hello, im new, dont own a bichon "yet"..question about allergies etc

[ChloeLawless]

Hello everyone, my name is chloe and im from the UK.
i found this forum on google and thought it seemed like the best place to ask my questions seeing as everyones experienced 

i have wanted a bichon since i was about 10 years old...so 14 years now and have always been halted due to my mom suffering from really bad allergies and asthma.
when she is around dogs or cats and even my rabbit she gets very itchy and gets a tight chest.

my sister who dosent live with us has just gotten a bichon puppy, he is 10 weeks old now and he is adorable..we are all head over heels in love with him (even my mom adores him)
so far, my mom hasnt experienced many problems (unless shes just trying to protect my feelings, she hasnt said!) shes had a slight itch but nothing astmah related as of yet.
we have decided IF her allergies remain ok, we will get a bichon in around 6 - 8 months    obviously im trying not to keep my hopes up as we need to wait until the pup has grown and his coat begins  changing to make sure she can handle him then too.

my questions are basically this, how many of you have experience with bichons and bad asthma? does the coat make a large difference from puppy hood to adult hood with regards to allergies?

i would like good and bad stories if you have them as i am curious to hear from those who have experience of this, especially those with asthma who need to use inhalers etc.

thank you in advance.

Chloe x

[Andrea]

You can never go wrong with getting a  .  2 of my grandchilden have severe asthma and allergies and they do not have any problems being around Noah.   I agree with waiting to see if your mom has any reactions to your sisters dog before getting one.  Bichons are supposed to be great for people with allergies and asthma-hypoallergenic.

[ChloeLawless]

thanks andrea.
i do have everything crossed...my mom too deep down i think as she does love the little man and she has never been a "doggy person"
she only itches at the moment when he licks her lips ... hes a very kissy dog! 

her asthma is controlled (as is mine, ive had no reaction to him) and she uses her inhaler only when she needs it. she is VERY allergic to short fured dogs and spaniels etc.even when they're puppys. she weazes and coughs so much

so far so good with my sisters puppy ted, but he is still a little dot of a thing so i guess we just have to sit tight! xx

[pam]

My daughter has severe allegies to fur.  When we got our first bichon (allergy free we thought) she hid from us her symptoms.  She did wheeze etc.  But it seemed to become less over the years - and now we have 4 and the daughter lives away.

Word of warning - if you are in the UK there are a great many iffy breeders - and puppy farmers who portrait as home breeders.  Take your time in research - and a good breeder will ask as many questions of you as you do of them.  Reasonable costs from a decent breeder are £800.  If less you need to ask why.

Good luck
Pam

[Freedom (Sandie)]

I don't have any information for.  Just an idea.

Did you sister's dog come rom a breeder?  Maybe you can arrange for your mom to meet with some of the breeder's adult dogs. 

[Lizzie]

Hi Chloe 
I'm Lizzie and I live in the Uk also.  I am also a breeder.  If you PM your address I can perhaps point you in the right direction.   
With regard to the allergies - Bichons have a wool coat as opposed to the hair on cats and other dogs.  This is one of the reasons why people with allergies can tolerate them.  I sold a puppy to a young woman who works in our local bank.  She has severe asthma and normally within 3 feet of an animal she starts.  Cash is now 1yr old and his mummy is very pleased with him and she has no probs at all.

[nzbyrd]

I have asthma and allergies (cats, dogs horses etc) and have had absolutely no problem with my bichons (or poodle). Just to add, most Bichons get washed and brushed fairly often, on account of them being white, so their coats are usually pretty clean and dust free (except when they have been rolling in muck )

[LillyBilly]

I have asthma and very bad allergies, I mean every dog I came into contact with would set me off sneezing and wheezing for hours. When we first got Lilly I was very bad that night and a few sniffles the days after. After about a week and a half all my allergies where gone with her. Now she can lick my face, sleep next to me and I'm fine. I still can't be around any other dogs for long though. I think its just getting used to them.

[laceysmomma]

Hello, and welcome! I can share my personal story. I got my Lacey as an adult (she is 7) and I also suffer from bad asthma and allergies. Lacey loves to snuggle up near my face, and loves licking, and I have not had a problem at all. My previous room mate got 2 puppies that were bull dog cross and they put me in the hospital. I have always had to be careful with animals but bichons seem to be just fine!

