Bulldogs are medium-sized canines with lovable wrinkles.
Bulldogs belong to the American Kennel Club's non-sporting group of dogs. The coat of bulldogs is short, smooth and glossy, but the breed is not considered a hypoallergenic breed. Some people are allergic only to certain breeds. Bulldogs may produce allergies in sensitive people, but there are a few precautions that can reduce the allergic reactions.
The Culprit Allergen
People who develop allergies to canines present flu-like symptoms and itchy skin. These symptoms develop as a response of the immune system to an allergen, which in the case of dog allergies, is a protein that is shed in the dander, saliva and urine. Hair is not the allergen, so this means that short-haired breeds such as bulldogs are not likely to produce fewer allergic reactions. The allergen may be found in the dog's hair and also in the dog's environment.
Bulldogs and Allergies
Bulldogs are not listed by the American Kennel Club among the hypoallergenic breeds. This means that the dog doesn't produce a lesser amount of the protein causing the allergy symptoms. However, not all people who have allergic reactions to dogs are allergic to all dog breeds, so some people may be allergic to German shepherds but not to bulldogs. Certain bulldogs may also shed less dander, depending on their diet, grooming and health condition. Consequently, the only way to say if you are allergic to bulldogs is to live a few days in the dog's presence and check if you have any symptoms.
Hypoallergenic Breeds
Non-allergenic dog breeds don't exist. Hypoallergenic breeds are known to shed less dander and smaller amounts of the protein that causes allergies. If you suffer from allergies, you should consider choosing one of the following breeds: Bedlington terrier, bichon frise, Chinese crested, Irish water spaniel, kerry blue terrier, Maltese, Mexican hairless, poodles, Portuguese water dog, schnauzer and soft coated terrier. Being on the list of hypoallergenic breeds doesn't guarantee that a particular dog won't cause allergies.
Managing Dog Allergies
If you plan to buy a bulldog or you already have one and you display allergic reactions to your pet, you can manage your allergies. Talk to an allergist to establish if your reaction is indeed to dogs. A radioallergosorbent test is performed to pinpoint the culprit allergen. You may get immunization shots, which involve injecting small amounts of the culprit allergen in your body to train your immune system and reduce the severity of your allergic reactions. Over time, you should notice that your allergic reactions are milder. Meanwhile, ensure your bulldog gets a proper diet that doesn't cause excessive shedding and you should also bathe your dog more frequently to remove the allergens from the dog's coat and prevent these from landing on your furniture.
Tags: allergic reactions, American Kennel, American Kennel Club, culprit allergen, immune system, Kennel Club, less dander