Is it true that Havanese Dogs are Hypoallergenic?
Are Havanese Hypoallergenic?
Yes, Havanese Dogs are Hypoallergenic. The Havanese dog breed is a non-shedding dog, and it is considered a hypoallergenic dog. There are various grooming and clipping styles for the Havanese to maintain a clean coat. The Havanese breed typically lives 15 years on average and is a sturdy little dog breed with few major health concerns.
What You Need to Know About Havanese Dogs and Allergies
A hypoallergenic dog won’t negatively impact someone who is allergic to dog dander, the same as with hypoallergenic cats, like the hairless sphynx. If you are thinking about adopting hypoallergenic dog breeds or a hypoallergenic dog but are worried about their long hair and your dog allergies, you are in luck.
Your filter has led you to the Havanese, and now you are making sure, are Havanese hypoallergenic?
Despite this happy little pup’s silky coat, it is classified as being a hypoallergenic dog.
Are Havanese hypoallergenic?
Yes, they are!!
This means it is ideal for those who can’t own pets that have a lot of dander in their hair. Cute, fluffy, and totally hypoallergenic, a Havanese dog or a Havanese puppy is the perfect long-time companion for someone who suffers from allergies.
The first thing you should do before getting too excited and running to your nearest pet shop is to consult your doctor.
What about Shedding?
Even though a Havanese is hypoallergenic and low shedding, it will still shed a little, just like other shorthair breeds that still shed a small amount. If your allergy is too severe, you might be better off adopting a molerat or something that doesn’t have any hair. Because while the Havanese’s shedding is minuscule, there is still dander on their hairs.
This word of advice goes to people with allergies looking to adopt any breed. Check to make sure your allergy is mild enough to handle a hypoallergenic animal of any kind. It’s not just about fur, it can also be about saliva. The fur is a big deal for some not only for allergies but also for fur clean-up. Both the Fur and the saliva can carry allergens which is what affects people. Allergens can transfer in the air or be carried on the hair and saliva. Allergens are what make you feel your allergies.
With that piece of advice out of the way, it’s time to talk more about the Havanese dogs If your allergies will handle its scant shedding and you decide to adopt one, you should know there is going to be a lot of brushing involved.
It is critical that you brush your pup regularly to catch any of its dead hair before they can shed. T
his will reduce your chance of having an uncomfortable allergic reaction by a lot. Brush gently once a day or once a week, but make sure you don’t forget.
Why Are Havanese Dogs Hypoallergenic?
You may be wondering what makes a Havanese hypoallergenic, or a hypoallergenic dog breed?
At this point, you are probably curious how a fluffy dog like the Havanese is able to be hypoallergenic and low shedding. This can be summed up in two unique qualities this lovely animal has which sets it apart from other hypoallergenic dog breeds. The first is that the Havanese does not drool copiously as some dogs do.
Also Read – The Havapoo Mix
Many people don’t know this, but what humans are generally allergic to is the dog’s dander and saliva. Because the Havanese keeps its yucky saliva in its mouth, this isn’t a problem for people with allergies.
The second is the dog’s coat itself. Their coat is double-layered, silky smooth, and hardly sheds a scrap of hair. This means it produces way less irritating dander in comparison to other various dogs.
You won’t get an allergic reaction to dander because there won’t be any floating around the house like specs of dust. These positive aspects of the Havanese are what makes it so beloved by allergy sufferers all over the world.
No Dog is Truly Hypoallergenic
It is important to understand that no matter what anyone says, no dog is 100 hypoallergenic, even the Havanese hypoallergenic dogs, or something like the Coton de Tulear. Pet allergies are a real thing, dog’s saliva is a real thing, trapped hair is a real thing, a friendly lick is a real thing.
That said, the Havanese and other “hypoallergenic” dogs like the labradoodle or the poodle do possess traits (like we’ve already discussed) that will not evoke nasty reactions in people with pet allergies.
And Because all dogs will shed their hair in one way or the other, let’s take a closer look at how the Havanese sheds its hair in such a way that doesn’t cause allergic reactions, therefore making it “hypoallergenic.”
The reason a dog’s hair sheds is the same reason human beings shed their skin. Old and already dead hairs fall out to make room for new healthy hairs, just like our old crusty skin flakes off to be replaced by new skin.
The reason a poodle or a Havanese is considered hypoallergenic is because of how their coats are textured.
When the old hair falls out, rather than just slipping onto the floor or onto your nice couch cushions like a retriever’s hair would, they get caught inside the external coat. They have an inner coat and an outer coat, and the outside coat acts as a filter. The dead hairs get trapped in a net of… well, hair. This is how they don’t shed as other dogs do.
Having Said That…
The reason my wife got our little Havanese Nessie is that she has allergies and this dog was an option. Her allergies are not an issue with Nessie.
