Boykin Spaniels are lovely dogs, but are they hypoallergenic? If someone in your household is allergic to dogs, you must know if a Boykin spaniel will cause an allergic reaction. If so, a Boykin spaniel might not be the right dog for you. So, are Boykin spaniels bad for allergies?
Boykin spaniels are moderate shedders and can worsen allergy symptoms. Fortunately, Boykin spaniels don’t shed as much as other dog breeds. Therefore, you can manage the allergens your Boykin spaniel spreads and avoid an allergic reaction in most cases.
Unfortunately, if someone in your household is severely allergic to dogs, you may never be able to own a man’s best friend. However, in the case of mild or moderate dog allergies, you can manage the allergens spread by your Boykin spaniel. We will discuss what causes dog allergies, why Boykin spaniels aren’t good for people with dog allergies, and how to manage your Boykin spaniel’s shedding.
Why Are Boykin Spaniels Bad For Allergies?
The protein found in a dog’s saliva, dander, and urine are the things that cause an allergic reaction in humans. Therefore, although some dog breeds are better for allergies, no dog breed is genuinely hypoallergenic.
Low-shedding dogs are considered better for people with allergies because such dogs don’t spread as many allergens when shedding. However, as a dog sheds, it spreads some dander along with the hair, and this can cause an allergic reaction.
Boykin spaniels are moderate shedders, which spreads a moderate amount of allergens with their fur and dander. Boykin spaniels also have a double coat, causing them to shed more in the spring when they lose their thick winter coats.
However, Boykin spaniels are easy to train. Therefore, you can train a Boykin spaniel not to lick you, minimizing the allergens spread through its saliva. In addition, you can also house train your Boykin spaniel to urinate outside, reducing the allergens spread through its urine.
Therefore, Boykin spaniels can be trained to spread fewer allergens around the house, making them more acceptable for people with mild to moderate dog allergies. In addition to training your Boykin spaniel, you can follow some other essential tips to reduce the allergens spread by your Boykin spaniel. This will further help alleviate any allergies caused by your dog.
How To Reduce The Allergens Spread By A Boykin Spaniel
It’s still possible to adopt a Boykin spaniel if you are living with a person with dog allergies. This will take some training and more effort on your part. However, your Boykin spaniel shouldn’t cause excessive allergic reactions if done right.
Fortunately, Boykin spaniels don’t shed as much as other dog breeds. In addition, they are easy to train and obedient. By following these tips, you can help reduce the allergens spread by your Boykin spaniel and make life a lot easier for anyone in your home struggling with dog allergies.
1. Train Your Boykin Spaniel From A Puppy
Training your Boykin spaniel to urinate outside will help reduce the number of allergens spread through its urine. Boykin spaniels are easy to train, but starting young is key to success. Train your Boykin spaniel to understand where it should urinate and ensure a door is open for it to go out when needed.
Another thing you should discourage your Boykin spaniel from doing is licking you on your body or in your face. Boykin spaniels are lovable dogs and will often shower their owners with kisses. However, as the protein responsible for dog allergies is in their saliva, Boykin spaniels shouldn’t be encouraged to lick their owners.
Wash your hands immediately after touching your Boykin spaniel to prevent allergens from spreading around the house. Also, clean up any dribbles and wash surfaces where the Boykin spaniel licked or dribbled.
2. Brush And Wash Your Boykin Spaniel
Brushing your Boykin spaniel every week can help to remove any loose hair and dander from your dog’s coat, thereby reducing the number of allergens your pup spreads around the house. During spring, your Boykin spaniel will likely shed more than usual. You can give it a quick daily brush to remove loose hair during this time.
Washing your Boykin spaniel once every six to eight weeks can also reduce the dander your dog spreads. However, don’t bathe it more frequently than this to ensure your Boykin spaniel’s skin doesn’t dry out, which will cause it to shed hair and dander even more.
3. Don’t Let Your Boykin Spaniel Lay On Furniture
Give your Boykin spaniel a bed to lay on that is away from the person allergic to dogs. Don’t allow your Boykin spaniel to lay on the sofas or beds to reduce the allergens it spreads around the house.
In addition, don’t allow the Boykin spaniel in the room of the person allergic to it. This will ensure that person has a space free of any allergens. Don’t allow the Boykin spaniel to lie around on your clothes or blankets exposed to the person allergic to it.
4. Wash Your Boykin Spaniel’s Bed And Toys
Another way to reduce the allergens in your home is to wash your Boykin spaniel’s bed and toys regularly. Its bed contains hair and dander that can trigger an allergic reaction. In addition, the Boykin spaniel’s saliva can be covered in saliva and dander, further spreading allergens.
When washing the dog’s toys and bed, use an enzyme cleaner to inhibit the proteins that cause the allergic reaction. Ensure you also wash the bed and toys with a dog-safe cleanser to prevent them from having a reaction or getting ill.
5. Clean Up Messes Quickly
Although Boykin spaniels are easy to train, there is always the off chance of it messing in the house. When the urine dries, the allergy-causing protein is released into the air, spreading the allergens. Therefore, you should clean up any urine as soon as possible.
Use an enzyme cleaner to inhibit the proteins and prevent the allergens from spreading. You can also use this cleanser to clean up anywhere the Boykin spaniel drooled. In addition, using an enzyme cleaner to clean your porch from time to time will further reduce the allergens.
6. Vacuum Carpets Often
The final tip for reducing the allergens spread by your Boykin spaniel is to vacuum clean your carpets and other upholstery often. Doing this will help to remove fur, dander, and other allergens from your home. This will also reduce the chances of an allergic reaction to your Boykin spaniel.
While these tips will undoubtedly help reduce the chances of an allergic reaction, you can never completely eradicate the allergens caused by your Boykin spaniel. Therefore, if someone in your home is severely allergic to dogs, a Boykin spaniel might not be the best pet to adopt.
Conclusion
Boykin spaniels aren’t hypoallergenic, as the protein that causes dog allergies is in their saliva, urine, and dander. However, Boykin spaniels are better for allergies than some other dog breeds, as they are generally moderate shedders.
There are various ways to reduce the allergens spread by your Boykin spaniel, such as housetraining it, preventing it from licking you, and washing its bed and toys often. If you find that none of these tips work, you’ll have to consider relocating your Boykin spaniel or finding another roommate.
