Are Belgian Malinois Hypoallergenic?

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Are Belgian Malinois Hypoallergenic? When it comes to looking for a new best friend, it’s always good to research different dog breeds to make sure that you know if you’ll be a good fit for each other.

A dog is a huge commitment and is a lot of responsibility. It’s a life that depends on you for around 15 years for food, and shelter, companionship, and of course, love and affection.

There are many factors to think about, like energy level and trainability, for example, that may influence your decision. You’ll want to get a dog that blends with your life.

But, if you live with pet allergies, there’s only one question that really matters when you’re looking at breeds.

How much do they shed? Suppose you suffer from dog allergies and the beautiful Belgian Malinois has caught your eye. In that case, you will most likely find yourself wondering, “Are Belgian Malinois bad for allergies?”

The Belgian Malinois is a highly intelligent, agile breed that is known mostly for military and law enforcement use. Even though they’re often mistaken for the German Shepard, these Belgian beauties are on a completely different plain of performance and have a totally different coat.

However, one main similarity that the two breeds do share is that neither of them is even close to being considered hypoallergenic dog breeds.

DID YOU KNOW? Allergies to dogs or cats affects up to 10-20% of the worldwide population!

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Short Answer: No, they are not.

Long Answer: If you’re affected by allergies to dogs, the Belgian Malinois may not be the right choice for you. They’re a light to seasonal shedder and do produce a lot of dander. They’re also made to do a lot of work outside, which makes them pick up a lot of dust and dirt. These can all be risk factors for your allergies.

The Malinois coat is designed to face the elements with two shedding seasons to fit the changing temperatures for summer and winter. This means that they do shed quite a bit when the weather starts to change and require regular brushing. Throughout the rest of the year, they are known as a light to medium shedder.

However, compared to other doubled-coated breeds, they’re pretty low maintenance when it comes to grooming needs.

To truly understand what your options are as someone who suffers from dog allergies, let’s talk about what hypoallergenic means in the first place.

What Does Hypoallergenic Actually Mean?

When you hear the word hypoallergenic, what comes to mind? You’re likely thinking about a hypoallergenic beauty product or maybe even a hairless dog.

The term hypoallergenic first came about in the 50s for a marketing campaign by a cosmetic brand. The goal of this was to attract clients with sensitive skin and skin issues. Even to this day, you will often see creams, makeup products, and other cosmetics that have the word hypoallergenic on the label.

A common misconception is that a hypoallergenic product or breed will not trigger an allergic reaction at all, but that’s simply not true. This means that all those hypoallergenic labels are really just claims since the FDA doesn’t call for that type of regulation.

Here’s what hypoallergenic really means. The literary definition of the word hypoallergenic is something that is created to be unlikely to cause a reaction in someone with allergies. This does not mean that an allergic reaction is impossible, it’s simply less likely to cause a reaction.

In this specific case, a hypoallergenic dog is a breed that is less likely to affect a dog allergy sufferer. Simply put, it means that a hypoallergenic dog breed sheds less than other breeds.

Do Belgian Malinois Shed?

The most important factor to look at in any dog breed, if you live with allergies is how much they shed. So, in saying this, does the Belgian Malinois shed?

The Belgian Malinois is well-known as a versatile breed that has a coat to match. It’s weather-resistant and layered for ultimate protection and body temperature regulation.

This adaptable breed is named after the Malines region they come from in Belgium. The average temperature is quite wet for the most part, and the Malinois coat reflects it!

The Belgian Malinois has a double coat that is perfectly made for outdoor living. They are classified as a medium/seasonal shedder. A medium/seasonal shedder means they shed a little bit throughout the year, but much more in the fall and spring, during the shedding seasons.

While they do shed, they’re considered pretty-low maintenance compared to other dogs like Golden Retrievers or Poodles.

DID YOU KNOW? Poodles are hypoallergenic and are very high-maintenance with their grooming.

Please read our article, Do Belgian Malinois Shed. You will learn more about the Belgian Malinois coat, shedding seasons, and more!

Belgian Malinois Grooming

The Malinois coat is tailored to adapt to all kinds of weather, warm and cold. Their coat is engineered to withstand the elements and change with the seasons. This means that they will shed their coat twice a year to make room for a new coat. During shedding season, your Malinois will need daily grooming with a good brush that gets down to the undercoat.

During most of the year, they shed lightly, but pretty steady. Because of this lighter regular shedding, not much more than a weekly brush and a monthly bath is really needed, depending on how dirty they get! A great further step to take is wiping your fur baby down with a damp cloth. This can drastically affect the amount of dander buildup in your dog’s fur as well.

For your Malinois’ coat, you’ll want a medium-length bristled brush to get down to the undercoat and pull out the dander. A favorite shedding brush among pet parents is the Furminator! Another popular choice for daily brushing is a grooming mitt like the Wahl Universal Grooming Mitt.

When bathing your Malinois, use a proper skin and coat moisturizing shampoo. Or, you could even use clarifying shampoo to clear out all the dander and dirt buildup, while still keeping their coat nice and shiny.

Don’t forget that a healthy dog means a healthy coat. When you feed your pup correctly, it will show!

What Are Hypoallergenic Dogs?

