You’ve been dying to get an Aussiedoodle. But you also know you have pet allergies. So, you’re wondering, are Aussiedoodles hypoallergenic and shed?
The answer is more packed than you probably think it should be.
But, yes, technically, Aussiedoodles are hypoallergenic! And do they shed? Of course, they do.
However, they’re a low-shedding breed. And it’s why they’re generally thought of as hypoallergenic dogs.
Still, there’s more to the story than meets the eye.
A dog can still be a low-shedding breed and cause allergies!
What Are Dog Allergies?
Many people erroneously think that having dog allergies means being allergic to the dog’s fur.
However, if someone has dog allergies, their immune system doesn’t respond well to certain proteins the dog secretes.
All dogs secrete protein.
These proteins can be found in the dog’s saliva, urine, and dander (dead skin flakes).
The allergens are, therefore, in the proteins that the animal secretes.
So, when the dog’s dander finds its way into a sensitive person’s eyes or lungs, it may trigger an allergic reaction.
Again, a dog’s saliva may trigger an allergic reaction if a person’s immune system is averse to proteins found in the saliva.
Consequently, it isn’t the dog’s fur that people are usually allergic to.
Rather, they’re allergic to the allergens in the dog’s saliva, urine, or dead skin cells.
Are Aussiedoodles Hypoallergenic And Shed? What Are Hypoallergenic Dogs?
The masses often misuse the term ‘hypoallergenic’. And we’ll find out why shortly.
When people say an animal – or a dog, for that matter – is hypoallergenic, they’re trying to say the dog doesn’t cause any allergies.
However, this proposition isn’t accurate.
The term ‘hypo’ means ‘less than normal’ or ‘beneath.’
Effectively, therefore, ‘hypoallergenic‘ means the chances of the dog or animal triggering allergies is low.
It doesn’t mean that the dog cannot cause allergies. The distinction is important as we’ll soon find out.
Consequently, therefore, hypoallergenic dogs are dogs that are less likely to cause allergies in people.
Why Are Hypoallergenic Dogs So Popular?
In the U.S., about 70% of households own at least one pet.
Research also shows that about 10% to 20% of the world’s population suffers from pet allergies.
Studies also indicate that approximately 44.7% of pet-owning households keep dogs.
Despite their dog allergies, some people want to keep and raise dogs.
Most of these people, thus, are inclined to search for and buy hypoallergenic dogs.
To take advantage of the situation, many breeders are quick to slap the hypoallergenic tag on the dogs they sell.
Usually, these dogs are simply low-shedders.
But, it, of course, makes more market sense to brand the dogs hypoallergenic.
Are Low-Shedding Dogs Hypoallergenic?
A dog that doesn’t shed much is hypoallergenic, right? Wrong!
The narrative out there seems to suggest otherwise, nonetheless. And for a good reason, as we’ve already shown.
Many people equate a dog’s propensity to shed fur to its likelihood of causing allergic reactions.
So, low-shedding dogs are typically classified as hypoallergenic breeds.
But, this isn’t always true.
As we’ve already found out, it’s not the fur that triggers allergic reactions.
Instead, the dog’s dander acts as a vehicle for certain allergens.
Usually, the dog’s fur collects the dander. And when they shed their fur, the dander gets into the airwaves, causing allergies when it enters your orifices.
What’s more, dog saliva also contains allergens. If you’re allergic to the proteins they produce, then contact with the saliva may cause a reaction.
The same applies to dog urine.
Consequently, all dogs produce allergens. And low-shedding dogs aren’t necessarily hypoallergenic.
What Is An Aussiedoodle?
It’s important to have at least a fair idea about the parent stock of the Aussiedoodle.
That way, we can understand why they’re termed hypoallergenic.
The Aussiedoodle is a mixed breed created by crossing the Australian Shepherd and the Poodle.
When dog owners mated the Poodle and Australian Shepherd, they initially called their offspring Australian Poodles.
Later, people coined the term Aussiedoodle after the breed had gained massive popularity across the U.S.
Are Australian Shepherds Hypoallergenic And Shed?
If we’re going by the widely-used meaning of the term hypoallergenic, then Australian Shepherds aren’t hypoallergenic.
Australian Shepherds are considered moderate to heavy shedders.
The reason is their thick double coat and the long furs they sport.
But we’ve already established that it’s not the furs that cause allergies.
However, a dog that sheds as highly as the Australian Shepherd will regularly release more dander than a low-shedding dog.
The chances of an allergic reaction are quite high with the release of more dander in your living environment.
Are Poodles HypoAllergenic And Shed?
Poodles are quite the opposite of Australian Shepherds when it comes to shedding.
While Australian Shepherds have a double-layered coat, Poodles have just a single layer.
What’s more, Poodles sport hair and not fur! So, rather than fall out like fur does at a certain point, Poodles’ hair simply grows and grows much like human hair.
The only instance where hair falls is when there are some drastic hormonal issues.
As a result, Poodles are very poor shedders.
With Poodles, therefore, the issue of dander is virtually non-existent.
Do Aussiedoodles Shed?
Of course. Just like any other dog breed, Aussiedoodles shed.
Generally, however, an Aussiedoodle will not shed as much as other breeds.
This quality largely has to do with the breed’s genetics which invariably affects the texture of its coat.
