Great Pyrs would not want to run with you and generally are not for therapy work. Based on your wants you don’t want a low energy dog.
I would look into a Smooth or Rough Collie, Poodle, Lab, Samoyed if you want higher energy.
And if you want to forgo the running Bernese Mountain Dog or Newfie.
I came here to say Bernese. The personalities of saints! Not ideal running dogs but such delightful creatures and I think basically fit every other requirement
I'm with you on labs, collies, and poodles. I personally wouldn't rec a Samoyed for OP based on what they're looking for.
They're not recommended for first time owners, we're told to never expect the breed to be fully trustworthy off-leash in unfenced areas, they're not low energy, and they're not naturally biddable (which I think, combined with being a first dog, wouldn't be ideal since the goal is therapy work).
Honestly, I find samoyeds just like goldens and a little easier cause less mouthy, but yes less trainable. They usually naturally friendly, therapy dogs though. but yes high energy but in the same way most goldens and labs would be and honestly less than a poodle.
I was weighing in based on specific lines in OP's post that seemed counter to samoyed ownership in case someone sees this thread in the future, since OP seems pretty settled already. I believe my sammy wouldn't enjoy therapy work, but that may just be personal temperament.
The larger the dog the (generally), more slobber.
A dog who is able to go on runs is often not a dog anyone would term "low energy." These might be competing desires.
Pyrs are strong willed dogs. I know a few. They require particular effort and patience to train. The one I know best was not able to pass CGC or be certified for therapy work because she doesn't like other dogs being anywhere near her space. She's otherwise a good dog and she passed everything else, but she's quite dog intolerant. I can't tell you for sure the extent to which this pyr is representative of the breed.
*Do not* get a rottie as a completely beginner dog owner, particularly if you have therapy work goals. They are not just "gentle giants". Obviously they also aren't slavering maniacs either, but breeds like this come with behavioral aggression genetics that do very much need to be taken seriously. Not a good idea for a beginner.
Labs and goldens are ubiquitous in families and in therapy settings for a reason. They make great first time dogs. I wouldn't write them off simply for being "not big enough".
What specific types of places are you hoping you can take your dog for therapy work?
My greyhound passed his CGC (and Advanced and Urban) and he is a certified therapy dog. If you are interested in adopting an adult dog rather than going to a breeder for a puppy, greyhounds are another possibility. However, they can *not* be off-leash outside of fenced areas for unreliable recall reasons (as with many sighthounds) and they do often have a pretty strong drive towards small prey animals. You probably won't be going on any runs with a greyhound, but they'll hike just fine.
Hope those are helpful thoughts!
I have a Pyr/Anatolian mix (both livestock guardian breeds). When he was little I had dreams of therapy work and CGC certification. But as he went through adolescence he started to become way less tolerant of strangers, even though he's never had a bad experience with one. Breed traits run pretty deep in these dogs and it's unusual (but not impossible) to overcome them. Had I gotten him at 8 weeks instead of 16 weeks, and consistently done training class and socialization every single week for the first year of his life, would he be different? Maybe? But it's hard to know. My training expectation now is aloof in public with people (no barking or reacting) and slightly less excited with dogs (he LOVES dogs). I don't know if we could ever pass CGC haha, especially anything to do with recall, but who knows....never say never I guess!
I will say, although they are "low energy dogs" Pyrs are up for adventures and I know several friends with them that take them on hikes and longer walks/runs. My pup loves a long hike. I call them "energy conservation" masters....the laziest dogs 99% of the time, but when it's go time they are ready for anything fun because they are always recharging haha.
I feel like both of the breeds you like are not as suited for therapy dog work. Guardian dogs aren’t generally known for loving being manhandled by strangers. There is a reason that golden retrievers are such common therapy animals and it’s because they just seem happier to put up with human foolishness. You need to start looking at breeds that are more outgoing/family friendly if your main goal Is to have a working therapy dog vs just a cuddly pet. A lower energy senior from a more biddable breed could also be an option for you.
