Physical and environmental characteristics of healthy and allergic dogs enrolled in this study.

Pruritus associated with allergy, ear problems and presence of fleas were part of the clinical history of these canine patients, and not necessarily the clinical presentation at the time of sample collection. Lab: Labrador Retriver, Bos: Boston Terrier, Hee: Blue Heeler, Mix: Mixed breed, Pit: Pitbull, Ter: Terrier, Poo: Poodle, She: Shetland Sheepdog, Aus: Australian Shepherd, GR: Golden Retriever, NA: Not available, M: male, CM: castrated male, F: female, SF: spayed female, N: no, Y: yes, T: trees, G: grass, W: weeds, C: carpet, T: tile, L: leather, B: bedding, F: furniture, G: glucocorticoid, CsA: cyclosporine, ASIT: allergen-specific immunotherapy.