Although sometimes Nessie farts and I wonder…
Even a Havanese puppy is hypoallergenic, and that means when you get your Havanese puppy you won’t get allergies. Your skin cells will thank you.
Pet allergies are on a sliding scale. They are not a one size fits all. Dog allergens affect pet owners in different ways, Havanese owners know this as well. The dog’s saliva, silky coat, curly coat or dirty hair mats can still affect you if you have really bad allergies. This is for extreme cases though. Most people who are allergic to dogs won’t be allergic to Havanese.
Do I Need to Brush My Havanese Dog?
Absolutely, yes. Because of what we just talked about, a Havanese dog must be groomed constantly. The dead hairs that are trapped in the outer coat filter must be removed or they will, eventually, fall out and possibly cause an allergic reaction.
Worse than this, if your Havanese isn’t brushed on a semi-daily basis, their gross dead hair will get ensnared inside the outer coat. Their hair will matt and get nasty. We’ve all seen this before with lazy dog owners and their scruffy, matted dogs. This can be hugely dangerous for the dog because their clumpy, unkempt hair can rub their skin and open wounds, which are then susceptible to infections.
The hair will eventually need to be cut out with scissors to keep the dog from sustaining further injuries.
Short-Haired Havanese Dogs
Believe it or not, there are actually some breeds of Havanese dog that carry with them a mutation in their genes that gives them a short coat. Most Havanese has a long silky coat, but these “mutants” are born with a trimmed and neater coat. The problem with this for people who suffer from allergies is that shorter hair means more shedding.
It’s good to be aware of this when adopting a Havanese. If it has short hair, beware of the dander and shedding. Of course, since this is a mutation, the chances are pretty slim of you ever happening across a short-haired Havanese dog unless you are looking for one.
All things considered, Havanese are one of the best (and only) long-haired dogs for people who have dog allergies. Friendly, loyal, and happy, a Havanese will be your best hypoallergenic friend for a full fifteen years if you treat them with love and care.
FAQ
Do Havanese Dogs Shed?
No, Havanese do not shed. This dog Breed’s genetics and breed characteristics are such that they do not shed. They are known for fast-growing hair and will still need to either get a haircut or be groomed regularly. Wiki
I live with a Havanese dog and I can definitely vouch for this. They do not shed. Our dog Nessie is quite active and will run around the house. She also has access to all the areas of the house, for example we let her on our bed. We have no worries about dog hair, and generally we do not have any clean up from her. I have lived with a number of other dog breeds like labs, Aussies, Boxers and bird dogs all of which shed, and some like crazy. If you are looking for a non-shedding easy going dog this is the one.
Do Havanese Dogs have Allergies?
Ok, so we spent some time looking at this dog breed for human allergy sufferers, how about the breed itself? The Havanese breed does not have any allergies. However, Havanese like many other dogs have been known to have what is called atopy which presents like eczema and can sometimes present as an allergic reaction including breathing difficulties and itching. Link
Our dog Nessie does not suffer from any allergies. She can basically eat anything and go anywhere and be ok. She doesn’t have any skin irritation from food or during the spring.
Are Havanese Dogs High Maintenance?
It really depends on what you consider high maintenance. Due to this dog breeds, hair growth and grooming need some people will think that is high maintenance. In reality, it is just simply something that you look after. I recommend getting a puppy cut every 8 weeks and make sure they cut the ear hair and you will be fine. You just need to make sure their tail doesn’t get any mats.
Other than that these little beauties are pretty low maintenance. If you decide to keep their hair long, you will definitely have a bit more work on your hands with this dog breed.
Other articles you might like – we have an article on this dog breeds maintenance – click here
This question gets asked a lot by people who want to know what kind of input they have to put into their dog. I get it, people want to know if a dog is going to require a lot of time and energy and money to keep them healthy. Some people want an easy dog that doesn’t require anything and there are some out there but there are very few dog breeds like that.
With the Havanese, you are going to get some maintenance, but honestly, all dogs require input.
Does low shedding really help with maintenance?
Yes, it absolutely does, because there is so much less cleanup. This also means that these little guys make great lap dogs as well.
Are Havanese Hypoallergenic?
Yes Havanese dogs are Hypoallergenic.
Are Maltese Dogs Hypoallergenic?
Yes, the Maltese are hypoallergenic dogs and they rarely shed or drool. These little dogs are very similar to the Havanese and are often paired with the Havanese to create what is known as the Havamalt. The Havamalt is part of the hypoallergenic dog breeds group.
Much like the Havanese the Maltese and also the Havamalt dog breeds benefit from regular grooming and brushing. These dogs don’t shed but they do get loose hair caught in their long hair and sometimes they can also get mats. Havanese Hypoallergenic. The American Kennel Club also recognizes the Havamalt.
