One of the first executive decisions to be made by President-elect Barak Obama will be to decide what kind of hypoallergenic dog to get for his daughters when they move t o the White House. During his election night speech, Obama noted that he would make good on his promise to get his daughters a puppy. The Obama family is seeking a hypoallergenic dog because one of the daughters, Malia, is apparently allergic to dogs.

In the last few weeks, canine associations and pet lovers around the world have nominated their leading candidates for the new First Dog of the Obama Administration. The issue has even been elevated to the ranks of international diplomacy: the Association of Friends of Hairless Dogs of Peru recently sent a letter to the US Embassy in Peru offering a Viringo breed puppy to the Obamas. This hairless breed, the only one native to South America, supposedly does not cause allergies.

However, the search for a hypoallergenic dog also highlights a common public misconception about pet allergies. People are actually allergic to proteins found in animal dander and saliva, not to the animal hair itself. Thus, although some dog breeds may produce less allergenic dander, even a hairless dog may potentially trigger an allergic reaction.

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, approximately 15 to 30 percent of people with allergies have allergic reactions to cats and dogs.

If you have an allergy to pets, experts recommend spending some time with the prospective pet before buying or adopting the animal. If prolonged contact with the animal does not elicit an allergic reaction, then chances are good that subsequent allergic reactions will not occur.

For more information about allergies, see the Healia Health Guide on Allergies or the Healia Community on Allergies.

_{Photo: Gavatron, Flickr, Creative Commons}