EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 If you\u2019ve 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The conversation then turned to pet allergies and what potential adopters should know before bringing a dog home. AJ said there\u2019s an important reality check for allergy sufferers: \u201cNo dog is hypoallergenic completely.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2019Cause they all have dandruff, they all shed.\u201d they said.<\/p>\n
Still, AJ said some dogs are lower shedding and may cause less irritation, though reactions can vary widely from person to person.<\/p>\n
\u201cSometimes we get in those dogs,\u201d AJ said, referring to lower-shedding types. <\/p>\n
But AJ added that even dogs that aren\u2019t typically considered lower-shedding can surprise people. <\/p>\n
\u201cSometimes we get in dogs that they aren\u2019t any of those breeds and they still really don\u2019t cause a reaction,\u201d AJ said. \u201cSo it can really just depend on the person.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\u2019s softer, it kinda sticks to itself so there\u2019s a lot less shedding. AJ added that can also be a bonus for anyone who simply wants less pet hair around the house.<\/p>\n
At the shelter, though, it\u2019s often a mixed bag. AJ said it\u2019s kind of 50-50 with shelter dogs because many are mixed breeds, and shedding can vary. AJ also pointed out that coat length isn\u2019t always the deciding factor: <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not always, you know, whether they\u2019re short-haired or long-haired that determines it either.\u201d they said.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe main thing is there\u2019s a special way that we\u2019ll do meet and greets in that case,\u201d AJ said. <\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you start getting the itchy nose, if your face starts getting red or whatever symptoms you show,\u201d AJ said.<\/p>\n
That can be a quick sign the match may not be the best fit. AJ urged extra caution for anyone with serious reactions:<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course, if you have a really dangerous reaction to dogs, we prefer that you\u2019re very careful about it.\u201d<\/p>\n
AJ suggested taking it one dog at a time. <\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe you meet with one dog and then if it\u2019s not working out, then maybe you come back next time,\u201d AJ said.<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe just do it inside and then in closed space and it tends to show you very quickly whether or not you\u2019re going to have that reaction,\u201d AJ said.<\/p>\n
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