The Requirements for a Dog to Become a Service Dog

Service dogs are trained to assist those who have disabilities with everyday tasks. People who own a service dog may be blind, deaf or have medical issues, such as a seizure disorder. According to K9 Web.com, the breeds of dogs used most often in service dog training are Labrador retrievers, German shepherds and Golden retrievers. These dog breeds are versatile, have good temperaments and are highly intelligent.

  1. Character Traits

    • Service dogs must have desirable character traits before beginning training. Intelligence is an important characteristic of a service dog. Dogs that are intelligent can be trained to help their owner accomplish tasks of daily living. For example, service dogs for the blind help their owner to navigate streets, climb stairs safely and avoid obstacles that may cause injury. Service dogs must also be calm and must be able to block out all distractions. Willingness to work and good manners are other traits that must be present in any dog training to be a service dog. Dogs that display aggressive tendencies or lash out will not be allowed to proceed with training. Most service dogs and their owners attend an intensive training course that is several weeks long and require both dog and owner to live onsite during this period.

    Conformation

    • Service dogs must exhibit good conformation. This means that service dog candidates must have good overall appearance and qualities for their particular breed. Service dogs must be large enough to guide their owners while in a harness, but not so large that they cannot be controlled easily. Size also is an issue if the dog accompanies the owner to a restaurant, because he must be able to fit under the table or fit comfortably on buses or other forms of public transportation. According to K9 Web.com, approximately 60 to 70 percent of working guide dogs are Labrador retrievers. Black and yellow labs are most often used, with some trainers using chocolate labs. Other breeds that may be used as service dogs are boxers, huskies, Doberman pinchers and standard poodles. Some trainers use mixed breed dogs, such as the "Labradoodle," which is a combination of a Labrador retriever and a poodle.

    Health

    • Good health is critical for service dogs. Dogs that are prone to genetic disorders, such as hip dysplasia, are carefully screened before training. Any dog that exhibits hip abnormalities will be retired and no longer available for service work. Pure breeds that are prone to genetic illnesses that can strike quickly are not good candidates for service dogs. Training a service dog takes many hours and owners depend on these animals. People who need to replace their service dog, must attend a refresher training course they and their dog can go home together.