According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, an astounding 90% of people living in the U.S. would test positive for an animal allergen.
Anyone who has suffered through the congestion, sneezing, and itchy eyes can tell you it is not a fun thing. The American Veterinary Medical Association tells us that over 38% of U.S. households own a dog, averaging 1.6 dogs per household. That is a lot of allergies.
One of the things that makes Goldendoodles such an excellent choice, especially for allergy sufferers, is that they shed less than most dogs. Contrary to popular belief, it is not the actual hair that people are allergic to. It is the proteins found in the saliva, urine, and dander (or dead skin cells). When a dog sheds, the dander is caught in the hair. This is what causes an allergic reaction.
Why are Goldendoodles good for allergy sufferers?
If a person has or develops an allergy to dogs but still wants a loyal companion, what makes Goldendoodles so great for them? Simply put: less shedding. This isn’t saying that Goldendoodles don’t shed. All dogs do. Even a human with thick, luxurious hair is going to find some strands in the brush.
Poodles mixed with Golden Retrievers create Goldendoodles. Many consider Poodles to be hypoallergenic because they don’t drop hair all over the place. But they do shed. Instead of the fur getting on the furniture or all over the floor and carpet, it gets tangled in the surrounding hair.
To avoid matting, a Goldendoodle should be groomed every six to eight weeks. This gets rid of the trapped hair and the associated dander that can lead to an extended period of misery for an allergy sufferer.
If there is a higher percentage of Poodle in the Goldendoodle’s parentage, it will spread less fur and associated dander around the house. Goldendoodles with curlier coats, more in line with their Poodle heritage than their Golden Retriever relations, manage to shed less hair than other dog breeds.
Types of coats common to Goldendoodles
Poodles have curlier fur that tends to trap dander-coated hairs within the coat. Golden Retrievers have double coats—an outer layer of long, flat or wavy hairs, and an inner layer of dense hairs that helps protect against the elements.
Since a Goldendoodle takes on the characteristics of its parents, he will have one of three coat types: straight, wavy, or curly. This will impact the “hypoallergenic” qualities of the dog. The curlier the coat, the better it will be at keeping the dander and hair trapped.
Always remember that brushing or grooming your Goldendoodle on a regular schedule not only removes dead hair and dander, it also prevents certain skin diseases and evenly distributes natural oils that keep his coat clean and healthy.
Grooming benefits both you and your Goldendoodle
Not only is keeping your Goldendoodle groomed going to help him stay healthy, it is also going to strengthen the bond between you and your companion. He will start relishing the time he spends with you, and this will help you relax after a long day.