There are many people who recommend the Shih Tzu as the dog of choice because they believe the dog does not shed its fur. A non-shedding dog means that they are hypoallergenic because it is the loose fur and dander that causes many people to have an allergic reaction.
The truth is that all dogs shed, but the Shih Tzu is special because it does not grow fur as typical with most dogs, but hair just like humans. With the proper care, a Shih Tzu can become as close to a hypoallergenic dog as possible.
Shedding Hair
What makes the Shih Tzu special is that they have two layers of hair on their bodies. When the hair is kept long, it will not fall to the floor or ground when it is shed. Instead, the hair will remain in the coat until brushed out through proper grooming.
In other words, they do not shed their hair into the furniture, even if they have been lying on the couch all day. While not 100%, almost all the hair remains in the coat if it is kept long. That means you can pick up and cuddle your Shih Tzu and not worry about getting hair all over your clothes.
It is because loose hair is so rarely seen that many people believe the dog does not shed. It does, but it simply does not leave its coat. But does that make the Shih Tzu hypoallergenic?
Is Shih Tzus Hypoallergenic?
The answer is not quite. There is no such breed that is hypoallergenic, but because the Shih Tzu sheds so little of its hair the dog is about as close as you can get. For those who love dogs, but often have an allergic reaction to the loose fur, a Shih Tzu may be a great choice.
This is because the dog itself has hair, not fur as with most dogs. The allergies usually come from fur which is a different substance and causes the body to react in those who are allergic. Because the hair on a Shih Tzu is so similar to human hair, people who are allergic are few and far between.
However, a Shih Tzu is like any dog that it can get dry skin. Dry skin leads to flaking and dander which can escape the coat and get into the air. With a Shih Tzu, you can minimize the chances of dry skin with a combination of good dog food and proper grooming. Brushing the hair regularly causes oil to be released in the skin that keeps it from going dry.
Proper brushing is important because unlike fur, hair can become tangled which means that your Shih Tzu may feel some pain when brushing. You will need to be careful and gentle, especially if your dog has not been brushed in a while.
A Shih Tzu does shed its hair and is not 100% hypoallergenic. However, for those who want to have a dog in the house, it is arguably the best choice even for those who have allergic reactions to other breeds.
