Are Yorkies Hypoallergenic?

Why some people are allergic to dogs?

Are there dogs who are suitable for people with allergies?

Are Yorkies Hypoallergenic dogs?

Can people with allergies have Yorkies?

These are all very common questions which we are going to talk about here.

Some people say Yorkie is one of the best options to have a dog without experiencing the top common issues a dog can cause to both: your house and your family or humans at all.

Indeed, a Yorkie is a dog with small body and big heart that causes big love among the whole house.

But the danger a big nasty dog can bring in your house, while wandering just to play with you and meanwhile, drop everything down on the floor is not the only great benefits of these puppies.

Are Yorkies hypoallergenic dogs?

Many people actually believe that Yorkies are also hypoallergenic.

And this is why, when it comes to choosing a dog for a person with allergies or with family members with such, a Yorkie terrier comes as a really amazing alternative.

But there are indeed certain dogs who are a better choice for the people who suffer from allergies for they are less likely to cause allergic reaction.

The Yorkshire terrier is one of the hypoallergenic dog breeds.

Yes, there is such a list. And here you can also find the following popular and cute dog breeds: Bichon frise, Chinese crested, Bedlington terrier, Shih tzu and many others.

The AKC (American Kennel Club) states that there isn’t such thing as a 100% hypoallergenic dog breed.

The Yorkies do not have fur. They have hair that is similar to this of the humans.

But the allergens are in the saliva, fragments of hair, smell, dandruff or other elements which are a huge part of the life of a Yorkie.

We will give you the details below.

It is thought that the Yorkshire terriers are non-shedding dogs so there are much less dandruff and hairs spread all over the place in comparison to other breeds.

The most people who develop allergies because of the dog do develop them for the dandruff that is in the hair of the dog.

In a nutshell

We named other possible hypoallergenic breeds on purpose.. Because there is something you all need to know:

There is no such a thing as a 100 % hypoallergenic dog.

Of course, the bad things it can cause are quite less and not that serious, but people with drastic and very aggressive allergic conditions might feel really bad due to Yorkies too.

Many Yorkie owners believe that if they groom and trim their Yorkshire terrier on a regular basis, the allergic danger might go away completely. There is nothing like that.

However, what you can do to minimize the risk of getting such an allergic reaction is to take care of your dog’s hair really well. It means ordinary and regular trimming, proper hair products application, washing the puppy more often and etc.

Can someone be allergic to Yorkies?

Lots of people really believe that the Yorkshire terrier is hypoallergenic.

They might explain to you that this is because the Yorkshire terriers do not have undercoat but fur with structure which is similar to the human hair and etc.

This is true but only partly.

But not only might the hair of the Yorkie lead to allergic reactions, there are other factors as well.

Other allergens except dog hairs or fur:

Dander – the main reason your dog can cause problems to allergic people is the dander. It is something similar to the human dandruff. Dander is excess skin that naturally fall from the dog’s body.

It is important to know that unlike common dog breeds, the dander rate for a Yorkie is determined as a very low. So you can cope with it with the right approaches and techniques.

Dog saliva – with breed like Yorkshire terrier saliva won’t be a huge problem if you have an allergy. You’ll need to teach your dog not to lick humans.

The skin glands’ proteins which are contained in urine, wool and saliva

Between the Yorkie’s hairs are dead hairs, dust and dirt. If they get to the respiratory system, they might lead to allergies. If you are more sensitive, if you inhale them, you might start sneezing and coughing;

When the dog walks outside, it picks parasites and their bites might lead to an allergy.

If you have an allergy to insects which usually can be found at home, you’ll probably have an allergic reaction to the insects which the dog has picked up from outside and which are in its hair;

Allergic rashes might be cause by the subcutaneous fat of the Yorkies which is secreted by their sebaceous glands;

The pollen from the flowers and trees is flowing in the air during the spring (mostly spring but during the other seasons as well).

It can get into the skin of the Yorkie (especially if your pet has long hair) and this might cause allergic reactions to people who suffer from pollen allergies. This is not a reaction to the Yorkies. This is seasonal, temporary and can be prevented.

In the feces and blood of the Yorkies can be found strong allergens and if you suffer from allergy and get in contact with them, you might develop an eczema.

Allergy symptoms: How to recognize if you or someone else is allergic to a Yorkshire terrier?

The first signs of allergy are:

Nasal cavity irritation: redness, hard breathing, runny nose, sneezing;

Skin changes: itching, peeling, dermatitis, eczema or hives;

Allergic dermatitis on your hands after being in contact with an Yorkie;

Allergic conjunctivitis: tearing of the eyes, eye discomfort from light or redness;

Digestive problems: nausea, diarrhea.

Prevention

Should a person get in contact with a Yorkie and develop an allergic reaction, you’d better take some of the actions we’ve listed below:

Find what exactly causes the allergy – is the Yorkie indeed the reason for the allergic reaction.

Probably you won’t succeed in making the diagnosis yourself so it’s best to reduce the contact with the dog – this is even more important if the affected person is a child. Until the doctor makes the exact diagnosis, it would be better to transport the Yorkie to somewhere else.

If you cannot transport the dog to another place, do clean the floor every day with a mop. The most effective method are the detergents which contain chlorine.
You should also clean your home from dust – be very careful with the places which you cannot directly see but which usually are very dirty – for example, under the bed and the couch.

When you take your dog back home after a walk, wash its paws and brush its hair. You should bath the pet more often than recommended – weekly. This way you can remove the dust, parasites and pollen which get into the dog’s hair during the walk.
Comb the dogs every day and, if possible, do not do it at your home.

All fabrics where the hair of the Yorkie can be accumulated should be removed and washed. It is suggested to replace or completely remove the carpets. You should cover the blankets, pillows and sofa covers with anti-dust blankets.

The Yorkie should have limited access to the rooms where the person who suffers from the allergy spends most of their time, especially if they are a child. The movements of the dog in the children’s room should be limited.

The people who is taking care of the Yorkie should has no allergies. We already mentioned that “taking care of the Yorkie: includes combing, bathing and cleaning the feces around the anus area – they sometimes stick in this area on long-haired Yorkies.

A few more tips for people with allergies

Rule number one is, of course, to visit the vet regularly and to follow the checklist with the obligatory and important vaccinations you need to provide your Yorkie.

Another good thing you can do is to buy an air filter for your home place. The dander rate in the normal and everyday environment your puppy lives among will be highly reduced.

Here are some good air filters at affordable prices:

Last, but not least, get one special tip from us: know the sources where the allergens usually hide and eliminate them from your house.

What does it mean?

It means that sofas, furry blankets or toys, carpets and rugs should be better removed from your house. Here is where the pet hairs usually stick to. And here is where the allergic reaction source will hide to attack you.

Prefer the sleek floors and the leather coaches better and have no problems with cleaning, too.

By the way: who does love cleaning pet hairs after all? With these interior changes, you can avoid this annoying housekeeping chore and use the free time to enjoy your tiny and little awesome and sweet Yorkie!

Are Yorkshire terriers Hypoallergenic? Conclusion.

Please, remember that there is NOT a 100% hypoallergenic dog.

All dogs might trigger reactions in people who suffer from allergies.

But certain dogs can be tolerated much more than others by people who suffer from pet allergies.

Because of their specific hair structure, Yorkshire terriers are among these breeds.

If you properly take care of your Yorkie, the risk of developing an allergy will be minimized.

In order to find out if you can tolerate these cute dogs is to spend some time with them and see how your body will react.

Consult with your doctor if you have big allergic healthy problems, though, before getting a Yorkie!

Dr. Julie