As we said, Australian Shepherds are moderate to high shedders because of their double-layered wavy coats.
On the other hand, Poodles barely shed because of their single-layered curly coat.
Consequently, whether the Aussiedoodle sheds as little as or levels above the Poodle will depend on which side of the family the dog inherited more.
Therefore, an Aussiedoodle that leans more towards its Poodle heritage will also have curlier than wavier hair.
Coupled with Aussiedoodles generally sport a single coat, an Aussiedoodle with curlier hair will have very low shedding tendencies.
So, while an Aussiedoodle with wavier hair may shed a tad excess of what an Aussiedoodle with curlier hair may shed, the former is still considered a considerably low-shedding dog because of its single-layered coat.
What Aussiedoodle Generation Should You Get?
So, now you know how an Aussiedoodle’s genetics influences its shedding propensities.
But do you know the specific Aussiedoodle generation you should bring into your home?
Knowing the dog’s generation will give you great insight into the dog’s potential for shedding.
As we’ve said, it’s not the dog’s fur that causes allergies. It’s the dander attached to the fur that causes the allergies.
So, if you or any family member suffers from dog allergies, it makes sense to bring home a dog that’ll shed less fur and, consequently, less dander.
We think if you desire a low-shedding Aussiedoodle, you should go for an F1B, F1BB, F2B, or F2BB Aussiedoodle.
An F1B Aussiedoodle results out of backcrossing.
This generation results when you cross a first-generation Aussiedoodle/F1 (.i.e., a cross between a purebred Australian Shepherd and a Poodle) back with a purebred Poodle.
Theoretically, F1B Aussiedoodles should have 75% Poodle genes and 25% Australian Shepherd genes, making them less prone to shedding.
An F1BB also results from backcrossing an F1B Aussiedoodle and a purebred Poodle. F1BB Aussiedoodles also shed poorly as their DNA is 87.5% Poodle.
The F2B results when you cross a second-generation Aussiedoodle/F2 (.i.e. a cross between two F1 Aussiedoodles) with a purebred Poodle.
Theoretically, F2B Aussiedoodles should have 62.5% of Poodle genes. So, they’re also less likely to shed.
Of all the second-generation Aussiedoodles, the F2BB has the largest Poodle genes.
You get an F2BB by mating an F2B Aussiedoodle with a purebred Poodle.
As a result, F2BB Aussiedoodles should possess a DNA that’s 81.25% Poodle. So, they’re less likely to shed than F2B Aussiedoodles.
Are Aussiedoodles Hypoallergenic?
So, are Aussiedoodles hypoallergenic?
If you mean Aussiedoodles can’t cause allergies by being hypoallergenic, then that isn’t an accurate assessment.
After all, all dogs produce allergens.
Studies indicate that there are currently six allergic proteins that dogs produce – Can f1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.
As we’ve already re-iterated, these allergens exist in the dog’s saliva, urine, and dander.
What’s more, no dog breed is particularly exempt from these allergens. And while a person can be allergic to any of the six allergens mentioned above, it’s largely Can f one that triggers allergic reactions in most patients.
Interestingly, recent research has found that the bulk of dog breeds classified as hypoallergenic have higher levels of Can f 1 in their hair and coat compared to control breeds used for the experiment.
So, while dander extracts from Golden and Labrador Retrievers were lower in Can f 1, the allergen concentration was higher in the Poodle!
If the research is anything to go by, it means that supposed hypoallergenic dogs can cause allergies just as much as non-hypoallergenic dogs can.
However, if you mean Aussiedoodles are less likely to cause allergic reactions by hypoallergenic, then you may be right.
Still, it’s not a completely accurate assertion.
It’s true that Aussiedoodles, like most hypoallergenic breeds, may not shed as much fur and, therefore, as much dander.
Nonetheless, they still produce saliva and urine.
These still contain allergens that may trigger an allergic reaction in a sensitive person.
Allergy Reduction Strategies
If you suffer from pet allergies, does it mean you can’t keep an Aussiedoodle?
No, it doesn’t!
After all, less shedding means fewer exposure rates to dander!
Here are some ways to further reduce dog allergens in your home drastically!
First, you should bathe your dog at least twice a week.
Regular baths remove dander from the dog’s skin/hair, reducing allergens by as much as 84%!
You might want to wear a mask when bathing the dog if you have dog allergies.
Next, restrict the dog from entering places like your bedroom. You spend chunks of your time sleeping there.
The last thing you want is the uncontrolled infiltration of dander and allergens in your sleeping space.
Also, if you can help it, you should limit the dog’s movement to specific locations in the house.
What’s more, carpeted floors easily harbor dander. You should, therefore, avoid using them.
Plus, they’re not as easy to clean as hardwood, vinyl, or concrete floors.
Lastly, always thoroughly wash your hands immediately after handling your dog.
Final Thoughts
So, are Aussiedoodles hypoallergenic and shed?
First, yes, Aussiedoodles do shed. But not as much as other dog breeds like the Australian Shepherd.
It’s why the masses regard them as hypoallergenic!
However, there’s no such thing as a 100% hypoallergenic breed. All dogs, including Aussiedoodles, produce allergens.
Nonetheless, they’re low shedders of fur and dander. So, they’re still one of the best options if you’re looking for a hypoallergenic dog.
Remember, though, that the F1B, F1BB, and F2BB are your best bet!