The myth of hypoallergenic dogs (and cats)

Abstract

William Osler, the father of American medicine, said ‘‘The practice of medicine is an art based on science.’’ The article by Vredegoor et al entitled ‘‘Can f 1 levels in hair and homes of different dog breeds: lack of evidence to describe any dog breed as hypoallergenic’’ gives credibility to Osler’s admonition. Sound science is fundamental to good medicine, and it is important for physicians and other health care professionals to use this science to provide quality care for their patients and to teach families to better care for themselves, in this case to understand that there is no such animal as a hypoallergenic dog. What pertinent information can be gleaned from this article? First, the authors compare so-called ‘‘hypoallergenic dogs’’ (labradoodle, poodle, Spanish waterdog, and Airedale terrier) with ‘‘nonhypoallergenic’’ dogs (Labrador retriever and a control group composed of 47 different nonhypoallergenic dog breeds and several crossbreeds). The authors sampled dog hair and coat, settled floor dust, and airborne samples. The article demonstrates that Can f 1 levels in hair and coat samples are significantly related to the breed, although high variability occurs within individual breeds. Can f 1 levels are significantly higher in hair and coat samples in dog breeds considered hypoallergenic, and they are no less allergenic than any other dogs. Although there is some variation in other characteristics, such as whether the dog was bathed, none of these parameters had significant outcomes on the conclusions of the study. These data are confirmed by another study, published in July 2011, which examined dog allergen levels in homes of hypoallergenic versus nonhypoallergenic dogs. It, too, indicates that there is no evidence for differential shedding of allergens by dogs grouped as hypoallergenic. Second, the allergic symptoms of all persons 6 years of age or older living in the homes of dog owners also were elicited. Most