Are Airedale Terriers Hypoallergenic? Explained With Tips

Are Airedale Terriers Hypoallergenic? Explained With Tips

Shedding and drooling are some common concerns among dogs. When dogs shed and drool frequently, it will be complicated to maintain them; moreover, it creates more room for allergies. So, when it comes to Airedales, potential pet owners ask “Are Airedale Terriers hypoallergenic?”

Airedale Terrier is an excellent family pet with adorable looks and vibrant personalities. In this article, we will be looking into whether Airedale Terriers are hypoallergenic dogs. 

Sometimes people are very reluctant to get dogs because of allergy issues. It is impossible to avoid shedding and drooling in a dog completely; nevertheless, there are specific breeds that comparatively shed and drool in meager amounts.

Read – How Big Do Airedale Terriers Get? Average Size & Weight

Such dogs are generally known as allergy-free or hypoallergenic dogs. Dog breeds in the hypoallergenic category have extremely low shedding and drooling frequencies.

So, Are Airedale Terriers Hypoallergenic? The good news is they do. Airedale Terrier is a Terrier breed that rarely sheds and drools. Many dog breeds that descend from the Terrier dog family tend to be low shedders due to the texture of their coats. When it comes to Airedale Terriers, they have a short wire textured coat which is not perplexing to maintain, and the best thing is that they shed in minimal amounts.

At the same time, they also do not drool much. Therefore these dogs do not cause many allergies, and we can consider Airedale Terriers hypoallergenic. 

Dogs’ Shedding and drooling frequencies vary significantly from breed to breed. As mentioned, hypoallergenic dogs have minimal shedding and drooling frequencies.

Read – Are Fox Terriers Hypoallergenic? Do Foxies Cause Allergies?

Keep in your mind that being hypoallergenic does not necessarily mean that the dog will never shed and drool or will be entirely allergy-free. It is not practical to find such a dog.

However, relatively hypoallergenic dogs are a good fit if you are looking for a breed that doesn’t shed or drool much. To get to know more about this topic, keep reading!

Are Airedale Terriers hypoallergenic?

The simplest answer to the above question is, yes, they are. What exactly makes Airedale Terriers hypoallergenic dogs? Before finding answers to this question, first, let’s try to figure out the meaning of hypoallergenic dogs correctly.

Dander and drool are the most common causes of dog allergies. You might have heard the term dander earlier. Dander means the dead skin cells that gather in animal skins, especially furry animals like dogs.

Read – Are Jack Russell Terriers Hypoallergenic? Must Know Facts

If you have a pet dog at home, it is not unusual to see small flakes on your carpets, couches or even clothes. Dogs naturally produce dander in their skin, and when they shed, dander will fall out with their excess fur and stick to such surfaces as mentioned.

Dander is often allergic to human beings, which leads them to have a stuffy nose, sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and even more severe consequences like asthma and wheezing.

Apart from dander, dog saliva is also a common allergen. Dogs could drool on multiple occasions, for instance, when they are hungry, excited, tired, or perhaps the shape of their mouth finds it difficult to hold saliva.

So if a dog is a heavy shedder or drools pretty often, there is more room for allergies. What is significant about hypoallergenic dogs is that, unlike many dogs, they do not shed and drool very often, so they produce low amounts of allergens. 

When it comes to Airedale Terriers, compared to many other dog breeds, they produce less amount of allergens. Airedale Terriers also have dead skin cells because it is a regular occurrence in any dog.

However, the wire texture of their coat makes them minimal shedders. Therefore there are fewer chances to spread dander through Airedale Terriers.

On the other hand, unless Airedale Terriers are highly excited or hungry, they will not drool much. Overall they are tidy dogs, and it makes them hypoallergenic. 

Do Airedale Terriers Cause Allergies?

When we say hypoallergenic dogs, although this directly refers to allergy free, this does not mean entirely out of allergies. You will not be able to find a dog breed that never sheds or drools in its life.

Every dog, no matter what breed they belong to, sheds and drools at least in minimal amounts. Airedale Terriers technically belong to the hypoallergenic category, but we cannot expect them to avoid shedding or drooling completely.

Read – Are Rat Terriers Hypoallergenic? Do Ratties Cause Allergies? 

