Canine Allergies---Real or Not?

Who'd a thunk it? Apparently, dogs are now hypoallergenic just like we humans. I remember a friend's saying that her German Shepherd would gnaw at his foot in September every year, and had to have cortisone cream applied. Kind of odd.....but unique to Charley. Then.....along came Sammi, my library dog, who started going into frenzies of itching. At first I had her groomed. Being clean and short-haired did nothing to address the problem. Then, I scrupulously appled flea treatments-no dice. She would shake her head so hard, I thought she'd get a concussion. We checked for earmites-none found. Reading articles on-line turned up the disturbing fact that dogs, like humans, can be allergic to their total environment-dust, pollen, etc. To put Sammi in a bubble or not?.....Universally, vets urge us all to restrict their diets. Now she is on a "cat" diet. Believe it or not, dogs love tuna-at least Sammi does. Add to any fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines-fresh or canned), rice-brown or white. It makes a tasty casserole, apparently. She literally wolfs it down. Also, there is an Iams product in dry kibble made of only fish and rice available at the vet's. Good luck with this diet. So far, it's working!