Are Golden Retrievers Hypoallergenic? Tips for Managing Allergies

Are Golden Retrievers Hypoallergenic?

Golden retrievers are extremely popular dogs known for their friendly temperament and eager-to-please nature. However, with their lush double coats that shed seasonally, they are definitely not a hypoallergenic breed.

While no dog is 100% non-allergenic for people sensitive to dander and saliva, golden retrievers tend to be quite problematic with allergies. Their coats release more dander and they readily salivate and lick their fur and people.

Why Golden Retrievers Trigger Allergies

A key reason golden retrievers stir up allergies is their coat serves as a reservoir that traps and concentrates allergens like dander, skin oils, and saliva. As the hair sheds, these particles get released into the air and inhaled.

Their soft, feathery undercoat also captures and holds a lot of dander against the skin unlike some short-haired breeds that allow dander to release more easily. So there is constant allergen exposure indoors with goldens.

Other Allergenic Qualities

Aside from their heavy shedding coat that generates substantial dander, other allergy-provoking golden retriever qualities involve:

- Saliva that sticks to the dense fur and later dries into allergen particles when it falls off and gets suspended in air

- Skin oils coating the hair strands also flake off as dander triggering immune reactions

- Urine and feces with proteins that notoriously cause sensitivity responses when traces stick to their hair

- Fondness to jump up, lick people and rub against them further spreading allergens

Best Dog Breeds for People With Allergies

For those set on dog companionship but need to avoid allergies, these hypoallergenic breeds with low-shedding coats are ideal choices:

Poodle

A top recommendation, poodles have a fleece-like coat that catches minimal dander and sheds insignificantly. Their dense, curly fur also has less doggy odor from skin oils too.

Since nearly all poodle mixes (or doodles) inherit this no-shed quality, Labradoodles and Goldendoodles make suitable hypoallergenic picks as well.

Maltese

This ancient companion breed has long, straight, silky white hair that sheds little. Their small size also makes living with them in the house easier. Being fastidious self-groomers is another plus point.

However, tear stains under their eyes may catch pollen, mold etc. requiring frequent face washing. Regular coat brushing prevents tangles and minimal shedding too.

Schnauzer

Schnauzers have wiry coats instead of fur that only sheds negligibly. Hand-stripping or clipping their harsh top coat removes loose hair before it drops around living spaces.

Their minimal dander qualities come with low-dander saliva as well. So they can make quite tolerable housemates for allergy sufferers if brushed weekly.

Portuguese Water Dog

This energetic breed has become more popular after the Obama family chose one as a White House pet. A gorgeous silky coat that hardly sheds makes them a decent hypoallergenic choice.

Their single coat means no thick undercoat to trap dander and other allergens. But their love of swimming and playing in water means requiring diligent drying to prevent any musty smells.

Tips for Living With a Golden Retriever If Allergic

While not hypoallergenic, those wanting golden retriever companionship despite allergies do have some options to better coexist:

Commit to Extensive Grooming

Daily grooming that detangles their coat, removes dead hairs and massages skin reduces loose hair and dander in the environment. Bathing weekly or fortnightly removes allergens stuck to the fur as well.

Look into grooming services if personally grooming the golden proves difficult due to allergies.

Use an Air Purifier

Investing in a quality HEPA air purifier clears allergens floating around home air. Place them in rooms where the golden retriever spends most time such as the bedroom or living area.

Choose models with high CADR ratings for pet dander removal efficiency suitable to room size. Vacuuming twice weekly also reduces settled dander and hair.

Try Allergy Shots

Allergy shots build immune tolerance over time through controlled allergen exposure. Starting immunotherapy before getting a golden retriever puppy may prevent sensitivity from developing altogether.

Most achieve allergy relief in 6-12 months allowing comfortable coexistence. Some oral allergy medications also greatly reduce symptoms. Discuss suitable medical options with an allergist.

Bathe and Dry Thoroughly

Use lukewarm water and doggie shampoo gently enough not to damage their coat or strip healthy skin oils. Ensure to fully rinse off all residue and towel dry thoroughly before blow drying their dense coat.

Letting it air dry allows dampness to make dander and skin particles stick and build up faster once again intensifying allergies.

Keep Out of Bedrooms

As hard as it may be to exclude them, designating bedrooms strictly off-limits prevents prolong nighttime allergen exposure. Use baby gates, doors or crates to limit their access.

Wash all bedding frequently in hot water too. Alternatively, look into allergen barriers for mattresses and pillows if allowing them on beds.

Is There a Hypoallergenic Golden Retriever?

There is no natural golden retriever variant that is hypoallergenic or even low-shedding. But some breeders are attempting to develop less allergenic goldens through strategic crossbreeding.

Golden Retriever Poodle Mix

By breeding golden retrievers with standard poodles, the goal is to get Golden Doodles or Groodles with hopefully less dander and hair loss inherited from the poodle side while retaining golden personality.

But crosses can inherit coat qualities unpredictably. Reputable multi-generational backcrossing focusing on no-shed traits can increase hypoallergenic likelihood.

Labrador Golden Retriever Mix

Blending golden retriever with Labrador Retriever genetics can possibly produce lower shedding puppies. Labs shed moderately less than goldens to begin with.

However, this mix rarely achieves low shedding reliably. But their slightly shorter coat releases marginally lesser dander possibly making allergies more manageable.

Discuss breed-specific allergy challenges honestly with reputable breeders when seeking goldens or crosses ideal for allergy-prone families.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.