Goldendoodles are known for their intelligence, friendliness, gentle nature, and for being hypoallergenic. The words Goldendoodle and hypoallergenic seem intertwined with one another in the world of pet ownership. In fact, if you do a web search on Goldendoodles you will likely find many sources claiming they are a great choice for those suffering from allergies. Many breeders use the claim of “hypoallergenic dog” to their advantage while charging anywhere between $500-$5000/ pup, but is this a credible claim? Are Goldendoodles really hypoallergenic?
Whether you are an allergy sufferer, considering Goldendoodle ownership, or are, like me, the proud owner of your own Doodle—we’ll explore the facts behind pet allergies, what it means to be hypoallergenic, and answer the ultimate question about one of America’s most popular and well-loved dog breeds: are Goldendoodles really hypoallergenic?
Are Goldendoodles Hypoallergenic?
The answer is NO. There is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog. Hypoallergenic simply means unlikely to cause an allergic reaction. If you have a confirmed allergy to dogs, any pooch with skin is likely to cause some sort of allergic reaction. That’s because the source of dog allergies in people has less to do with shedding than you may think.
What Causes Dog Allergies?
If you have a dog allergy, it’s not the dog’s fur you are allergic to. You are actually allergic to the protein found in the canine’s dander. Finding its way into membranes that line your nose, skin, and eyes, the immune system reacts to this protein in the same way it reacts to a virus or bacteria. Reading it as dangerous, it releases chemicals into your body causing inflammation and other symptoms we commonly see in allergic reactions such as itchy/watery eyes, runny nose, and sneezing. Besides dander, people can also be allergic to the proteins found in the canine’s urine and saliva.
Dander
Dander is made up of protein rich dead skin cells all dogs naturally shed. Dander sheds off your dog in the same way we shed dead skin cells. Dander sheds of your dog without the presence of fur. It also always sheds off your dog with its fur. So, a dog that sheds fur more frequently will shed dander more frequently. Like dust, dander builds up in the air, on your furniture, or anything your dog encounters on a regular basis.
Urine
Your pet’s urine also contains proteins which cause an allergic reaction. Every time your pup goes to the bathroom, droplets of urine land on his hair (even the most conscientious piddler). When you touch your dog and then touch your face, or your dog lays on the couch that you lay on, the proteins from their urine can cause an allergic reaction.Goldendoodles are no less likely to cause an allergic reaction than any other dog for those allergic to these proteins.
Saliva
Your dog’s saliva contains more protein than their skin. And we all know how much he likes to lick–your face, himself, a random spot on the couch. When you come into direct contact with your dog’s saliva or indirectly through anything he has licked, it can trigger an allergic reaction. Goldendoodles are no less likely to cause an allergic reaction than any other dog for those allergic to these proteins.
Are Goldendoodles Better for Allergy Sufferers?
It depends on how intense the allergies are of the individual. Goldendoodles generally produce less dander than other dogs because they shed their coats less often. So, if you are a mild allergy sufferer, it may be easier for you to control your symptoms with regular grooming and reducing allergens in your home.
However, the key word is mild. Doodles still produce dander like any other dog, along with urine and saliva. Additionally, many Goldendoodles DO shed, despite common misconceptions (believe me, I have found plenty of white doodle fluff collecting in the dark corners of my home). If you are allergic to dogs, it is still likely that Goldendoodles will cause an allergic reaction. The severity of your reaction will depend on how much time you are willing to dedicate to grooming, reducing allergens in your home, and how much fur your individual Goldendoodle sheds.
Breeding and Genetics
How much an individual Goldendoodle sheds has to do with breeding and genetics. The Goldendoodle is a mixture of the Golden Retriever and the Poodle, but as the American Kennel Club describes, this combination does not always play out 50/50. In other words, traits from parents are not always equally distributed among their offspring.
Genetics
Not all Goldendoodles shed the same amount of fur. This is genetic and depends on the genetics of their parents and pure odds, in the same way you may have inherited brown eyes and your sibling blue eyes. As Ancestory.comexplains, genetics are likened to a game of cards. Your gene pool is the deck of cards, and each player will receive a different hand, or a different combination of genes. The same goes for dogs. In a deck that’s half Poodle and half Golden Retriever, your Doodle may receive more Golden Retriever genes than Poodle genes, meaning it will shed more.
Breeding
There are different generations of Goldendoodle available, and the size of your Doodle has to do with the variety of Poodle used as a parent (Standard Poodles and Miniature Poodles are most common in breeding). It is hard to predict the exact shedding tendencies of an individual dog regardless of generation. The most popular generations are:
F1 Goldendoodle
- First generation Goldendoodle
- Golden Retriever X Standard Poodle or Miniature Poodle
- Hard to predict how much this generation will shed
F1b Goldendoodle
- F1 Goldendoodle X Standard Poodle or Miniature Poodle or F1 Goldendoodle X Golden Retriever
- Usually bred F1 Goldendoodle X Poodle for a higher proportion of Poodle genes (less likely to shed)
- Shedding is less likely than an F1 Goldendoodle if the dog is Goldendoodle X Poodle, however it is more likely to shed if the dog is Goldendoodle X Golden Retriever
F2 Goldendoodle
- F1 Goldendoodle X F1 Goldendoodle
- Like F1 Goldendoodles, it’s hard to predict how much an individual dog will shed
Conclusion
As a Goldendoodle owner myself, it’s difficult not to rave about their fun-loving demeanor, good looks, intelligence, and the priceless companionship they (or any dog) can offer. As much as I love my Doodle’s luxurious teddy bear fur, it mats like crazy, needs regular brushing/grooming, and sheds frequently. If you are thinking about becoming the owner of a Goldendoodle because you have allergies or because you’ve been told they are hypoallergenic, there are a few things you may want to consider. If you want a dog that is guaranteed to be low shedding, you may want to consider a Poodle. If you have your heart set on a Goldendoodle, it will always be a gamble, but an F1b (Goldendoodle X Poodle variety, NOT Goldendoodle X Golden Retriever) may be your best bet due to the higher proportion of Poodle genes within the dog. A good rule of thumb is the curlier the hair, the less likely the Doodle is to shed fur. Ultimately, only you know the severity of your allergies and how much time and effort you are willing to dedicate to grooming and reducing allergens in your home.
