blood lines of service dogs?

[Debbieg]

I have a friend, a young mom ( 38) of three children that had her arm amputated last year for cancer and is having surgery on Monday to deal with a recurrence. If she were interested in a GSD service dog who could be her "right arm," be bomb proof in public, and maybe even be trained to detect a cancer recurrence, what bloodlines , breeders should she consider?

She is a girl scout leader, a marathon runner and really needs dog who has energy, can handle kids and pass a public access test.

[Andaka]

Any bloodine would work, given the right set of circumstances. You need a breeder that understands what she needs, and is willing to be honest about what they produce. All of my service dogs (4 total) have been American Show Line. She might also look into rescue, as that way she could get an adult dog now for training.

[doggiedad]

any line can be trained to be a service dog. there's
probably a dog out there that's trained to fit her needs
and wants.

[Debbieg]

I agree that any line can be trained to do service work but not any line can actually have the good nerve to handle being out in public as a service dog.

I have taught Benny some service tasks. He picks up items I drop and brings them to me ( even when I pretend not to know I dropped them) He opens the fridge, ( only when asked ) He finds my keys. He will brace me when I get up.

But he is too reactive to be a service dog in the real world. He will react inappropriately when startled or when people approach him in what he deems a suspicious manner.

[doggiedad]

1 >>>> any line can be trained to be a service dog. any line
can be trained to perform in public or private.

2 >>>> your dog doesn't set the standard for
service or performance. the way your dog
performs could be a reflection of his training
not his line.

Originally Posted by Debbieg

1 >>>>> I agree that any line can be trained to do service work but not any line can actually have the good nerve to handle being out in public as a service dog.

I have taught Benny some service tasks. He picks up items I drop and brings them to me ( even when I pretend not to know I dropped them) He opens the fridge, ( only when asked ) He finds my keys. He will brace me when I get up.

2 >>>> But he is too reactive to be a service dog in the real world. He will react inappropriately when startled or when people approach him in what he deems a suspicious manner.

[Jack's Dad]

Debbie.
Why not start with the service dog organizations and work backwards? They probably know individuals who breed for these characteristics.

[Freestep]

I would look for a bloodline known for solid nerves, genetic obedience (pack drive), high thresholds, and a moderate energy level. Some are just too easily exciteable for service work, IMO.

[Doc]

You want a dog with nerves of steel, a very slow to anger dog that does not show any signs of biting in stressful situations. Your best bet is to find a dog with a predominant Swabian bloodline - which is very hard to find because these are the dogs that have been pushed aside and forgotten by the show and sport crowd. You would benefit tremendously by contacting khawk on this form.

[Debbieg]

Originally Posted by Doc

You want a dog with nerves of steel, a very slow to anger dog that does not show any signs of biting in stressful situations. Your best bet is to find a dog with a predominant Swabian bloodline - which is very hard to find because these are the dogs that have been pushed aside and forgotten by the show and sport crowd. You would benefit tremendously by contacting khawk on this form.

Forget the dog! I want a husband like that!

Actually have talked with Kay, spent time with her and two of her dogs and loved them. Don't think she is breeding . She like a few others on this site have forgotten more about the GSD's than most will ever know

How when looking at a pedigree can you tell if the dogs are from Swabian bloodlines?

My friend currently was given a Golden retriever that washed out of Guide Dog School because he was afraid of traffic. He is trained and does some service tasks, but is more of companion to her children than a service dog. She has been told that GSD's are too aggressive and ti risky to be service dogs and I want to show her otherwise.

[carmspack]

got it -- look to Bernd and Bodo Lierberg as recognizable names.