Scientists from the Institute of Epidemiology in Neuherberg, Germany,examined the effect a dog would have on the immune system of childrenfrom birth to six years. The study used data of 9,000 children fromcohorts of infants born between 1995 and 1999 in four German cities.
Lead author Dr Chih-Mei Chen said, 'Children who have a pet dog at homeup to the age of one are 50 per cent less likely to developsensitisation against common inhalant allergens at age six. But no oneknows why.'
Dog ownership is associated with a higher level of endotoxins, which arenatural compounds found in bacteria. Higher exposure to endotoxins inchildhood has been found to reduce the risk of developing allergicsensitisation and disease.
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