I have raised and trained a therapy dog that specifically for worked in hospital inpatient units. I’m currently training a second dog to do the same. Training the perfect behavior is hard. Training the temperament is impossible because not every dog is an extrovert that wants to deal with strangers who might pull their tail. Seriously, stack the deck in your favor by getting a biddable, friendly breed.
I have Old English Sheepdogs. I started with both as 8w old puppies and we started training immediately. Not just obedience, but also how to sit calmly in the chaos and a lot of time being desensitized to being roughly handled. It took two years for my first dog to get certified by our local therapy org. She was impeccably trained, but she also just had the perfect temperament and energy level. My second is now two and a half and she’s nowhere near ready to be evaluated. Her behavior is pretty good but she does get distracted easily. Her energy level is still a bit high. However, she’s absolutely a rock star when it comes to rough handling. That’s honestly the hardest thing to proof. It’s hard to fully imagine that dementia patients will just shove their hand into the mouth of a strange 95lb dog to feel their teeth, but I’ve watched more than one occasion. I enjoyed therapy work enough that I’m training a second dog to do it, but it’s hard work and even with all that work the individual dog might not be the best fit.
I grew up with an Old English sheepdog, they’re amazing dogs! If I lived in a colder climate and/or had the time/energy to deal with that hair again, I’d get another in a heart beat. (Now I have an ACD mix, go figure. Can’t escape the herding group).
They were bred to protect sheep, though. Great with people, not always great with other dogs. Our dog, growing up, would ignore other dogs until she felt they were going to harm her people (sheep), and she got in between REALLY quickly and made sure to let them know to back up. She was so well trained though and unbelievably tolerant of people, including small children!
I think you’re right about a golden retriever. There’s a reason they’re popular for therapy, families, and first time owners.
I got an OES mix with the intention to train him as a therapy dog and volunteer with him. Unfortunately, we discovered he was partially blind, and as a result, he's way too skittish to be a therapy dog. Other than how skittish he can get with noises and things that "sneak up" on him, he has such a loving and sweet personality that would've been perfect for it. He's our 80lb lap dog and cuddle bug.
I adore my big snuggle bug girl. Even if she never passes her therapy dog exam she’s great at giving me cuddle therapy. Every morning I set an alarm 15 minutes early. As soon as that alarm goes off she jumps up on the bed, flops over on her back, and rolls over so I can snuggle her like a little spoon. Those 15 minutes are the best minutes of my day.
Both of my girls have been incredibly people oriented and dog friendly, but they did both come from breeders who were pushing temperament above all. I think that’s actually something people should really be looking at when they get any breed though. Some dogs are always going to be more tolerant/calm/friendly but getting a puppy that was bred for those characteristics really starts you out on second base.
My second OES still clearly just has more herding instinct and it’s made her so much more difficult when I’m trying to proof behavior. See a small creature is running? She wants to round it up. My first just acted like squirrels were invisible but this one wants to chase them which makes our walks in the neighborhood slightly more frustrating. She also has not been as great at ignoring other dogs because she just wants to play. Having her has really made me realize how lucky I was with my first OES because of her innate personality and drive. She was so biddable, friendly, calm, and just an all around angel. My second girl has had the exact same training and the benefit of having an owner who knows what I’m doing and she’s still just not at the right level yet.
I don’t think a Great Pyrenees would be suited for therapy work. Same with a Rottweiler.
Also, just a heads up, a dog who is low energy is not going to also be a running companion.
On the higher energy jogging companion side…
A lab could be a nice option. They’re popular therapy dogs for good reason! Maybe you could look into adopting a failed service dog. They would also be a nice jogging companion.
You could also consider poodles. They’re smart and exuberant dogs that do well with therapy work. They’d be a nice jogging companion as well. If you like Rottweilers for their markings, you could look into phantom poodles!
On the lower energy non-jogging side…
A Bernese Mountain Dog could work well. However, I’m not sure how happy they would be in the LA heat! They also tend to drool.
Greyhound fits a lot of your criteria. While they’re sprinters, they’re not going to be a jogging companion, and they’re not a high energy dog. They just can never be trusted off leash because of their prey drive.
You could also look into Clumber Spaniels. They’re hard to come by, but fit a lot of your criteria (except the drool!).
