Best Breeds for Service Dogs

Choosing a dog to call your own is a more important decision that most people think. Even faculty at University of Nevada, Reno state the importance of spending time with dogs. However, while many people choose a pet based on size and looks, they may be in for an unpleasant surprise if they don’t know much about the breed.  

This decision becomes even more important when the dog in question is meant to be a service animal. Not all breeds are suited to be service dogs. Some breeds, though, were born for it. When deciding to train or pick a service dog for yourself, it’s best to do some research first and see which breed will fit best with your personality and energy level. To get you started, here’s a list of dogs breeds whose middle name is “service.”

German Shepherd

The German shepherd is a versatile breed in the service world. The dogs’ need for mental stimulation makes them a great fit, which is why you can find German shepherds lending a paw in pretty much every service dog role. Training and obedience come easy to this highly intelligent breed.

No task is too complex for German shepherds, and their ability to understand commands is uncanny. This gentle giant’s loyalty makes it a great therapy dog as well, and it is suited for all ages. German shepherds are also a good candidate for being guide dogs due to their being big and strong enough to lead people and provide bodily support.  

One drawback to this breed, though, is that they can be overprotective and act aggressively toward others. Although this can be amended with extra training, it’s recommended that they are matched with an experienced owner.

Golden Retriever

It’s easy to see just by the smiles on their faces why golden retrievers serve people everywhere. They can even be seen helping baseball players in North Carolina. Their amazingly affectionate temperament calms many individuals, and they are especially effective at assisting people special needs, such as autism.

Golden retrievers can provide assistance and support when a person needs it most, and they are able to prevent harm (either from an outside source or from themselves) from coming to their charge. Like German shepherds, this breed's size and strength helps when performing day-to-day tasks for people, including the retrieval of heavy objects and offering physical support when needed.  

Due to the exceptional sociability of golden retrievers, they can easily integrate into homes with pets and where new people show up regularly. Quick learning and mild activity levels make these dogs compatible with pretty much everyone.

Labrador Retriever

If you need to find a poster dog for service animals, look no further. Labrador retrievers are the dogs for you. This breed is constantly used to serve people and for good reason. Not only do they have a sturdy body type, they have a stable temperament as well.

Able to support and lift heavy objects, their strength matches their ability to navigate unfamiliar situations and intense focus at the task at hand. This makes them a shoo-in as guides for the blind. Their gentleness and intelligence also makes them great therapy dogs.  

Labrador retrievers are especially comforting to people afflicted with mental illness, helping them feel calm and secure. Dogs are already known to improve mental health, but these effects are heightened with the training that therapy dogs are given.

Pomeranian

Yes, even Pomeranians can be found serving people. This fluffy breed makes for the perfect companion for elderly people due to its desire for attention and low exercise requirements. With loneliness becoming more of a public health concern, it’s important for individuals who are at risk of becoming lonely to have an animal that gives ample love and affection.  

Although they may not make for great therapy animals, the real service that Pomeranians can provide to people is alerting their owners if they need medical attention. This dog can be trained to let people know if they are experiencing an asthma or heart attack and alerts diabetics if they have low blood sugar. Even individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing can benefit from having a Pomeranian, since they can be trained to react to specific sounds like doorbells and ringing phones.

Poodle

Don’t let a poodle’s pretty face fool you. This breed is one of the most intelligent and eager-to-please dogs you will ever find. They’re always at the top of their class in obedience school, and their sweet nature makes them great companions for people with depression and anxiety.

They’re even excellent matches for people with allergies—in more ways than one. The most obvious advantage is their thick, hypoallergenic coat that gives allergy sufferers a much-needed break.

However, this breed is also known to be able to detect food allergens, protecting people who can suffer from potentially fatal allergic reactions. Poodles also serve people who have limited mobility by picking things up from the floor and opening and closing doors. 

People the world over are starting to realize the importance and need for service dogs. You can even find dogs being trained in human educational settings to get the socialization they need. However, not just any dog can be a service animal. They need to have a high intelligence level and an easy temperament to be a good candidate. By doing your research and selecting the right breed for you, you will not only be getting a service dog, but a friend as well.