BF might be allergic to new puppy

alexisdawn · 02-08-2011

I have recently become the owner of a 7 week old, white, short-haired, chiweenie. I absolutely ADORE this little puppy (his name is Todd

)! Unfortunately my boyfriend thinks he may be allergic to this little puppy. He lives with two dogs at his house, a short-haired black lab and a long-haired australian shepherd/border collie mix. He does not have any issues with these two dogs but says that he has a hard time breathing when he is around my puppy. The puppy sleeps in the bed with us at night but literally does not move from my side when we sleep. My boyfriend also suffers from asthma.

Could he possibly be allergic or is it something else?

CorkyMax · 02-08-2011

No expert here but I just checked on the 'net' for allergy testing---Which is maybe the way for you to find out. I would think if he was allergic to any of those dogs--The Shepherd mix would be the most likely with the longer hair?! Here is one link from the net:Allergy Testing - Skin or Blood Allergy Test -- RAST There are a lot of links if you put--allergy tests allergic to specific dog--in your browser.

http://sweet-lucys.com/allergictodogs.html

cigwyllt · 02-08-2011

Sorry, I've never heard of a "chiweenie" - what sort of dog is it?

Sometimes people can be more sensitive to one type of coat rather than another, it depends on what they are allergic to. If you are allergic to the hair then a shedding breed will be worse than a breed that needs clipping. If you are allergic to dander then a long haired dog may be better as the fur forms a barrier between the skin and everything else. It is strange though that he has two different coated dogs of his own yet is allergic to your pup.

Without being too indelicate - were you sleeping together before you had the pup? Was he ok then? Or is it a new relationship that you started since getting the pup?

alexisdawn · 02-08-2011

A chiweenie is a mix between a chihuahua and a dachshund. We have been dating for over a year now and have slept in the same bed almost every night for almost as long...

I thought the same thing that if he were allergic, he would have reactions with the other dogs as well. Although I did speak my mom and she said that my brother had the same kind of issues with white colored cats...could it possibly be the color, as odd as that sounds?

lange · 02-08-2011

You should have waited until the pup was at least 8 weeks to bring him home.

It's saliva & dander that cause problems to people w/dog allergies. The length of hair doesn't determine whether it's good for allergy sufferers. The dogs that she more usually produce more allergens in the house. And the smaller the dog the less allergens. I would think your boyfriend should have more problems with the lab. He shows no symptoms with it?..that's weird. Also, what is a Chiweenie? I know Chi means chihuahua, does weenie mean dachshund or?

UPDATED: Could the problem be that your dog is leaving more dander in the bed & since your bf sleeps in the bed he is breathing in the dander more than in his own home? I don't think the color has anything to do with it.

cigwyllt · 02-08-2011

Ah right - a cross breed then?

If the problems have only come on since the dog arrived then you have to choose who to sleep with LOL!

DoggieVogue · 02-08-2011

Sometimes when someone lives with dogs they get used to their pet dander and the specific dog. I know that happens to me. I've gotten used to my cat but when I'm around other people's cats I get really irritated eyes and break out in hives. It's strange but I've gotten used to my own animals! Maybe he's just adjusting to the new dog. He can always go to an allergist for some helpful remedies. (make sure to wash your sheets frequently to rid them of the pet dander and hair, use an inhaler if he can't breathe well, claritin, etc)

alexisdawn · 02-08-2011

Funny thing though, we were dating when his roommate brought home the lab puppy and he never had issues with him...and he would bring the puppy in his room and sleep with him sometimes.

I may be being a little insensitive but I think he's being a little over-dramatic or maybe a little jealous that he doesn't get 100% attention all the time lol. Because last night I put the puppy next to my head when I layed in my boyfriends lap and maybe 5-7 minutes later he was complaining that he couldn't breathe so I got up and went to the end of the couch (it's not a very big couch) and he said he could breathe better?? I don't know, he's going to the doctor today to see what they say. He's been feeling under the weather for a long time and this "new development" may be just another something added to that!

CorkyMax · 02-08-2011

I was kind of wondering if it might be a jealousy thing but didn't want to say anything! You will be better off though if it is that instead of maybe having to give up the pup (or the boyfriend!) Hope things turn out for the best! At the least it is getting your boyfriend to go to the doctor to get checked out.

jameserickson80 · 02-08-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corky/Max

I was kind of wondering if it might be a jealousy thing but didn't want to say anything! You will be better off though if it is that instead of maybe having to give up the pup (or the boyfriend!) Hope things turn out for the best! At the least it is getting your boyfriend to go to the doctor to get checked out.

I agree with you. It might be jealousy that causes the problem. If he's allergic to dogs, he should not have any dogs after all but since he has 2, he's not having a problem dealing with it. I guess the coats and fur of the dogs are all the same.