OT--Less allergenic dogs?

Jeff Reardon

Jeff Reardon

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I've been thinking about a hunting dog. Both the wife and I are fairly allergic, so are looking into breeds we can check out and see if we react. Just from riding in the car with friend's dogs, I know that springers, labs, and wire-haired griffons are all out.

A few breeds keep coming up as possibilities--Irish Water Spaniels, Standard Poodles, American Water Spaniels, and Vizslas.

I'm thinking a Vizsla would be perfect for woodcock and partridge, but probably not the dog for Maine duck hunting.

From what I read, an Irish Water Spaniel might be just what I'm looking for, but they seem very rare. I'd definitely need to check one out and see how we react to it. There don't seem to be any breeders in the northeast I can find.

I'm sure I can find a Standard Poodle, but finding one from hunting stock might be a tough order.

Any thoughts on these breeds would be most welcome--particularly where in Northern New England I might find an IWS to check out.

My intent would be a mix of about 50/50 upland and duck hunting. Having grown up with Springers, a flushing dog is fine by me, though I'd be perfectly happy to hunt over a pointer so long as it was also a good water dog.
 
If wirehaired griffons are out then I think you are going to have trouble finding one. Maybe try a field bred poodle or water spabiel but that's about it. Pudelpointers are suppose to be good but have a coat similar to Griffs.

I can tell you from experience that Vizslas do shed a lot and are just like any other short haired dog. They can have dry skin and I believe it is the dander that triggers allergies.
I haven't had my Vizsla for 15 years now and have moved. I bet I could still find some of his hair if I looked hard. They are nice dogs but getting one from good hunting stock takes some research.

Look to see if there is a NAVHDA club or a spaniel club in your area. Ask if you can visit a training day, that should be a good way to see several breeds at once.

Tim
 
Jeff,
Glad to hear American Water Spaniels are on your list. I am a very proud owner of an AWS. They are absolutely great dogs. Terrific upland hunters and duck dogs. In reference to your allergic reactions......my niece is allergic to just about everything,but sleeps on the couch with our AWS with no problems when she comes to visit. If interested look up Gerda Smith from Wine Country Kennels. She is located the Finger Lake Region of NY. She will talk your ear off about the breed and may be able to help you find a breeder near you if she is too far away. She is easy to find on Face Book.
 
Jeff, I've judged some of the most qualified poodles at hunt tests and would not recommend them. The ones I've seen are good on land but not good on water. They don't really like the water and tho the can pass some of the tests they are weak and not enjoying themselves. AWS may be your best shot. My wife works for a Vet and said to ask the breeder about stomach issues before you buy your AWS . Wife or I have never seen an Irish. Good luck, John
 
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I've been thinking about a hunting dog. Both the wife and I are fairly allergic, so are looking into breeds we can check out and see if we react. Just from riding in the car with friend's dogs, I know that springers, labs, and wire-haired griffons are all out.

A few breeds keep coming up as possibilities--Irish Water Spaniels, Standard Poodles, American Water Spaniels, and Vizslas.

I'm thinking a Vizsla would be perfect for woodcock and partridge, but probably not the dog for Maine duck hunting.

From what I read, an Irish Water Spaniel might be just what I'm looking for, but they seem very rare. I'd definitely need to check one out and see how we react to it. There don't seem to be any breeders in the northeast I can find.

I'm sure I can find a Standard Poodle, but finding one from hunting stock might be a tough order.

Any thoughts on these breeds would be most welcome--particularly where in Northern New England I might find an IWS to check out.

My intent would be a mix of about 50/50 upland and duck hunting. Having grown up with Springers, a flushing dog is fine by me, though I'd be perfectly happy to hunt over a pointer so long as it was also a good water dog.
Click to expand...

Wow, that is quite the allergy. Great to hear that you are thinking about a pup - one of the best thing going, sorry that it can't be a lab :).

Good luck in your search.
 