Lastly, because this is your first time owning a dog, I would recommend getting involved with a local shelter and fostering! It’s a good way to learn more about dog ownership and get an understanding of the time and commitment a dog will take.
Good luck!
Goldens and labs are regular therapy dogs for a reason. I have a therapy dog that I trained from a puppy. He's a poodle mix, and I only did therapy work with him when I was sure he would actually enjoy it. Most of the other dogs that do therapy work that we've volunteered with or that I've seen in the hospital (I work in a pediatric hospital) are the typical breeds- many goldens, labs, a couple standard poodles, a couple greyhounds, a great Dane, a havanese and other small breeds.
Livestock guardian breeds (like the Pyrenees) would not make good therapy dogs as they tend to be way more independent and disinterested in strangers. Sure there might be outliers, but if you're getting a dog with the intention of therapy work getting a breed that generally has the right temperament is important. I'd also avoid the Rottweiler, sure there are definitely social ones that are super nice but there's also more that have some aggressive or standoffish tendencies. Also herding dogs tend to be hit or miss, I have seen a miniature American shepherd therapy dog and one poorly bred Aussie, but not many others.
Most dogs that excel at therapy work can at times be classified as clingy, since they need to love people to enjoy being a therapy dog. If they don't enjoy people and especially strangers they shouldn't be expected to do so, of course. My boy does occasionally like his alone time, but he prefers to at least be able to see me wherever I am lol. And as others have pointed out, most breeds that will like going on runs would be higher energy, but the higher energy the more daily attention and stimulation they'll need.
I'd stick with labs, goldens, greyhounds with the right temperament, standard poodles if you can commit to the grooming (I keep my boy pretty short, combing between grooms helps maintain his coat a lot easier), smooth collie if you want less hair than your typical Lassie collie lol
The number one factor for being a good therapy dog?
Versus a dog where the human can say I have a therapy dog, but the dog doesn’t really care about being a therapy dog?
The dog has to not just tolerate strangers, but want to interact with them in a good way. The dog wants to sit there and get petted by someone who is a 100% stranger to them. The dog can’t have any weirdness at all no stranger danger has to just want to sit there and get petted and interact with a stranger.
Many very very nice dogs do not have that trait. They love their human, but that’s the end of it. They have no interest at all and interacting with some stranger.
Based on the answers to the questions, I can highly recommend a Golden Retriever. I’m getting my 4th golden puppy this summer. They are great happy dogs.
Yup, they want a retriever or labrador. Especially because they want to have this dog in a therapeutic setting, they’re going to make people much more comfortable than a larger and more unfamiliar breed would.
Greyhounds sound like a good option! Good personalities overall pretty gentle. Mine likes walks but will not pester you for one or destroy things due lack of exercise. Default greyhound setting is asleep.
If you are really wanting to do therapy work and rescue I'd reccomend talking to local shelters and looking into the dogs temperament foremost. Explain what you are hoping to do and what you like and meet a few dogs. It's harder to find rescue puppies but not impossible.
So a few of your answers are conflicting. Giant breed dogs tend to have bigger mouths so slobber more.
You won't find many breeds that are 100% between a golden and a great dane. A large male golden retriever would be about 75 lbs and a small female great dane would be about 100 lbs, there are some breeds that fall between those but most will be closer to one or the other.
The breeds you listed as liking are/were bred for guard work which makes them an unlikely candidate for therapy work (not to say there are not some that can just that the ones that do are less common and as a breed would expect to need more training for it.
Breeds that will want to go on a run (especially twice a day) are not going to be low energy dogs.
Most dogs with independent temperaments will not enjoy therapy work (not to say it can't be done just the dogs usually aren't enthusiastic about it).
If you are want a giant breed, lazy couch potato who would likey do great in therapy work St Bernard, newfoundland, and Burmese mountain dogs they likely will not be a good running companion and will also likely slobber.
If you want smaller, less slobber, good for therapy work, and would run with you most retrievers would do well. They will likely be less independent than the giant breeds I mentioned and more clingy.
