After many months, totaling over a year, we decided to get a Whippet puppy. The choice was largely based on the few facts we had read about whippets and the compromise between my husband and I. I really like small dogs, he really likes large dogs. We read that Whippets are low dander and low shedding but not hypo allergenic. We already had a 12 year old Toy Poodle. I wanted an Italian Greyhound, he wanted a Weimaraner. We also knew that because of my allergies to dogs, it had to be a dog that doesn’t shed very much.
We visited the breeder we found through the AKC and absolutely fell in love with the breed. I played with the adult dogs and watched for a reaction on my arms, nothing happened. However, its important to note that I am on a daily treatment for my allergies that includes asthma medications and a 24 hour anti-histamine. I have a strong allergy to dogs and many other environmental substances. Being that I already had a dog, I had a good idea of what to do and what not to do for my test. For example, I never ever let a dog lick me. I am highly allergic to the saliva. I also am very careful about hand washing. Accidentally rubbing my eyes after touching any dog could get pretty ugly.
Before we left, we let the Whippet breeder know we would definitely be interested in purchasing one of her puppies if her female dog becomes pregnant. Weeks later, we heard the good news that the dog was pregnant and that we were on the list for a Whippet puppy.
In the weeks that followed, I really worried I was going to have to give this puppy back. How was I going to do that when I was sure we would all fall in love with the dog immediately? When the puppies were only 2 weeks old, we made our second trip back to the breeder and discussed which Whippet would most suit us. We left it up to her to decide for us but I already had a puppy in mind.
At about 8 weeks, the decision was made, we were getting the puppy I had secretly wished for! At 10 weeks, we brought our Whippet puppy home. He was much bigger than the last time I saw him. I was a little nervous about that. If he keeps growing at this rate, he’s sure to be the size of a horse when he’s full grown!
I played with the puppy and as puppies will do, he licked me all over. This was not good, I had hives all over my neck and chest and I was just about to go out to a really important office party. I slathered on the cortisone cream, got changed and ran out the door. Thankfully, the hives were gone before I got to the party.
Part II – Living with our Whippet after 2+ years:
Living with our Whippet has certainly brought me so much joy but also several episodes of small allergic reaction. Whippets are definitely not hypo allergenic but they certainly are low allergy for a few reasons.
Whippets shed in the spring and summer and quite a bit more than I expected. To reduce the amount of trapped hair and dander in our house we have no carpeting and our furniture is with leather or not upholstered. These small choices make a big impact when living with asthma and whippets. We also replace our whippet’s bedding often rather than just repeatedly washing the same dog bed.
Washing the Whippet often will help remove any dander off the dog and will help reduce the amount of dander in the house. I highly recommend having a non allergic individual bathe the dog.
My whippet is never allowed to sleep in my bed or my bedroom. If you make your whippets crate comfortable enough, your whippet will love sleeping in the crate. Crates are also very easy to hose down and wash regularly to remove dander and whippet hair.
The most important thing to walk away with from this story is that I still haven’t given up our whippet and that my allergy symptoms are definitely manageable using ordinary care and caution around the dog and his things. I have not had to use my inhaler even once to relieve dog allergy symptoms. I have on a few occasions had to resort to allergy eye drops from rubbing my eye inadvertently after playing with him. I have also used Benedryl cream on my neck and arms to relieve hives from contact.
Keeping a very clean home and using ordinary care, you can live very happily with your whippet and allergies for years.