EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — If you’ve ever fallen in love with a shelter dog and then immediately worried about what your sinuses might have to say about it, the El Paso Humane Society has a few tips to help you breathe a little easier.

This week on Bark on ARC, the El Paso Humane Society, introduced us to Brooke, described as another cute cat and dog mix, and joking she kind of look like cinnamon raisin bread.

The conversation then turned to pet allergies and what potential adopters should know before bringing a dog home. AJ said there’s an important reality check for allergy sufferers: “No dog is hypoallergenic completely.”

“’Cause they all have dandruff, they all shed.” they said.

Still, AJ said some dogs are lower shedding and may cause less irritation, though reactions can vary widely from person to person.

“Sometimes we get in those dogs,” AJ said, referring to lower-shedding types.

But AJ added that even dogs that aren’t typically considered lower-shedding can surprise people.

“Sometimes we get in dogs that they aren’t any of those breeds and they still really don’t cause a reaction,” AJ said. “So it can really just depend on the person.”

AJ noted that certain breeds tend to cause less irritation for some people, including shitzus, poodles, schnauzers, explaining that even with long, curly hair, it’s softer, it kinda sticks to itself so there’s a lot less shedding. AJ added that can also be a bonus for anyone who simply wants less pet hair around the house.

At the shelter, though, it’s often a mixed bag. AJ said it’s kind of 50-50 with shelter dogs because many are mixed breeds, and shedding can vary. AJ also pointed out that coat length isn’t always the deciding factor:

“It’s not always, you know, whether they’re short-haired or long-haired that determines it either.” they said.

For people who are interested in adopting but worry about allergies, AJ said the shelter can help with a more controlled meet-and-greet approach.

“The main thing is there’s a special way that we’ll do meet and greets in that case,” AJ said.

If someone is willing to test it out, AJ said someone can visit the center and ask to meet a dog in an enclosed space to see whether symptoms show up.

“If you start getting the itchy nose, if your face starts getting red or whatever symptoms you show,” AJ said.

That can be a quick sign the match may not be the best fit. AJ urged extra caution for anyone with serious reactions:

“Of course, if you have a really dangerous reaction to dogs, we prefer that you’re very careful about it.”

AJ suggested taking it one dog at a time.

“Maybe you meet with one dog and then if it’s not working out, then maybe you come back next time,” AJ said.

For people with less severe allergies, AJ said the shelter can still do the speed dating style meet-and-greets many adopters use, but in a way that helps reveal reactions quickly.

“We just do it inside and then in closed space and it tends to show you very quickly whether or not you’re going to have that reaction,” AJ said.

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