Choosing a Dog When You Or a Family Member Has Asthma

If you’re an animal lover, but you or a family member has asthma, it can be frustrating as you will no doubt not want your condition to ruin your chances of welcoming a dog into your home. Your family’s safety will always come first, but there are a few breeds of dog that have been known to be more ‘hypoallergenic’ when it comes to asthma and other allergies. We’ve done some research to give you some info into these breeds, and whilst they are all generally a safe bet, it may be best to consult your family doctor or even a local vet if you family member’s asthma is severe. All of these breeds have been known to be ok with asthma sufferers, but of course, everyone is different and no dog is 100% certain to not cause allergies. PoodlesPoodles are generally regarded as one of, if not the best, types of dog to have if you suffer with asthma. This is due to the fact that they are unusual in the sense that they grow hair like humans, unlike other dog breeds that grow fur. They are great for house proud parents too, as they don’t shed their hair. Poodles are also a good choice as they come in a variety of sizes, which can be useful when taking house size into consideration.Yorkshire terrierYorkshire terriers are really popular with young children, and are ideal as they enjoy being groomed, which your children will no doubt love doing! You can also get their hair trimmed as short as you like to avoid malting, even though they’re known to not malt a lot. Feed them good food from a young age, such as Iams puppy food from Vet Medic, so that they’re coats are nourished and can withstand all the pampering!
Shih TzuAnother breed that is notoriously popular with young children, due to their sweet and playful nature, shih tzus are also good for asthma sufferers as they only shed very lightly, despite having lovely glossy hair. They also don’t require a lot of exercise as they are generally regarded as more of a lap dog, so may be more ideal for smaller homes.SchnauzerWith regular grooming and hair trims, this lovely, playful breed will not shed its hair very frequently. It has similar fur to the poodle breed, so is a good alternative if you are after a dog that is a bit more playful and energetic. You can even get crossbreeds of the two for the best of both worlds. 
Bichon FriseDon’t be fooled by the fluffy appearance of this adorable breed, as they don’t shed nearly as much as you’d think they would. Think of this breed as ‘little cotton balls of fun’, as despite their size, they are very sociable and very energetic. They love their hair being looked after, so could be seen as quite a high maintenance choice, but worth all the effort!Disclosure: In Collaboration with Vet Medic. Images from Vet Medic.