Renowned for their sunny disposition, friendly temperament and high energy levels, Goldendoodles continue to grow in popularity among dog lovers everywhere. But did you know that the breed was actually developed in the late 1960’s out of a need for a new type of service dog? This mixed breed dog was also intended to be compatible with people who suffer severe allergies. Because Goldendoodles’ lineage is part Golden Retriever and part Poodle, they boast the best qualities of each breed – affectionate, easy to train, intelligent, and well, just people-lovers! These cheerful fur babies make excellent companions to folks who seek a canine with boundless energy – but what about individuals who seek a pup who’s also easy on allergies? This article will focus on the ‘hypoallergenic’ breeds, and why a Goldendoodle may make a great option for dog enthusiasts seeking a new furry addition to the family. 

Are Goldendoodles Hypoallergenic? Understanding The Terminology

In reality, there is no such thing as a “100% hypoallergenic” pet – since the real culprits behind human allergies are actually doggie dander, urine and saliva, not fur or hair, all dog breeds have the potential to incur allergies in people who suffer from them. However, there are certain canine breeds, including the Goldendoodle, who are less apt to aggravate human allergies, particularly because they’re half Poodle.

Poodles are notorious for their short-haired, fur-like curly coat (they don’t have an undercoat like other breeds), and as a result, they don’t shed at all. While Golden Retrievers are ‘shedders’, the cross-combination of the two breeds typically results in a Goldendoodle pooch whose dominant genetic coat traits resemble his Poodle lineage. In other words, the less hair being shed, the less dander (the catalyst that triggers allergic reactions in people) is in the environment – and consequently, Goldendoodles are less apt to spark an allergy attack.  In short, a more accurate terminology for such dogs might be ‘allergy-safe’ versus ‘hypoallergenic’. A Goldendoodle may therefore be the ideal four-legged friend for pet parents who require a dog that’s not likely to cause them to sneeze and suffer from canine allergies.

Helpful Tip: For prospective pet owners considering adoption, be sure to check the Goldendoodle’s lineage – if possible, find out from the breeder or shelter if both of his parents were Goldendoodles, since he’ll have a higher chance of being ‘allergy-safe’ if both the mother and father were Goldendoodles.

Identifying Human Allergies: How To Know If You’re Allergic To Dogs

While most people know at a fairly young age if they’re allergic to animals – either by visiting another person’s home with dogs or cats, petting a friendly pup at a park, or other similar encounters – the only true way to identify one’s allergies is by visiting an allergy doctor. During an initial consultation, the physician will perform a series of tests to identify and rule out environmental, seasonal and food allergies. However, the average person can usually identify whether or not they’re allergic to a dog simply by how they react in their presence – in other words, if they start to sneeze, cough, have difficulty breathing, experience a skin reaction (in the form of a rash, hives or itchy sensation, etc.) or other similar symptoms, they most likely have an allergy. Keeping this information in mind, chronic allergy sufferers who truly want to become a dog owner must weigh the pros and cons carefully before becoming a forever pet parent.

Fortunately, outside of human allergy medications or other similar treatments, there are actually several dog breeds that shed the least and that fare better with people who have allergies, including the Goldendoodle. Research has shown that even people who are typically allergic to dogs can live quite comfortably with a Goldendoodle, since they reported milder symptoms and fewer reactions to the breed. 

Goldendoodle Grooming: How To Reduce Allergy Attacks

For pet owners with allergies who’ve decided to take the plunge and adopt a Goldendoodle, one of the best ways for allergy sufferers to keep their attacks to a minimum is regular house cleaning. However, many experts agree that routine grooming can also reduce allergy attacks and the symptoms associated with pet allergies. 

Here are a few helpful tips to keep Goldendoodles looking and feeling their best while protecting allergy sufferers in the household:

• Frequent Bathing: Besides keeping a pooch’s appearance up (and ensuring he smells good, too), regularly bathing your dog can also aid allergy sufferers. By removing the dead skin, dander, dust mites and other irritants found on the dog’s coat, it helps lessen the severity and frequency of allergy attacks.
• Daily Brushing: Brushing one’s pet is not only a great bonding experience for both owner and dog, but can also aid in minimizing the occurrence of allergies. By distributing the natural oils throughout his coat, it keeps his hair cleaner & healthier, while extracting loose hairs, dirt, and dander. It also prevents the formation of hair matting in dogs, which can not only be painful for any pet, but also lead to canine skin infections.
• Routine Trips To The Groomer: No matter how often a dog is washed and brushed, he’ll still need a trip to the groomer regularly to maintain the proper coat length. Goldendoodles’ coats grow quite rapidly, so they’ll need frequent trips to the groomer – some owners may feel comfortable grooming their dogs at home, while others prefer to leave it to the pros. In any case, maintaining a Goldendoodle’s hair at the appropriate length will not only keep him healthy and happy, but also keep allergies at bay.

In summary, regular housing cleaning and keeping the family Goldendoodle well-groomed, clean, and brushed on a routine basis will keep both allergy sufferers & pooches feeling their very best.

Sources Cited:

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2. By Whitney. “Are Goldendoodles Hypoallergenic?” Doodle Doods.com, May 17, 2019, https://doodledoods.com/are-goldendoodles-hypoallergenic/. Accessed September 25, 2019.

3. Are Doodles Hypoallergenic.” Safari Doodles.com, (no publish date), https://www.safaridoodles.com/about-doodles/are-doodles-hypoallergenic/. Accessed September 25, 2019.

4. By Sunan. “Scratch Dog or Not – Are Goldendoodle Dogs Hypoallergenic?” HypoAllergenicPaws.com, January 20, 2019, https://hypoallergenicpaws.com/goldendoodle-dogs/. Accessed September 25, 2019.