After being sick for several months with CMV (cytomegalovirus), my resistance was very low. Because of that, I was getting every single virus or bug that my school-aged son brought home from what I like to call school “the Petrie dish.”
Although I had one sickness or another since the CMV subsided, my resistance was so low that I feared that I had developed a new allergy to my dog. I had sinus pain, nose sores that will not go away or heal, and fatigue.
Based on the recommendations of my allergist (which I initially ignored), I should probably start getting those allergy shots once a week so I do not have to stop snuggling with my German Shepherd – Labrador mixed sweet girl named Lucy.
After going through the necessary dog training sessions, Lucy has gone everywhere with me; she’s my little sidekick. For example, here are a few things that Lucy is allowed to do:
- She is my road dog and travels with me to most places we go
- Lucy is our studio mate at work – she even has her own corner of the office
- She sits by my side on the couch as I do my morning readings
- Lucy sleeps with me in my bed but on top of the covers
- She goes camping with us and stays in the camper with us
- Lucy goes for boat rides and swims with us in the lake
- In the summertime, she chills with me in the hammock
As you can see, Lucy is quite the pampered pooch! It hasn’t always been this way, as she had to compete with her mama, Phoebe, and her dad, Otis, for our attention. However, after my ex and I got divorced, he took Otis with him. Then, two summers ago, sadly, Phoebe was stricken with spleen cancer and died quickly at the young age of only seven years old.
Furthermore, my sons have gotten older and require less attention, so Lucy gets spoiled not only by me but also by my oldest son, who is twenty years old. He loves his little Lucy and takes her on walks regularly.
But why am I allergic to Lucy? What makes her so different from all of my other dogs?
Best dogs for allergies and asthma
Unfortunately, not only do my sons have allergies, but they also inherited asthma from my mom and her side of the family. In total, the following people have allergies and asthma in my family:
- My oldest son
- My youngest son
- My mom
- My oldest male cousin
- My youngest male cousin
- My grandmother
- My mom’s youngest sister
My mom had seasonal outdoor allergies as well as pet allergies. In fact, one year, I begged her to get a bunny because where we lived at the time, we could not have dogs. She obliged my request, and within a few weeks, she had a massive asthma attack that sent her to the hospital for over a month. Needless to say, I got rid of my pet rabbit.
My oldest male cousin has asthma so intensely that when we were three or four years old, he had to spend several months in the hospital in a bubble. He was literally like the kid in the movie, “Boy in a Bubble”!
My mom’s youngest sister has allergies and asthma so badly that she has to carry around an Epi-Pen because if she was stung by an insect in the bee or wasp family, she would go into anaphylactic shock and could die.
From the American Kennel Club (AKC), they report the following best breeds for people with allergies:
- “Afghan Hound
- American Hairless Terrier
- Bedlington Terrier
- Bichon Frise
- Chinese Crested
- Coton de Tulear
- Giant Schnauzer
- Irish Water Spaniel
- Kerry Blue Terrier
- Lagotto Romagnolo
- Maltese
- Miniature Schnauzer
- Peruvian Inca Orchid (Hairless)
- Poodle (Standard, Miniature, and Toy)
- Portuguese Water Dog
- Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier
- Spanish Water Dog
- Standard Schnauzer
- Xoloitzcuintli (Standard, Miniature, and Toy),”.
Oh my gosh, I am in love with the allergy-friendly Bedlington Terrier – they seem like wonderful dogs! Apparently, they do not need intense exercise (which is great for me as we do not have sidewalks in our neighborhood). Playtime in our large, fenced yard will suffice.
The AKC talks further about this adorable breed, “Graceful terriers in sheep’s clothing, Bedlington Terriers, named for the English mining shire where they were first bred, are genial housemates, alert watchdogs, versatile athletes, and irresistibly cuddly TV-time companions.
Bedlingtons are lithe, energetic Englishmen. The crisp, curly coat; arched back; tasseled ears; scimitar-shaped tail; and fleecy, pear-shaped head are identifying features of this one-of-a-kind breed. As the curvy contours indicate, there’s sighthoundWhippet, most likelyin their family tree. Bedlingtons move with a light, springy step and when roused to pursuit can run like the wind. Rollicking, charming, and full of fun, Bedlingtons want most to be their family’s center of attention and are known to be protective of loved ones. For an active family looking for a no-shedding, lively, and loyal companion, the search might end here,”.
Looks like instead of getting a cocker spaniel for my next dog, or should I say, Lucy’s play pal, we will be looking to bring a Bedlington Terrier into our family full of people with allergies and asthma.
By the way, if you are wondering like I did, how to pronounce Xoloitzcuintli, it is ”show-low-uht-skwint-lee.” I love this breed just for its name!
What breed of dog causes most allergies?
We had other dogs in our home who slept with me. These are the dogs and breeds I have had in my life:
- Lucy – German Shepherd Labrador Pitbull mix (with the coat and look of a Shepherd but the size of a small Pitbull)
- Phoebe – Labrador Pitbull mix
- Otis – German Shepherd (although he did not sleep with me often, and he was out of my home early on)
- Luke – Cockapoo Shih Tzu mix
- Clio – Australian Shepherd Terrier mix
- Roxy – Collie Coyote mix
- Josi – Chocolate Labrador
- Lady – Beagle Doxin mix
- Pumpkin – Yellow Labrador
According to Spruce Pets, these are the worst breeds for people with allergies:
- “Basset hound
- Doberman Pinscher
- German Shepherds
- Huskies
- Labrador Retriever
- Pekingese
- Pug
- Saint Bernards
- Cocker Spaniels
- Boxer,”.
Well, sadly, some of my favorite breeds made the list of K9s that are not good for people like me (or my sons) who have allergies.
Can you become allergic to dogs all of a sudden
In conclusion, sudden dog allergies can happen, especially after illness lowers your resistance. With the right guidance and proactive care, you can protect your health while still enjoying the comfort and companionship of the dogs you love.