Are Whoodles Hypoallergenic?

If you, or someone in your family suffers from allergies, then getting a ‘hypoallergenic’ dog may be a good option for you.

Are Whoodles hypoallergenic? Whoodles are generally accepted as being hypoallergenic as they are the result of crossing a Poodle and a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, both of which are low-shed and are also considered to be hypoallergenic.

But ‘hypoallergenic’ is a somewhat miss understood word.

People assume that a hypoallergenic dog means it will never cause an allergic reaction. This is not true.

Hypoallergenic simply means that it is less likely to produce an allergic reaction. So, if you have an allergy to dogs you may or may not have an allergic reaction to a Whoodle. It all depends on how allergic you are.

Here’s a short video that explains what the Whoodle breed is all about:

How To Choose A Hypoallergenic Whoodle

It’s important to note that to get the most hypoallergenic Whoodle you need to get a first or second-generation Whoodle.

After that, they start to be a little less reliable in the hypoallergenic department. First-generation means the Whoodle’s parents are a Poodle and a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier. Second-generation means the Whoodle came from two first-generation Whoodles.

It’s also worth noting that a Whoodle bred with a Poodle is more likely to be more hypoallergenic than a second-generation Whoodle.

What is a Whoodle?

A Whoodle is a designer breed. It is a mixture between a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier and a Poodle.

Whoodles are generally friendly, playful, very active, and can be headstrong at times. They love to play and be around their people.

This breed requires plenty of exercise and a walk daily. Adding in plenty of fun play sessions is important too. Whoodles may also like to engage in fun activities like agility or flyball.

Whoodles are usually great with other dogs and pets, as well as, children. This is especially true if the Whoodle, like any dog, is well socialized as a puppy.

As far as grooming is concerned, this is a fairly high-maintenance breed. They require daily brushings. Trimming the coat every 2-3 months is also a good idea.

Whoodles usually grow to between 10 and 20 inches tall with a weight range of 20-45 pounds and have an average life span of 12-15 years.

Just like any crossbreed, you should be aware of possible health concerns. Whoodle’s can suffer from eye infections, retinal atrophy, kidney disease, and Addison’s disease.

Can a Whoodle be hypoallergenic?

No, there is no such thing as a 100% hypoallergenic dog.

If you suffer badly from dog allergies, then even a ‘hypoallergenic’ Whoodle is likely to affect you.

Indeed even a hairless breed might affect you. But not all dogs affect all allergic people, individuals will react differently to different dogs.

If you are around a dog and start to experience a skin rash, a runny nose, nasal congestion, itchy watery eyes, sneezing, coughing, or tightness in your chest and shortness of breath you might have a dog allergy.

Allergic reactions to a dog are caused by the proteins that dogs have in their saliva, urine, and dander. These proteins are known as Can f 1 and Can f 2.

These proteins are most concentrated in a dog’s saliva, so if you are allergic don’t let a dog lick you. The protein is also present in a dog’s urine and dander. Fur often gets dander stuck to it, so fur can also be a carrier of this protein.

A study was done in which the homes and fur of different breeds were tested. The dogs in the study included hypoallergenic and regular dogs. What did they find? Hypoallergenic dogs actually have more Can f 1 in their fur than other non-hypoallergenic dogs!

The study also looked at the homes of the dogs, testing the air, and dust from carpets and floors. They found that there was no significant difference between hypoallergenic breed homes and non-hypoallergenic homes. They both tested the same.

Why are some breeds labeled “hypoallergenic” then?

Breeds that are labeled hypoallergenic typically shed less or are hairless. This means that they are going to produce less dander and fewer allergens in your home.

An interesting thing to note is that by this definition smaller breeds could count as hypoallergenic. This is due to the fact that they are smaller and create less dander. While most big dogs are going to create a lot more dander.

How to minimize an allergic reaction To a Whoodle (or any dog!)

If you suffer from a mild dog allergy, you can greatly reduce your symptoms by reducing and eliminating the allergens before they can affect you.

1. Reduce the amount of allergens on your Whoodle

If you are generally allergic to dogs, but still really want a dog, it is a good idea to visit breeders before you buy a puppy.

Just because your best friends Whoodle causes no issues with your allergies, doesn’t mean that all Whoodles won’t. So, visit the breeder and hang out with their dogs as long as possible and see if you have a reaction. As mentioned earlier, variations in particular cross breeds can result in varying amounts of allergens being produced by the dog. You might get lucky and come across a breeder that is breeding a more ‘hypoallergenic’ dog.

If you already have a Whoodle living with you, it can help if you can reduce the amount of dander on his body.

Daily brushings outside can be very helpful in reducing the amount of loose hair and dander on the dog. If your dog likes it, you can actually vacuum them (very gently!) to help reduce the dander they have.

Bathing can also be a helpful option, but be sure not to bathe your Whoodle too often. Most dogs should not be bathed very often, as it can wreak havoc with the natural oils in their coats, it’s better to getting into the habit of brushing the coat on a daily basis.

2. Take precautions around your home

It’s also a good idea to not let your Whoodle on the furniture or sleep with you. This will reduce your exposure to the his dander. Having a dog-free room or two can also help so that you can get away for the dander if necessary.

You can also reduce the amount of pet hair and dander in your home with these tips. First, vacuum daily with a vacuum that has a HEPA filter. These filters capture any allergens in the air and keeps them from recirculating into the environment. You can buy HEPA air purifiers as well, this might be a helpful investment for you.

Reducing the places that the dander and fur can hide or cling to is a good idea too. Replace carpet with wood floor, take down any heavy drapes, replace fabric-covered furniture with leather. The smoother the surfaces the less likely it is that fur will get stuck to them.

3. Take precautions when around dogs

If you have allergies and pet a dog, avoid touching your nose, eyes, or mouth when you’re around your dog.

Also avoid letting the dog touch your face. No face licks, please!

It can also help if you wear a dust mask and gloves. This can be particularly helpful when you are brushing the dog or cleaning areas where he hangs out.

There are a variety of medications and prescription medications that you can take if you want to go that route. But they also come with a long list of known side effects.

If you suffer from dog allergies but are dead set on having a dog, a diet change might help. No, not changing your dog’s diet. Changing your diet!

While no studies have been done yet the internet is awash with people that claim a particular diet such as the ketogenic doet can help with allergies. Many people who have switched to this diet have found that their allergies seasonal, pet, or other are significantly reduced or gone. If you think a diet change could help, then speak to your doctor about it before making any changes.

In Conclusion – Are Whoodles Hypoallergenic?

Yes, they are.

However, they can still cause allergic reactions. Hypoallergenic simply means that they are less likely to cause an allergic reaction. There are no dogs that cause absolutely no allergic reaction.

Dog allergies are caused by certain proteins in dogs, Can f 1 and Can f 2. These proteins are concentrated in the saliva and urine of dogs. They can also be found in dog dander and on dog fur.

That being said, hypoallergenic dogs are usually low to no shedding dogs, or even hairless. Also, some small and mini breeds can count as hypoallergenic due to their diminutive size.

There are many steps that you can take to reduce the number of dog allergens in your home.

Brushing your dog daily can help, especially if you brush them outside. Daily vacuuming can reduce the amount of fur and dander in your home. Changing to smoother surfaces vs. stickier surfaces in your home can help too. For instance, putting in hardwood in place of carpet and leather furniture instead of fabric.

Some say that switching yourself to a ketogenic diet may also help to reduce allergies. Paying attention to your gut health and fixing any issues there can help too.

If you have a dog allergy there is hope!