They don’t have much energy and are prone to weight gain. When you need an emotional support animal , it’s just as important to know the worst therapy dog breeds as it is to know the best.. I’d like to say that all dogs make great therapy dogs, but that’s just not the case. I bet you can’t help but smile when you check them out. Poodles are great therapy dogs and emotional support dogs. These large dogs were bred to help, and they still enjoy their duties today. x Animal Planet GO - Watch Full Episodes and Live TV Discovery Communications view. The best therapy dog breeds list has some of the popular therapy dogs that can make their rounds to calm students with severe testing anxiety, bring smiles to bed bound patients in nursing homes or hospitals or provide a bit of boredom relief to children waiting on medical testing. If you ask any owner of a Labrador Retriever, they will very likely tell you that their dog thinks they are a human. Dogs of any breed can be considered, but these 10 breeds are some of the best suited for therapy work. Considering the difficulty that autistic kids experience with social interaction, a well-trained Australian Labradoodle makes a great companion. They don’t get distracted easily, so they are great for intense work like guiding and listening. We know any dog can put a smile on a human face, but therapy work requires more of a dog than to just be a dog. Dogs in this breed are sweet and mild-mannered. Rugged and tough, these pups can survive in almost any conditions. These types of therapy dogs can even be trained to move hands away from a person practicing self-harm (such as slapping). Certain breeds do better at handling therapy-type situations than others. Even with the newer uses of therapy dogs, people still use pooches in the traditional role – as a seeing-eye dog. Therapy dogs are used to help reduce anxiety and fear in people who are typically coping with some type of trauma. The breed is friendly, patient, and trainable. When you have found a dog that you think meets the necessary criteria, be sure to spend time with him or her in order to play, relax, and observe their behavior and temperament. They make terrific companions and therapy dogs, and they can live in small spaces as well. The first dog on our list for the best therapy breeds is the French Bulldog. Canines in this breed want nothing more than to be petted, loved and reassured. While some breeds might be better than others for life with children, Russell Hartstein, a dog trainer and CEO of Fun Paw Care Puppy and Dog Training in Los Angeles, says the first thing to remember when you’re looking for a family dog is that you’ll need to train your kids, too. The French Bulldog is not only a great size for a therapy dog, but it also has a beautiful temperament. But smaller breeds like mini poodles and Pomeranians are good choices when the … In fact, many therapy and service dogs are Heinz 57's (mutts) that have been rescued from shelters. As previously mentioned, therapy dogs have been used for may years to assist the blind. The service that these dogs provide is extraordinary and important. Greyhound. There is more to making a great therapy dog than breed alone. Dogs are well known to be man’s best friend. Active and energetic, the Irish Setter does not do well living in apartments. While all dogs provide humans with comfort and cuddles, some breeds make better official therapy dogs than others. One of the top therapy dog breeds, they are also smart and hard-working. Intelligence in dogs, to a certain degree, can be assessed by the dog's ability and speed at which they learn and then execute commands. Out of all the breeds of dog, these pups play by their own rules. Today, therapy dogs are used to help people overcome adversity and live a fuller life in nursing homes, hospitals, retirement homes and even disaster areas. Humans with seizure or blood sugar disorders can also benefit from the help of a well-trained service dog. However,... © 2020 TopDogTips.com. These gentle giants have what it takes to be a volunteer. Dogs can be trained as service animals for people with seizures. Despite this, they can also be loving and playful. Great for making the rounds in institutions, these dogs are energetic. On that note, the Australian Labradoodle is the most preferred dog breed for pet therapy. The Poodle is one of the smartest dogs known to exist. A Yorkshire Terrier by the name of Smoky was the first known therapy dog in the world. If you need a dog that you can easily travel with, then the Pomeranian makes a great choice. PetKeen.com does not intend to provide veterinary advice. These obedient canines love to please, making them easy to train. Pug. 21 Best Therapy Dog Breeds 1. To be a therapy