“Need before breed” is a common expression in dog circles, especially service dogs. It means that you should be choosing the dog who best fits your needs, not focusing on a random breed. Choosing the right service dog breed is important for ensuring a successful partnership. Here’s a look at some popular service dog breeds and their pros and cons:
Labrador Retriever: Friendly and easy to train, Labs are great for light mobility assistance, object retrieval, and psychiatric assistance. However, their energy levels can be on the high side and require consistent exercise.
Golden Retriever: Similar to Labs, Golden Retrievers are intelligent and eager to please. They excel in various service dog roles and are known for their gentle temperament. Their grooming needs may turn some handlers off to them.
Poodle: Standard poodles are highly intelligent and hypoallergenic (what that actually means), making them ideal for people with allergies. They’re athletic and can be trained for various tasks. They require regular grooming to maintain their coat.
Doodles: This one is going to ruffle some feathers. Doodles, a mix of Poodles and other breeds, can be hypoallergenic and friendly. However, their coat, temperament, and trainability vary depending on the specific mix. Seek out an ethical doodle breeder who is fully health testing their dogs with proper puppy raising protocols such as puppy culture or ens, do not support an awful breeder (which is most of them). Unthoughtfully mixed dogs can be a disaster. That said, they’re one of the most successful service dogs.
German Shepherd: Known for their intelligence, loyalty, and trainability, German Shepherds are well suited for light mobility assistance, guide work, and alerts. They may be too handler sensitive for some psychiatric tasks and may become inappropriately protective.
Collies: Collies are intelligent, eager to please, and handler focused. Their high energy and handler sensitivity can be a bonus or a downside, depending on what you need them for.
Briards: Briards are known for their loyalty, trainability, and protective nature. They can be an excellent choice if you find good lines and socialize appropriately. They can be too protective or skittish without lots of socializing. Their grooming needs are high, but their independent thinking can be a blessing to some and a curse to others. In my case, it’s a blessing.
Great Dane: While not a typical choice, Great Danes possess the strength and size for mobility assistance tasks. Their gentle nature makes them suitable for some handlers. However, their short lifespans and giant size require careful consideration. Access may be difficult with such a large dog.
Bernese Mountain Dog: Powerful and intelligent, Bernese Mountain Dogs can be trained for mobility assistance and other tasks. Their calm and affectionate temperament makes them good companions. They do have a good amount of grooming needs and some health issues.
Remember, these are just a few examples. The best service dog breed for you will depend on your specific needs and lifestyle. Join one of our training programs if you need help deciding. If you’d like to see your breed added, let us know!