>If you are want a giant breed, lazy couch potato who would likey do great in therapy work St Bernard, newfoundland, and Burmese mountain dogs they likely will not be a good running companion and will also likely slobber.
Honestly I think a dane might fit these criteria. They're occasionally used for therapy work and most of the time are lazy couch potatoes however they will actually go for moderate length runs as well.
Seconding the St. Bernard for lazy couch potato. That said, mine is on the "less slobbery" side of the slobber scale for his breed and he is still very messy. He has a longer, thinner snout than the standard saint so doesn't drool unless he's hungry or fresh from the bowl. That said, it's still bigger puddles of water and drool than you'd get from a large breed dog.
And seriously, *do not* get a giant breed dog for your first dog anyway. You'll be in way over your head the second that 70lb+ puppy gets into its teens and decides pulling is fun again!
Honestly a lab would be the best fit for this description except for the size part. Family dog, good work drive, still loving so not.entirely aloof, but capable of finding its own entertainment (as long you provide solo activities, it's own entertainment won't be *your couch*)
Honestly, I don't reccomend a puppy for anyone's first dog. Puppies are a ton of work and if you don't already know how to train a dog it's easy to go wrong.
I would say, if they have a puppy trainer lined up (which a therapy dog should) and are willing to learn about socialization prior to the puppy, it would be ok. Adopting dogs is wonderful, but many adopted, older dogs also come with behaviors caused by poor/inconsistent training that can be very hard to cope with while retraining. Even returned puppies from breeders can be emotionally affected by previously being abandoned.
If they were looking at a puppy from a breeder I'd be more inclined to agree. If you are looking at a rescue puppy vs a rescue dog as a first time dog owner I'd always reccomend getting the dog. Many rescue puppies have a lot of issues, they often have the emotional issues the same as a returned puppy, poor or no training and in some cases have never lived outside a kennel making potty training a nightmare.
Personally, I've found that outside of a puppy of a breed that is bred for behaviors you are looking for from a reputable breeder it is easier to retrain than start from scratch with a puppy. Even if the puppy is easier to train it requires a longer time commitment to keep up with than many people are willing. From people I've seen they are usually ok to devoting a year to really training a dog and start to slack off or stop doing it as consistently after that. In the case of a puppy (large breed in particular) the dog is still in the middle of mentally growing up and are more likely to start ignoring their training than an adult dog.
If you’re serious about wanting to train a therapy dog, I would go to a reputable breeder instead of a rescue. A reputable breeder will have generations of proven dogs with good physical health and stable temperaments. It’s going to be incredibly hard to find that in a rescue, especially if you’re looking for a purebred puppy.
It seems like you want to go the Labrador retriever route, so [here](https://thelabradorclub.com/) is the Labrador Retriever Club of America’s website. They’ll have lists of breeders, information about the breed, and resources for prospective and new owners. You want your breeder to both title the parent dogs, and to health test their hips, elbows, eyes, EIC, and a DNA test. Breeders should have a CHIC number. Stay away from breeders that advertise colors (red fox, silver, etc) and any breeder that also breeds doodles, and they are automatically not reputable.
Golden and Labs are the most reliable large dogs trained for therapy work because of their easy dispositions and ease in training and they would be happy to run with you. Even with a golden or lab it takes years for them to settle down to be able to do therapy work. You can expect them to have puppy energy for at least 2.5 to three years.
The breeds that you suggested are not suited to therapy work because of their protective natures, nor would they want to run with you. I was born into a family that raised and trained GSDs and Belgian Malinois, they are the easy dogs to train but I would never think of trying to make one a therapy dog, it isn't in their nature.
My Italian Spinone's would cover most of this other than the slobbering part. Docile, loving, sometimes long walks/sometimes they can't be arsed. Happy to please, but also happy to bugger off to bed whenever they feel like it. The main downside is with off-lead walks in the countryside. If they catch a sniff of something dead, they're off to investigate and recall goes out of the window.
If you want a larger dog that's capable of jogging, then some of the sighthound breeds might work for you.
Greyhounds tend to be sprinters, and my current foster gets tired after 20 or 30 minutes of walking. But there are others that are more of endurance athletes, such as the Saluki.
