• Outdoors--a virtual playground for airborne allergensdog in sun image by sonya etchison from Fotolia.com
  
  Dogs who appear to have symptoms of illnesses may be suffering from environmental allergies. Like humans, certain dogs are allergic to various elements in the atmosphere that may cause adverse reactions. When parasites, injury, illness, or food allergies have been discounted as the culprit of your dog's discomforts, it may be time to test him for environmental allergies.
  
  

Causes of Environmental Dog Allergies

• Dust mites and particles can trigger canine allergy symptomsDust Particles image by Shribros from Fotolia.com
  
  A lot like human beings, dogs can be allergic to pollen, dust, tobacco smoke, mold, mildew, grass, or the dander of other animals. In some rare instances, dogs may even be allergic to human hair. These types of allergies are call Atopic allergies and affect the animal when these elements are inhaled. Roughly 70 percent of dogs between the ages of 1 and 3 years old are diagnosed with canine environmental allergies.
  
  

Atopic Dermatitis

• Excessive Scratching--A sign of atopic dermatitisRonja 5 image by Nadine Wendt from Fotolia.com
  
  A common result of environmental allergy in dogs is atopic dermatitis. When dogs prone to inhalant allergies are exposed to allergens in the atmosphere they exhibit symptoms primarily at the surface of the skin. If your dog is itching excessively and frantically scratching, licking, or chewing at himself with no signs of mange or fleas, he may be suffering from canine atopic allergies. A veterinary assessment will be necessary to determine if he is affected by environmental allergies.
  
  

Otitis Externa

• Chihuahuas are often prone to canine atopic allergiessmall dog, big ears image by Lars Christensen from Fotolia.com
  
  Otitis externa is the medical term for canine ear infection. Because environmental allergies can alter the atmosphere within the ear, otitis externa can sometimes develop as a secondary infection. Dogs who have otitis externa may scratch at the ears or have a foul smell coming within the ear canal. While the ear infection can be treated and cured, try to get to the root of the allergy to prevent re-occurrences.
  
  

Hair Loss And Discoloration

• Light colored dogs may experience hair discolorartionwhite dog image by .shock from Fotolia.com
  
  A very common symptom of environmental allergies in dogs is hair loss or discoloration. Because of the extreme itching caused by the allergy, dogs will scratch and lick furiously at the areas of discomfort. Excessive scratching may lead to hair loss and patchy areas of fur. Canine saliva can stain the fur.
  
  

Commonly Affected Breeds

• Dalmations are sometimes susceptible to environmental allegeriesdog image by .shock from Fotolia.com
  
  Canine environmental allergies can affect any breed of dog and usually become present between 6 months and 7 years of age. However, certain breeds of dogs are more prone to this affliction than others, and may develop atopic canine allergies as early as 2 months old. Some commonly affected breeds are terriers, boxers, Irish setters, schnauzers, Belgian Tervurens, Chihuahuas, Lhasa apsos, golden or Labrador retrievers, and Dalmatians.
  
  

Treatment

• Always consult a veterinarian before attempting to treat your pet for allergies. In many cases the veterinarian will prescribe immunotherapy treatments that include a series of injections to control the allergies. For at-home care, it is advised to keep the home as free of dust and dust mites as possible. Charcoal-based or high efficiency particulate air filters may help considerably.