So You Want a Hypoallergenic Dog

Well, technically, there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog. Contrary to popular belief, people are not allergic to a dog's hair or its dander but rather to a protein shed from the surface of the skin. Shedding spreads the protein and as a result causes an allergic reaction in some people. So, if a dog is low or non-shedding, it reduces the potential for an allergic reaction to this protein. (Saliva Allergies will react to any canine)

So, how do you find a low to non-shedding, allergy friendly dog with the temperament of a companion dog and without the hunting instincts of a terrier? Well, that's the dilemma I found myself in when I wanted a third dog. My husband is already very allergic to the two retriever mixes we have, so there was no way I could add another shedding, allergy generating dog to our pack!

I discovered that the answer to our problem was created 25 years ago in Australia and is call a Labradoodle! Labradoodles give allergy suffers a practical opportunity to finally own a dog. And Labradoodles are increasing in popularity, because they're very intelligent, playful, and depending on the Labradoodle - allergy-friendly dogs.

Now let's begin with the Labradoodles fascinating history. Their story starts in Australia. Now the exact date when breeding began is still a question, however the current view among experts is sometime in 1988 or 1989. It all started with an inquiry from a visually impaired women in Hawaii, who wanted a guide dog that wouldn't cause her husband's allergies to flare.

The reason why she chose Australia was the countries quarantine laws. Because of their laws, dogs exported to Hawaii could go home with no quarantine.

Now in response to the women's request, roughly thirty Poodle hair and saliva samples were sent to Hawaii to test for allergy friendliness over a two year period of time. Unfortunately, none on those original samples tested successful.

Following the unfortunate failure of those samples, a man named Wally Conren suggested to the Manager of the Australian Guide Dog Association to cross a Labrador Retriever and a Standard Poodle. Approval was granted and his first litter produced three puppies. Wally gave the resulting cross the name we use today--Labradoodle.

Now from those three puppies, hair and saliva samples were sent to Hawaii for testing once again. And this time, the samples from a puppy named Sultan were successful!

After the success of the first mating, Mr. Conren bred Labradoodle to Labradoodle, and called the subsequent offspring, "Double Doodles." But he wasn't done, because next he crossed the Double Doodles and called the offspring "Tri Doodles." These were the forerunner to what we call today the Australian Multi-Generational (or Multi-Gen) Labradoodles.

Because of their unique coats, Labradoodles typically have no body odor, they don't require constant bathing, and rarely attract fleas - which is great for all types of owners.

Certain Labradoodles are proving to be ideal for asthma and allergy sufferers, as wool and most fleece coat Labradoodles rarely shed. Labradoodles who have a hair-textured coat will shed, so are less likely to be suitable for allergy sufferers.

The continually increasing popularity of Labradoodles and Goldendoodles (a golden retriever/poodle cross) today has encouraged a slew of backyard breeders to jump on the doodle band wagon. So in order to get a healthy, allergy friendly dog for your family, it's critical to find a reputable breeder. In my ebooks 'The Definitive Guide To Labradoodles' and 'The Definitive Guide To Goldendoodles' I give readers the tools they need to evaluate breeders and find the best possible puppy for their family!