If you or someone in your household suffers from allergies, you may automatically assume owning a dachshund is off the cards.
Although dachshunds are not considered hypoallergenic, some varieties are less likely to trigger or aggravate symptoms in allergy sufferers. We’ll be going over the types of dachshunds best suited for people with allergies to help you select the right dachshund for you and your family.
Contents
What Is Hypoallergenic?
Hypoallergenic refers to something that contains little to no allergy-triggering substances (allergens).
For instance, if you have sensitive skin or suffer from a condition like eczema, you may choose to use products that contain gentle ingredients or are listed as hypoallergenic to prevent aggravating your symptoms.
The same definition can be applied to dogs that are considered hypoallergenic – they are less likely to trigger symptoms in allergy sufferers.
The majority of dog allergies are caused by dander, which are microscopic flakes of skin found in animal fur and feathers. When dogs shed or shake, dander falls to the top of their coats and skin.
However, other allergens associated with dogs and other animals include saliva and urine.
Individuals with allergies have overly sensitive immune systems, so when they come into contact with the proteins found in an animal’s dander, saliva, or urine, it triggers an immune response and a range of unpleasant symptoms like itchy skin, watery eyes, coughing, and sneezing.
So, Are Dachshunds Hypoallergenic?
Dachshunds are not hypoallergenic as they are a moderate shedder. In fact, no dog is 100% hypoallergenic as they all produce dander.
Breeds that are listed as “hypoallergenic” are those that possess qualities that make them less likely to aggravate symptoms in people with allergies, according to Dr Buzhardt.
Dogs that are non-/low-shedding, hairless, or with short, single-layered coats are deemed hypoallergenic as they produce less dander than breeds with opposing characteristics.
While dachshunds are not considered hypoallergenic, some varieties of the breed may be more compatible than others for owners with mild allergies.
Short-haired Dachshunds
Smooth hair is the most common fur type in dachshunds. It’s characterized by glossy, short, leathery fur, and doesn’t need much grooming.
However, short-haired dachshunds shed moderately – they lose fur every day.
All breeds with short-haired coats shed more frequently than those with long-haired coats. Furthermore, dachshunds don’t have winter coats, meaning their old fur is constantly being replaced with new fur.
While short fur is small, this makes it easy to scatter and attach to carpets, rugs, furniture, and other fabrics.
Unfortunately, if you or someone in your family has allergies, short-haired dachshunds are likely to irritate your symptoms further.
Long-haired Dachshunds
Long-haired dachshunds have long fur that appears on different parts of their body, such as the tail, belly, ears, neck, and backs of the fore and hind legs.
Dachshunds with this fur type require regular grooming to keep their hair healthy and matt-free.
Compared to short-haired varieties of the breed, it’s more visible when long-haired dachshunds shed as the strands of hair are fluffier and have a tendency to clump together. This is most apparent during brushing.
Additionally, long-haired dachshunds’ fur will grow constantly, so it needs to be trimmed every so often.
If the fur becomes too long, it will soak up dirt, debris, and other particles, which can worsen the symptoms of people with allergies.
Dachshunds with long fur shed the most out of all the varieties of dachshund due to their double coats, so they are the worst type of this breed to own for allergy sufferers.
Wire-haired Dachshunds
Wire-haired dachshunds have coarse, wavy, short fur, alongside fluffy eyebrows and a beard. Their coats are thick, but they actually shed the least out of all the dachshund varieties.
This makes them the best type of dachshund to own for people with allergies.
Mixed Dachshund Breeds
Mixed dachshund breeds are dogs with three or more breeds in their lineage, while crossbreeds are canines with two breeds in their lineage.
For instance, a dorgi is a cross between a corgi and a dachshund.
A mixed dachshund breed, on the other hand, will have a bit of dachshund in their genetics, as well as three or more other breeds.
Depending on the other breeds in their lineage, crossbreeds and mixed breeds can be a good choice for allergy sufferers.
If your dog is crossed or mixed with a hypoallergenic breed such as a Maltese or Yorkshire terrier, they may be less likely to aggravate allergy symptoms than a purebred dachshund.
On the flip side, if your dog’s lineage is made up of heavy-shedding breeds like the basset hound and English bulldog, they may be more irritating to allergy sufferers than a pedigree dachshund.
Can You Be Allergic To Dachshunds?
As mentioned earlier, you can be allergic to dachshunds, especially if you have an existing allergy or sensitive skin.
Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to minimize allergy symptoms and reduce your chances of getting a reaction around your dog, which we’ll be going over below.
- Vacuum your house often, ideally with a unit that is designed for pets to remove as much fur and dander as possible.
- Don’t let your dog sleep on your bed or pillow.
- Don’t allow your dog to lick or touch your face. Make sure you wash your hands thoroughly after petting your dachshund.
- Use an air purifier to help remove allergens like dander (you may need a couple of these depending on the size of your house).
- Brush and groom your dachshund on a regular basis.
- Clean and dust your house often to remove dander and fur that your dachshund has shed.
- Bathe your dachshund regularly, making sure to use a gentle dog-safe shampoo to prevent drying out their skin and coat.
- Speak to your doctor or an allergist as they may be able to prescribe you a medication that can help reduce your allergy symptoms
- Make sure you feed your dachshund a high-quality food as dogs with poor diets are more likely to lose fur.
Common Signs Of Dog Allergies
Dog allergies can cause many unpleasant side effects, more so if you suffer from asthma. Some of the most common signs of dog allergies include:
- Red, watery, or itchy eyes
- Sneezing
- Itchy nose, throat, or roof of the mouth
- Stuffy nose
- Postnasal drip
- Coughing
- Difficulty sleeping
- Facial pain and pressure
- Swollen or blue-colored skin under the eyes
- Chest tightness or pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Whistling or wheezing when exhaling
- Eczema
- Itchy skin
- Hives (raised, red patches on the skin)
Best Type of Dachshund for Someone With Allergies?
The best type of dachshund for someone with allergies is the wire-haired dachshund as they shed the least out of the dachshund varieties.
Some dachshund mixed breeds that have hypoallergenic breeds in their lineage may also be compatible with allergy sufferers.
Although dachshunds are not considered hypoallergenic, that doesn’t mean you can’t own one if you or someone you live with has an allergy. The wire-haired dachshund can be a good option for people with allergies as they don’t shed as much as other types of dachshunds.
Additionally, there are many things you can do to help reduce developing a reaction to your dog, including regularly vacuuming and dusting your house, frequently grooming and bathing your pet, using an air purifier, and washing your hands thoroughly after touching your dog.
Adhering to the above can greatly decrease your symptoms, especially if your allergies are mild.
