Strongpets Blog » Low Allergenic Dogs

Schnauzer

admin — Sat, 09 May 2009 14:41:38 +0000

Schnauzer

The Schnauzer is compact and easy to take on adventures. This breed is not good in apartments because they may bark if bored. Your Schnauzer can be a good watchdog.

Schnauzers are usually sociable and often good with other pets. However, this breed has a deep chasing instinct, so he may not do well in a home with cats, gerbils, guinea pigs or other small animals. Be careful on walks – your Schnauzer may bolt if he sees something interesting to chase.

Training

Your Schnauzer should be trained early to socialize or he may become upset and bark at strangers regularly. This breed can be stubborn, so be consistent with your positive training. The Schnauzer is intelligent and should be taught tricks that will provide mental stimulation.

Exercise

Schnauzers require a good amount of daily exercise. They are used to chasing, and should be able to run and play daily to fulfill this need.

Grooming

The Schnauzer needs to be groomed to keep his coat healthy. He is a low shedder with a wirey coat that should be brushed and trimmed regularly.

Health

Schnauzers need daily exercise and mental stimulation.

Portuguese Water Dog

admin — Sat, 09 May 2009 14:38:16 +0000

Portuguese Water Dog

The Portuguese Water Dog has a fascinating history. This breed was taken to sea by the Portuguese fishermen for companionship and as a work dog. If a fisherman fell overboard, the Portuguese Water Dog would jump in and pull the fisherman to safety with his tail.

Smart, sweet and loyal, the Portuguese Water Dog can be a nice family pet. This breed is not known for barking often, but does make interesting sounds and barks when he does care to vocalize.

The Portuguese Water Dog loves to chew. Always provide this dog with plenty of chew toys.

Training

Your Portuguese Water Dog, or Portie, is a working dog. This breed excels at any type of valuable “work,” and can be trained to help his master.

Exercise

The Portuguese Water Dog wants to be with his owner at all times. He wishes to help, and can work for is master to receive his exercise. Be sure your Portie gets plenty of outside and running time.

Grooming

The Portuguese Water Dog has wavy and curly hair, similar to a poodle’s hair. Brush weekly to prevent matting and trim every few months. This single coated dog is known to be good with people who have mild allergies.

Poodles

admin — Sat, 09 May 2009 14:36:36 +0000

Poodles

The poodle comes both standard and toy. Poodles have hair like humans – the hair continues to grow and must be clipped. This breed is considered good for those with mild allergies. The energetic poodle loves to play. He is sociable and is usually good with other dogs.

An intuitive animal, the poodle seems to know exactly how you feel. This can be good and bad – if in an unhappy or stressful environment, the poodle can become physically sick from worry and anxiety. The poodle needs a home that is happy and stress-free. Some poodles have been known to be barkers as well as high strung or anxious. As with all dogs, this is not true of all poodles.

Training

The poodle is intelligent and very good at tricks. You have probably seen the poodle in circuses or on television performing. If training, the poodle should be socialized early to prevent shyness and promote sociability.

Exercise

Standard poodles are large dogs that require good, daily exercise. Miniature poodles require less exercise, but need to be given the opportunity to let out energy and enjoy the outdoors.

Grooming

The poodle has hair that grows continuously and requires regular trimming.

Health

Poodles have been overbred and therefore have the potential to be hyper, snappy and neurotic. They can also suffer from eye and joint problems. Poodles have the potential to live long lives.

Peruvian Inca Orchid (Hairless)

admin — Sat, 09 May 2009 14:34:37 +0000

Peruvian Inca Orchid (Hairless)

The Peruvian Inca Orchid is a Pre-Incan ancient breed. It can range from 9 to 55 pounds. This breed may have short hair on the head, feet and tip of tail. The Peruvian is good with children and loves it’s family. This breed can become lonely and unhappy left on it’s own.

Training

The Peruvian Inca is smart but independent. A good runner, this dog can participate in agility with an experienced trainer. Being hairless, this dog should not be exposed to extended amounts of heat and cold.

Exercise

The Peruvian Inca requires daily exercise, but not in extreme heat or cold.

Grooming

The hairless Peruvian Inca should be washed every few weeks and moisturized to prevent dry skin.

Health

This breed requires a sweater in the winter and sunscreen in the sunshine. It usually is not born with a full mouth of teeth, and will lose some in adulthood as well. The tips of this dog’s ears can become especially dry and should be moisturized with more attention.

Mexican Hairless Dog – Xoloitzcuintle

admin — Sat, 09 May 2009 14:33:48 +0000

Mexican Hairless Dog – Xoloitzcuintle

The Mexican Hairless dog originated in areas from Mexico to South America. Raised to be eaten, these dogs were known to have meat with medicinal qualities. Today the “Xolo” is appreciated for his agility, speed and intelligence. Although this breed is not a common breed, it is appreciated for it’s non-allergenic qualities and has been raised as a pet throughout the world.

The Xoloitzcuintle can range from 20 pounds up to 50 pounds. It is loving and comfortable towards its owners, but can be wary of strangers. This dog is a jumper and digger, so he requires a high fence and sink wire.

A Mexican Hairless does not like to be left alone all day. This breed can become dependent on the family and can become anxious if left alone for long periods of time. This may result in unwanted barking or chewing.

Training

The Mexican Hairless is stubborn and may be difficult to train. Additionally, this dog is closer to it’s traditional roots than more domesticated dogs, and is often hard to housebreak. It may be necessary to have a dog door installed if your Xolo is unable to become housebroken. The Mexican Hairless has been known to mark his territory, even inside of the house.

