PTSD service dogs can help Veterans who are battling PTSD regain their freedom and independence. But some dog breeds make better service dogs than others.
Jarod Walker, the executive director of training operations for Northwest Battle Buddies (NWBB), trains and oversees the organization’s PTSD service dogs. The organization 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.” He shares his years of experience every day, working with and training the best breeds of service dogs for Veterans.
While he typically prefers four types of dog breeds for their natural characteristics, the breed isn’t everything, he says. He also considers the social perception of dog breeds, individual personalities, and each dog’s compatibility with a particular Veteran.
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Northwest Battle Buddies provides PTSD service dogs at no cost to Veterans thanks to generous donations. If you’d like to give to this program, donate online to support our American Heroes. |
The importance of breed 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 one of the best breeds of service dogs for Veterans.
“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.
Best breeds of service dogs for Veterans
“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.
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.
Labradoodle
Since Labradoodles are a mixed breed, they’re not officially recognized by the AKC. 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 of service dogs for Veterans.
Australian Labradoodle
Like the standard labradoodle, the Australian labradoodle is bred from purebred Labrador retrievers and poodles, with the addition of cocker spaniel. Like labradoodles, Australian labradoodle coats are low- to no-shed, making them a good choice for Veterans with allergies. They’re known for being naturally friendly and easily trained.
“We do train a variety of other breeds as well as mixes, but those are generally on a case-by-case basis,” Walker said.
Any PTSD service dog should have a social, confident, and teachable temperament, he said. Those characteristics are reflected in the breeds NWBB most commonly works with.
Other considerations for Veterans when choosing a PTSD service dog
Social stigma
“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.
Compatibility
When choosing a PTSD service dog, breed plays a big role. But considering personality (of both the PTSD service dog and the Veteran) is just as important.
“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, pairing 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 animals 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.”
To help bring a better quality of life to Veterans battling PTSD, donate to support Northwest Battle Buddies’ training program.