I want to get a dog that will make a good therapy dog?

Question

I recently had to put my 2-yr old st. bernard to sleep. We were workig with him to be a pet therapy dog at nursing homes and hospitals. We are very sad. My husband and I would like another dog either puppy or from shelter that would be a good temperment dog, very social, good with children so we can still pursue the therapy dog thing. As we both like to volunteer and see the joy people get from dogs.

Answer 1

it's easy to suggest breeds, but you're talking about a rescue dog, so it's not going to be a puppy you train from early days. That means you need to look more at indivudual temperament and character and less at breed. Decide if you want a large or small dog in your house..what fits your lifestyle better? Then start looking for a dog in your size range that is first relatively calm and gentle. You'd ideally like it to be visually appealing on some level, but "cute" can be anything from a scruffy terrier to a gorgeous show type dog. If the dog can charm YOU at the shelter, and make you want to touch it and love it, then it's very likely going to have that effect on other people as well. But obviously you don't want one that is tryng to charm you by leaping all over you.

Answer 2

23 hours after the question was asked, my answer is: Any breed can produce a good therapy dog. No breed is guaranteed to produce one. In other words, just because you get breed "X" doesn't mean it will automatically turn out to be a therapy dog. If you're going to get a puppy and raise it, start with a puppy from parents with good temperaments. In other words, get a puppy from a reputable breeder who will allow you to meet both parents. That's the only predictor you will have with a puppy. Some dogs will have a promising temperament and be raised wrong. Some dogs will be born with an inappropriate temperament for therapy work, and even if raised by the most talented most caring person still can't overcome what they were born with. It's nature AND nurture, not either or. You must start with a dog with a sound mind, and then raise it correctly. With a puppy, that means hedging your bets on the genetics part of things by assuming two temperamentally sound parents are more likely to produce temperamentally sound puppies. With an adult, you know what you have. Whatever the dog was born with has been developed. He's done. You can do some tweaking here and there, but once an animal is mature you can't change his core temperament. It doesn't matter whether you know the parents because baring some medical condition to throw his brain chemistry off or a traumatic event, he is what he is and what he will remain. Temperament is far more important than breed.

Answer 3

Google the American Kennel Club or the Canadian Kennel Club. Then look for Sporting Breeds. Pick one.

The reason I say Sporting Breeds as that generally, they've been proven to have the most stable temperaments (except for American Cocker Spaniels ... Spaniel lovers? Don't shoot the messenger ;-) And they are bred to have very "soft" mouths, so they don't bruise the bird they are retrieving.

I agree too, about the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. It's the smallest of the Spaniels, but is a relatively unspoiled breed (in that some breeds get snappy over time if they're too popular and over-bred by people who don't know or don't care what they're doing). But you have to like brushing a lot because, in my experience, Cavaliers are the worst shedders on earth. And you have to like small dogs, although the Cavalier has the temperament of a Lab.

Just my opinion ... good luck in finding that perfect pooch. I have a Standard Poodle who is a therapy dog, but would never use any of the smaller poodles for this purpose.

Answer 4

I'm also working to get my Vizsla approved! Labs, obviously, are good for therapy work. Although almost any breed will do, if properly trained. Vizslas are wonderful, except they are high energy and can be neurotic chewers as young dogs. The Spinone Italiano is good too, a little more laid back with a ver nice temperament, but impossible to find one. Any sporting breed, really, since they all have nice temperaments and are relatively easy to train. I'm very sorry for the loss of your St. Bernard. Good luck with the new dog though!

Answer 5

Try a miniature King Charles Cavalier Spaniel.
After age 1 they are really low-keyed and laid-back (they were bred to be lap dogs) For a small dog they are surprisingly NOT yappers, as well.
Do require some grooming / brushing but after a St Bernard it will be nothing.
So sorry about the loss of your other dog; 2 is very young to have him PTS!
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/cavalierkingcharlesspaniel.htm

Answer 6

There is no such thing as a 'mini' Cavalier King Charles- they are already small dogs. I have a beagle mix and it is great with kids. I wouldn't recommend a puppy- too hyper- I would find a dog in the local animal shelter or with a rescue group who is older and already well-adapted to kids- no surprises.

try petfinder.com that's where I found my baby and he is AMAZING with kids, 1 year old, housebroken. Still a little hyper but not bad. He would have been euthanized soon if I hadn't come along.

Answer 7

For small dogs, I suggest getting a laso apso or a bichon frise. These dogs are kind. Small dogs you shouldn't get are Pomeranian, shih-tzus and pekinese. They can sometimes be bad. The Pomeranian is the worst for children, though, so make sure not to get one of those.

Answer 8

Golden Retrivers....are awesome dogs. Try finding one of these, either as a puppy or one that's a few years older from a shelter. Wish you my best!

Answer 9

A labradoor is excellent at that kind of thing. Thank you for being involved in such a good cause!

Answer 10

I see in my area mostly Shetland Sheepdog or Poodles.