[nagdu] Owning a guide while allergic to dogs

[Noah Beckman]

Hello all,
                I am sure the topic of my thread has been discussed at length before, but since I am a relatively new member to this list, I beg your patience in rehashing it so that I can gain further insight into this issue.

                Let me tell you a little bit about my situation.  I fervently want to ditch the cane in favor of a canine, but, unfortunately, I am allergic to dogs.  I would describe my allergies as relatively moderate, with the worst reactions (runny nose, mild eye irritation, and congestion) surfacing while I am in the prolonged presence of certain breeds.  However, German Shepherds are the only guide-dogesque breed I have (1) been around long enough to make a conclusion about their effects on my allergies and (2) ruled out as the breed for me on the basis of said conclusion.

                I have my sights set on The Seeing Eye.  I found out yesterday that The Seeing Eye discontinued boxers (the breed with whom they traditionally matched allergic students in the past) and, although they are looking to start training with poodles soon, the waiting list of students desiring this breed is extremely long, thus making my prospects of poodle puppy procurement poor for at least a couple of years.  Since I would like to acquire a guide dog as soon as I am able (May of 2014), and The Seeing Eye is my only school of choice, my breed options are limited to labs, golden retrievers, and lab-golden crosses.

                Although any input on this issue would be appreciated, I would especially love to hear from anyone on this list who (1) is allergic to dogs and (2) possesses a lab, golden, or lab-golden cross.  What are the effects of your dog on your allergies?  What do you do, if anything, to limit your dog's effects on your allergies?  What made you decide that the positives of getting a dog transcended the negative impacts such would have on your allergies?  Do you have any additional advice for me?

Thanks a lot,

Noah