Are Springerdoodles hypoallergenic? It does feel as if getting a hypoallergenic dog is becoming more common, and with the number of people with allergies also increasing, it’s easy to see why.
People have a tendency to jump for any type of Doodle dog because they hear that they are better for people with allergies. But is that actually the case? If so, how does it apply to the
Springerdoodle, and is there anything else you should know about this subject before you potentially buy a puppy, or adopt an adult dog?
What is a Springerdoodle?
Knowing the origins of the breed can often prove to be helpful when it comes to knowing as to whether or not they are likely to be hypoallergenic. In this case, what you have is a dog that combines a Poodle with an English Springer Spaniel.
Now, with this breed, there is little doubt that what you get is something that is exceptionally cute to look at. Any images of this breed will melt your heart, and it’s easy to see why people want to own one.
Add in the fact that they have such a wonderful temperament, are loyal, full of fun and wonderful when it comes to being a family dog, and you are onto a real winner here.
But that’s not why we are here. Instead, it’s easy to read all about their amazing personality, but we have a specific point. Are they hypoallergenic, and are they good for people with allergies?
Are They Hypoallergenic?
So, onto the big question, but the answer is perhaps not as precise as you would like. In a sense, they are hypoallergenic, but not as much as the Poodle.
This is clearly because of the Springer Spaniel that makes up part of their genes. That dog is not hypoallergenic, so it sort of waters things down when paired with a Poodle.
What this means for anyone with an allergy is that the Springerdoodle is better than some breeds, but there is still a chance you could suffer from some of your allergies.
What you need to do is to think about this hypoallergenic thing as being on a sliding scale. If that is something you can picture, then the Springerdoodle is certainly pretty far down on the side of dog breeds that are hypoallergenic.
However, they are not at the absolute top end. That is pretty much reserved for the Poodle, but then that is why so many dogs are paired with the Poodle, which is why there are so many Doodle breeds of dogs now in existence.
So, the Springerdoodle is indeed pretty hypoallergenic, but this does involve some additional explanation before we can offer you conclusive reasons as to why a Springerdoodle may be the best breed for you. Well, at least from an allergy point of view.
What Do We Mean By Hypoallergenic?
This is perhaps our time where we dispel some myths surrounding the concept of a dog being hypoallergenic.
No dog is going to ever be 100% hypoallergenic, even though the Poodle does get pretty close. This is a surprise to some people, and it’s all connected to what we mean by being hypoallergenic.
People think this only refers to hair and fur, but that’s not true. In fact, it refers to dander, and every single dog in the world is going to produce some dander. However, the levels do vary between breeds.
That is because dander refers to dead skin cells. Every dog produces dead skin cells, but some produce more than others. That is where the discrepancy lies, and why some breeds are viewed as being ‘hypoallergenic’ and others are not.
But we need to stress that point once again. No dog in the world can ever be 100% hypoallergenic. It just cannot happen. In saying that, you can certainly take steps to reduce the potential for a reaction, but first we need to go back to this issue about dander.
More About Dander
As we just mentioned, every dog produces dander in various amounts. The dander will sit on the skin or on their coat. As they walk, some fall off or fly into the air. If they shake, as dogs are prone to do, then more dander is then dispersed. If they scratch, then you already know what is going to happen.
Basically, pet dander ends up getting everywhere. It is unavoidable, and that is where people tend to have a problem. In that sense, it really is like our own skin and how bits fall off without us even knowing.
What we are saying is that, if you look around, at dust in your home, then some pet dander is going to be included in that. Also, if that’s just the stuff you can see, then how much is around that you cannot see?
It’s Not Just Skin
But there is one other area that can trigger allergies in people with dogs, and it’s their saliva. As you will know, every single dog will also produce saliva. It’s a natural thing. But then, the amount of saliva a dog produces, and also how much they drool, does vary by a huge amount.
Some dog breeds are known to be droolers. It sometimes feels as if drool is falling out of them on a constant basis. So, a dog that does that cannot be hypoallergenic, and it is bad news for allergy sufferers if they also produce an excessive amount of dander.
Of course, it stands to reason that dogs that drool all over the place will then leave that drool everywhere in your home. It’s easy to come into contact with it, so it’s no surprise that allergic reactions would then occur on a regular basis.
Back to the Springerdoodle
But what you have here with the Springerdoodle is a breed of dog that borrows so much from the Poodle aspect, and that is great news. A Poodle is known to produce very little in the way of dander and drool, so you are really onto a winner here.
The Springerdoodle does produce a small amount of drool, but this is primarily around feeding and if they are overexcited. Clearly, you cannot avoid the feeding part, but the drool thing won’t be a major issue at all.
However, as we will point out later, there is something that could change just how hypoallergenic your dog is going to be. It will be an important point for anyone prone to the sorts of allergies we are talking about here.
Where There is a Problem
The main issue here is the shedding and dander levels of the Springerdoodle. Their coat is pretty thick and wirey, and it does require regular grooming to keep on top of things.
Without the correct grooming, their coat will become matted, and that is where additional problems can arise.
But regular grooming can also help reduce the dander issue, and that can be good for anyone with allergies. The fact that they do not tend to suffer too much from skin issues is an added bonus.
Removing the dander from their coat with regular grooming, which may be as often as four or five times a week, will make a significant difference.
However, if you suffer from allergies, then this is certainly not something you want to be doing even with a Springerdoodle. It’s not worth stressing yourself out with it.
An Additional Tip
Look at getting an F1 Springerdoodle. What that means is you have a first generation purebred Poodle and English Springer Spaniel. That gives you a precise genetic makeup in the dog, so you know exactly how hypoallergenic they are going to be.
If you do not own an F1 Springerdoodle, then the quantity of Poodle or Springer Spaniel is unknown. It may be the case you have a dog that is 75% Poodle, and that would be great if you had allergies. This would result in them being even more hypoallergenic.
However, you could also have a Springerdoodle that is 75% Springer Spaniel. In that instance, they would be less hypoallergenic as they would have more genes from the Springer Spaniel.
That would make life harder for people with allergies as their coat and dander would be more closely aligned to the Springer Spaniel. That would lead to an increase in the things you could be allergic to.
So, getting an F1 puppy is the best way to understand exactly what is going on at all times.
Overall Conclusion
So the Springerdoodle is hypoallergenic in a sense, but not as much as the standard Poodle. However, it does mean they can help individuals suffering from allergies, so all is certainly not lost.
In a sense, they are not that different to other Doodle breeds where the Poodle aspect plays the key role in making them better breeds for people with allergies.
But do keep in mind that no dog is 100% hypoallergenic. That is just impossible, and it’s something to be aware of. In saying that, a Springerdoodle is a wonderful dog to own, and you certainly will not react as badly as you would have done with other breeds.