The Boston Terrier is an incredible dog breed. They are fun, active, smart, and incredibly cute. This is a very popular breed for people who live both in apartments and in private houses. But very often the question arises as to how people with allergies can tolerate the presence of this dog in the house.
Let’s find out what a person can show an allergic reaction to, how hypoallergenic the Boston Terrier is, whether it is safe to keep them in an apartment or in a house and how much they shed.
Are Boston Terriers Hypoallergenic?
It is unfortunate that the Boston Terrier is not considered to be a hypoallergenic dog. This is a very popular breed that is easy to care for because of its short fur and gentle demeanor. People who have severe to medium levels of allergies should not adopt this type of dog.
People with mild or only seasonal allergies may be able to own this terrier. These dogs do not shed a lot of furs.
The level of dander that their bodies produce will cause a person’s allergies to trigger, and they will find themselves with watery eyes, dry throat, itchy skin, and their breathing will stagger and become difficult to catch.
The Boston Terrier is a medium-sized dog that has short fur and a pressed-in snout. This breed of dog was originally groomed to help during hunters gather and retrieve hunting game as well as sniff out animals that could possibly be part of the hunt.
On average, these dogs live to be about 14 years old, and they usually range from 15 to 25 lb.
This type of dog is very patient and playful, which makes them great animals to add to your family if you have children that are eight or above.
Do They Shed a Lot?
Because the Boston Terrier has fur that does not grow to long lengths, they do not shed a lot. Their fur is thick, and it only grows to a few inches. Owners of this dog remark said they are quite easy to clean up after, and not a lot of fur ends up on their furniture and clothing.
The reason that they do not shed a lot is that they only have one coat. Dogs and cats that shed a lot of fur tend to have two types of coats – and undercoat and a regular coat. When a dog has two types of coats, they shed much more than they would if they only had one coat. Their fur ends up all over beds and couches or any space that they lay on.
The Boston Terrier is a dog that keeps itself clean and tidy because they enjoy taking care of themselves. Since they have such short fur, their coats cannot be trimmed any shorter. If you have a Boston Terrier and you are considering shaving them, this is not a good idea. Their coats protect them from the sun’s rays. Dogs that should not be shaved may end up with sunburns and insect bites.
Why Are They not Considered Hypoallergenic?
The Boston Terrier is not a hypoallergenic dog because their bodies produce a lot of dander. Pet dander is a substance that triggers a person’s allergies and makes them have allergic reactions. Pet dander is found on the bodies of every type of animal. It is even found on animals that humans come into contact with the most, like cats, dogs, birds, mice, rodents, rabbits, and so forth.
An animal’s skin produces pet dander or it could be a compound of their fur. There is no way to cut down on the amount of dander and animal produces. If animals produce a lot of dander, they are not hypoallergenic, but if an animal produces a small amount of dander, they’re considered hypoallergenic.
Animals that are non-hypoallergenic tend to have a lot of furs that sheds in great amounts. But the Boston Terrier does not have that problem.
Advice for People with Mild Allergies
If you are someone who only suffers from seasonal allergies or mild allergies that can be controlled, then you may be able to have a Boston terrier as a pet.
One way to control the amount of dander that is on their bodies is to bathe them regularly. You cannot stop the production of dander. However, you can remove the excess buildup of dander by bathing them. Dander is sometimes trapped underneath their fur, and soap and water can help clean it out.
As we stated above, the Boston Terrier is not a dog that sheds a lot of fur. They may shed a bit more than usual during the spring and summer when they grow in their new coat. Otherwise, they tend to be clean dogs.
This breed of dog does not need to be brushed very often. They don’t have enough fur to be brushed every day. Be sure to wash their bedding often, so they are not laying on old fur that has fallen off. If you do brush your dog, it only needs to be two to three times a week. You should use a brush that has thick thistles, not a wide-tooth comb. After you brush your dog, remove any fur strands that remain in the brush.
Alternative Dogs that Are Hypoallergenic
It is unfortunate that the Boston Terrier is a non-hypoallergenic dog. But there are many dogs that are similar in size and intelligence that you can have in your home if you are allergic.
Here are a few great hypoallergenic dogs:
- The Yorkshire Terrier – This little dog may have a lot of fur but they also have a lot of love to give their owners. They don’t shed very much and they’re extremely active.
- The Scottish Terrier – Breed in Scotland, this intelligent dog once helped farmers herd animals along pastures and planes. It may have stubby little legs but they are quite fast if they need to be. This dog enjoys taking frequent walks and meeting other animals.
Conclusion
- The Boston Terrier is not a dog that is hypoallergenic
- They have very short for which means that they do not shed a lot
- Their bodies produce a large amount of dander which will trigger a person allergies
- Owners of this breed of dog say that they’re easy to clean up after
- They do not need to be brushed every day.
- There are plenty of small dogs that are hypoallergenic alternatives to the Boston Terrier
