my mom and brother were extremely allergic to any kind of pet dander, dust, pollen, pretty much anything involved with the outdoors. they had to go for allergy shots for YEEEARS ... but we've had yorkies for so long and they never had a problem unless it was during hayfever season and the dogs were running around outside .. if that were the case, straight to a bath they went.

bath
 

No problem, keep us posted on things you try and if they bath or spray works for your sister.

Along with the pollen and grasses from outside that get on the dogs, it could be that you are using a fragrant shampoo and that is what is making her allergic. I have severe allergies and have several yorkies in the house and the only time they bother me is after they have been outside or if I use fragrant shampoo. I cannot tolerate perfume or fragrances.

ok.. i find it strange to be allergic to yorkies.. they have hair not fur...right??? people have hair..is she allergic to people?

i always wondered the same thing:rolleyes:

It is possible to be allergic to yorkies but it is less common than some other breeds. I can also sympathize with your sister - having allergies are just awful! I'm lucky enough not to be allergic to dogs thank goodness but I am allergic to cats, and highly allergic to rabbits and guinea pigs and animals like that. It's just miserable and people without allergies just don't always understand. If you do wash you pup and be sure to vacuum really well, maybe that will help. Also, she could try one of the over the counter allergy meds - they really do help. Good luck.

I have really bad allergies to cats, pollen, and woodchips/mulch, so I do understand what she goes through around dogs. She takes benedryl and/or claritin. If she looked like she were having an allergy attack, ie red eyes, not able to function very well, etc, then I would be highly sympathetic and not question it. But she'll just randomly say "Oh, your dog is giving me allergies" and she's not even sniffling! If she is having an allergic reaction, then it is just the same as how I react to the cottonwood here;I suggested maybe that was it, rather than the dog, but she insists....

I don't think it is the fragrance of the shampoo. She made comments about being allergic to him even when I was using johnson and johnson, and that is what she bathes her son with...

It is true that he might be picking up allergens while playing though; I will look for that allerpet, and bathe him next time she comes over. I'm not sure when the next time will be, but I'll let you know how it works out!
:thumbs up
-O

allergic to dogs and own a yorkie
 

we have 3 yorkies of our own and i breed yorkies.. my son just got tested for allergies and asthma.. and his allergic to dogs.. yes yorkies are hypoallergenic. BUT that doesnt mean that the yorkie will not bother with your allergies.. its the dead skin on them, licking, and urine that can bother someone.. we were stunned when we found out that he was allergic to dogs.. the puppies arent anywhere where our son is.. they are stationed in a back room that he never goes in.. our 3 yorkies are around him.. but my son and yorkies have never really interacted with him.. besides my male jojo who has to make sure every night that he goes into my sons bed room and makes sure that i put him to bed good and has to be there when he wakes up in the morning.. well now the yorkies can not go in his room.. and then ofcourse the hardest thing is the living room cause thats where ofcourse the dogs hang out at and so does my son.. so we vaccum and shampoo bout once a week.. and dont let the dog lick you.. cause that isnt good either.. i always said of there hypoallergenic u cant be allergic to them.. well i learned u can be..

I know that people say that the Yorkie is non allergenic but all dogs have dander and dander is what causes most allergies. Animals lick themselves and the saliva dries and can be an allergen to some people. Since Yorkies have no undercoat they don't tend to hold dander and other allergens as much as other dogs.

Your sister sounds like she may or may not have a mild allergy. If she does not touch the dog it is unlikely she would have a reaction to your dog.

One of my daughters has an allergy to cats. It's not terribly severe but if she pets a cat several times and then touches her eyes her eyes will get itchy and then her nose will fill up and she ends up with an allergic reaction. She takes some Claritin and is fine. She also happens to own 3 cats. As long as she washes her hands after touching the cats and keeps her home vacuumed and clean she has very little problem with them.

I hope your sister does not get a dog. I don't think someone that dislikes animals that much should have one.

If you are allergic to dogs the allergen (scratch test) is based on a person being allergic to canine saliva.
There are other other dog related allergies though.

Yorkies among other breeds are hypoallergenic.
meaning the are danderless which actually means a low amount of dander not less as in none also nonshedding meaning no seasonal coat sheddibg and yorkies have hair not fur.

Most dogs irritate both mine and my children's allergies.

We got hypoallergenic dogs a schnorkie mini schnauzer and yorkie.

I realize this thread is many years old however I just wanted to chime in about allergies to Yorkies.

I watch my sister's Yorkie every summer for the past 3 years (since she got him). He's an adorable dog...however, I am beyond allergic to him. As we speak my eyes are red and swollen, I cannot stop sneezing, my throat is sore and I'm stuffed up. Occasionally I start to wheeze. This happened on Monday when I got him. This has happened every single time I have had him, including this past February when I had him for a week. When I woke up this morning my right eye was closed shut.

My husband and I used to own a pit bull (my husband already had him when I entered the relationship). I was also allergic to him - same symptoms as above however my skin would also break out in a rash. I do not have rash issues w/the Yorkie.

I was tested for allergies a few years ago and I am allergic to pet dander. I also have 3 cats and do NOT have any allergic reaction to them like I do to do dogs.

Most dogs I am around are short hair and again, the same allergic reaction. The Yorkie is the first hair dog I have been around and I didn't think it would be a problem but obviously it is.

W/the Yorkie, I don't think it's the dander but rather the urine. I do bathe my "nephew" - I use Ivory soap (which my husband used to use on his dog) and I'm fine. It's AFTER the dog pees when I have a problem. I do wipe him down with baby wipes but that doesn't help much and I know I cannot bathe him everyday.

What I think needs to be done is the dog needs to have his hair cut down. I understand the Yorkie look however since I have him for X amount of days (usually 2 1/2 weeks in the summer as they are overseas), my eyes are more of an issue than his look.

He is a very cute and loveable dog. I just can't love him the way I want to because I'll be in the ER w/an asthma attack and I don't even have asthma.

Just want to welcome you to YT, sorry but I don't have any suggestions, I never had allergies nor know anyone that has pets that has. I just want to say, I think you are an awesome person to baby sit your sister's pup with this horrific condition you have, but not very healthy for you. For the time you have to puppy sit can you take meds.

I'm on a Claritan diet LOL. Every year I keep reminding myself that I'm going to start them BEFORE I get him...then I forget...and then I want to cry.

Good thing he's a cute dog!

cutting the yorkie's hair most likely will not help with your allergies

We have dogs allergies and the intensity varies depending on each individual dog. My yorkie doesn't bother me as much as my bichon-poo.

I just know that life with dogs means I have to take medication (will be doing allergy shots soon). I'm on flonase, singulair and a inhaled steroid. FWIW I don't think Claritin is all that helpful (according to the 2 allergists I have seen---they both recommend zyrtec)