Jeff:
An option might be a kennel dog. Sounds like any dog in the house is a problem. I kept dogs in a kennel when my kids were young, and I was able to have good relationships with them, and train them. Hunting dogs in the house, even a lab was more than my wife could cope with, and she likes dogs.

(I also note I grew up with two setters in the house in the late fifties, and while my mom loved dogs, I think the combination of the dogs and two young children were the genesis of my parents divorce in in l960s. So you don't want to go there.)

Most hunting dogs can tolerate all weather in the Northeast if the kennel is dry, beds are properly prepared and wind is not an issue. You can supplement with light bulbs and heaters if you feel necessary. I kept setters throughout the coldest weather for twenty years in upstate New York; dogs were fine. I almost think that they are healthier outside--anecdotal observation only.

So build yourself a kennel, and buy a water dog that appeals to you--with proper breeding, and train 10-15 minutes day, and have a blast.
 
Pudelpointers have been around for a long time. They are not a designer dog. They are a thoroughbred hunting machine. They shed little, and are a very intelligent, easy to train dog. You should have room to let them run. They are one of the Drathaar foundation breeds. They are very fun to have around. I have had one for about 10 years now. Needed something that didn't shed as bad as a lab. I researched dogs for over a year. Then breeders for about the same time. What I came up with you can't go wrong with a NAPPA Pudelpointer. All the NAPPA breeders work together for a common goal. I got mine from, http://cedarwoodgundogs.com/ great people. And if you go to the NAPPA Pudelpointer sight you can see if there is a breeder close to you. http://www.pudelpointer.org/ If your a hunter and want a great pointing dog this is a great place to start. All my next pups will be Pudelpointers. He keeps my wife and I laughing everyday.
 
I will second what Curt said,our PP is about 7 mos. Great companion good in the water points everything loves people and other dogs. His new coat is just coming in very little shedding.
 
Having allergies I have had a poodle from a hunting breeder. Dog was junior retriever title and force fetched. Did everything I asked of him on water and land, geese, ducks even upland. Only problem i ran into was coat was not waterproof. He would break through the ice but later in the blind his teeth would be chattering.
I would look into the PP,
PM me if any questions come up
 
Thanks, all.

I think I need to check out at least an Irish Water Spaniel and a Poodle for the allergy test. Maybe I'll add the Pudel Pointer to the mix. I know I can find Poodles and Pudel Pointers locally. Anybody got a line an a Maine/NH/Mass IWS I could rub my nose into?

As for a kennel dog, I have considered that, but if I can't find something I can tolerate as a family dog, I'll keep hunting dogless. The more I read about the IWS, the more I like. I'll start doing PP research too.
 
Human allergic reactions to pets are not really a function of hair type or shedding, for the most part. It is the "dander" from sluffing skin that is the principal issue. Yes, some "Stuff" on their hair can cause allergic reactions, but they are not related to exposure to the hair itself.

http://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/allergies/pet-allergy.aspx
 
RLigman--Thanks. I've done a LOT of reading on allergies.

From experience, I can tell you that there is no difference for me between a wire-haired griffon and a lab or springer.

I think finding any dog I can live with is a long shot, but would like to give the coarse-haired breeds a test before I give up for good. I do have some friends who have dog allergies who say they don't react to poodles at all.
 
Have you met with an allergist? Might be worth it, especially with the joy a pup brings ....
 
I've hunted with guys that have Griffs, GWP's, and I had a Viszla before I got the PP, the Viszla had a very thin coat and always had skin issues and a lot of dander and hair loss, the first week that we had her I had a horrible reaction and my eyes swelled shut, with meds and time I guess I adjusted to it. The PP has a very unique coat, much different than other wire haired breeds that I've seen, the PP breeders call it a "Teflon" coat and it's hard to describe until you get your hands one, and I have not had an allergy issue in the 10 years I've had him. He has a ton of prey drive which can be a handful, but is an absolute rockstar gundog and has had 100's of Pheasants, Woodcock, Ducks, Geese and Turkeys shot over him, most of them pointed and/or retrieved.
 
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