Most people want to adopt some dogs at their home but you may have some allergy attacks whenever you are around them. Being allergic does not mean that you don’t love them. If you are allergic to anything related to German Shepherds, you must be wondering are German Shepherds hypoallergic.
So are German Shepherds hypoallergenic? No German Shepherds are not hypoallergenic. They are double-coated canines with fur that sheds and may irritate people with allergies but it depends on the severity of their allergy. Not all people are allergic but for those who have any type of dog allergy, there may be concerns.
However some rare less hairless breeds are hypoallergenic, they have low-shedding coats that do not trigger allergies in humans. They can be a conlow-shedding hypoallergenic breed but German Shepherds are not a hypoallergenic breed.
If you have any family member with an allergy then there are still some important things that will make your living much more comfortable with your beloved pet. Here in this post, all the related questions will be answered and there will be complete discussions about hypoallergic in German Shepherds.
Let’s dive into the topic and discuss it in detail:
Table of Contents
Why Are German Shepherds Not Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds?
German Shepherd dogs are not 100% hypoallergenic but there are many dogs with less allergenic to people with their allergies. As German Shepherds come under the category of the larger breed with thick fur, they do shed all around the season but the dogs with less shedding, their coats produce less dander which is attached to the hair and is responsible for most dog allergies in people.
German Shepherds are double-coated breeds with thick fur that allow them to survive in cold and hot weather. With their thick fur they also easily survive in the cold mountains. The undercoat of their German Shepherd is soft and are meant to keep them warm and dry as it acts as a shield to survive in different temperature. The outercoat of German Shepherds protects them in the winter season, in snow or ice.
German Shepherds shed all year long since they are blessed with a thick double coat that protects them during winter, but when summer comes, it is when they shed the most. In the summer, if they don’t shed, they could become too hot and endanger their survival. It implies that there may be a higher chance of heat stroke and that, in more extreme cases, death may result.
Shedding in German Shepherds is a natural process but they shed mostly in the summer however it can be followed all around the year. You should also understand the actual reason why your German Shepherds are not hypoallergenic.
According to the national institute of health, there are 10% to 20% of the US population is altering the logic of dogs.
AKC
Reasons Why German Shepherds are not hypoallergenic
Oh yeah!! German Shepherds are not hypoallergenic as there are mainly two reasons why they do not come in the category of hypoallergenic dog breed.
Double Coat With Thick Fur
German Shepherds were generally used for herding because of their survival stamina in different climatic conditions. They are also a double-coated breed that shed all around the year. Their double coat allows them to survive in the winter season and when they shed during summer they are protected by their coat as it keeps them cool in summer.
Dander
Dander is generally attached to dog hair and causes most allergies in people. As dander is attached to their fur, when people try to play with them they can get a soil type of allergy. Generally, most pet allergies can be caused by pet dander not by shedding.
The dog breed that shed the most can also cause allergies among most people. This can happen when they lose their fur, the dander that is stuck on their fur can remain anywhere in the house when they walk or do anything around them. This is the reason the dog with non-shedding is suitable for people with pet allergies.
How To Live With A German Shepherd when You Have Allergy?
The allergic people must know the level of their pet allergies if they are living with German Shepherds to make their living easier. If you are taking the German Shepherd breed for the first time at your home then you must know the fact about your allergy and how much you can tolerate it.
People with severe allergy symptoms should think twice before having this breed as their pet and people with mild allergies and willing to live with this favorite breed can enjoy themselves.
If the allergy occurs after bringing the German Shepherd to your home, there are certain things you can do to manage and create a happier environment for you as well as your German Shepherd.
Groom Your German Shepherd Regularly
All we know is how much German Shepherds shed but their shedding can be controlled if we keep them well-groomed. If you are not allergic then grooming them will be easier as it will not affect you or if you find some non-allergic people around you it will act as a blessing to you.
Regular brushing your German Shepherd will allow you to keep your German Shepherd well-groomed. You should do brushing at least once a day. Brushing your German Shepherd will allow preventing from extra falls of their hair that may spread all over the floor of your house.
You should also bathe your German Shepherd regularly. Here regularly means that you should not avoid their bathing for a longer period as regular bathing will let you get rid of their dander and period that may fall on the floor of your house.
You can also use a good shampoo to keep your German Shepherd’s skin healthy and reduce their shedding. Dry furthers a lot so cleaning your grooming your German Shepherd will not allow their fur and dander to fall around your house.
However, well-groomed dogs can also create allergies, therefore there are other options you can think about for their shedding since German Shepherd coats do require a lot of grooming. You can hire a professional groomer to keep your pet clean and to cut down on their shedding.
Avoid Carpet In The Floor
You should avoid carpeting your floor if you are living with a German Shepherd as their dandruff can easily be locked into the carpeted floor and can be stuck forever. The carpeted floor will mean that your whole carpet will be full of dander, dandruff, or fur if they are shed during the seasons.
Even though we were using carpet floors but when my “German Shepherd” came home for the first time we immediately switched to hardwood floors. This lets the allergies more manageable and cleaning a wooden floor is also easy.
