As some of you may know, I am very interested in becoming a Service Dog Trainer. In the long run, I want to have my own facility. Part of my organization will utilize shelter dogs, but being that service dogs must meet very very very specific requirements, it is just not possible to run a service dog organization solely with shelter dogs(or so I've been told by numerous people in the field). Anyway....
Although it's a long way in the future, I have racked my brain for a very long time trying to figure out what breed I would use. If possible, I would like to use something less common but still well suited for the job. I personally am not a Lab person; nothing against the breed, just that here having a Lab is like owning a pencil. There are so many of them with such poor breeding, I don't know that I have EVER met a truly good example of the breed.
I don't want to use Poodles, and would like to avoid other long-haired breeds as many of the people needing service dogs either cannot afford or are not physically capable of caring for a long-haired dog. If they are physically capable, they still have to be able to afford the upkeep, and grooming is expensive. So I'd like to steer clear of a long-haired breed.
Other breeds I have either heard of being used, or have considered:
-Dobermans: When I first heard of them I would think that Dobies might be too high strung for this.....in general, of course. And if you're dealing with a high-strung breed, wouldn't your percentage of potential service dogs in a litter decrease? Theoretically, anyway. Heck I don't know.
-Pit Bulls: I would love to use Pitties, as this is great because it also will help change the view of the breed. Would like some input.
-Corgis: I think a larger dog could be better depending on the disability of the person. But those that I've seen do a great job, but (no pun intended) fall short when it comes to something they can't reach or physically just cannot do due to their size.
Just an idea...
-Greyhounds: The only Greyhounds I have ever met have been rescued racers. They are very very calm, and non-reactive to even the busiest and loudest of places. But, I know that racers typically do not have the best upbringing. So are most Greyhounds calm, or are ex-racers this way simply because of their history? I have never had experience training Greyhounds. Are they intelligent and trainable? Also, being capable of such greats speeds, and being sight hounds, is this just asking for trouble? Input here?
-Rottweilers: Too high energy? Very smart, large enough to do just about anything a service dog might need to do, don't require much maintenance in terms of grooming.
-Australian Cattle Dogs: I'm thinking probably too high energy....input?
Does anyone have other ideas? I'm completely open to any and all input; I can't seem to find a breed that is a good candidate all around, aside from Labs and Goldens. Of course if this ends up being a far better option than any other breed, I will use one or both of them; not going to sacrifice the needs of those needing service dogs just so I can try a different breed.
Thanks in advance, everyone!
Although it's a long way in the future, I have racked my brain for a very long time trying to figure out what breed I would use. If possible, I would like to use something less common but still well suited for the job. I personally am not a Lab person; nothing against the breed, just that here having a Lab is like owning a pencil. There are so many of them with such poor breeding, I don't know that I have EVER met a truly good example of the breed.
I don't want to use Poodles, and would like to avoid other long-haired breeds as many of the people needing service dogs either cannot afford or are not physically capable of caring for a long-haired dog. If they are physically capable, they still have to be able to afford the upkeep, and grooming is expensive. So I'd like to steer clear of a long-haired breed.
Other breeds I have either heard of being used, or have considered:
-Dobermans: When I first heard of them I would think that Dobies might be too high strung for this.....in general, of course. And if you're dealing with a high-strung breed, wouldn't your percentage of potential service dogs in a litter decrease? Theoretically, anyway. Heck I don't know.
-Pit Bulls: I would love to use Pitties, as this is great because it also will help change the view of the breed. Would like some input.
-Corgis: I think a larger dog could be better depending on the disability of the person. But those that I've seen do a great job, but (no pun intended) fall short when it comes to something they can't reach or physically just cannot do due to their size.
Just an idea...
-Greyhounds: The only Greyhounds I have ever met have been rescued racers. They are very very calm, and non-reactive to even the busiest and loudest of places. But, I know that racers typically do not have the best upbringing. So are most Greyhounds calm, or are ex-racers this way simply because of their history? I have never had experience training Greyhounds. Are they intelligent and trainable? Also, being capable of such greats speeds, and being sight hounds, is this just asking for trouble? Input here?
-Rottweilers: Too high energy? Very smart, large enough to do just about anything a service dog might need to do, don't require much maintenance in terms of grooming.
-Australian Cattle Dogs: I'm thinking probably too high energy....input?
Does anyone have other ideas? I'm completely open to any and all input; I can't seem to find a breed that is a good candidate all around, aside from Labs and Goldens. Of course if this ends up being a far better option than any other breed, I will use one or both of them; not going to sacrifice the needs of those needing service dogs just so I can try a different breed.
Thanks in advance, everyone!