Obama Search for a Family Dog: Hypoallergenic Not Mutt?

At the top of discussions about the Obama family move to the White House has been the discussion of what dog the family should get for a pet. During Obama's recent press conference he mentioned the need for a hypoallergenic dog due to one of his daughter's sensitivity. The Obamas' dog choice could boost shelter support if they were to choose to rescue a shelter dog. However Obama mentioned many shelter dogs were mutts like him which might be a problem. Since I know nothing about what dogs are hypoallergenic and was interested in the Obamas' dog choice, I did some reading on the subject. Allergyescape.com discusses dog allergens and what causes them. I was surprised to learn it was not the hair which causes the allergen but rather is the shedding of skin. Even if the Obamas' dog choice is a hairless dog, they are not hypoallergenic as they have dander from their skin scales too. There is no truly hypoallergenic dog, but some are more allergy friendly than others.

Knowing now which would be considered to be the most hypoallergenic dog, I wondered if the Obama family would be able to find one of these dogs at a shelter or if his comment about the mutt factor would preclude doing so.

Allergyescape.com has information listing some of the dog breeds which the AKC considers to be the most suitable for people who have allergies. Using their list of "hypoallergenic dogs" I looked on petfinder.com to see if any of these breeds which might be the Obamas' dog choice might be available in shelters. I focused on those around the Chicago area but petfinder.com provides data for the entire United States.

Here's the list of breeds mentioned by the AKC as most hypoallergenic dog and the shelter availability.

Poodle - 12 available in Chicago, more than 25 at petfinder.com for the state of IL

Labradoodle - NONE found on Petfinder.com

Bichon Frise - More than 25 available at shelters in Illinois

Havenese - Only one of this hypoallergenic dog in IL but more than 25 in surrounding states

Miniature Schnauzer - This potentially hypoallergenic dog is one that had a higher number available in the Obama's area with 11 at Chicago Miniature Schnauzer Club rescue and more than 25 in surrounding states

Kerry Blue Terrier - If the Obamas' dog choice is a Blue terrier from a shelter they will need to coordinate transportation. Five are available on petfinder.com in the US but none in IL

Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier - There are only two of this breed on petfinder.com in IL but more than 25 in the US.

Maltese - This is another choice of hypoallergenic dog available in larger numbers with 15 in IL and more than 25 in surrounding states

Portugese Water Dog - This choice for a hypoallergenic dog would be a more difficult one to come by through the shelter as only four are shown in the US.

Italian Greyhound - If the Obamas' dog choice is an Italian Greyhound, they should definitely look at the shelters. There are six Italian Greyhounds available at ROMP Italian Greyhound rescue in Chicago and five at other IL locations

Basenji There are 11 of this hypoallergenic dog breed available in IL through the shelters.

Chinese Crested - If the Obamas' dog choice is a hairless dog, this one is hairless except for feet, head, and tail. Three are available on perfinder.com in IL and more than 25 in surrounding states.

Chihuahua - This popular hypoallergenic dog is available at many shelters with more than 25 in IL

Mexican Hairless - Petfinder.com only shows one of this hypoallergenic dog available at shelters in IL but more than 25 in the US.

The searches for these hypoallergenic dog breeds done on petfinder.com reflect a snapshot in time as available shelter animals change from day to day. It also does not take into consideration that these pets may be mixed with another breed which may not be as allergy friendly. The Obamas' dog choice will involve a lot of research and pet searching to find the one that best suits their family. Hopefully they will be able to do so through a rescue shelter.