Picking a Non-Allergenic Dog for the White House

Posted by Gill Hart Nov 11, 2008

Being an avid dog lover (and owner of a very spoilt family of Siberian Huskies, not to mention being Mother Theresa to numerous Thai street dogs) I can’t help being drawn into the current debate on picking a presidential pooch.

The flurry of interest on the official Obama website and in the news media is indicative of the nation of dog lovers we are. Or maybe it is because it provides some light relief to the grueling U.S. presidential campaign, which this time has had more impact all over the world, than any other of our generation.

Personally I think that owning a dog is one of the most precious life lessons you can give a child. They learn to accept responsibility for its care and wellbeing and in return receive boundless love and loyalty.

As many as 10% of Americans are allergic to animals, more so to cats than dogs. This is caused by a reaction to skin (hair), saliva, and urine. Whilst there is no such thing as a non-allergic dog, there are around 20 breeds that are preferable for allergy suffers and they are termed “hypo-allergenic” dogs.

Hypo-allergenic breeds include the Poodle (and derivatives thereof, such as Labradoodle), Bischon Frise and the strange looking (but lovable) Chinese Crested, which only has hair on its feet, head and tail.

Peru has joined in the furvor by kindly offering the first family a Peruvian Hairless Dog. This particular 4-month old pooch, “Ears” (real name Macha Picchu) has been officially offered as a gift to the Obamas. Let’s hope if they decide to go for an American breed like the goldendoodle instead it won’t cause a diplomatic incident!