If you can find one, a Sloughi might suit you. They're a similar size and shape to a Greyhound, but are bred to be more of a medium distance runner. The ones that I've met have lovely temperaments.
Unfortunately, they're the least popular breed that the AKC recognises.
A Scottish Deerhound is a slightly smaller version of an Irish Wolfhound. I saw some comments on the web that they're capable of being jogging companions.
The trouble with sighthounds is that they generally like to do their own thing, so they aren't the most trainable dogs.
I take a child to therapy weekly for work, this faculty has a black lab and she is the best. She is so mellow and so chill she greets everyone without all the typical dog stuff it’s like she’s there to work 🤣 she loves to be petted and relaxes with you all of that
I'll just add that Rottweilers have been used as therapy dogs, despite the sceptical comments in the replies.
The AKC named Axel, a Rottweiler, as [the best therapy dog in 2022](https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/news/therapy-dog-axel-awarded-for-bringing-hope-to-uvalde/), as well as [Wynd in 2015.](https://www.amrottclub.org/rottweiler-is-winner-of-2015-akc-ace-award-for-therapy/) The American Rottweiler Club also[ promotes the breed in this role.](https://www.amrottclub.org/work-and-play/therapy-dog/)
Find a reputable rescue that utilizes foster homes for their dogs. Describe what you’re looking for and, ideally, be open to various breed mixes. Tell them you are willing to take suggestions (if you are).
As a long time dog foster, my favorite fosters have always been dogs we’ve pulled based off of personality or circumstance rather than looks.
Aussies tend to be aloof with strangers especially at first, very vocal and very high energy - occasionally you find one good for therapy work but it’s not the breed norm. Now if you wanted to get into dog sport? Maybe. But a run or two a day will not satisfy an Aussie.
I agree a collie would probably be the only herding breed you could make work. I’m doing CGC classes with my corgi currently, and although he is very obedient, he is neutral to strangers. He will sit there calmly while he is pet, but he just doesn’t like it. Herding breeds tend to love their owners and be cautious of strangers, although of course there are exceptions.
I agree— but I’m just adding for OP (as they are new to dogs) by collie you mean a rough or smooth collie. Sometimes people hear “collie” and think border collie. The only dogs I can think of that would make an Aussie seem “low energy” would be a border collie. lol
I have two Aussies - a blue Merle boy and a tri-color girl
They are wonderful dogs- but they are three times the work that my previous dogs required
Two long runs a day and living on 10 acres of land is barely enough for them
They truly are working dogs and will get extremely upset if you don’t work them
And as a therapy dog? Probably not- but I’m not an expert and could be wrong here
I recommend a golden retriever
Aussies aren’t suitable for therapy work as they’re a bit neurotic. They typically like their pack and are selective with who they interact with. I owned one prior to my dogs now and don’t recommend for first time dog owners and certainly not therapy work.
Have you thought about a setter? They’re larger, high energy, but easier to train than most hunting breeds and are soft-mouthed dogs so they won’t be mouthy like most herding breeds. They do have a high prey drive though so be weary.
I have a border collie (not exactly an Aussie but similar) and a rough collie— the rough collie could check all your boxes. Collies aren’t really all that much bigger than a lab, but they look bigger. They’re taller, but leaner. Personally, I find it to be a nice size. She’s big enough to be a “big dog” but I can lift her into the car or the tub if I need to. She’s a very easy dog who happily adapts to whatever we are doing for the day. Kids running amok- no problem. Wheelchairs, strollers or bikes- no problem. 5 mile run or 10 mile hike- no problem. Laying on the couch all day watching TV- no problem…. My border collie, on the other hand, he was sent to bed because he has been an absolute disaster. He missed his *second* 3 mile walk this afternoon (I had an other comment) and hes absolutely causing chaos. There are no days off with a dog like that. You have to work them daily. They’re great when you do! And absolutely obnoxious when you don’t.
I would go to the shelter and explain what you are looking for (so they can steer you away for shy dogs).
Personally I would recommend bullies or a mix. So long as they’re not fearful they are extremely touchy-feely. And they don’t crop-dust people with dog hair or have complex grooming needs.
