Doberman specific allergy?

[Emerald]

Wasn't really sure where to post this, sorry if this is the wrong place.
Is there such a thing as breed-specific allergies? My friend had a doberman and whenever I played with him, I would get a rash on my arms. There was no sneezing or watery eyes unless I spent several hours with him in a closed room. That same friend also has a cat and a pomeranian/chihuahua mix. Before she got the doberman, I had no problems visiting her. I spoke to my doctor, but she refused to do an allergy test and said it's pretty clear I'm allergic. However, could I be allergic only to dobermans and not other breeds? I've been exposed to many different dogs and cats and never had any reactions before.

 

[Archer]

No. it's the protein in the dander we are allergic to not the breeds themselves. Some individual dogs have more dander than others, so those tend to be the ones we allergic people react to. Dobermans are a short coated breed and even non allergic people can have bumps on their skin after playing with a Dobe as their short hairs can prick the skin and cause irritation

 

[AresMyDobie]

Lol is your dobe a puppy and biting you ? My fiancé can't get bit by a dobe puppy or he breaks out in little red bumps that itch. Something in their salvia only as pups does this to him, I have read several threads that's it's happened to a couple people, he wears long sleeves around them as puppy's and if it happens Benadryl and cortisone cream does the trick

 

[Emerald]

Lol is your dobe a puppy and biting you ? My fiancé can't get bit by a dobe puppy or he breaks out in little red bumps that itch. Something in their salvia only as pups does this to him, I have read several threads that's it's happened to a couple people, he wears long sleeves around them as puppy's and if it happens Benadryl and cortisone cream does the trick

Yes, he is a puppy, but he doesn't bite much. At first I thought I had scratches from him jumping up on me, but I guess it could be his saliva.

 

[Viemarangelrock]

Lol is your dobe a puppy and biting you ? My fiancé can't get bit by a dobe puppy or he breaks out in little red bumps that itch. Something in their salvia only as pups does this to him, I have read several threads that's it's happened to a couple people, he wears long sleeves around them as puppy's and if it happens Benadryl and cortisone cream does the trick

Oh yes, me too!

Check out this thread... Random question - allergies from dog saliva

 

[WiglWerm]

Like @Archer mentioned, the short hairs can prick the skin and make a rash...occasionally it happens to me when I am playing, hugging on mine. It doesn't itch but stings a bit and then goes away shortly after.

 

[Emerald]

Thank you everyone for your replies!
Should I avoid getting a doberman or would it still be possible to live with one?

 

[Archer]

Up to you. I react to dogs the same way and I have 5 Dobermans. All depends on what you are willing to put up with. If they are your own dog, your body can become more immune to them since you are around them 24/7 and you won't react as bad, but you will more than likely need antihistamines.

 

[Rbm32]

Its not possible to be allergic to a single breed of dog, but dobermans have short hair that can be more irritating than other breeds. Its possible that you have always had a minor dog allergy that only shows itself with the shorter hair.

 

[Doberman Gang]

Longer coat breeds actually effect me worse that the short haired dogs. My dibermans don't bother me too much, the Malinois only bother me if I don't wash after playing with them. GSD's and huskies will get my eyes watery and itchy. So it can vary, can't do cats at all but they wouldn't fair well on my house anyway.

 

[Rbm32]

Interesting, everyone I know is kind of the opposite. Shorter hair=more irritating.

 

[MischasMomma]

I am that way with pitbulls. Never ever made sense to me, that they were the only breed that would irritate me! Occasionally I'll get itchy with Mischa, but it's tolerable.