With over 400 dog breeds, every breed happens to have its very own set of characteristics. These may range from looks, personality traits, grooming needs, and instincts. This makes some dogs suitable for particular owners and none more so than hypoallergenic dogs.
If you wish to be a dog parent, but you appear to have an allergic reaction around canines, it’s best to go for hypoallergenic breeds. One such hypoallergenic breed is the Yorkshire Terrier.
What Are Hypoallergenic Dogs?
Several people suffer from allergies that are chiefly triggered by pets. This can present a massive barrier for animal lovers to become a dog parent. In such a situation, it’s best to adopt a hypoallergenic breed. Stay aware that no dog breed is 100% hypoallergenic, but some are less likely to awaken your allergy symptoms than others. These dogs fall in the category of ‘hypoallergenic.’
Yorkshire Terrier: Distinctive Features
Yorkshire terriers are also known as Yorkies. They belong to the toy terrier group and can be described as adorable and energetic pooches with small stature and long, silky hair. Yorkies do not salivate excessively, and their non-shedding coat makes them suitable for people who are allergic to dogs. In addition to this, they are intelligent and easy to train.
These characteristics make them one of the most desired or popular dog breeds of the current times.
Are Yorkies Hypoallergenic?
To answer your question, Yorkshire Terriers are hypoallergenic. Getting a dog suitable for one’s health is essential to avoid any unwanted reactions. However, just because Yorkies are hypoallergenic, it doesn’t mean that you will never develop allergy symptoms. No dog is ‘purely’ hypoallergenic, only less-allergenic for sufferers.
During allergy season, even Yorkies can trigger your sinuses. Below are a couple of reasons that might explain why this happens.
How Do Yorkies Trigger Sinuses?
Although Yorkies come under the category of hypoallergenic breeds, they can trigger sinuses in some instances. Most allergy reactions are likely to be mild. Here are the most common reasons how Yorkies can irritate your nasal cavities.
Dry skin and dander
If your Yorkie has dry skin and dander, your sinuses can get inflamed. Dander and skin flakes can really end up everywhere and that is why it’s so insidious. Wherever your dog walks, sleeps, or plays, it can shed dander that eventually triggers an allergy.
You can combat this problem with a good skin and hair routine. Keep your Yorkie’s skin soft and moisturized to prevent flakes. Brush them on a regular basis to get rid of flakes, dander, and hair.
The Issue of Drooling
As mentioned above, Yorkshire Terriers do not drool. However, if your Yorkie is a jolly one that enjoys licking you or your face, stay away from the saliva as it can trigger allergies.
It might also be a good idea to pick up your dog’s stool on a regular basis and also wash the chew toys to avoid the accumulation of dry saliva on them.
Exposure to Parasites and Fleas
If your Yorkshire Terrier is exposed to fleas or parasites, the chances of you having allergic reactions are high. Fleas usually attack dead or dry skin. It may lead to excessive itching and burning on your dog’s skin. This problem is most likely to raise the levels of airborne allergens as well.
How To Know If You Are Allergic To Yorkies
Allergic reactions, caused by Yorkies, are usually not severe. But, before adopting a Yorkshire Terrier, it’s highly recommended to test your allergy levels around the breed.
How? Well, the answer is pretty simple and fun! Try spending a few hours with a Yorkshire Terrier. This time may be in a nearby dog shelter, a friend’s, or a relative’s house.
If you seem fine, a Yorkie is a good option for you to adopt! However, if your allergy rears its ugly head, you should take a step back.
Below are a few symptoms you might expect:
- Excessive sneezing
- Rashes on the body.’
- Nausea
- Digestive issues
- Facial pains
- Watery eyes
- Itchy throat
A Quick Summary
Yorkies are hypoallergenic dogs. However, no dog is fully hypoallergenic and even the cleanest Yorkies can trigger allergies in their owners. It is thus best to test the severity of your allergy before bringing the dog home. You can do this by visiting a dog shelter or a friend’s house. If your allergies flare up despite the dog being hypoallergenic, it’s best not to adopt this breed.