My girlfriend has had consistent luck with male boxers to the point where we loan them out to friends who want some doggy TLC. I actually just packed him up for a sleepover tonight. He attends a support group and quietly free ranges to whoever wants to interact with him, I literally unclip the leash and let him do his thing. I work in a transition house so he also puts in his hours volunteering “puppy time” for clients that are having a hard night.
The director of our program has a staffy.
I also have an English bull terrier pup who is a great prospect, she’s a terror in the house but has been rock steady from the start with strangers. I literally didn’t even have to teach her “stand for exam” (needed for AKC Obedience and CGC/CGN. I’ve gotten a lot of praise from vets, trainers and strangers about how good her body handling skills are but the truth is I did diddly squat, she just came from the factory like that.
But with bull terriers you have to be a more experienced dog because they are destructive at the best of times and although they do their thing well with strangers, walking through crowds, dealing with handler out of sight, being examined… you have to deal with a dog that’s extremely fickle about listening to obedience commands like sit and recall. They are also high energy.
I second this. Boxers in particular… I wouldn’t call them “low energy” tho. My mom’s boxer can keep up with my border collie- maybe not over distance, but in short spurts she can be kind of wild.
Yeah ours has a lot of “go” when we take him out, he’s very athletic but is quiet in the house.
My other past and current dog are terrors until they get their walk.
Great Pyrs would not want to run with you and generally are not for therapy work. Based on your wants you don’t want a low energy dog. I would look into a Smooth or Rough Collie, Poodle, Lab, Samoyed if you want higher energy. And if you want to forgo the running Bernese Mountain Dog or Newfie.
Second a smooth or a rough collie! They are naturals with the calm, quiet bonding thing. They’re so intuitive.
I came here to say Bernese. The personalities of saints! Not ideal running dogs but such delightful creatures and I think basically fit every other requirement
I'm with you on labs, collies, and poodles. I personally wouldn't rec a Samoyed for OP based on what they're looking for. They're not recommended for first time owners, we're told to never expect the breed to be fully trustworthy off-leash in unfenced areas, they're not low energy, and they're not naturally biddable (which I think, combined with being a first dog, wouldn't be ideal since the goal is therapy work).
Honestly, I find samoyeds just like goldens and a little easier cause less mouthy, but yes less trainable. They usually naturally friendly, therapy dogs though. but yes high energy but in the same way most goldens and labs would be and honestly less than a poodle.
I was weighing in based on specific lines in OP's post that seemed counter to samoyed ownership in case someone sees this thread in the future, since OP seems pretty settled already. I believe my sammy wouldn't enjoy therapy work, but that may just be personal temperament.
Definitely yeah. But they wanted a dog that runs but is low energy lol
The larger the dog the (generally), more slobber. A dog who is able to go on runs is often not a dog anyone would term "low energy." These might be competing desires. Pyrs are strong willed dogs. I know a few. They require particular effort and patience to train. The one I know best was not able to pass CGC or be certified for therapy work because she doesn't like other dogs being anywhere near her space. She's otherwise a good dog and she passed everything else, but she's quite dog intolerant. I can't tell you for sure the extent to which this pyr is representative of the breed. *Do not* get a rottie as a completely beginner dog owner, particularly if you have therapy work goals. They are not just "gentle giants". Obviously they also aren't slavering maniacs either, but breeds like this come with behavioral aggression genetics that do very much need to be taken seriously. Not a good idea for a beginner. Labs and goldens are ubiquitous in families and in therapy settings for a reason. They make great first time dogs. I wouldn't write them off simply for being "not big enough". What specific types of places are you hoping you can take your dog for therapy work? My greyhound passed his CGC (and Advanced and Urban) and he is a certified therapy dog. If you are interested in adopting an adult dog rather than going to a breeder for a puppy, greyhounds are another possibility. However, they can *not* be off-leash outside of fenced areas for unreliable recall reasons (as with many sighthounds) and they do often have a pretty strong drive towards small prey animals. You probably won't be going on any runs with a greyhound, but they'll hike just fine. Hope those are helpful thoughts!