dog, this breed needs socialization training from puppy-hood. If you think a smaller dog would be a better therapy dog for your needs, the Pomeranian is a great choice. Therapy canines may not be specially trained, but their mere presence and ability to bring joy to all they meet are good medicine. Therapy Dogs International is America’s leading trainer and certifier of therapy dogs. You’re also not alone if you’re... Brown is a very popular color for dogs, and lots of dogs have brown in their coat in some way, shape or form. Therapy dogs can perform a number of jobs – some visit the sick in hospitals, or the elderly in homes. Agile and energetic, pooches in this breed shine in dog shows. Labrador and Golden Retrievers. A therapy dog can help you in more ways than you probably ever imagined. The Corgi is often used as a therapy dog because of its bold personality and protective nature. #1 The Toy Poodle Sweet, delightful, charming, and highly trainable are just some of the qualities the Toy Poodle possesses. Hey, if they are good enough for The Queen, they are good enough for me. Another breed that you may find surprising on this best therapy dogs breeds list of the best therapy dog breeds, the Bloodhound has an excellent sniffer. Brave and curious, these little dynamites are up for anything – but you probably didn't expect to see them on the best therapy dog breeds list. The Toy poodle and the Standard Poodle are both excellent options for therapy dogs. However, if properly trained from puppyhood, the Golden Retriever can be a fantastic therapy dog. This large dog has a tendency to overeat. The French Bulldog is not a hypoallergenic dog, although many people think they are. Portable and friendly, this much-loved scent hound makes a great therapy dog. In terms of therapy dog breeds, the Corgi is affectionate and lively, but may find moments of aloofness in between. Shedders and droolers, they require quite a bit of maintenance. take your time looking, be selective, and handle the dog several times before you make your decision. Featured Image Credit: University of the Fraser Valley, Flickr. These canines love people so much that they get depressed if left alone too much. Learn more about therapy dog breeds at DogSpot.in They like to get their exercise in, but when around humans, they are gentle and quiet. They need a strong trainer that trains in social skills and obedience. A companion breed, dogs in this class do not shed. A beagle is highly intelligent and friendly and will make an excellent therapy or companion dog. The Labrador Retriever is the most popular dog in the United States for a reason. With long spines and short legs, it is not healthy for one of these pooches to climb stairs or play jumping games. With devotion and kindness, they make great service dogs. Since this dog is so aware of what is going on, they make fantastic therapy dogs. This playful breed is great at lifting spirits and encouraging exercise. The above dog breeds are just some of the most popular choices in pet therapy. This is not just a tremendous therapy dog, but the Collie will be a great family dog as well. These small dogs are great as therapy dogs for hospitals, nursing homes and schools. They do great in situations where they are around crowds and strangers. Labrador retriever Perhaps the most popular therapy dog breed is the Labrador retriever. Last on our list is the Corgi. The breed of a therapy dog may be inconsequential, as long as the above traits are present. While you often see these dogs in public areas, they can become aggressive and will need socialization training. Loving, playful, and adaptable, you will be hard pressed to find anything that DOESN’T make this fur-baby a great therapy dog. If you’ve never heard of a Pocket Beagle, you’re not alone, since they are quite a rare breed. There are plenty of dog breeds that did not make it onto our list that can be tremendous therapy dogs. Labrador: ... Not only has it become an ideal dog for therapy, but it is used for assistance or collaborating in rescues. A therapy dog is used not just to cheer up people in hospitals and daycare centers. Although therapy dogs are not limited to a certain size or breed, common breeds used in therapy dog application and research include the Golden Retriever and the Labrador Retriever. Due to space limitations, we can not offer any further details. The dog is popular in many parts of the world, especially the United States. Our facility dogs belong to their handler and they wear a special jacket while working so they can be clearly identified. Larger breeds like golden retrievers, standard poodles, St. Bernards, and Labradors are commonly used as therapy dogs. 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