There will be instances where Airedale Terriers shed and drool, which could cause allergens. A study conducted in the Netherlands shows that although these so-called hypoallergenic dogs, such as Airedale Terriers, supposedly produce less dander or dead skin cells, spread less saliva, and shed less fur, having these qualities doesn’t make them 100% allergy free.

So remember that when we say Airedale Terriers are allergy-free dogs, that only is a relative statement. 

Are Airedale Terriers good for people with allergies?

As pointed out earlier, many people hesitate to get dogs because they are worried about allergies. If you have small kids, older people, or ones susceptible to allergies in your home, it is fair enough to be considerate of getting a dog.

So does that mean it is impossible to have a dog under those circumstances? Numerous dog breeds aren’t harmful to people who have allergies. As a hypoallergenic dog breed, Airedale Terriers are also safe for people with allergies.

However, do not forget the fact that no dog is wholly allergic-free, so if you have someone in your home sensitive to allergies, avoid the dog sleeping on their beds, and do not let them pet the dog a lot.

Moreover, it is essential to follow proper cohabiting mechanisms, which we will discuss in the coming section. 

Tips for cohabiting with allergies and Airedale Terriers

Some people, although they have allergies, could be desperate to have a dog. If that is the case, getting a hypoallergenic dog is the safest option.

As explained already, although Airedale Terriers are hypoallergenic, they would still shed and drool at certain times.

However, since these dogs aren’t frequently shed or drool, you can find coping mechanisms to deal with Airedale Terriers amidst the allergies. Here are some useful tips.

  • Groom the dog according to a schedule

Despite the breed, grooming is one of the most important things to ensure a pet dog’s well-being. Airedale Terriers are low-maintenance dogs.

However, just because they are low maintenance, do not take this for granted. Following a proper grooming routine will significantly help reduce the shedding amounts and the dander-producing frequency.

This breed does not need frequent baths, but you should brush them a couple of times per week and trim their coat as needed. 

  • Create allergy-free zones 

Another way to cope with Airedale Terriers while having allergies is to create allergy-free zones.

If you have someone in your home prone to allergies, do not let the dog go into their rooms’ especially avoid them getting into beds and couches.

If you train the dog to stay out of the allergy-free zones since they are young, the dog will eventually get used to it.

Furthermore, you can create a separate area for your dog to eat and sleep; that way, you can minimize their dander and saliva spreading all over the house. 

  • Keep the home clean 

When you have a dog, it is vital to keep your home clean. Usually, their dander gets stuck to carpets and similar surfaces, so vacuum them regularly and keep them clean.

Getting rid of rugs and sticking to hard surface flooring is also advisable. Dander sometimes might not be very visible to your eyes, so if you want to ensure that you get fully rid of them, it is better to use HEPA air cleaners.

High-efficiency particulate air filters, or HEPA filters, are medical-grade air purifiers that help eliminate microscopic particles and keep the home clean.

Changing air purifier filters can be costly; hence it may not be the most convenient option for everyone.

So in such cases, mop the floor, especially clean the areas where the dog stays the most with saline and allergy sprays on a daily basis.

  • Consult with an allergist 

Airedale Terriers are generally safe, even around people with allergies. However, if you have someone in your home who gets severely affected by allergies, it is better to consult an allergist and get some advice from them. 

Final thoughts

Through this article, we attempted to find answers to whether Airedale Terriers are hypoallergenic dogs, and the answer is yes.

Despite the fact that Airedale Terriers are hypoallergenic or allergy-free dogs, there is so much more that one should know about this condition.

Because even though we recognize them as hypoallergenic, there are still possibilities that they cause allergies because, just like any other dog, Airedale Terriers also shed and drool, and their dander and saliva function as allergens.

But the good thing is, the probability is relatively low compared to several other breeds. If you have allergies but badly want a dog, it will not cause harm getting an Airedale Terrier.

Nevertheless, always ensure that you follow the coping mechanisms; that way, you can mitigate the potential adverse outcomes and stay happy with the dog. 

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Author

  • Lisa W. is a practicing certified veterinarian (BVetMed Hons in Veterinary Medicine) who graduated from Royal Veterinary College, UK. One of her research fields is mixed-dog breeds and their temperament, behavioral issues, and genetic health concerns. Also, she gathers data about purebred dog breeds and their origin, lifespan, and genetic conditions. Lisa is a loving dog parent who is keen to share her expertise with other fellow dog parents.

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