[Alison]

Bichons are low allergy due to the no shedding ,but that doesn't mean no allergy.Some people may react to some dogs and its totally unpredictable.Does your Mum live with you? If not if there was a problem with your Bichon then maybe you could just keep them apart when she visits.Good luck with it.I can totally understand how your sisters dog is casting his spell on everyone.Alison

[ChloeLawless]

Thank you everyone for your replies. Its much appreciated.
Seen ted again today for about an hour or so, just slight snuffles from my mom.
Yes, she does live with me, or should i say i live with her! This is the reason why we have to do a lot of thinking and patient waiting.
Lizzie, thank you very much for that, I shall be popping on and off here until we know for sure what the outcome is, so if by a chance it is good news I shall be in touch xx

[MattiesMom (MaryEllen)]

I too am allergic to dogs.  My allergy level is classified as "mild".  I do react to most breeds, but in a less severe way (sore throat, then cough) than your mom.  Bichons are better than most because they have a lower level of dander being dispersed from their skin.  Their saliva can be just as bad as any breed of dog.  Your mom may be able to tolerate a short time with your sister's bichon, but consider that when the dog is in your home 24/7 the dander will be present all the time.  You will have to be diligent about cleaning.  You will need to vacuum with a hepa filter every few days, and that will include any furniture you allow the dog on.  You will probably need a room air filter for your mom's bedroom (with a hepa filter). There are sprays you can get to groom your bichon with that help to keep the dander from dispersing.  Your mom sounds like she may be at a higher allergy level than me.  When my bichons lick my face or hands, I must wash afterward or I will have a sore throat develop.  I guess what I'm trying to tell you in a gentle way is that your mom may not be able to have a bichon in the house living with her.  I hate to say it because I completely understand your wanting one (I truly get it because I love them so much that I'm willing to take medicine everyday forever to have them in my home).   You should probably see if your sister's bichon could spend a few days in your house visiting (even overnight, if possible).  It will give you a better idea of just how much your mom can tolerate without getting really ill.  I  hope you can have your bichon someday.  They are such loves.  Lots of luck, MaryEllen

[EDDEL]

Chloe.  You got to hear our members' personal experience and the consensus is .  These beautiful bundles of fluffs definitely cause less/little reaction in persons with allergies because they are hypo-allergenic.  
I hope your mum continues to do well (ie. have no allergic reaction to Ted ) and that you get your Bichon soon.

PS: If When you do, be sure to come back and show us your bundle.

[LunasMum (Traci)]

I also have bad allergies, even more so when I was a kid. Was thrilled with Luna being a bichon/poodle mix because of the low, no allergy thing.

We got her in March and by June I was scratching and my eyes were red and watery. I decided to hide it from my hubby and take claritin everyday so I could keep her. Though I did wonder why it took me so long to react... Then I realized she had been rolling in grass and dandilions! It wasn't her it was the pollen coating her fluff! Washed her up and reactions were gone!

So even if your mom is ok with the bichon, watch out for anything that might be carried on their coat that your mom could be allergic  too.

Since Luna gets bathed and groomed often I don't normally have a problem. If I itch I know we've gone too long!

Good Luck, keeping my fingers crossed for you!

[iluvmybichon]

I have allergies, and like your mom, can't be around most breeds of dogs without having a reaction.  My father-in-law had a friend who was a breeder of Bichons, who told him how allergy-friendly the breed was.  He researched it, and after confirming what his friend had told him was true, called his friend to arrange the pick of the next litter for our family.  They are great dogs for allergy-sufferers, but not completely allergen-free; however I have found ways that have helped, and pretty much eliminate any discomfort/symptoms. What has worked for me is to bathe our Bichon often (like once a week), and keep him brushed and groomed regularly, as well as being diligent about cleaning.  I also take daily allergy meds, which I have to do anyway.  We have had our Bichon for three years, and what symptoms I have had have gotten better over time, although I still break out in a rash whenever he licks me (stays red and itchy for just a short time--well worth getting puppy kisses, though ).  We've even added a Maltese to our family, and while she is allergy-friendly also, I have found that I have to bathe her more often, and I notice symptoms more often with her than I do our Bichon.  I hope your mom finds that she will be able to tolerate a Bichon, and you will be able to get a new furbaby soon! Best of luck to you!