From Labradors to golden retrievers, service dog breeds provide a valuable service to people with mobility issues. Acting as loyal companions, these pups can help ease feelings of loneliness, break down barriers, and make everyday tasks a little easier.
“Aside from love, companionship and focus, the main benefit we hear from our clients is that our dogs give them confidence and independence that can be life-changing,” a Dogs for Good spokesperson told Country Living. “Our dogs are trained using only positive reinforcement, so they enjoy the tasks they undertake like a game and derive satisfaction from completing them.”
These service dogs not only provide companionship, but also actually help people with tasks such as unloading the washing machine, opening and closing doors, taking out and moving items, putting on and taking off different clothes, etc. By performing these simple tasks, these dogs are able to conserve the energy of people with physical disabilities and help them do the things they love.
To celebrate the launch of our “Access for All” campaign, we spoke to the experts to learn more about the best service dog breeds. See the full list below…
1. Labrador
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Friendly Labradors are great service dogs for people with physical disabilities thanks to their gentle, sociable and playful natures, and they’re very easy to train, making them fantastic service dogs that will change your family’s lives.
“Labradors are part of the hunting dog group, originally bred to track down and retrieve shot prey,” a Dogs For Good spokesperson says, “which means Labradors are often very motivated to grab things – from a young age they will pick up and carry toys (so cute!) This natural desire to retrieve makes them particularly useful as service dogs, as our clients may need help picking up objects or retrieving important items like mobile phones.”
Cat, a trainer at Dogs For Good, says: “Labradors will wag their tails at the sight of you. They have friendly personalities and enjoy being with their owners. They are intelligent and love to train. They crave human interaction so training is the perfect way to get them. They have the energy you need to be a working dog but also the ability to be calm as a family dog.”
2. Golden Retriever
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The sociable Golden Retriever has several strengths that make them the perfect companion for people with disabilities. From their good manners to their strong hold on a lead, they are extremely popular as service dogs. According to Dogs For Good, Golden Retrievers have a strong willingness to pick up and carry objects with their soft mouths, allowing them to carry items gently without scratching or damaging them.
Dog trainer Claire adds: “From a training perspective, Goldie needs to feel that everything you are asking of them is their idea. They don’t ‘know’ that they’re in a formal training session so you need to make things really fun. Also, don’t make them learn too many things at once. Teach them one thing at a time until they’re successful and you’ll have a happy, motivated Goldie.”
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3. Labrador and Golden Retriever Mix
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“Labrador cross golden retrievers tend to be very good on leads, have a keen sense of smell and an incredible visual memory,” says Dogs For Good.
“Both breeds are confident and tenacious, which helps them when they learn to obey their owners well. They are calm and love to work, which makes them great companions, which is one of the reasons they make great service dogs for us. They are also happy to pick up items and get tasks done, making them reliable companions that bring independence to people with disabilities.”
4. Cockapoo
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According to Dogs For Good, the adorable Cockapoo is also a great service dog for people with physical disabilities, and because these pups tend to be very devoted to their family members, they’re perfect for forming a great bond with someone in need of help.
The team explains: “As Cockapoos are small dogs they can be kept in any type of facility, which is one of the reasons we love them in our work – they give you a wider choice of companions than larger dogs. As Cockapoos are a mixed breed, they show a wide range of characteristics and personality types, but they are all intelligent and loyal.”
For more information on choosing the right service dog, visit dogsforgood.org.
13 dog shampoos to combat dry skin, shedding, and odor
Luxury dog shampoo
No, you can’t use regular shampoo on your dog. But you can use Fur Bébé by Ouai, the luxury Parisian hair care brand. After all, why shouldn’t your dog enjoy smooth, shiny hair just like you do? Scented with lemon, rose, jasmine sambac, iris, lily and white musk, this dog shampoo might be just what you’re looking for.
Black Dog Shampoo
D.dog Black Hair Shampoo
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Black dogs need a shampoo that will give their dark, lush coat the right shine. This one is pricey, but it’s packed with natural ingredients like chia seed extract and hemp oil that will wash away dirt and impurities, add strength to the coat, and keep it shiny and groomed.
Lemon dog shampoo
Here’s a lovely natural product from Swedish dog care brand WAP. If your dog has sensitive skin, it’s probably a good choice. It’s anti-inflammatory and designed to minimise irritation and dryness. The formula contains tea tree, which has antibacterial properties, and lemon, which helps improve circulation and gives a fresh, invigorating scent.
Deodorizing dog shampoo
Foxpoo Deodorizing Dog Shampoo
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There’s nothing worse than your dog rolling in animal feces! This 2-pack of deodorizing shampoo quickly removes that evidence and any residual odor.
Leave-in dog shampoo
Dirty Dawg is a mild, no-rinse dog shampoo spray that effectively removes dirt and odors from your dog’s fur. Ideal for use as a spot cleaner, this spray is perfect for on-the-go use or for a quick clean-up between washes. Simply spray on your dog’s fur and groom.
Shampoo for curly coated dogs
Curly Coat is a shampoo specially designed for curly-coated dogs. Enriched with conditioners, oatmeal and shea butter, it helps deflate your dog’s coat and improves its overall appearance. It’s 100% vegan.
Flea and tick dog shampoo
Do you want to get rid of fleas without damaging your dog’s coat or skin? This dog shampoo is suitable for all skin types thanks to its gentle pH-balanced formula based on Pro-Vitamin B5 and Tea Tree Oil. This tick removal shampoo also helps remove ticks and fleas from the thickest coat, and it soothes and calms irritated and bitten skin.
Puppy Shampoo
Tear-free 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner
This product acts as both a shampoo and conditioner, giving you the best of both worlds without sacrificing quality. An ultra-gentle, pH-balanced formula of buttermilk and linseed oil will cleanse and soften your dog’s coat.
Calming dog shampoo
Is the sound of running water in the bathroom making your dog anxious? This shampoo uses aromatherapy scents commonly used to relax pets. It can be used on any breed and is infused with relaxing lavender and mint, leaving your pet feeling clean, happy and fresh-smelling. It’s also a great product to help relieve pain in older pets.
Shampoo for shedding dogs
Furminator Deshedding Shampoo
FURminator Shampoo and Conditioner contains ingredients that help reduce and control excess shedding. Formulated with omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, calendula extract and papaya leaf, using this shampoo once a month will leave your dog’s coat looking like new and feeling great.
Buy dog shampoo in bulk
Pretty Pet Baby Powder Dog Shampoo
Does your dog have a tendency to jump into puddles or wallow in mud? It might be time to invest in an industrial-sized bottle of shampoo. This vegan-friendly product comes in a 5L bottle, so you can give them a quick bath. Plus, it’s PH balanced, making it suitable for all breeds and coat types, from poodles and cockapoos to bulldogs and labradors. This shampoo can also be used on puppies over 8 weeks old.
Medicated shampoo for dogs
Our specially formulated shampoo is perfect for addressing more serious issues than just poor hair condition. This product helps relieve flaky skin caused by seborrhea and relieves mange and parasitic infections. This medicated dog shampoo provides fast relief from the symptoms of scalp irritation, greasy or waxy skin, red rashes, hair loss, itchy and flaky skin associated with seborrhea, mange and parasitic problems.
Dog shampoo for on the go
Kiehl’s Cudley Coat Cleansing Spritz
Give your dog’s coat a quick refresh with this no-rinse dog grooming spray. With chamomile flower extract and glycerin, this fresh-smelling formula helps spot clean and deodorize your dog on the go.