As recommended by a website called Anything is Pawsable, I made a Ven-Diagram to determine which dog would work best for me based off what I'd like to accomplish by having a service dog.
My ideal dog size is a medium small dog - under 45 lbs. Because I fly a lot and live in a small place, it would be easier if a had a smaller dog plus the added fact I like to go out a lot because I'm constantly having to move. I don't have balance issues and I don't tend to fall a lot so a large dog is not needed or wanted. I used a lovely website called DogTime to find most of my information on the seven breeds I researched. I know there's eight on the diagram but I more or less just included the Lab because they're the stereotypical support dogs (plus they're a little too high energy for me).
As I went through this process, I first created a list of dogs based on size, then once I had seven - I wrote the pros and cons of each breed. After that I listed possible health problems, grooming needs, energy needs, and social needs. It seems like a lot, but after reading the websites I listed in my previous post, they recommend stacking odds in your favour since most dogs don't make it to service status. [see list below of seven dogs]
Pembroke / Cardigan Cogri:
Pros:
- Intelligent, Herding instinct, food motivated, work dogs, natural watch dogs
Cons:
- Super Stubborn, can easily overheat
Health: Hip Dysplasia, Disk Disease, Blindness
High/Medium energy dogs - People Dogs, Okay in most climates
Grooming - High:
- Lots of shedding / daily brushing
French Bulldog (aka - Frenchie):
Pros:
- Watch dogs, gentle, smart
Cons:
- Overheats easily, allergies, drooly, territorial
Health: Hip Dysplasia, allergies
Low energy - prone to weight gain
Grooming - Low:
- Brush occasionally
- Clean ears regularly
Beagles:
Pros:
- Gentle, Smart
Cons:
- Mouthy, Stubborn, House Training issues, territorial
Health: Nothing too major
High energy - Can become destructive
Grooming - Medium:
- Brush weekly, Bathe occasionally
Dachshund (standard):
Pros:
- Intelligent, social dogs, hard working, already used as therapy dogs
Cons:
- Stubborn, recommended crate training, mouthy
Health: Blindness and back problems
High energy - not good in cold weather
Grooming - Low:
- Low Shed, not too smelly
- Ear problems, clean often
German Pinscher:
Pros:
- Already used as a service dog, intelligent, working dog
Cons:
- Overbearing, test-y, not good with kids
Health: Hip Dysplasia, Cataracts
High Energy - can be destructive
Grooming - Medium:
- Average shedding, bathe regularly
- Brush weekly
Welsh Terrier
Pros:
- Already used as a therapy dog, smart, low shed
Cons:
- High energy, bark-y, potentially aggressive
Health: Prone to allergies and epilepsy
High Energy - very bark-y dog if not trained well
Grooming - Light:
- low shed
- Brush weekly
This is really something I've been looking into a lot lately especially with some of the anxiety issues I've been having recently. It's been really hard on me and maybe a dog would be helpful when I can't do certain things. I have trouble communicating, concentrating, working, and even breathing when I'm in a panicked state. The most ironic part to me is that a corgi seems like the most ideal size wise and attitude wise. Corgis are actually one of my favourite kind of dogs. I just found that funny when I start looking at medium to small sized dogs that would possibly fit best for what I need.
So when it's all said and done I'll probably end up spending about $3,000 on everything maybe $4,000... The puppy itself cost about $800-$1,250. Crazy right? But I'd rather invest in a purebred puppy from a reputable breeder than take my chances with a shelter dog. Not that I'm against shelter dogs, my mom has two, it's just with this I'd rather stack the odds in my favour.