Are Cane Corsos Hypoallergenic?

I met many people who would love to own a Cane Corso, but they are unsure because they are allergic to dogs. I read that the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology said that 10% of people suffer from allergies around dogs, so I decided to research how allergenic Cane Corsos are.

Are Cane Corsos Hypoallergenic? No, Cane Corsos are not hypoallergenic. Despite Cane Corsos having short hair and barely shedding, they can still be bad for those who suffer from allergies. Experts say that there’s no such thing as a truly hypoallergenic dog, although having a dog that sheds less can reduce the symptoms.

Experts agree that the best way to get rid of allergies is to remove the pet from your home. Even so, 75% of people refuse to do that, this statistic made me want to learn everything I can, so I can give some advice on how to reduce the allergic reactions, and live with your Cane Corso.

What Causes Dog Allergies

Dogs produce proteins that surface on their dander (dead skin), saliva, and urine. The immune system of a person who is allergic reacts abnormally to the otherwise harmless proteins and causes symptoms such as:

• Sneezing
• Runny nose
• Itchy, red or watery eyes
• Itchy nose, roof of mouth or throat
• Cough
• Swelling

If you have asthma or other lung diseases you may also experience:

• Difficulty breathing
• Chest tightness or pain
• Audible whistling or wheezing sound when exhaling
• Trouble sleeping caused by shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing

Most often, dog allergy is set off by exposure to the dead skin (dander) a dog sheds. Different breeds shed differently and produce different dander, so it’s possible to be more allergic to some dogs than others.

How Cane Corsos Cause Allergies

Dogs that shed more release more dander into their environment, and the more hair you have flying around your house, the more prone to allergic reactions you will be.

Luckily, Cane Corsos have short hair and shed very little, and if you groom your Corso frequently, you can significantly reduce allergic reactions.

These are the things you need to take into account.

• Dander
• Shedding
• Saliva

If you read my article on Cane Corso Drooling you know that Cane Corsos drool very little compared to other large breeds, in fact, they only drool in certain situations like:

• When Waiting For Food
• Hot Weather
• When He is Nervous
• After Drinking Water
• Nausea / Car Sickness
• Stomachache / Intoxication

If you know when your Corso will drool excessively, it is easy to adjust or avoid exposing yourself too much in those situations.

And we already know that Coros shed little and produce little dander. So, why do Cane Corsos cause allergic reactions?

Common reasons people experience allergic reactions to Cane Corsos:

• Their short pointy hair – Cane Corso’s hair is stiff and pointy it can pierce through the top layers of our soft skin. Anytime something pierces our skin, we can experience rashes, itches, and skin irritations. I’m not allergic, but I used to walk barefoot around my house a lot, and a couple of times i really did find my Corsos hair underneath the top layer of the skin on my soles.
• Brought something from outside – Cane Corsos are playful, love to explore, and sometimes they roll around in all kinds of stuff. If you ever petted your dog and felt an instant irritation on your hands, your dog probably rolled or brushed against some fresh-cut grass, poison ivy, poison oak, sumac, or any other allergenic plant. Add in the fact that their hair can pierce your soft skin, you could have an unpleasant reaction.

Overall, the Cane Corso is fairly easy on allergies in the sense of irritations. They clean dogs, and don’t shed as much as many other breeds. But still, if you are allergic, you will experience the symptoms, regardless of what breed of dog you choose.

How to Make Your Cane Corso More Hypoallergenic

If you firmly decide to keep your pet even though you are allergic, here are some things you can do to reduce your symptoms.

• Build your immune system – Many new owners who have allergic reactions in the beginning, say after 6-8 weeks that their bodies have adjusted and become somewhat more immune.
• Regular grooming – Frequently brush your Corso, but do it outside the house, you don’t want all that hair and dander inside your home. There are hypoallergenic shampoos made to remove allergens from your dog’s skin without drying it out. I recommend bathing once a week.
• Diet – It’s no secret that your dog’s diet affects the health of his coat, try out different diets, with the guidance of your vet of course. I would recommend all Cane Corso owners to try a RAW diet.
• Wipe his coat – Use baby wipes to wipe your dog’s coat, you can do it daily, it will reduce the number of allergens on your dog’s skin, and it only takes 5 minutes to do.
• Protect your skin – Since most allergic reactions to Cane Corsos is a result of skin irritations due to their fur, wearing long sleeves when playing with them will protect your skin.

If nothing gives good enough results, you can certainly try various medications to alleviate some of the symptoms and negative reactions you are experiencing.

Medications For Dog Allergies

Another step you can take is to use medications to manage your allergy symptoms.

Your allergist can recommend which medications will be best for you, depending on your individual symptoms.

• Antihistamines – These medications block the production of histamine, the chemical that’s responsible for the symptoms we associate with allergies, such as itching, sneezing, and runny nose.
• Corticosteroids – When given as a nasal spray, corticosteroids can reduce allergy symptoms like inflammation.
• Decongestants – These medications can shrink swollen nasal passages and reduce congestion, making it easier to breathe. However, they may not be safe for people with high blood pressure, glaucoma, or heart disease. Talk with your doctor before using them.
• Leukotriene modifiers – If other allergy medications aren’t a good option for you, your doctor may prescribe a leukotriene modifier. This type of medication blocks certain immune system chemicals that can cause allergy symptoms.

Summary

Cane Corsos might seem like a good pick for people who are allergic, but allergy experts say there’s really no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog.

However, this doesn’t mean you’re without options. There are ways to reduce or eliminate your exposure to dog allergens. You can also take medications that manage your symptoms of dog allergens.

An allergist can help you learn more about your options.