Allergic scientist creates gene-edited dog to avoid sneezing

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, August 6, 2026

Geneticist Matt Walker and his company created a gene-edited beagle named Bailey that lacks the allergen protein Can f 1, which commonly triggers dog allergies. Early tests show Bailey and her twin do not cause allergic reactions in Walker, indicating potential for reducing pet allergies, though further studies and years of monitoring are needed before commercial availability.

Matt Walker, a geneticist and dog lover, has developed a gene-edited beagle designed to reduce allergic reactions associated with pet ownership. Walker, who suffers from dog allergies himself, collaborated with his company, Kindred Companion Sciences, to create Bailey, a female beagle whose DNA was edited to eliminate a key allergen protein. The gene editing aimed to disable production of "Can f 1," a protein commonly found in dog hair, skin cells, and saliva that often triggers allergic responses.

Bailey and her twin sister, Alfie, were born in September 2024 following a process that involved editing the DNA of beagle skin cells using the Crispr technique. The modified cells were then implanted into a surrogate beagle. Subsequent testing showed no detectable levels of Can f 1 in the saliva, fur, or dander of the gene-edited puppies. In comparison, samples from a standard beagle, a poodle, and a goldendoodle—a breed frequently marketed as hypoallergenic—contained measurable amounts of the protein.

To assess allergic response, Walker underwent a skin-prick test using samples from both the gene-edited puppies and conventional dogs. He showed a reaction to the standard dog samples but not to those from Bailey and Alfie. While this initial result is promising, the test involved only a single individual. Experts note that dog allergies may be caused by several proteins beyond Can f 1, suggesting more extensive testing is required to confirm the wider applicability of the approach.

Both puppies have developed normally with no immediate signs of unintended genetic alterations. However, their long-term health will require ongoing monitoring to ensure the safety of the gene-editing process. Bailey currently lives with Walker in New York, while Alfie resides with another member of the Kindred Companion Sciences team in Florida.

The company acknowledges that it will likely take several years and larger trials before gene-edited pets could be made available commercially. The broader aim is to determine whether this genetic modification can consistently reduce allergenicity for a larger population of allergy sufferers. This development represents a step forward in the application of gene-editing technology beyond human medicine, potentially offering a new avenue for those prevented from owning dogs due to allergies.

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