First, remember what hypoallergenic means: relatively unlikely to cause an allergic reaction. It is not the same thing as non-allergenic. There is no dog in the world that’s truly non-allergenic.
The allergens produced by dogs are microscopic and sticky, and they are so lightweight that they can easily cling to clothing, hair, and furniture surfaces. Dog allergens come from various sources, such as urine and saliva, and dander from the skin. Dander is produced when the skin naturally sheds its outer layer. The tiny flakes of skin will then rest in the dog’s coat and are gradually cleared out of the fur, eventually finding their way to anything they will stick to (almost) everything inside your home and vehicle.
With that being understood, not all dog allergens are the same. Many pet allergens are specific to a particular breed, which translates to some species producing fewer allergens than others.
NAIDs will shed the outer layer of skin approximately every three weeks – a striking contrast to breeds such as German Shepherds, Setters, and Spaniels, which all shed their outer layers of skin every three to four days!
Although many longhaired dog breeds can impact people with allergies, long hair does not cause aggravation, as many believe. It is simply that allergens can become trapped in the longer hair, becoming more concentrated and therefore causing an exaggerated reaction. This is not a concern since the NAID produces significantly less dander than the average longhaired dog.
An additional note of interest regarding the coat of the NAID is that most NAIDs will not shed at a constant rate the same way many dogs – especially those with shorter hair – will do. Depending on where you live and your seasons, your NAID will shed its undercoat once or twice a year. The shedding can be copious if you live in an area with four seasons, experiencing cold and snowy winter weather. However, the shedding period will last for a few months, and your dog will not shed for the remainder of the year. If you live in areas with more constant temperatures year-round, you will likely experience very minimal shedding.