Exercise

The Mexican Hairless needs daily exercise. You will enjoy watching your Xolo run with great agility.

Grooming

The Mexican Hairless is, well, mostly hairless! The skin of this breed is sensitive and should not be overexposed to heat or cold. The skin also requires frequent washing and moisturizing.

Health

Your Mexican Hairless is sensitive and should live in a calm environment. If your household is loud or if there is stress within the family, the Mexican Hairless is not a good choice for you.

Bedlington Terrier Personality

admin — Sat, 09 May 2009 14:31:41 +0000

Bedlington Terrier Personality

The Bedlington Terrier was originally bred by gypsies, and were named after a mining town in Bedlington, Northumberland in England. This breed is fast and agile. The Bedlington Terrier is known as being calm for the Terrier breed.

Training

Your Bedlington Terrier can be stubborn. Begin training early with consistent, positive training.

Exercise

The Bedlington Terrier is a fast runner. It has a surprisingly dainty trot – but don’t let this fool you – you need a good fence and strong leash to curb this dog’s chasing instinct. Allow your terrier to run daily.

Grooming

This breed is known to be good for people who have mild allergies. The Bedlington Terrier has a lamb-like coat and is considered a non-shedder. Trim your dog’s fur about every six weeks.

Health

The Bedlington Terrier is prone to eye and liver disease. Due to his single-layered coat, please keep this dog warm in the winter.

American Hairless Terrier

admin — Sat, 09 May 2009 14:27:15 +0000

American Hairless Terrier

The American Hairless Terrier is a mutation of the Rat Terrier, first born in 1972. The AHT is born with a soft downy hair, which falls out as the dog grows. Once an adult, the American Hairless will be exactly that – hairless except for a few whiskers and eyebrows.

Training

The American Hairless is active, smart and lively. This breed will respond to early positive training, but should not be expected to work in cold or hot conditions.

Exercise

Your American Hairless needs plenty of daily exercise, but should not be in bright sunshine or cold for extended periods of time.

Grooming

Your American Hairless Terrier has no hair to groom, but should be bathed every few weeks. More frequent bathing will dry out the skin and cause problems. Once bathed, the skin should be moisturized on this breed.

Health

The American Hairless Terrier should always be kept warm if the weather is cool. This dog must be kept away from excessive sunlight as well, since he does not have fur to protect his skin. Use sunscreen in the summer, and sweaters in the winter. Although the AHT is less prone to diseases than other hairless breeds, he may develop demodectic mange, slipped knees, hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism and deafness.

West Highland White Terrier

admin — Sat, 09 May 2009 14:22:13 +0000

West Highland White Terrier

The West Highland White Terrier is a small and energetic dog. He is friendly and absolutely loves attention. This breed is not a good apartment dog. They may bark, and although small, require a good amount of exercise. The West Highland Terrier can be dog aggressive.

Training

Your West Highland White Terrier can be stubborn, so train early. If you plan to be around other dogs, be sure to socialize and train your West Highland with others from an early age.

This little dog has a lot of attitude. Use positive training for positive results. The West Highland was originally used as a work dog, which has resulted in a dog with stamina.

Exercise

The West Highland White Terrier must be run several times a day. If he is left alone without exercise he will be unhappy and unhealthy.

Grooming

This breed is known to be good for people who have mild allergies. The West Highland White Terrier has a rough outer coat and a soft undercoat. Brush regularly to keep the oils distributed. Frequent bathing will irritate this dog’s skin.

Health

The Kerry Blue Terrier is healthy and can live a long life. This breed may be prone to hip dysplasia, PNA and cataracts. Your Kerry only has a one layer coat, so keep him warm in cold weather.

Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

admin — Sat, 09 May 2009 14:18:54 +0000

Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is curious, active playful and friendly. These medium sized dogs are originally from Ireland and have been used for herding. A very sociable dog, this breed is known for it’s famous, “Wheaten Greetin.” If you plan to have more than one Wheaten in the family, it works well to have one of each sex.

Training

Your Wheaten Terrier can be trained, but has an occasional stubbornness. This breed dislikes negativity. Always use positive reinforcement when training.

Exercise

The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier needs daily exercise. This Terrier thrives when allowed to meet his herding instinct.

Grooming

This Terrier is a low shedder and may be good for individuals with mild allergies. This dog’s hair grows continuously like human hair and needs to be trimmed monthly.
Health

The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier acts young even through his golden years. His lifespan usually ranges from 13 to 14 years. The Wheaten Terrier may be prone to gluten allergies.

Coton de Tulear

admin — Sat, 09 May 2009 14:10:05 +0000

Coton de Tulear

The Coton de Tulear is a small dog, possibly related to the Bichon family. This breed was first brought from Spain and Portugal by sailors to Madagascar.

These dogs are friendly, smart and cuddly. They love to be with their owners. If separated for extended periods of time, the Coton de Tulear may develop anxiety.

Training

Your Coton de Tulear can be trained with positive reinforcement.

Exercise

The Coton de Tulear should be taken out daily for fresh air and exercise. He does not require extensive exercise, but needs to get in some good romps during the day.

Grooming

This breed is known to be good for people who have mild allergies. The Coton de Tulear has a non-shedding coat that must be brushed several times a week and cut every few months.

Health

The Coton de Tulear is a healthy breed that does not carry a lot of genetic diseases. This dog can live from 14 to 18 years of life.