Allergies for potential new doberman owner - Doberman Forum : Doberman Breed Dog Forums

siegewars · 01-30-2013, 07:54 PM

Hello,

I just wanted to check in and see what people had to say about allergies with dobermans. I have just found in the past few years that I am actually allergic to specific types of dogs or protiens. Seems to be long haired as I work everyday and my boss has a daschund and I do not react at all to it, it is an inside dog for the most part. I contacted a breeding and she has been amazing. She let me bring home the pup 2 times to test how I would react.

The first time was bad, I had hives and itchy eyes, this is alot different from long haired where I would be a mess all around.

The second time she had given her a bath and sent her straight over so it could not hang around at the pet spa with the other dogs. I had a couple bumps and a slight itch here and there. It seems as thought it help tremendously and I would assume get better as time goes on.

I am just looking for opinions because I would love to own her. I have had alot of people tell me they used to be itchy etc when they first got the Doberman. I heard that people can also build a bit of a tolerance to the allergy or skin irritation. I am assuming that her short coat mixed with the long haired animals there as she lays on them all day long are what set me off. I layed with her for 2 hours tonight and not really anything but a couple bumps.

Looking forward to your comments. I am taking this seriously as I don't want to make a selfish decision.

Mikemontreal · 01-30-2013, 08:20 PM

I wouldn't chance it

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noodlerubyallie · 01-30-2013, 09:11 PM

If you're reacting when the dog doesn't live with you, it may not be successful.

I'm allergic to Rocket when he hasn't had a bath in awhile....my skin gets all rashy and bumpy. Since that's minor, I just make sure I bathe him on a semi-regular schedule.

MelissaRz · 01-30-2013, 10:59 PM

I react (very small hives that itch) to Bella and reacted to my last Dobe as well. My daughter reacts now too (same exact as mine). I love the breed and love my pup so I put up with it. Long sleeves help, as it seems to be a contact allergy. I find that if the ends of her hair do not prickle my skin, I'm ok.

For others, their reactions may be more severe, in which case you may want to re-think your decision. Once you've brought your pup home, you've got a 24/7 allergen in your house! The only way around it is allergy shots, which take approximately 2 years of running to the Dr for shots. I know - been there and done that, lol. For me it did lessen the severity, but never became allergy free...

As for us, our reactions are slight, and worth the occasional itch. But then again, I'm pretty darn allergic to cats, and had 3 at one point (and still have one that sleeps in bed with me) so I guess I'm just a glutton for punishment, lol!

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workingk9s · 01-30-2013, 11:11 PM

Maybe try a hypoallergenic dog like a poodle.

**EmilyB** · 01-30-2013, 11:15 PM

Yes, if you are reacting on a visit, bad news when this dog is attached to your face and hip as velcro dogs do.

PrincessStorm · 01-30-2013, 11:18 PM

I'm living with my mom and she is allergic to types pet dander(can't remember exactly)... But she tolerates it with Storm. She wouldn't trade her for the world.... it's just bouts of watery eyes and sneezing though, Nothing serious.

To be honest, my yorkie messes with her way more than Storm does... Strange, I know, but I'm serious!

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siegewars · 01-31-2013, 05:32 AM

Thanks for the replys. I actually played with her, had her lick me to death and lay down with me. I wanted to see the worst reaction I could have. That's when I got the slight bumps and itch. It seems to point to the other dogs that she was with that we're causing me to react bad previously.

Beaker · 01-31-2013, 10:50 AM

I think that if you are reacting on a 24 hour visit, you may not be experiencing "the worst reaction". There is a difference between small exposures and long term exposures.

If you have a reaction with a small exposure when the puppy hasn't been in your house and all over all of your clothes etc... If you bring her into your house long term it may get worse.

I don't want to discourage you from being a dog owner or a doberman owner but without knowing how severe your allergies can be my advice is caution.

You would hate to bring a dog into the family and then have to give it up later because you simply couldn't live in the same house together because your allergies got worse.

I'm not saying this would happen! Only that if you are reacting now to small exposures it could get worse.

Dobes&Hounds · 01-31-2013, 11:00 AM

You should "babysit" a Doberman over the weekend and see how you react. If you really want the dog and keep having an allergic response you do have the option of allergy shots. You could also use claritin or bendryl depending on the severity.