If you are unable to remove the carpet in your home then make sure to use a vacuum for cleaning your carpet for a certain period. You should also wear a mask while cleaning your carpet to periods present in your carpet as their loose hair can stick to your face.
Wear Proper Clothes Before Interacting with Your German Shepherd
It will be best to wear proper clothes before you with e around your dog or go outside with them. However it all depends on which type of clothes you chose, it may be anything some of you may prefer old clothes before interacting with them or some may go what they use to wear daily, they even don’t mind getting dirty.
Wearing clothes allow you not to sneeze or itch all the time as there may be the possibility of getting their fur in your clothes while interacting with them. So it will be better to select one to clothe when you want to go near them or interact with them.
Keeping Your Clothes Clean
It is quite possible when you interact with your dog, your clothes may become dirty and their dander and dandruff may stick to them which may cause itching later on. So it’s important to clean your clothes properly so that you could not get such type of issue.
Using separate clothes for interaction with your German Shepherd will be the right option which I discussed earlier. You can keep separate clothes so that their furs could not attach to you.
Use Air Filtration System
Using an air filtration system is another option to reduce dander in your home. The air filtration system allows the air to be free from pet dander and dirt from your house.
There are many air filters available in the market which can purify the air in your house and make it dust-free. HATHASPACE Air Purifier is suitable for removing pet dander and is also for spacious rooms. This is constructed using a method that collects any dust or pet hair in the space, keeping your space tidy and devoid of any religious symbols.
Keeping the air of your room clean is important as discussed earlier pet dander can remain anywhere in your house which may ultimately cause itching or allergies.
Avoid Sleeping with your German Shepherd Or pets
If you have any type of pet allergies then you should not sleep with your pet as sleeping with them can boost your allergy level and you will always be in discomfort. However, there are varying opinions on whether you should sleep with your pet or not, but if you are allergic then you should avoid sleeping with them.
Although it could be hard for you if you are addicted to sleeping with them you can make them more comfortable by providing them proper bedding system. You can also use a comfy dog bed which will be better for you as well as your dog.
Washing Hands Properly
The most basic thing to consider is to wash your hands frequently when you use any unwanted things or touch someone. When you interact with your dog you must wash your hand, using a hand sanitizer will not be enough as washing hands will be the best option.
You should thoroughly scrub your hand with soap and warm water as it prevents allergic reactions. People with any type of allergy must follow this to prevent any types of ill effects as when they touch them it’s obvious allergies may attack them.
Provide Actual Place To Your German Shepherd
This is another method that can let you live freely with your German Shepherd as when you provide that own space they can move only there and it will prevent them from walking here and there. When they move their fur may fall into a certain region and maybe you may feel an allergy.
Since German Shepherds are great guard dogs and are easy to train. They will follow you, the only thing you have to do is you will have to make their area where they can live and walk.
Providing them proper place will restrict them from walking all around your house. Keeping your German Shepherds in certain rooms will mall around free the area and no allergy can be caused so you can live happily with them.
Feed Your German Shepherd High-Quality Dog Food
Oh, yes. The nutrition of your dog is also highly important in reducing its hypoallergenicity. Giving your German Shepherd dog high-quality dog food will help them grow thick double coats and decrease shedding.
The development of dog’s coat is also influenced by feeding habits, thus German Shepherd owners must feed their dogs the best diet to help them build a thicker outer coat that will help them shed less dander.
Medicinal Remedies
There are many medicines available today to deal with allergies. In the medical field, there are many medicines to reduce allergies if you have any type of dog allergy.
Most dog owners want to live with their dogs but it’s difficult for people when they have an allergic reaction. The medicines will be a great option to deal with a pet allergy. If you have any type of dog’s dander allergy or pet allergy then meeting your vet will be a good idea.
You should also be careful before taking any type of pet allergy medicine as taking medicine all the time is not a great idea. You should take medication from your doctor to reduce your allergy so that you can live with your German Shepherds more comfortably and enjoy their company.
Final Thoughts:
German Shepherds are a great dog breed and most of you may enjoy their company but some of you may not be able to enjoy their company because of some pet allergy. You should also know that German Shepherds are not hypoallergenic dogs and they shed all around the year.
People with severe allergies may adopt a German Shepherd as their pet but you have to follow the tips that we have discussed above in this post. Grooming them well, keeping your shelf and house clean, washing hands properly before and after the interaction with your pet, vacuuming your carpet, and taking medicines will let you reduce allergies that can be caused by your pet.
Being German Shepherd lovers you should take proper care of your dog and if you have any type of allergy symptoms then take proper suggestions and advice before adopting them as you do not want to be an allergy sufferer.
Related Questions:
1. What is the #1 hypoallergenic dog?
Hypoallergenic dogs are those that can be more compatible with allergic people. The Labradoodle and Bichon Frise make wonderful hypoallergenic dogs. People who suffer from allergies tend to like both of these because of how simple it is to keep their coats.
2. Are there any dogs hypoallergenic?
Although there are less allergenic dog breeds that may be suitable for persons with pet allergies, no dog is completely hypoallergenic. Some of the dogs like Bichon Frise, Maltese, and Giant schnauzer or Irish water spaniel come in the category of less hypoallergenic dog breeds.