Allergists’ Suggestions on ‘First Dog’
Mar 17th, 2009 | 4 responses
Washington Post: Congressman Touts Shaved Golden Retriever for First Dog
There’s been no shortage of advice at the annual gathering of allergists here in Washington when it comes to the Obama family’s hunt for a hypoallergenic First Dog.
The pressing issue of the would-be first pooch has dominated hallway and cocktail conversation during the five-day meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, which ends today.
The doctors have varying opinions on what breed the Obamas should choose in light of eldest daughter Malia’s allergies, but they all agree: there is no such thing as an allergy-free dog.
“There is a hypoallergenic dog. It’s called a cat,” jokes Rep. Steve Kagen (D-Wis.), an allergist who was elected to Congress in 2006.
Allergist Daniel Ein:
“‘Hypoallergenic’ is a relative term,” Ein explained further in an email Monday. “It means that it is less allergenic, not non-allergenic. So the safest dog is no dog; next safest, a stuffed dog; and then, someone else’s dog.”
Rep. Kagen:
…shared his unsolicited and biased opinion with first lady Michelle Obama on Inauguration Day before the start of the swearing-in ceremony. “Get a golden retriever and shave it,” Kagen says he told Mrs. Obama, who, according to the congressman, hasn’t come back to him for more advice.
opinions powered by SendLove.to
4 Responses to “Allergists’ Suggestions on ‘First Dog’”
Just $.02.
Why not get the dog and keep it outdoors in a specially-made kennel where the kids can come and romp with it, take it for walks and whatnot without the dander getting in bedding, clothing and furniture? We don't allow our dogs indoors and actually if the animals have never been indoors their whole life they become quite uncomfortable and hot inside. The fresh air seems to keep them in top form and very happy.
I don't know how severe Malia's allergies are, but the vast majority of people with pet allergies can coexist just fine if they follow a few simple steps. Don't sleep in the same room as the pet. Bathe the pet frequently (there are even special shampoos which help remove excess dander). Keep the pet's area and bedding clean (I'm sure there's no shortage of WH staff to see to this.) Use HEPA air filters in the home.
Now, perhaps she really is one of the few individuals who can't tolerate any dander at all, but in that case the allergists are right- there are no true hypoallergenic dogs (the breeds generally thought of that way have low allergenicity, but that's basically the same as what I described with any breed that is bathed frequently.)
Better yet, keep the dog outside in Doghouse 1. No dander in the house at all that way.
Silhouette- some breeds don't do well outdoors all of the time and a lot of families would find that they don't bond as well to a dog when kept outside. Plus, a lot of people with allergies are also going to have seasonal outdoor allergies, and in those cases an outdoor dog would just be impossible for them to be around (the pollens and molds are carried on the fur.) That's why generally it works well to keep the dog indoors and bathe it very frequently.