Bulldogs, especially the French bulldogs shed a lot. This is a problem with people who are hypoallergenic as that will tend to increase their chance of getting allergies. But is it a fact that French bulldogs actually increase the chance of allergy? Or is it a myth that is based upon some random incidents?
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Can you be allergic to French bulldog?
No, there is no way that you can be allergic to the French bulldog. It is not a fact but only a myth that depends upon random incidents. However, short-haired dogs do not cause allergies as their hair does not contain the allergens. But for the French bulldogs, there are certain products like hair, saliva, mucous, urine, or dead skin cells which make the owner suffer from allergy.
Why am I allergic to my French bulldog?
French bulldogs or some other breed of dog secret a protein that is left on their dead cells, dander, and loose furs. If the owner of the French bulldog is sensitive to such products then it will be a cause of allergy for him or her. French bulldog and some other dog breeds produce this protein which leads to allergy in the human sometimes if the human has less immunity.
Can humans be allergenic to French bulldogs?
Humans cannot be actually allergenic to dogs. The dog fur does not cause allergy to their owners or anyone for that matter. The allergens carried by the furs are the real cause of allergy. Dog’s fur often contains saliva and urine which holds the agent of allergy. When the owners come in close contact with their dogs or carry them in their arms then the allergens attack them and they can get allergies.
Are bulldogs hypoallergenic?
Dogs that have a low level of shedding are called hypoallergenic. The base of this judgment is dogs that shed more cause more allergies than the dogs that shed less. French bulldogs shed a lot. But their fur is short and thus when judged on their appearance they can be called hypoallergenic but in reality, they are not. They shed a lot of their short fur.
The allergens found in their short fur are enough to make people suffer from allergies and thus these dogs cannot be called hypoallergenic. Rather sometimes their shedding of fur makes them hyper-allergenic, that is, they tend to affect people with their allergy-spreading tendency.
What makes the French bulldog not so allergenic?
As we all know, short-haired dogs are usually liked and adopted by people who are prone to allergies. Thus French bulldog is rather liked by them. This dog seems to be more suitable than other long-haired dogs as long-haired ones come with extensive grooming requirements as well as shedding problems.
When we compare the French bulldog with other dog breeds, the shedding problem will seem lesser. But the problem with French bulldogs is, that they do not have a particular season for shedding. This will make the room dirty forever and not a single day you will be free from the task of cleaning the dog’s hair.
Another issue with the French bulldog is carrying allergens in their body. Bulldogs usually have a funny drooping look which is caused by the layers of skin on their face. These are wrinkles but unlike humans, these wrinkles do not come with the age of bulldogs. They are permanent features of the French bulldogs.
The wrinkles may make them look cuter but the creases on their facial skin will make the dog holds the protein secretion and that is quite responsible for allergies. So when you adopt a pet French bulldog you have to make sure that it is taken proper care of. The face, as well as the body, should be well cleaned and bathed regularly.
Can I reduce the allergy trigger of my French bulldog?
As we have already mentioned, French bulldogs are allergy-prone and thus they need to be specially taken care of. You have to maintain the hygiene of the dog and this way you will be able to take care of the allergy triggers possibly coming from your pet dog.
Also to keep the house safe for dogs as well as for allergenic humans you need to segregate the area of the house. There should be areas where the dog can roam and then there would be areas where the dog would not roam.
You have to make sure that there are rooms where the dog is not allowed to go. Such places will be free from dog hair and thus, the people who are prone to allergy will be able to stay there. Also, the dog hairs will not affect them with the allergens present.
The part of the house where the dog will roam should be regularly swept and the area should be free from loose furs. As French bulldogs shed throughout the year their rooms do not stay clean unless you give them regular attention.
Are there any French bulldogs that are hypoallergenic?
There are no true dog breeds that are hypoallergenic, so there is no chance that you can get a hypoallergenic French bulldog. Dog breeds and even French bulldogs act individualistically and thus they can be more or less hypoallergenic. But there is no chance that a French bulldog can be fully hypoallergenic.
What causes the French bulldog to spread allergy?
Allergy is triggered by the hyper shedding of the French bulldogs as well as drooling. Shedding is a typical problem that is quite disgusting when it comes to spreading allergies. The drool often gathers in the creases of the face. This is the place where the germs of allergy start breeding.
The allergens from the nose of the dog also get caught in this drool. When you get hold of the dog and bring it closer to your body it can affect you easily.
The type of shedding is also much different in the French bulldogs than that of other dog breeds. The hairs of the bulldogs are short and pointed, thus these hairs get stuck at everything, literally. It can be a wooden floor or furniture, but it would be found in all places.
Unless you use a plastic sheet to cover anything, the surface of the floor or furniture will be messed up and soiled with the hairs of the French bulldog. The allergens contained in the fur will be enough to affect anyone with less immunity to allergy.
How the first-time French bulldog owners should be prepared to cope with the allergies?
The first time French bulldog owners are not always aware of the fact that their chosen dog breed is capable of spreading allergies. Thus they can get unpleasantly surprised when after bringing the new dog home, some of their family members, or even they themselves start getting allergies.
You can suggest the dog owners keep the territory clean within which the dogs will roam. Also keeping the dog clean and shampooing it once in a while is helpful. If the region is a cold one then wiping the face with wet wipes and medicated tissue also will be helpful.
The main focus should be on the creation of allergens as the shedding cannot be controlled. The dogs should be brushed regularly with a round-headed bristled brush which will increase blood circulation in their coat and thus decrease some amount of shedding.
However, if someone is severely allergenic then he or she should not stay near the French bulldog for a longer period, as that will hamper his or her health.
Bulldogs are not prone to heavy shedding, but their shedding does not stop. Thus it has a pro and a con side. You may not like to clean the household every day but if you are interested in keeping a French bulldog as a pet, then that will be a must-follow step.
French bulldogs are not outdoor pets. So if you are planning to keep the dog outside for long hours and keep the household clean of its shedding, then it will not work. French bulldogs are not fitted for outdoor life and they can get sick if they are left outside when the weather outside is harsh.
They suffer from heat stroke and thus will be safe if kept in-house only. The rainy season or the cold weather is also not suitable for them as they can get respiratory problems due to the damp and cold weather.
What are the symptoms of the allergy produced by the French bulldog?
Like all other types of allergy, the problem the owners of the French bulldog face while having allergies are sneezing, coughing, wheezing, and sometimes facial pain. These symptoms can be controlled and handled by taking some anti-allergic medicine. But when you are searching for some long-term solution than keeping the house as well as the dog clean will be much more important.
Some French bulldogs can even be the carrier of eczema which is an irritating skin disease. This is a kind of infection that gets cured with much difficulty and medication.
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