puppy dog cavapoo paw in white

What is a Hypoallergenic Dog?

Choosing a male or a female cavapoo
Adorable Cavapoo puppy with curly apricot fur, sitting on a cozy outdoor sofa with a white cushion, wearing a floral bandana. Perfectly bred for families, these puppies are known for their friendly nature and hypoallergenic coat.

Dog Allergies? Can we have a dog in our home?

This is a great question.  

Many families with dog allergies in their home can have Cavapoos.

 If someone in your home has allergies, you may still be able to have a dog—especially if you choose a breed that is considered hypoallergenic. Cavapoos with the right coat type (curly or wavy with furnishings) tend to shed less, which can help reduce allergens like dander. However, no dog is completely hypoallergenic, and individual reactions vary.

To see if a Cavapoo is a good fit for your home, consider spending time around one or consulting with an allergist. Regular grooming, bathing, and using air purifiers can also help manage allergens.

What are all these terms like Furnishings and Shedding Genes anyway?

These terms refer to a few parts of the dogs DNA.  

Furnishings refer to the longer hair on a dog’s face, including eyebrows and a beard, which are controlled by a specific gene. Dogs with furnishings typically have a curlier or wavier coat, which helps trap dander and reduce shedding.

The shedding gene determines how much a dog will shed. Cavapoos can inherit either a high-shedding or low-shedding coat from their parents. Puppies that inherit two low-shedding genes are more likely to be hypoallergenic, making them a better option for allergy sufferers.

If minimizing allergies is a priority, choosing a Cavapoo with proper furnishings and low-shedding genetics can increase the likelihood of a more hypoallergenic coat. 

Hypoallergenic dog in New York City
Choosing a male or a female cavapoo
Adorable Cavapoo puppy with curly apricot fur, sitting on a cozy outdoor sofa with a white cushion, wearing a floral bandana. Perfectly bred for families, these puppies are known for their friendly nature and hypoallergenic coat.

Do I have to get a curly coat dog?

This is a great question.  

Many families with dog allergies in their home can have Cavapoos.

Not necessarily! While curly-coated dogs, like some Cavapoos, tend to shed less and may be more allergy-friendly, allergy sensitivity varies from person to person. Some people do well with wavy-coated Cavapoos too. If you have allergies, it’s best to spend time around different coat types to see how you react before making a decision.

What Causes Dog Allergies?

It's not always the hair

Dog allergies are triggered by proteins found in a dog’s dander (dead skin flakes), saliva, and urine. When a dog licks itself, these proteins spread onto the fur and skin. As the dog sheds hair and dander, the allergens become airborne and settle on furniture, clothing, and bedding, making them easy to inhale or come into contact with.

Key Causes of Dog Allergies:

 

  • Dander: Tiny, often microscopic flakes of dead skin that are constantly shed.
  • Saliva: Contains allergenic proteins that transfer to fur when a dog licks itself.
  • Urine: When dried, urine residue can become airborne and trigger allergic reactions.

To read more about allergies to dogs this is a good brief article.

Coat Characteristics

Wavy Coat:

Can vary from a very loose wave to more pronounced

Appropriate for allergy sufferers

Little to no shedding

Requires frequent combing, brushing and grooming

Looks good with short or longer haircut

These puppies inherited a curl gene from only one parent

Affectionately referred to as a "ragamuffin" look

Tuxedo goldendoodle white face blaze and socks

Curly Coat:

Can vary from loose to tight curl

Appropriate for severe allergies

Little to no shedding

Requires more grooming with the tighter curl

Typically groomed shorter for easy maintenance

These puppies inherited one curl gene from each parent so the curl is more pronounced

Fully furnished

Often referred to as the "Teddy Bear" dog.

AKC registered toy poodle clear genetics curly red coat in a bandanna and bow

Straight Coat:

These dogs do not have curl genes

Our dogs still have furnishings (fluffy face)

Little to no shedding

Can be kept longer with less maintenance

Often takes longer for their full coat to appear fluffy

More uncommon in our program than wavy or curly

Often referred to as the "Teddy Bear" dog.

a dog lying on the floor white tuxedo irish spotting

Straight Coat:

These dogs do not have curl genes

Our dogs are still furnished (fluffy face)

low to no shedding

Can be kept longer with less maintenance

Often takes longer for their full coat to appear fluffy

More uncommon in our pairings than wavy or curly

It was previously thought that the curl gene controlled the shedding. It may be true that curly dogs are great for allergy sufferers this is due more to the fact that they are fully furnished (carry 2 copies of the furnishing gene)
We test for furnishings are are careful to only pair parents that give us the furnished qualities in a puppy.