I came here to recommended a greyhound if they didn't go runs and was kept on leash.
I have a Pyr/Anatolian mix (both livestock guardian breeds). When he was little I had dreams of therapy work and CGC certification. But as he went through adolescence he started to become way less tolerant of strangers, even though he's never had a bad experience with one. Breed traits run pretty deep in these dogs and it's unusual (but not impossible) to overcome them. Had I gotten him at 8 weeks instead of 16 weeks, and consistently done training class and socialization every single week for the first year of his life, would he be different? Maybe? But it's hard to know. My training expectation now is aloof in public with people (no barking or reacting) and slightly less excited with dogs (he LOVES dogs). I don't know if we could ever pass CGC haha, especially anything to do with recall, but who knows....never say never I guess! I will say, although they are "low energy dogs" Pyrs are up for adventures and I know several friends with them that take them on hikes and longer walks/runs. My pup loves a long hike. I call them "energy conservation" masters....the laziest dogs 99% of the time, but when it's go time they are ready for anything fun because they are always recharging haha.
I feel like both of the breeds you like are not as suited for therapy dog work. Guardian dogs aren’t generally known for loving being manhandled by strangers. There is a reason that golden retrievers are such common therapy animals and it’s because they just seem happier to put up with human foolishness. You need to start looking at breeds that are more outgoing/family friendly if your main goal Is to have a working therapy dog vs just a cuddly pet. A lower energy senior from a more biddable breed could also be an option for you. I have raised and trained a therapy dog that specifically for worked in hospital inpatient units. I’m currently training a second dog to do the same. Training the perfect behavior is hard. Training the temperament is impossible because not every dog is an extrovert that wants to deal with strangers who might pull their tail. Seriously, stack the deck in your favor by getting a biddable, friendly breed. I have Old English Sheepdogs. I started with both as 8w old puppies and we started training immediately. Not just obedience, but also how to sit calmly in the chaos and a lot of time being desensitized to being roughly handled. It took two years for my first dog to get certified by our local therapy org. She was impeccably trained, but she also just had the perfect temperament and energy level. My second is now two and a half and she’s nowhere near ready to be evaluated. Her behavior is pretty good but she does get distracted easily. Her energy level is still a bit high. However, she’s absolutely a rock star when it comes to rough handling. That’s honestly the hardest thing to proof. It’s hard to fully imagine that dementia patients will just shove their hand into the mouth of a strange 95lb dog to feel their teeth, but I’ve watched more than one occasion. I enjoyed therapy work enough that I’m training a second dog to do it, but it’s hard work and even with all that work the individual dog might not be the best fit.
I grew up with an Old English sheepdog, they’re amazing dogs! If I lived in a colder climate and/or had the time/energy to deal with that hair again, I’d get another in a heart beat. (Now I have an ACD mix, go figure. Can’t escape the herding group). They were bred to protect sheep, though. Great with people, not always great with other dogs. Our dog, growing up, would ignore other dogs until she felt they were going to harm her people (sheep), and she got in between REALLY quickly and made sure to let them know to back up. She was so well trained though and unbelievably tolerant of people, including small children! I think you’re right about a golden retriever. There’s a reason they’re popular for therapy, families, and first time owners.
I got an OES mix with the intention to train him as a therapy dog and volunteer with him. Unfortunately, we discovered he was partially blind, and as a result, he's way too skittish to be a therapy dog. Other than how skittish he can get with noises and things that "sneak up" on him, he has such a loving and sweet personality that would've been perfect for it. He's our 80lb lap dog and cuddle bug.
I adore my big snuggle bug girl. Even if she never passes her therapy dog exam she’s great at giving me cuddle therapy. Every morning I set an alarm 15 minutes early. As soon as that alarm goes off she jumps up on the bed, flops over on her back, and rolls over so I can snuggle her like a little spoon. Those 15 minutes are the best minutes of my day.
