Havapoo guide: are Havapoos hypoallergenic
Are Havapoos Hypoallergenic? An Honest Answer on Shedding and Allergies
Are Havapoos hypoallergenic? No. No dog breed is truly hypoallergenic, and that includes the Havapoo. However, Havapoos shed very little, and some people with mild dog allergies live comfortably with one, while others do not. The only reliable way to find out is to spend time with the dog before you commit.
What causes a dog allergy
People are not allergic to dog hair. They react to proteins the dog makes. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) lists the sources as saliva, skin flakes called dander, urine and oils from the skin. Those particles ride on hair, float in the air and settle on floors and furniture.
Every dog makes these proteins. That is why the AAAAI, the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) and the American Kennel Club all say the same thing: no breed, purebred or mixed, can promise an allergy-free home (AAAAI, ACAAI, AKC).
Are Havapoos hypoallergenic according to the research?
Two studies tested the “hypoallergenic” label directly, and neither supported it.
| Study | What they measured | What they found |
|---|---|---|
| Vredegoor and colleagues, Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 2012 | The main dog allergen, Can f 1, in coat samples and in house dust for Labradoodles, Poodles and other breeds sold as hypoallergenic, compared with Labrador Retrievers and a control group | Coat samples from the “hypoallergenic” breeds held more allergen, not less. Airborne levels in the homes did not differ by breed. Dogs within one breed varied more than the breeds differed from each other. |
| Nicholas and colleagues, American Journal of Rhinology and Allergy, 2011 | Can f 1 in dust from homes with “hypoallergenic” dogs compared with homes with other dogs | No difference in allergen levels, however the breeds were grouped. |
Neither study included Havapoos or Havanese. Both included Poodles or Poodle mixes, which is the side of the Havapoo that the low-allergy claim comes from.
Why some allergic families still do well with a Havapoo
The research does not say every dog affects every person the same way. It says breed is a poor predictor. Three things can still work in your favor.
- Less hair around the house. The AKC notes that Poodles have a low-shedding coat that keeps growing, which may reduce how much loose hair and dander spreads through a home. Many Havapoos inherit that coat. This is about hair on your floor, not allergen in the dog.
- Individual dogs differ. The 2012 study found wide variation from dog to dog inside the same breed. One Havapoo may bother you and its littermate may not.
- Individual people differ. The AAAAI describes six known dog allergens, Can f 1 through Can f 6. An allergist can test which ones you react to. One of them, Can f 5, is made in the prostate of intact male dogs, so some people react less to females and neutered males.
Coat type also varies between puppies in a litter, so do not assume every Havapoo sheds the same amount.
How to test before you commit
- See an allergist first if anyone in the home has asthma or a known dog allergy. The AAAAI recommends testing and a conversation about treatment before you bring a dog home.
- Spend real time with the puppy and its parents. A five-minute visit tells you little. Hold the puppy, stay a while and see how you feel that evening and the next day.
- Visit more than once if you can. Reactions can build with repeated exposure.
- Be honest with yourself about the result. Rehoming a dog is hard on the family and on the dog. It is better to find out now.
We welcome allergy visits at our home in Eagle Mountain, Utah, by appointment. Contact us to arrange one.
Living with a Havapoo when you have mild allergies
If testing goes well and your allergist agrees, these steps from the ACAAI and AAAAI lower the allergen level in your home.
- Keep the dog out of the bedroom
- Use a HEPA air cleaner and a vacuum with a HEPA filter
- Choose hard floors over carpet where you can
- Clean regularly, including walls and soft furnishings
- Ask your allergist about medication or allergy shots
Regular brushing and grooming also keep loose hair under control. Our Havapoo guide covers coat care.
So, are Havapoos hypoallergenic? The short version
A Havapoo is a low-shedding dog, not an allergen-free one. If your allergies are mild, there is a fair chance you will do well, and a visit will tell you more than any label. If your allergies are severe or involve asthma, talk to an allergist before you talk to a breeder.
See our Havapoo puppies or read about how we health test our parent dogs.
Related guides
- What Is a Havapoo?
- Havapoo Grooming: Brushing, Haircuts and a Simple Schedule
- Are Goldendoodles Hypoallergenic? What the Research Says
- Havapoo Pros and Cons: An Honest List From a Breeder
- Havapoo Temperament: What They Are Really Like to Live With
See all our puppy guides, or meet our Havapoo puppies for sale.
Sources
- American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, Hypoallergenic Dogs and Dog Allergies: Myths, Facts and What You Should Know
- American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, Pet Allergies
- Vredegoor DW, Willemse T, Chapman MD, Heederik DJ, Krop EJ. Can f 1 levels in hair and homes of different dog breeds: lack of evidence to describe any dog breed as hypoallergenic. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2012;130(4):904-909. PubMed 22728082
- Nicholas CE, Wegienka GR, Havstad SL, Zoratti EM, Ownby DR, Johnson CC. Dog allergen levels in homes with hypoallergenic compared with nonhypoallergenic dogs. Am J Rhinol Allergy. 2011;25(4):252-256. PubMed 21819763
- American Kennel Club, Best Dog Breeds for People With Allergies
This article is general information, not medical advice. Talk to a board-certified allergist about your own situation.
Find out in person whether Havapoos are hypoallergenic for you
The best allergy test is time with the dog. Visits are by appointment in Eagle Mountain, Utah. Ready to meet a puppy? See our available puppies.