Cross Breeds

Do you know of good dog breeds/crosses for aid dogs/helpers for the physically challenged person?

ones that can carry stuff bring you things,will tolerate a back pack or wagon and work on a harness willingly.?Must be both gentle and intelligent. thank you for the answers,my friend is now using a walker,has a lot of physical issues her hubby used to take care of,and now he can't either due to his own health failing.

Public Comments

1. Well they hav service dogs for that.... and a lot of breeds are used and trained to help people that need it, most common is the Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever
2. I would not have any dog pull a wagon or work on a harness. Otherwise the best service dog is the German Shepherd dog hands down. Should be pure bred.
3. German Shepherd Dogs are great, but normally these dogs have to be certified through a therapy dog program, and then placed with a person.
4. For the reasons you describe, the Lab is priceless.
5. Labs, Retrievers, Bernese Mt Dog, Swiss Mt Dog
6. First of all, there is no national certification for a service dog. Second of all, you DO have the option of training your own dog to be a service dog. However - owner trained service dogs are held to the same standards by the ADA as service dogs trained by a program. There are websites out there with plenty of information. There are all sorts of breeds being used for Service work. Most often you see Labradors, Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds. I have also seen collies, weimeraners, poodles, pit bulls, dobermans, rottweilers and an assortment of mixes. Mixes or purebred, it doesn't matter what as long as the dog has the right temperament, disposition, and is free of health problems. As to whether they can do the tasks you need, that is a question of training. Here is a good resource for information. http://servicedogcentral.org
7. They have service dogs for the handicaps yes these dogs do wonders for the owners. These dogs do alot can carry mail packs for books water all the things the owner would need they open doors answer phones get things out of ref and yes even call 911. the ones Ive seen are most labs Irish setters and a few German Shepard's. dogs like this are trained to do all and more for these kinds of people
8. I believe you would find a Newfoundland a perfect fit for this person