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Let’s talk a bit about allergic itch (also known as pruritus) before we get into specific breed information.
When a dog has this condition, their immune system overreacts to allergens. This causes inflammation in the skin, leading to itching and discomfort that can be quite serious, especially if it’s left untreated. Allergic itch can worsen quickly, leading to skin infections and secondary complications. Early recognition and prompt veterinary care are critical to improving your dog’s quality of life.
The allergens that trigger allergic itch can be environmental (also known as atopic allergic dermatitis), food-based, or a reaction to flea saliva. Factors such as geographic location, climate, immune system health, previous allergen exposure, and stress also influence the risk and severity of allergic itch.
About 25% of the dog population is affected by this chronic condition.1 Atopic allergic dermatitis is one of the most common reasons for vet visits.2
Persistent scratching, licking, chewing, redness, hair loss, and skin irritation are common signs of allergic itch, often around the ears, elbows, face, and feet. These can be seasonal or year-round.
How is allergic itch genetic? Can’t any dog have environmental allergies, food sensitivity, or a reaction to fleas? Yes, any dog can be affected, but certain breeds are genetically more prone to allergic itch due to inherited skin barrier defects and immune responses. This is why some breeds have a higher risk of developing chronic skin problems.
If you have a purebred or mix of any of these breeds, it’s vital to be proactive about allergic itch knowledge, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. Dog breeds with itchy skin include:
Dogs with more than 50% white coat show an increase in allergic skin problems.4 The five breeds that commonly have this coloring include Boxers, Dalmatians, English Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, and West Highland White Terriers.4
Genetics affect a dog’s skin barrier. Dogs who suffer from allergic itch have a defective outer skin layer, known as the epidermis. When allergens like dust mites, dander, or pollen make contact with their skin, their immune system has an inflammatory response. This leads to the tell-tale signs of allergic itch.
Dogs are often bred in ways that create very little genetic variation from one generation to the next. Parents with certain sensitivities pass those on to their pups, who may in turn pass the same sensitivities on to their pups, and so on. This creates an entire breed prone to the same sensitivities, like skin and food allergies.
Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Bulldogs, and Terriers are known to have a genetic predisposition to allergies.5
Genetics can influence how a dog’s immune system responds to allergens. This means certain breeds can have an exaggerated response to allergens, increasing the likelihood of developing skin allergies and allergic itch.
Research has identified genetic markers associated with an increased risk of atopic dermatitis, a leading cause of allergic itch.6 For example, a significant signal on canine chromosome 38 is linked to increased risk in breeds like French Bulldogs. Your veterinarian can discuss if genetic testing is right for your dog.
The more you learn about allergic itch, the more you’ll want to make sure this challenging condition doesn’t impact your dog’s life. This includes knowing if and how your breed is affected by allergic itch.
Your veterinarian is an excellent resource for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. With early action and informed care, you can help your dog stay happy and healthy—even if they’re one of the dog breeds with itchy skin.
Brought to you by Zoetis
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: See full Prescribing Information. Do not use Apoquel or Apoquel Chewable in dogs less than 12 months of age or those with serious infections. Apoquel and Apoquel Chewable may increase the chances of developing serious infections, and may cause existing parasitic skin infestations or pre-existing cancers to get worse. Consider the risks and benefits of treatment in dogs with a history of recurrence of these conditions. New neoplastic conditions (benign and malignant) were observed in clinical studies and post-approval. Apoquel and Apoquel Chewable have not been tested in dogs receiving some medications including some commonly used to treat skin conditions such as corticosteroids and cyclosporines. Do not use in breeding, pregnant, or lactating dogs. Most common side effects are vomiting and diarrhea. Apoquel and Apoquel Chewable have been used safely with many common medications including parasiticides, antibiotics and vaccines.
INDICATIONS: Control of pruritus (itching) associated with allergic dermatitis and control of atopic dermatitis in dogs at least 12 months of age.
References:
1. ZMR: Itchy Dog Prevalence Study - USA December 2024
2. Chronic vs. Acute: The Most Frequent Diagnoses and Their Costs. Nationwide Insurance. https://news.nationwide.com/chronic-vs-acute-the-most-frequent-diagnoses-and-their-costs. Accessed October 27, 2025.
3. Atopic Dermatitis (Atopy). Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center. https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/riney-canine-health-center/canine-health-topics/atopic-dermatitis-atopy. Accessed October 27, 2025.
4. Anturaniemi J, Uusitalo L, Hielm-Björkman A. Environmental and phenotype-related risk factors for owner-reported allergic/atopic skin symptoms and for canine atopic dermatitis verified by veterinarian in a Finnish dog population. PLoS One. 2017 Jun 1;12(6). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5453595/. Accessed October 27, 2025.
5. Environmental and Genetic Factors in Dog Allergies. Untamed Science. https://untamedscience.com/blog/environmental-and-genetic-factors-in-dog-allergies/. Accessed October 27, 2025.
6. Forman OP, Freyer J, Kerr A, Labadie JD, Denyer M, Gow DJ, Alexander J, Daya M, Olivera YR, Lozoya C, Leutenegger C, Savard C, Huff JT, Foran RC. A splice donor variant in SLAMF1 is associated with canine atopic dermatitis. Front Vet Sci. 2025 Jun 19;12:1550617. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12221898/. Accessed October 27, 2025.
