me if you would like

[e-mail]

[Leslie Forg]

Hi Lisa - We're sort of in the same boat. I have allergies and asthma but don't have to take any meds unless I'm around cats and some dogs. We also had to rehome a puppy a few years ago. She's a cockapoo and when she comes to visit, I still seem to react to her. Have you had any luck with your search for a dog? How's it going?
Thanks-
Leslie

[Colby Spaulding]

Hi Lisa, We recently got a F1 goldendoodle, I myself have asthma and severe allergies. I do break out in a rash wherever Colby licks me. However my asthma is fine. I take my symbicort everyday which helps and also a daily reactine which helps with the histamines. I am also allergic to grass and pollen, so this time of year is always worse. But my asthma is under control. I am sure if it wasn't I would probably have trouble with it with him. I have been using the products from allergycanada.com
and waiting to get allergy shots as well. hope this helps you with your decision. If your willing to do everthing to make your home allergy friendly and take these same steps I have then i am sure you will be fine. I have the worst allergies and asthma out there !!! hope this helps

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I don't know why this discussion has suddenly popped back up in the forum, but it is from January, lol!

[Adina P]

I think when people search the forum for certain topics (a good thing) they may not realize how old a discussion is. I recommend contacting whoever posted something directly in case they don't follow the discussion anymore.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

An allergist can actually test both you and your daughter with hair and saliva from the exact dog you want. I do not know exactly how, but I do know it is possible. Poodles, a multigen Australian labradoodle, a portuagese water dog (spaniel) and Siberian huskies are the most likely candidates for dogs for people who are allergic. Neither my husband nor my daughter have had any problems with allergic reactions to our multigen doodles. My husband is highly allergic to dogs and my daughter has asthma, and multiple allergies. Still, if you are both highly allergic and asthmatic I would get tested first. Thanks for being so thoughtful.