There isn’t a dog breed that’s 100% hypoallergenic. Even dog breeds without an undercoat or little to no fur can produce allergens that can trigger allergic responses in people.
However, some breeds are easier going on allergy sufferers than others. If you have pet allergies and are wondering whether pitbulls are hypoallergenic, let’s save you the trouble and answer that they aren’t.
This answers whether pitbulls are hypoallergenic, but there’s more to discuss on the pitbull terrier’s coat type and their likelihood of triggering allergies. After all, the allergens dogs produce vary, and so do the severity of people’s allergies.
Read on to get an overview of the pitbull’s coat type, how hypoallergenic they are, and whether this popular breed makes good pets for allergy sufferers.
What Is a Pitbull Terrier’s Coat Type
Pitbulls have a short, smooth coat that requires minimal grooming. Maintaining a pitbull’s coat is a breeze compared to many other breeds like the German shepherd or Maltese terrier.
The pitbull’s coat is fairly soft to the touch and sheds minimally throughout the year. You won’t encounter a fur storm at any period when a pitbull sheds. The short coat with minimal shedding makes the pitbull more bearable to be around for allergy sufferers, though not as much as hypoallergenic breeds without an undercoat.
How Hypoallergenic Are Pitbulls?
Pitbulls aren’t hypoallergenic dogs. However, these dogs aren’t the harshest on allergies. They shed minimally throughout the year without an intense shedding phase during seasonal changes. Pitbulls aren’t likely to trigger allergic reactions constantly if you have mild dog allergies.
Even though some of these factors may depend on the individual dog and the person, most people with dog allergies can be around a pitbull terrier without wheezing all the time by maintaining their coats. Using a de-shedding tool, you can remove dead fur from a pitbull’s coat that otherwise would get released into its surroundings.
Pitbulls don’t need as much grooming as dogs with longer hair or thicker undercoats. However, as someone with pet allergies, you’re better off brushing a pitbull more frequently than the recommended once a week.
Consider brushing your pitbull two to three times a week to maintain shedding. This will ensure you remove dead hair from their fur before it has a chance to be in contact with you and trigger allergies.
What About American Bully Dogs? Are They Hypoallergenic?
The American bully is a close relative of the pitbull terrier. Since the foundation of American bullies is the pitbull terrier, whether the standard, classic, pocket, or XL, these dogs also have a similar coat.
American bullies are also heavily influenced by the English bulldog, American bulldog, and various other pitbull and bulldog varieties, none of which are hypoallergenic. These give the American bully coat features similar to those of the pitbull terrier, as well as others in the breed’s lineage.
Therefore, the American bully, like the pitbull terrier, isn’t a hypoallergenic breed. However, the smaller size of the pocket bully may be better for people with pet allergies. If you’re timid about adopting a pitbull terrier due to concerns about allergies, you may find the pocket bully a suitable breed, as they are closely related but smaller.
Pitbull Terriers for Allergy Sufferers – Should You Adopt?
Pitbulls may not be hypoallergenic, but these dogs don’t shed as much as breeds with thick undercoats. Still, you’re likely to come across strands of fur where a pitbull sits and walks, as with any other dog breed that sheds, but it won’t be anything close to what a Siberian husky or a German shepherd leaves behind.
Just because a dog breed isn’t hypoallergenic doesn’t mean you can’t coexist with them. If you have pet allergies but are up for brushing a pitbull terrier’s coat thoroughly from top to bottom, they can make an ideal dog breed. You can happily live with a pitbull by maintaining their coat and keeping your home clean.
However, the coat isn’t the only trait to consider when adopting a dog. You should read this definitive guide about pitbulls to make an educated guess if they are the right breed for you. For example, the short coat and the shedding level may be somewhat feasible for those with pet allergies, but exercise and socialization needs can be too demanding.
With all this said, research thoroughly and carefully consider everything about the pitbull terrier before deciding to adopt – not just the shedding tendency and allergens produced.
