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I am allergic to dogs and want a puppy.

Years ago I did fine with a Puli, which is a long-haired "hypo-allergenic" breed. Now after four days fostering a 3-month old mutt, my allergy symptoms are present, but very mild. If the symptoms get much worse, he'll need a new home. The mutt is definitely part pit bull, probably part Dalmatian. I live in a warm climate with screened porches and tile floors. There is a fair amount of uncertainty around allergies, and I've heard they sometimes get better and sometimes get worse with time and exposure. I know it would be more sensible to get a hypo-allergenic breed, but I'm willing to risk keeping this puppy, if there is a reasonable chance my allergies will improve.

What typically happens to allergy symptoms over time? I've read the good advice here, and would be grateful for any additional or dog-specific information.

Allison C
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noam
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1 Answers1

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You can become immune to allergies. An allergy is just your immune system thinking that something that shouldn't affect you, is affecting you (like dog hair), so it starts attacking it.

You can build up an immunity to it by 'exposing' your self to it, or through immunotherapy. I got a Labrador as a puppy and am usually very sensitive to hair, I can't even get my hair cut because I'm allergic to my own hair. But I'm fine with my dog sleeping in my bed.

aschultz
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Daniel
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