Dachshund is the 12th most popular dog breed in the US, based on the data of American Kennel Club. Moreover, dachshunds have a unique appearance that anyone can recognize. Furthermore, dachshunds have different sizes and coat types to choose from. However, are dachshunds hypoallergenic? If you suffer from allergies, you might want a dog that is less likely to trigger your allergic reactions. Let’s find out if a dachshund is the right breed for you.
Are Dachshund dogs hypoallergenic?
The American Kennel Club has a list of hypoallergenic dog breeds. However, no dog breed is entirely hypoallergenic for very sensitive people. Dander that is attached to a dog’s hair is usually what causes dog allergies in about 10% of the US population. Some breeds are just less likely to trigger allergic reactions according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. Dachshund is a popular dog breed that gives you 3 different coat types to choose from. But, they might still trigger allergic reactions to some very sensitive people. Luckily, there are other coat types of dachshunds to choose from which might be less likely to trigger your allergies.
Dachshunds are not considered hypoallergenic by the American Kennel Club. However, since they come in different coat types, you might just find a dachshund that is right for you. Allergies can be triggered by a lot of different things. Moreover, allergies also vary in severity, so if your allergies aren’t very severe, you might be able to tolerate a dachshund at home. Proper grooming of your dog and cleaning your surroundings may also reduce your chances of allergic reactions even if you have a dachshund at home.
What are the different coat types of Dachshunds?
Unlike other breeds with only one existing coat type, the dachshunds have three coat types for you to choose from. These different coat types may or may not trigger your allergies. Dachshund is not hypoallergenic per se, but if you know your allergies quite well, then you might be able to tell if these dachshund coat types are tolerable for you. The dander of dogs is usually the culprit behind dog allergies in people, so the dachshund coat type which sheds the least also produces less dander.
Short-haired Dachshund
The short-haired dachshund is the most common coat type that you can easily obtain from most breeders in the US. In addition, their coats are very short and smooth that makes them a low-maintenance coat type since you don’t need a regular trip to your groomer to get your dog’s fur fixed. Besides, it is also very easy to dry a short-haired dachshund. You can also brush a short-haired dachshund once a week to avoid loose hair from sticking to the furniture
The short-haired dachshund has a minimal undercoat which also means that they shed less. Moreover, less shedding means less dander that causes allergies among sufferers. So, if you have allergies, you might be able to tolerate the presence of a short-haired dachshund when bathed and brushed properly. Short-haired dachshunds are very easy to care for and you just have to bathe and dry them regularly with occasional brushing to minimize shedding and spread of allergy-causing dander.
Long-haired Dachshund
Long-haired dachshunds have an undercoat like fleece and a wavy outer coat. This type of dachshund does very well in colder weather due to its thicker coat. However, this is bad news for allergy sufferers. Long-haired dachshunds shed the most among all three types. On top of that, this dachshund coat type also undergoes regular heavy shedding a few times a year. During these times, long-haired dachshunds would have to be brushed several times a day to avoid fur and dander from spreading throughout the house. Moreover, you might need to use a vacuum cleaner after grooming, so the fur does not spread in the house.
You might need regular trips to your groomer to makes sure that the fur of long-haired dachshunds is cared for properly. In addition, groomers also use silicone or specialized bath mitts to minimize the shedding. But, it can still be too much for allergy sufferers to tolerate. If you are an allergy sufferer, the long-haired dachshund might not be the right dog for you.
Wire-haired Dachshund
Wire-haired dachshund is the most difficult coat type to manage, especially if you have allergies. This coat type has the same undercoat as the long-haired dachshund, but it has a short, rough and dense undercoat which is more difficult to manage overall. If you are an allergy sufferer, stay away from this coat type since it might regularly trigger your allergies during their moderate to heavy shedding stages which happens more often in this dachshund coat type.
Among the three dachshund coat types, the wire-haired dachshund needs more grooming. Moreover, the facial hair of the wire-haired dachshund demands extra attention, so it would not interfere with the dog’s daily life. If you are a fan of doggie kisses, you might also mind the wire-haired dachshund’s facial hair. On top of that, if you are an allergy sufferer, then the wire-haired dachshund’s facial hair might trigger some discomfort.
Which Dachshund coat type is less likely to trigger allergies?
Dog’s fur is not really what causes allergies in humans, but the dander which is often attached to it. Moreover, if a dog sheds less and produces less dander, then it is overall better for allergy sufferers. In the case of the dachshunds’ coat types, the short-haired dachshund is the best bet for allergy sufferers who still want to care for the breed.
Conclusion
Are dachshund dogs hypoallergenic? Dachshund is not a hypoallergenic dog breed. However, the smooth-coat dachshund sheds less and is less likely to cause allergic reactions among allergy sufferers with proper grooming and maintenance. Also, if you have allergies and you own a dog, a vacuum cleaner might be very useful even if you decide to own a smooth-coat dachshund.
