Service dogs are trained specifically to perform various tasks for people with disabilities. These loyal companions provide support, assistance, and independence. Service dogs are not just pets; they work to provide stability to their handler.
These service dogs have complete public access rights, meaning they can go to places where other animals cannot. This includes restaurants, libraries, and public transportation. Types of service dogs include medical alert dogs, hearing dogs, and guide dogs.
Each service dog breed has its unique properties. Medical alert dogs inform their owners when they might experience a medical emergency. Guide dogs are larger in size, athletic, and highly trainable. Hearing dogs are smaller and somewhat independent.
Here are the 7 best service dog breeds that provide emotional support and perform mobility tasks.
Best Service Dog Breeds
1. American Staffordshire Terrier
American Staffordshire Terriers are amazing service dogs who make a good fit for individuals with mobility issues. Their confidence, intelligence, and easygoing nature make them well-suited for a wide range of service tasks.
American Staffordshire Terriers make great companions for dementia and Alzheimer’s patients. They can detect subtle changes in the mood of their owners, which is why they do well with individuals with mental disabilities.
Am Staff is a brave, loving, and gentle service dog who is quite energetic. They need at least 60 minutes of daily exercise to stay happy and healthy. Proper training and socialization are important to make them behave well. These service dogs are patient and have a loving nature.
2. Bernese Mountain Dog
Bernese Mountain Dogs make excellent therapy dogs; their gentleness and “huggability” make them well-suited for supporting individuals in nursing homes, mental health centers, hospital children’s wards, and schools. These service dogs are affectionate, open-hearted, and eager to please.
Bernese Mountain Dog is a tricolored breed having a laid-back demeanor. Their loyalty and intelligence make them well-suited as a service dog. These muscular service dogs are strong enough to support the weight of an adult who needs help to get up or pull a wheelchair.
You can also ask your Berner to fetch things or their favorite toys. They are intensely loyal to their owners and can be a bit aloof towards strangers. However, this trait can keep them from getting distracted from their duties.
3. Golden Retriever
Golden Retriever is a popular choice as a service dog breed. Their intelligence, medium size, and love for humans make them suitable for mobility–impaired individuals. Golden Retriever is an eager-to-please and highly trainable breed.
These gentle and kind-hearted service dogs have a friendly demeanor. They have an instinct to comfort and connect with people. They get attuned to human emotions. Golden Retrievers don’t just sense your emotions; they respond to them. This is the reason they are often employed as emotional support animals.
Golden Retrievers are known for their easygoing temperament. These active dogs are a great fit for on-the-go handlers in need of second eyes. According to PDSA, Goldens require two hours of daily exercise for physical or mental stimulation.
4. Great Dane
Great Danes are a gentle and sweet breed that makes excellent service dogs for individuals with physical and mental disabilities. The size and build of these gentle giants help them provide support and balance to mobility-impaired persons.
Their loving nature, high intelligence, and easy trainability make them a good choice for individuals in need of psychiatric support. Although Great Danes can be trained for a multitude of service dog tasks, they are not well suited for every household due to their large size.
Great Danes are sociable and friendly dogs who are always eager to learn. They respond well to consistent training methods. As per the American Kennel Club, they need constant human attention and socialization with other animals.
5. Labrador Retriever
The gold standard for service dogs, Labrador Retrievers are one of the most popular service dogs due to their friendly and easygoing nature. These devoted companions are quite easy to train. Labs’ high intelligence and athletic nature enable them to keep up with their handlers all day.
Labs are the good-natured service dog breeds who form strong bonds with their owners and thrive when they have a job to do. They are an ideal choice for visually impaired people and those having mobility issues. They also provide emotional support to veterans suffering from PTSD.
Their energetic and happy-go-lucky nature can be a positive influence on individuals struggling with mental health challenges. Labrador Retrievers are preferred by many dog lovers due to their loyalty, kindness, and affection.
6. Pomeranian
The cute and fluffy Pomeranians are relatively smaller than other breeds on our list. They are adept at alerting their owners about health issues such as asthma, symptoms of diabetes, and complications associated with Parkinson’s disease.
They make excellent service dogs for individuals with mental disabilities and hearing impairments. Their compact size makes them portable, so you can take them to small places that are hard to reach for large dogs.
Apart from their size and physical ability, their hard work can play a major role in improving their handler’s quality of life. Pomeranians are highly intelligent dogs that enjoy learning and respond well to positive reinforcement methods, explains PetMD.
7. Border Collie
Border Collie is another breed that makes amazing service dogs. These active herding dogs belong to the farm, but also serve as guide dogs. Their athleticism and high intelligence prove themselves as wonderful helpers for their human handlers.
These easy-to-train dogs feel the happiest when they accomplish tasks alongside their owners. Border Collies can be trained to perform complex tasks like opening doors, alerting their handlers, and picking up dropped items. They are protective companions for individuals in need of a service animal.
However, Border Collies are highly energetic dogs who require plenty of exercise to stay physically or mentally stimulated. Lack of activity can lead to destructive behaviors such as chewing, digging, and herding children.
Conclusion
Several breeds make excellent service dogs due to their high intelligence, easy trainability, and eagerness to please. They serve as guide dogs, therapy dogs, and medical alert dogs, providing support to individuals with physical or mental disabilities.
If you are planning to adopt a service dog for yourself or for your loved ones, make sure they are properly trained and well socialized. Avoid distractions and ensure the dog solely focuses on its handler. Most importantly, shower the dog with love and affection, and exercise them properly!
