General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Some home defense alternatives [View all]laundry_queen
(8,646 posts)or at least dogs that shed - my brother has a Lab and I can't pet her too much or I break out in a rash and my asthma kicks in and that's my usual reaction around most shedding breeds (huskies seem to be the worst for me). However, I owned a small maltese/cockapoo cross for 12 years with no issues, and my parents own a maltese/poodle/bichon cross and my brother also has a maltese/bichon and I have zero issues around those dogs.
I read that the best breed for break-in deterrent is a chihuahua because of all the yapping, but a toy poodle is just as yappy without the allergens. We laugh that my brother has the best system - a big mean-looking lab and a small yappy dog.
However, dogs aren't always going to stick up for you in the case of a home intruder who choses your home despite the dog deterrent. The OP has some good ideas.