Tiny Chihuahua Sleeps On Top Of A Large Great Dane

This tiny Chihuahua named Kizzy loves to nap on her bigger sister Dayna the Great Dane.

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Though we may be a small breed we have big personalities. We thrive on attention and are very loyal to our owners.

While some of us are feisty, others are more timid and shy. We are considered to be excellent companions and great for first-time pet owners.

However, we understand that allergy sufferers have to be very cautious about the breed that they choose because some can trigger unwanted reactions.

Chihuahua

If you are an allergy sufferer but love chihuahuas you are likely wondering whether we are hypoallergenic or not.

Before we answer the question, we must first discuss what the term hypoallergenic means. A hypoallergenic breed refers to one that triggers fewer allergic reactions than other breeds.

The intensity in which we dogs shed will be a determining factor in deciding how hypoallergenic we are.

Chihuahua

At this point we should inform you that no dog is considered to be completely hypoallergenic, however, you will find some that shed significantly less than others so they are considered to be more allergy-friendly. 

Pet dander tends to be the biggest trigger of human allergies. This refers to the tiny, microscopic flecks of skin that we shed.

It will linger in our hair forcing the immune systems of allergy sufferers into a reactive state. Some dogs shed more dander than others.

Other people may be allergic to the protein found in our urine or saliva. Determining which type of allergy that you have is super handy in assessing whether a specific breed is suitable for you. 

So now the answer to the question, are chihuahuas hypoallergenic? Unfortunately, we are not considered to be a hypoallergenic breed as we shed a moderate amount of hair.

It’s worth noting that there are two varieties of us available, short-haired chihuahuas like myself and long-haired chihuahuas.

Chihuahua

Those of us with short hair are much easier to groom and because of this, it is much easier to manage our dander. If you are a mild allergy sufferer who loves us as a breed, we are the best option for you. 

Long-haired chihuahuas require regular grooming to remove the build-up of dander and prevent it from spreading. Unfortunately, if it is the dander in our hair that you are allergic to, a long-haired chihuahua isn’t going to be the best choice for you. 

If you suffer from allergies that are triggered by dog saliva or urine, introducing any breed of dog into your home isn’t advised.

As we have mentioned, our dander tends to be the biggest trigger of most human allergies but the effects of such reactions can be minimized by grooming us regularly.

Keeping us in a clean and healthy condition will remove our dead skin and the dander that we are about to shed. If you suffer from a mild allergy it is possible for us to overcome such issues so that we can happily reside together.

Chihuahua

I’m happy to be bathed every month using a specific anti-dander shampoo. I’ll also need to be brushed but you should do this outdoors so there isn’t a risk of my hair clinging to the furniture.

You’ll also need to hoover quite often to remove any traces of my fur on the floor or furniture. As much as I’d love to spend all my time with you, I also appreciate that you may benefit from having a room specifically for you which is off-bounds to me.

This will provide you with an area where you can escape that is completely free of any dog traces (just remember to shut the door after you or you may catch me sneaking in for a nap on the sofa).

You can also try using air filters or purifiers as they will catch the allergens that I emit into the air so that they present a lower risk to you.

Although I can’t blame you for wanting to stroke my smooth coat all of the time, you should remember to wash your hands after doing so.

Even though you may not be able to see it, my dander can stick to your hands, so proceeding with your day while it still lingers on your skin means that you are much more likely to experience a reaction of some kind.

Chihuahua

What breeds of dogs are the worst for allergies?

Some dogs are definite no no’s when it comes to allergy sufferers. Saint Bernards and Bulldogs in particular are considered to be the worst because of their saliva.

If it’s the saliva that you are allergic to, you aren’t going to be in with much luck when it comes to either of these breeds.

Can you build an immunity to dog allergies?

You sometimes hear of humans becoming immune to us dogs or even growing out of their allergies. If this applies to you, you may find that there are many dogs that you can live with that don’t trigger any reactions.

However, it’s worth noting that this isn’t guaranteed and can differ between humans. Some of you may be suffering from allergies that will only worsen when you are regularly exposed to us.

Why do chihuahuas shed so much?

We shed all year long although there are certain times of the year where we shed more than others and this typically tends to be during the spring and summer months when the weather starts to get hotter.

Due to the warm weather, we don’t require as much insulation. Although we are known to shed our fur, in comparison to other breeds, we do not shed our fur as intensely.

Final Thoughts

Unfortunately, we are not hypoallergenic dogs, but you will struggle to find a dog that is completely hypoallergenic and this is because of the intensities in which we shed.

While seems breeds shed heavily, there are some like us chihuahuas which shed a moderate amount and others that shed much more lightly.

There are ways of controlling the amount of dander that I shed so that it is possible for us to live happily together.