Effectiveness of over-counter medication for dog allergy and recent expierence

Hello,

Recently my girlfriend and I have been wanting to get a dog, we've both always wanted a dog. I feared however that I may be allergic, so I went to an allergist to see what he'd say. Besides being allergic to many other things, I did test positive for being allergic to dog. When I'm with a dog in a home I normally get the itchy-watery eyes, sneezing, congestion, and rarely hives. My allergist basically said "Don't get a dog"...I obviously didn't really like this answer. I plan on going on the allergy shot therapy within a few years as I hear they are expensive even with insurance...I just can't do it right now among other things.

Here are my questions (please respond):

1. How effective are the over-the-counter medications at controlling allergy symptoms with dogs?
2. What are the possibilities of me getting asthma from being exposed to the dog often? And, will over-the-counter medications help against that threat (this is a huge concern for me as I am an athlete, and nobody wants asthma)
3. Is there anybody here that maybe owns a dog but is allergic to them? What do you do? Are you miserable or is it not so bad?
4. Anything else I should know...

Thank you so much,

Andrew

[Tammy2009]

Antihistamines can over time stop working as well (I'm proof of that) so please try not to rely on medications.  I developed an allergy to my cats 6 years ago (I was 15), thought it was grass and just took anti-histamines for years.  However, now none of the drugs are working, I have developed asthma and likely allergy shots are helping.  

Do a lot of research on what kind of dog you want and think long and hard before you make a decision. Certain types of dogs are worse than others for allergies.  Try to get one that is a minimal shedder and minimal dander producers (daxis, pugs, boston terriers are bad for amount of dander they produce).  Fixed females release the least dander (very variable though) so try to find a female.  

But think, all the symptoms you have when you are at someone's house is what you will be living 24/7 and may worsen over time.  Do you honestly want to go through that?  It does make you miserable because it never goes away, day in and day out you feel like ****.  Try babysitting someone's dog for 2 weeks and see how you feel at the end.  It is not fair to the dog to bring it into your family and then 6 months down the road when you can't handle the allergy anymore and try to get rid of the dog.  

Also, if money is tight I don't think it is the right time to bring a dog into the family.  They are expensive! You have vet bills (minimum $1000 for the first year with a puppy), food (my cats are $60 a month at least, large dogs can easily cost over $100 a month), treats, accessories, license, grooming etc).  I think the average is $3000-4000 for the first year and then approx. $2500 each year after.  Plus there is the cost of the dog ($200-5000 depending on the breed and if any shipping is involved).  Lesson: Allergy shots are cheaper!!

I would wait until you see that allergy shots are working (for me 3 months into them, which was quicker than they are suppose too).  And then get a dog.  Allergy shots only costed me $140 for the first year without insurance (I am in Canada though).  I would get a price check from an allergist so you know how much you are looking at.