I really want to get a dog as a pet, but also as an assistance dog for my daughter. She is disabled (wheelchair/non-verbal/epilepsy), and I think it would be so great to have a wonderful dog for us.
I wonder what is the best breed for this type of thing? They, of course, have to easily trainable, smart, not too big, but big enough to do some service work, like picking up an item and giving it to my daughter in her wheelchair. I'd also prefer a short hair, but I can bend on that one. Any breed/type suggestions?
Service dogs can be many breeds. Knowing how to train a service dog is really the challenge. I have a mixed breed therapy dog who is well trained but I do not really know how to go about training a service dog. Usually service dogs are trained by professionals and families apply to agencies to obtain one. Therapy dogs are just well trained family dogs that go about spreading good will in schools, hospitals, and other places. They just need a good temperment and their Canine Good Citizen and get hooked up with Therapy Dog Inc. or Therapy Dog International. I'd look up an agency if I were you.
There are many breeds available for training as service dogs. Much depends on what type of tasks you want the dog to do. After sitting down and making a list of what I needed a dog to do, I made my choice. I, personally, have a mixed breed rescue. I chose this route because I have some experience in training dogs. If you don't have experience, I recommend finding a school or finding a trainer who trains assistance dogs.
Please understand, a service dog, once trained is a working dog and no longer just a pet. They are entitled to be with their partner wherever they go. Their function is just like any other assistive technology a disabled person uses. That said, may I suggest you check out these yahoo groups to get more and perhaps better feedback for this question: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/assistance-dogs/?yguid=155713748
I agree with Glen's Mom. Goldens are great service dogs. So are shepherds and many other breeds, but Goldens are fantastic dogs all around. Since you'd prefer shorter hair, Labrador Retrievers are also fantastic all around. By this I mean they are great family dogs besides being extremely smart and trainable for being service dogs. There are many Labs and Goldens now being used as service dogs. Here are some links for you to check out: http://www.servicedogcentral.org/content/node/262 http://www.usservicedogregistry.org/
Good luck, and I know whatever dog you get will quickly become an integral part of your family and your daughter's life.
Golden Retrievers are wonderful service dogs. I was in a class with two deaf people and they had goldens. Each said they had owned a couple of them and wouldn't consider another breed. A blind friend has a golden. Theyre very kind and patient and will obey quite easily and will withstand a fair amount of "abuse" (hair pulling my children, climbing on ...that kind) without reacting.
I've often heard mix breeds are the best. We had a beagle/lab mix that was extremely easy to train. Anything with Shepard in it would most likely be also. Check your local animal shelter, they may even have a great dog in mind as they already know the temperament and train ability. There may even be some programs in your area. Do some searches and see if you can find one that is already in training or has been trained and ready for service. Labrador retriever German Shepard
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