CRISPR-Edited Beagles Lack Major Dog Allergen

Scientists have successfully used CRISPR gene-editing technology to create dogs that lack the primary protein responsible for triggering human allergies, a breakthrough that could one day allow millions of allergy sufferers to own pets. The research, led by geneticist Matt Walker and his company Kindred Companion Sciences, resulted in the birth of two healthy beagle puppies, Bailey and Alfie, in September 2024.

The study, published on August 5, 2026, in The CRISPR Journal, details how researchers targeted a gene that produces the allergen Can f 1, a protein found in dog saliva, hair, and dander. The team used CRISPR to edit skin cells from a beagle, disabling this gene. They then employed a cloning technique called somatic cell nuclear transfer to create embryos, which were implanted into a surrogate beagle. The resulting twin female puppies were born without any detectable levels of the Can f 1 protein in subsequent tests.

Walker, who has suffered from dog allergies his entire life, served as the test subject. In skin-prick tests, he reacted strongly to extracts from traditional "hypoallergenic" breeds like poodles and goldendoodles but showed no reaction to samples from Bailey...