Professionally trained service dogs can help Veterans who are battling PTSD regain their freedom and independence. But some dog breeds make better service dogs than others.
To understand what sets the best breeds for service dogs apart, we sat down with Jarod Walker, the Chief of Operations at Northwest Battle Buddies (NWBB), who trains and oversees the organization's PTSD service dogs. NWBB works with a variety of breeds, all of which have temperaments that help them work, train, and support their Veteran handlers.
"I have been in the dog training world since I could walk," Walker said. "I grew up working in the kennel and taking care of the dogs, and I began training when I was 8 years old."
While he typically prefers four types of dog breeds for their natural characteristics, “the breed isn't everything,” he said. He also considers the social perception of dog breeds, individual personalities, and each dog's compatibility with a particular Veteran.
We provide PTSD service dogs at no cost to Veterans thanks to generous donations. If you'd like to give to this program, donate online or give monthly to support our American Heroes.
Why Breed Matters When Choosing a Service Dog
"Breed can be very important for service dog work for multiple reasons," Walker said. Over the years, dogs have been bred for a certain job, like herding, guarding livestock, hunting, and protecting. Some of these work-oriented characteristics can help make a breed a great fit for a PTSD service dog.
"There are exceptions to every rule, of course, but quality-bred dogs that are genetically inclined for service work can make the process of training and maintaining performance much easier," he said.
Choosing the right breed for a PTSD service dog can help streamline the training process, which is one reason NWBB invests in its own breeding program alongside its work with trusted breeders.
The Best Breeds for PTSD Service Dogs
"We have used many different breeds over the years, but these are the breeds we have chosen to implement in our own breeding program, as well as working with reputable breeders," said Walker.
English Cream Golden Retriever
Though the American Kennel Club (AKC) doesn't technically consider English cream golden retrievers to be a separate breed from the rest of the golden retrievers, this group is generally known by its lighter, creamy-colored coat and gentle disposition.
That easygoing temperament is a major reason goldens feature so prominently in NWBB's breeding partnerships. It's also what makes them such steady partners in public: Veteran Leroy was paired with Max, a golden retriever who gave him the confidence to rejoin large crowds, including a packed gymnasium for his granddaughter's homecoming.
English Labrador Retriever
The American Kennel Club has recognized Labrador retrievers as a breed since 1917. Labs are known for active, friendly, and outgoing dispositions. Compared to their American cousins, English Labs are typically shorter and stockier, known for their calm temperament.
English Labs have shaped NWBB's program in lasting ways, including Caliber, an English Lab whose legacy as a sire continues to influence the dogs we place today. That calm steadiness shows up in the field, too: Air Force Veteran Scott and his English Lab, Nikki, and Navy Veteran John and his English Lab, Honey, each credit their dogs with helping them reset in busy public spaces and step back from hypervigilance.
Labradoodle
Since labradoodles are a mixed breed, they're not officially recognized by the AKC, but that doesn’t make them less equipped to be a PTSD service dog.
A mix of Labrador retrievers and poodles, these hypoallergenic dogs are known for being active, easygoing, and friendly, making them one of the best breeds for service dogs.
Australian Labradoodle
Like the standard labradoodle, the Australian labradoodle is bred from purebred Labrador retrievers and poodles, with the addition of cocker spaniel. Australian labradoodle coats are low- to no-shed, making them a good choice for Veterans with allergies.
These dogs are known for being naturally friendly and easily trained. Veteran Andy was matched with McGraw, an Australian labradoodle, in October 2024 and says McGraw lets him move through places like the mall and Costco without staying on guard (and even fly across the country to visit family).
"We do train a variety of other breeds as well as mixes, but those are generally on a case-by-case basis," Walker mentioned.
Any PTSD service dog should have a social, confident, and teachable temperament, he said. Those characteristics, which are essential for dogs to perform tasks that mitigate PTSD symptoms, are reflected in the breeds NWBB most commonly works with.
Other Factors That Matter When Choosing a Service Dog
Breed is a strong starting point, but it's only one piece of the picture. Once the right type of dog is in front of him, Walker weighs a handful of other factors, from how the public sees a dog to how well its personality fits a specific Veteran, to make sure each pairing has the best chance to thrive.
Public Perception
"One of the elements few people talk about is the impression on the public," Walker said. While German shepherd dogs and pit bulls are great breeds, he said, they can come with some social stigma.
"Many of these Veterans we serve already feel like they have a spotlight on them and want to avoid confrontation," he said. The friendly face of a golden retriever or Lab can help with that. This is an advantage that matters in everyday public access, where a professionally trained service dog is legally permitted to accompany its handler.
Compatibility Between Dog and Veteran
The personality (of both the PTSD service dog and the Veteran) is just as important as the breed when selecting the right dog.
"Finding the right energy level and temperament is what I consider most when pairing our dogs with Veterans with PTSD," Walker said. Someone older, with lower activity levels, will do better with a lower-energy dog that's happy to snuggle all day, compared to an active person with a lot of high-energy hobbies, who would do best with a high-energy dog, he pointed out.
Walker and his team review applications from Veterans in the upcoming class and pair dogs and Veterans based on lifestyle, job, living arrangements, energy level, and other factors. Then he leads the five-week Veteran training program, where service dogs and their handlers bond and train together.
"All of our dogs task and mitigate the Veteran's disabilities, but it's very important that we pair the right dog with the right Veteran so they thrive," said Walker. "The Veteran in my first example with the dog from my second example would struggle. Would it be doable? Very likely yes, but the synergy isn't there. We want the relationship to be a cohesive exchange between the Veteran and the dog that promotes a better quality of life for both the Veteran and the dog."
That careful matching is what turns a well-bred dog into a life-changing partner. The results show it: a 2025 peer-reviewed study of Veteran–canine teams—most of them NWBB pairings—found meaningful reductions in PTSD and depression symptoms among Veterans matched with service dogs.
Help Provide the Next Service Dog for a Veteran in Need
Every well-matched team starts with a dog bred, raised, and trained for the job, and that work depends on supporters. To help bring a better quality of life to Veterans battling PTSD, you can:
- Join Operation Never Quit with a monthly gift that funds the ongoing care and training behind every NWBB service dog.
- Sponsor a dog through Pledge-A-Pup and follow a future service dog through its training journey.
- Foster a future service dog puppy and help raise the next generation of NWBB dogs.
And if you're a Veteran wondering whether a professionally trained service dog is right for you, apply for a service dog and start the conversation!