Siberian Huskies are some of the most world wide sought after breeds, known for our intelligence, strong builds, and mighty wolf-like features.
We have been bred by humans for decades to help pull sleds, work in packs, keep our owners safe, have great resilience to the harsh weather conditions in the Siberian tundra.
This is why we have the most paw-some, thickly furred, double coat.
Whilst our coats are impressive, and made to survive arctic weather, as a domesticated dog, you will notice that our fur will go everywhere in your home.
This can make some paw-tential owners wonder whether huskies are hypoallergenic, and whether we are a suitable breed for their home.
I am the expert to ask on this topic, Siberian Huskies are my favorite breed of dog, seeing as I am one.
Are huskies hypoallergenic?
Huskies are not hypoallergenic dogs. We are sled dogs, with thick coats to match our working dog roles, and so we are not suitable for those with allergies or aversions to fur.
Hypoallergenic is a way to describe things that are less likely to cause an allergic reaction, yet my fur is more likely to be in the air in many homes, as I shed my thick coat often.
The American Kennel Club has placed myself and other kinds of dogs on a list, that shows which of us are safe and hypoallergenic, and which of us are more likely to trigger an allergic reaction!
If you are looking for a canine companion that is hypoallergenic, and will not irritate your nose or allergies, then I am not the furry friend for you!
Whilst there are some dogs that are less likely to cause allergic reactions, us huskies are nowhere near that list.
This is because, in most cases, dog fur and hair can be the cause of an allergy, and so a breed that does not shed often will be an excellent choice for those humans.
That being said, it is often the dander stuck in our fur that sets off many allergies.
Luckily, this should not be a problem for you, as I do not want to be petted as much as other breeds. I was made to run, explore the wild and howl.
Do huskies shed a lot?
The reason we are not hypoallergenic dogs is because we have two magnificent, thick, furry coats called a double coat. Also, our hair is medium length and gorgeous.
Our outer coat is made with coarse hair that will protect us from the harsh weather conditions of Russia and sub-zero temperatures, whilst our inner coats are soft, and thick to help us retain body heat.
With such a thick, luscious coat of fur, we shed a moderate amount all throughout the year. My human gets a scary vacuum machine out a lot. I chase it every time, but it always comes back the next day.
Despite my best efforts to keep my coat, us Siberian Huskies will blow our undercoats two times a year, typically before a season change, and we shed constantly!
This is to ensure that we look as beautiful and majestic as ever, with only the fluffiest, most pristine coat of all the breeds.
During our shedding season, our humans will need to brush our hair daily to remove any dead fur, or there will be much more of my coat floating around the home, which will make humans sneeze and sniffle when I am near.
As we shed all around the year, and blow our coats twice a year, us Siberian Huskies are not hypoallergenic dogs to have.
What helps huskies from shedding
Unfortunately for you humans, we shed a lot, and it is inevitable. As one of the fluffiest, breeds there are, we huskies will need to lose our fur, especially in warmer climates.
You should remember that you can never ever shave our beautiful fur coats, as this could lead to matting, bald patches, and uneven growth of our top and undercoats.
The best way to keep our coats maintained and looking grr-eat is to brush our coats regularly.
When our owners call us high maintenance, we mean high maintenance. My fur needs careful care and attention, and you will have to brush it frequently.
During non shedding seasons, you will have to brush my fur once a week, but I recommend that you brush it daily to ensure that your clothes and floors stay clean!
Luckily for me, I do not have to be bathed often, as my coat does not typically produce excess oil, and my fur remains relatively clean, because I just shed it so often.
But, if you want to stop excessive shedding, then you will have to feed me only the finest treats, kibble and snacks, and please, only use the best grooming tools, and groom me as much as possible.
Can you be allergic to a hypoallergenic dog?
There really is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog, as we all have fur, dander, and we all tend to lose our fur. This means that even lesser breeds, not as mighty as I, who do not shed their fur, can still give you allergic reactions.
You should keep in mind that no dog is 100% hypoallergenic as we all have fur. What hypoallergenic dogs are, are just breeds that are less likely to cause an allergic reaction in a human.
Some humans must avoid petting me, as my fur-iendly nature is what gets them covered in my thick fur coat.
However, humans can still be allergic to even the most hypoallergenic dogs, as most dog allergies stem from not just our furs, but the proteins that are found in our saliva, urine and dander.
Therefore, if you want to keep your allergies at bay, you must refrain from patting me, and I will try to refrain from kissing you.
Summary
Us Siberian Huskies are some of the most popular dog breeds there are, and for good reason. We are beautiful, with big thick coats and extremely proud and loyal natures.
We work in a pack, and we protect our humans as one of our own. However, not all humans love us for our thick fur coats, and some can be allergic to us, as we are not hypoallergenic dogs.