First things first, it’s crucial to remember that no dog breed is purely hypoallergenic. As mentioned before, the term only means that they’re less likely to trigger an allergic reaction in someone that is allergic to dogs.

A hypoallergenic dog is a dog breed that is considered to be safer for people with allergies to dogs. Usually, they have a thinner coat they shed less loose hair and dander, which is what makes them a better choice for allergy sufferers.

All dog breeds have coats that are tailored to fit their lifestyle. Dogs from colder and wetter climates tend to have thicker, layered coats to protect them from the elements. Dogs from warmer areas of the world will have a thinner coat that is not well equipped for colder climates.

Surprisingly enough, breeds like the Labradoodle or Yorkie-Poo, called designer crossbreeds, are bred specifically to shed less. It’s common for designer breeds to be crossed with varieties of poodles to create a more hypoallergenic coat.

But just because a dog doesn’t shed a lot, that doesn’t mean that it won’t trigger symptoms in people with allergies to them. Even a hairless dog can produce dander, which could cause an allergic reaction.

What Causes Our Allergies From Dogs?

Chances are, you or someone you know has a pet allergy. The ASPCA reports that around 10% of the country experience pet allergies. There’s really no clear answer as to what exactly causes allergies to dogs. However, the general consensus is that allergies are caused by an over-active immune system in an individual’s body.

Some people are born with these allergies, while others can develop them throughout their life. There are even cases of people growing out of dog allergies.

Basically, an allergic reaction is your body’s response to what it thinks is a toxic substance, an allergen. Since the immune system doesn’t recognize the allergen, the reaction is how your body responds. Your body attacks the allergen by creating antibodies. The antibodies are how allergy sufferers may display symptoms like hives or watering eyes.

Pet allergies are common, but not all the same. Dog allergies can be triggered by many things, including dog hair, dander, saliva, and even urine. Pet dander is made up of dead skin cells that your pup will shed onto her coat. If you’re allergic to pet dander, finding the perfect pup will depend on how much dander the certain breeds shed.

What Are The Symptoms Of Allergies From Dogs?

If you suffer from allergies to dogs, you’ve most likely been able to tell if there was a dog in a home before you’ve even seen it. It’s not a pretty sight. Runny nose, tearing up; it almost looks as if the dog has made you upset.

You can almost always tell when someone has an allergic reaction. While some are severe and can be life-threatening, like anaphylaxis, most pet allergies usually display symptoms that include:

Dry, itchy skin
Rash, hives
Itchy, runny nose
Sneezing
Nasal congestion, pain
Red, itchy, watering eyes
Puffy Eyes
Itchy mouth, particularly the roof
Chest congestion, wheezing, coughing

Are There Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds?

Being an allergy sufferer doesn’t mean that you can have a pet! Of course, you could just settle for a fish, but what’s the fun in that? Dog’s are where it’s at and luckily for you, there are hypoallergenic dog breeds.

Remember, no dog breed is 100% safe for allergies. A reaction is always possible. Even the AKC makes it noticeably clear that a purely hypoallergenic breed is impossible.

Here are all the dog breeds that are considered by the American Kennel Club to be hypoallergenic.

Shih Tzus
Yorkshire Terriers
Glen of Imaal Terriers
Bichon Frise
Dandie Dinmont Terriers
Peruvian Inca Orchids
Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonkas
Maltese
American Hairless
Mexican Hairless (Also known as the Xoloitzcuintli)
Chinese Crested
Miniature and Toy Poodles
Miniature Schnauzers
Coton de Tulears
Tibetan Terriers
Havanese
Sealyham Terriers
Bolognese
Löwchens
Affenpinschers
Hungarian Pulis
Bedlington Terriers
Portuguese Water Dogs
Giant and Standard Schnauzers
Standard Poodles
Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers
Afghan Hounds
Irish Water Spaniels
Kerry Blue Terrier
Logotto Romagnolo

Conclusion

Let’s go over what we talked about today.

You’ve learned that hypoallergenic means that they are least likely to trigger allergic reactions. This means that hypoallergenic dogs shed less, making them less likely to trigger all the nasty symptoms that come with dog allergies that almost resemble a mild cold.

We also discussed where pet allergies actually come from and how it happens in the body. And lastly, all of the known hypoallergenic breeds were listed. To learn more about these breeds, visit the American Kennel Club.

So, are Belgian Malinois bad for allergies? It really depends on the type of allergy (between dander, saliva, and loose hair. The Belgian Malinois has a lot of collectively) as well as the severity of your symptoms.

Allergies are downright awful, puffy eyes, runny nose, itchy ears. It’s not an attractive look and can ruin your mood, among other things. While most allergies to dogs are relatively mild, severe reactions can cause bodily harm. Living with these allergens can harm your lungs, in the long run.

A lot of people will “suck it up” and live with milder symptoms like an itchy nose. However, if you have a more severe allergic reaction to dogs, the Malinois probably isn’t the best choice of breed for you. It’s always best to consult your doctor and a vet to see which breed is the right one for you!

If you’re wondering which collar may be the best for your Belgian Malinois, why not have a read of our ultimate guide on the best collars for Belgian Malinois?