Unlike other animals, dogs have deeper purposes to mere companionship. Dogs have helped humans for thousands of years. Some dogs are specifically bred for a particular task, while some are naturally gifted. Many people are strolling with mental, physical, and emotional health challenges. Finding intelligent, friendly, and well-trained service dog breeds make their daily lives a lot easier to navigate.
When it comes to helping people in various works, the service dogs are always ready to serve and protect them. Service dogs are specifically trained to work with humans and help those with a disability and special needs. They are also trained to look out for warning signals and to respond accordingly. The service dogs must possess an intelligent, trainable, friendly, clean, strong, and calm disposition. There are a variety of service dogs like police dogs, guide dogs, search and rescue dogs, and seeing-eye dogs. These dogs enjoy challenges and rewards of supporting their owner, so they have a deep, strong bond.
Some of the best service dog breeds we like are listed below:
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German Shepherd
German Shepherds are intelligent, smart, well-behaved, and easy to train. Its height ranges from 58 centimeters to 65 centimeters, and they weigh about 28to 40 kg. This dog breed is mostly associated with the protection and guard work, but they are also listed as good service dog breeds. German Shepherds are the first dogs to be used for service work. They have enough strength to apply for service works, and they are commonly used to help mobility-impaired owners move around. German Shepherds have a seizure alert, i.e., they have a powerful sense of smell, and they can notice if the person is feeling anxious or monitor blood sugar levels. The owners can lean on them in case of emergencies.
Golden Retriever
Golden Retriever, also called Golden, is a medium-large strong gun dog, both friendly and intelligent. This dog breed is famous for its dense lustrous coat of golden fur. Its height ranges from 21 inches to 24 inches, and they weigh about 55 to 75 pounds. Golden Retriever needs daily exercises like walk, jog, or run in beaches. This dog breed is commonly used to handle physical works. They can work as a guide for those with a mobility disability and the hearing and visually impaired ones. Goldens are smart, friendly, and easy to train. This dog breed can be prepared for various duties such as search-and-rescue, hearing dogs, and seeing-eye.
Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retrievers are highly intelligent, friendly, and good-natured pets. Its height ranges from 55 centimeters to 61centimeters, and they weigh about 26to 35 kg. This family dog also makes a great service dog, and they form a strong bond with their owners. They have the willingness to learn new tasks quickly, trainability, and versatility. Labradors are commonly used as assistance dogs for the disabled, search and rescue, and tracking down pests for pest control companies. This dog breed can also perform other variety of services like they’re helpful for mobility-impaired owners who need help for grabbing or manipulating items. Labrador deserves all our love and affection.
Pomeranian
Pomeranian is a small, friendly, lively, and playful breed that can be carried easily on a pouch or backpack. They are attentive to their owners and love having a job to do. Its height ranges from 8 inches to 14 inches at the withers, and they weigh about 1.36to 3.17 kilograms. Because of its small size, Pomeranian does not look like a typical service dog. This dog breed seems like a cuddly teddy bear. They have a natural talent for alerting its owners to issues such as chronic medical illness, low blood sugar, or an imminent seizure. This dog breed is commonly used to aid people who have difficulty hearing, alerting them to fire alarms, sirens, and doorbells.
Border Collie
The Border Collie is regarded as one of the most intelligent and friendly dog breeds that are easy to train. Collie is a working and herding dog breed with unlimited energy, famous for his intense stare. Its height ranges from 48 centimeters to 55 centimeters, and they weigh about 12to 20 kg. Border Collie loves learning new tasks and completing them. They are highly reliable and high-energy breed and can be mischievous if under simulated. Collies are another service breed that does everything they are asked. They are frequently used as mobility and service dogs. This dog breed is commonly used for search and rescue missions, anxiety disorders.
Standard Poodle
Many people think poodles as a prissy dog with fancy haircuts, but they are smart and capable dogs who love having a task to complete. The poodle is an all-around excellent dog breed, and thanks to their gentle temperament and learning ability. Its height ranges from 15 inches to 22 inches, and they weigh about 45 to 65 pounds. They are famous for their hypoallergenic coat and are easy to train. Poodles are a lifesaver for people who need a service dog. They are cheerful to help out anybody with mobility issues, and they can also warn their owners about emergencies before they happen. This dog breed helps its owner, who is in a wheelchair, and has prosthetic limbs, or is unsteady on their feet.
Boxers Dog
Another dog breed who has all the characteristics to be a good service dog is a Boxer, a medium-sized guard dog. Boxers are small, friendly, intelligent, trainable, and have tracking and protection abilities. They are loyal to families and know how to behave in-crowd. Its height ranges from 21 inches to 25 inches at the shoulder, and they weigh about 60 to 70 pounds. They are not often used for service works, but they have high energy levels like Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever. This dog breed is big enough to perform physical activities, but they cannot navigate crowded places. Because of their courage and strength, Boxers are widely used in the police, military, and search-and-rescue work.
Bernese Mountain dogs
The Bernese Mountain dogs exhibit the most important trails like intelligence, friendly disposition, and a strong work ethic to look for in service dogs. It is an extremely versatile working dog, and they can be a watchdog and loyal companions. Bernese is not ideal for warm climates as they shed quite a bit. Its height ranges from 60 centimeters to 70 centimeters, and they weigh about 35to 50 kg. Bernese Mountain dog loves getting tasks to complete. They are strong in performing some physical and complex tasks. This gentle dog breed is well known to pull wheelchairs while providing mobility and emotional support. Bernese Mountain dog makes an excellent service worker.
Bloodhound
As well as being loyal, Bloodhounds are calm, intelligent, fun-loving, affectionate, and easy to train. It makes them ideal for service dog companions. Bloodhounds need firm, consistent training, and enough amount of exercise. Its height ranges from 60 centimeters to 70 centimeters at the shoulder, and they weigh about 35 to 50 kg. The nose of Bloodhound has 40x more scent receptors than human beings, making the nose most sensitive. This dog breed has a strong sense of smell like a German Shepherd, which means that they can find out the problematic blood sugar level for diabetic patients. Bloodhounds are commonly used for search and rescue services.
Great Dane
Great Dane is a large and noble service dog breed. They are sweet, affectionate, well-natured dogs, who love to play around with children. Its height ranges from 26 inches to 34 inches at the shoulders, and they weigh about 100 to 200 pounds. Having immense size and strength, Great Dane is well-suited for service tasks. This dog breed is great for people who need both physical and emotional support. They can complete tasks that other breeds can’t. Like Dalmations, they are mostly used in roles such as assistance dogs and fire dogs. Great Danes also have a special ability to remain calm and focused on their owners and given tasks in the face of all kinds of distractions. This makes Great Dane an excellent service dog.