Hepper is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

Are Rottweilers Hypoallergenic? Surprising Facts!

Nicole Cosgrove Profile Picture

By Nicole Cosgrove

Two rottweilers lying in the yard

Dog allergies are quite common, with approximately three in 10 adults in the U.S. being allergic to dogs. Hypoallergenic cats and dogs do not truly exist because they all produce the proteins that act as allergens. That said, some breeds are considered safer for allergy sufferers. Although they are not heavy shedders, Rottweilers tend to slobber or salivate, and plenty of allergens are found in their saliva. Therefore, Rottweilers are not particularly hypoallergenic.

Divider 1

What Are Hypoallergenic Dogs?

In reality, there is no such thing as a completely hypoallergenic dog.1 Dog allergies are triggered by the existence of certain proteins, which are present in a dog’s fur, skin, urine, and even saliva.

Even the lowest-shedding dogs do shed, and all dogs produce saliva and urine. When people refer to hypoallergenic dogs, they typically mean those that shed minimally and are not known for excessive saliva production.

About the Rottweiler

The Rottweiler was bred from Roman dogs, and early Rotties were used to drive cattle. They were also used to protect the belongings of their handlers. This multifunctional dog would even pull carts to and from the market.

More recently, the breed’s intelligence and loyalty, as well as their formidable physical attributes, have been used by police and armed forces, and they are common guard dogs and watchdogs around the world. Aside from a dip in popularity after World War II, their popularity has remained high.

rottweiler standing
Image By: Ricantimages, Shutterstock

Rottweiler Maintenance

The Rottweiler has a short double coat that consists of straight hair that is coarse and wiry. Although your Rottweiler will shed, dogs with a single coat usually shed more.

Weekly grooming is usually enough to ensure that the coat remains healthy, and it will also help remove dead hair and prevent much of it from getting onto furniture and carpets.

However, the breed is well known for being a drooler. Males of this breed tend to have loose lips, though they may not be as prominent as those of the St. Bernard, for example. Having loose lips means that saliva drips off, and the problem is worse if the dog shakes their head. You can wipe away some of the slobber, but you should never limit a dog’s access to fresh water, so saliva will always be something of a problem.

How Badly Do Rottweilers Shed?

Rottweilers do shed frequently, despite having a double coat. They are nowhere near as violent a shedder as a Golden Retriever, for instance, but you will find stray hairs on the floor, furniture, and your clothing.

They will shed heavily twice a year, during spring and fall. During shedding season, you should groom your dog more often because this will reduce the amount of stray hair in your home. Brush your dog two or even three times a week during these periods.

Can You Build Up an Immunity to Dog Allergies?

Some people do report that they were able to build up an immunity to dog allergies. However, this number is low, and they may have simply outgrown the allergy. What this means is that you shouldn’t assume that you will be able to build up immunity. Exposing yourself to allergen proteins is more likely to make you ill, and your allergy will get worse as your exposure increases.

rottweiler with tounge out
Image Credit: Serova_Ekaterina, Shutterstock

How Do You Get Rid of Dog Allergies Permanently?

You might grow out of your allergy, and there is a slim chance that you will develop an immunity. However, there is no guaranteed way to get rid of any allergy permanently.

Corticosteroids can fight off the inflammation of an active immune system, while antihistamines can prevent the formation of histamines that form when your body detects something harmful. Regular grooming and brushing will also help minimize the amount of hair that gets on furniture, carpet, and clothes.

What Are the Worst Dogs for Allergies?

Although all breeds can negatively impact someone with a dog allergy, some breeds are worse than others. The Basset Hound is a characterful dog with plenty of charm and unique looks. However, their generous jowls harbor a large amount of saliva, and this can easily spread across the room with a quick head shake.

The Doberman shares the colors of the Rottweiler, though they tend to be taller and not as heavy. They are also a popular guard dog. Unlike the Rottie, they have a thin single coat of hair that is prone to shedding. The Doberman is also known for having a large amount of dander, which also contains the allergen that makes sufferers sniff and sneeze.

A long-haired German Shepherd is a heavy shedder, which will trigger allergies in anybody prone to them. The Golden Retriever is one of the most popular dog breeds in the world. They are friendly and loyal, and they are considered a fun and amiable pet that will fit into most households. However, they are heavy shedders, and you will find their hair on most clothing and almost all the furniture in your home.

What Big Dogs Are Hypoallergenic?

Fortunately, some dogs are considered better for allergy sufferers and are often described as hypoallergenic dogs. These include big breeds. The Standard Poodle is near the top of the list when it comes to popular pets. Besides being known for their intelligence and loyal nature, they don’t shed heavily or have excessive saliva production.

It may be surprising to learn that the Afghan Hound is often described as hypoallergenic. Most people see the long and luscious coat and believe that it must be bad for allergies. However, the breed keeps hold of their long and silky hair, so it rarely affects allergies.

9-month-old-rottweiler
Image Credit: Liliya Kulianionak, Shutterstock

Divider 3

Conclusion

Rottweilers are not hypoallergenic. While they shed only modestly, the problem is worse during winter and fall shedding seasons, and they do produce and share a great deal of saliva. Consider other breeds, or ensure that you groom your Rottie frequently to suffer minimal allergic reactions.

See also:


Featured Image Credit: Rita_Kochmarjova, Shutterstock

Related Articles

Further Reading

Vet Articles

Latest Vet Answers

The latest veterinarians' answers to questions from our database