The border terrier is a breed of small dog that originated in the United Kingdom. As I’,m a terrier fan, I often get asked ‘Is the Border Terrier Hypoallergenic?’ They are classified as one of the most popular terriers and they may be considered to be hypoallergenic due to their low-shedding coat, but there is more to it than that. You need to consider their seasonal shedding and also the fact that realistically, there’s no such thing as a totally hypoallergenic dog.
The Border Terrier Coat
Border terriers have short and wiry hair which some people think makes them less likely to trigger allergies among those who have pet allergies. However, many people don’t realise that Border Terriers actually have a dual or double coat. That means that underneath their short wiry hair, there is a soft and fluffy undercoat and therefore they do actually moult seasonally.
Is the Border Terrier Hypoallergenic
Due to their dual coat and seasonal shedding, a Border terrier is not a hypoallergenic dog. In fact the coat dies and regenerates twice a year which is why owners need to know about border terrier stripping, a grooming technique where you strip away the old coat to make way for the new.
But some people argue that a Border Terrier is not as allergy triggering as say a Jack Russell Terrier. There are many dogs that shed more than a Border – my Patterdale terrier certainly does.
Better Options for Allergy Sufferers
But there are also many dogs that shed less than a Border Terrier and therefore might be better for allergy sufferers. For example, a Bishon Frise or Poodle are very low shedding dogs. If you are particularly looking for a terrier type dog, you could go for a hybrid such as a Patterpoo (Patterdale-Poodle cross).
Allergy Sufferers should double check before Committing
It is important to remember that not all dog breeds are hypoallergenic, so it may be best for people who have allergy issues to have a conversation with their allergist before getting any new pets in the house. You may also consider spending some time with the dog before committing to adoption or buying him so that you know it will be ok. It would be awful if you adopted and then found out your dog triggered your allergies and had to send him back.
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