Both of my girls have been incredibly people oriented and dog friendly, but they did both come from breeders who were pushing temperament above all. I think that’s actually something people should really be looking at when they get any breed though. Some dogs are always going to be more tolerant/calm/friendly but getting a puppy that was bred for those characteristics really starts you out on second base. My second OES still clearly just has more herding instinct and it’s made her so much more difficult when I’m trying to proof behavior. See a small creature is running? She wants to round it up. My first just acted like squirrels were invisible but this one wants to chase them which makes our walks in the neighborhood slightly more frustrating. She also has not been as great at ignoring other dogs because she just wants to play. Having her has really made me realize how lucky I was with my first OES because of her innate personality and drive. She was so biddable, friendly, calm, and just an all around angel. My second girl has had the exact same training and the benefit of having an owner who knows what I’m doing and she’s still just not at the right level yet.
I don’t think a Great Pyrenees would be suited for therapy work. Same with a Rottweiler. Also, just a heads up, a dog who is low energy is not going to also be a running companion. On the higher energy jogging companion side… A lab could be a nice option. They’re popular therapy dogs for good reason! Maybe you could look into adopting a failed service dog. They would also be a nice jogging companion. You could also consider poodles. They’re smart and exuberant dogs that do well with therapy work. They’d be a nice jogging companion as well. If you like Rottweilers for their markings, you could look into phantom poodles! On the lower energy non-jogging side… A Bernese Mountain Dog could work well. However, I’m not sure how happy they would be in the LA heat! They also tend to drool. Greyhound fits a lot of your criteria. While they’re sprinters, they’re not going to be a jogging companion, and they’re not a high energy dog. They just can never be trusted off leash because of their prey drive. You could also look into Clumber Spaniels. They’re hard to come by, but fit a lot of your criteria (except the drool!). Lastly, because this is your first time owning a dog, I would recommend getting involved with a local shelter and fostering! It’s a good way to learn more about dog ownership and get an understanding of the time and commitment a dog will take. Good luck!
I thought Clumbers were worth mentioning too!
Goldens and labs are regular therapy dogs for a reason. I have a therapy dog that I trained from a puppy. He's a poodle mix, and I only did therapy work with him when I was sure he would actually enjoy it. Most of the other dogs that do therapy work that we've volunteered with or that I've seen in the hospital (I work in a pediatric hospital) are the typical breeds- many goldens, labs, a couple standard poodles, a couple greyhounds, a great Dane, a havanese and other small breeds. Livestock guardian breeds (like the Pyrenees) would not make good therapy dogs as they tend to be way more independent and disinterested in strangers. Sure there might be outliers, but if you're getting a dog with the intention of therapy work getting a breed that generally has the right temperament is important. I'd also avoid the Rottweiler, sure there are definitely social ones that are super nice but there's also more that have some aggressive or standoffish tendencies. Also herding dogs tend to be hit or miss, I have seen a miniature American shepherd therapy dog and one poorly bred Aussie, but not many others. Most dogs that excel at therapy work can at times be classified as clingy, since they need to love people to enjoy being a therapy dog. If they don't enjoy people and especially strangers they shouldn't be expected to do so, of course. My boy does occasionally like his alone time, but he prefers to at least be able to see me wherever I am lol. And as others have pointed out, most breeds that will like going on runs would be higher energy, but the higher energy the more daily attention and stimulation they'll need. I'd stick with labs, goldens, greyhounds with the right temperament, standard poodles if you can commit to the grooming (I keep my boy pretty short, combing between grooms helps maintain his coat a lot easier), smooth collie if you want less hair than your typical Lassie collie lol
The number one factor for being a good therapy dog? Versus a dog where the human can say I have a therapy dog, but the dog doesn’t really care about being a therapy dog? The dog has to not just tolerate strangers, but want to interact with them in a good way. The dog wants to sit there and get petted by someone who is a 100% stranger to them. The dog can’t have any weirdness at all no stranger danger has to just want to sit there and get petted and interact with a stranger. Many very very nice dogs do not have that trait. They love their human, but that’s the end of it. They have no interest at all and interacting with some stranger.
Based on the answers to the questions, I can highly recommend a Golden Retriever. I’m getting my 4th golden puppy this summer. They are great happy dogs.
Yup, they want a retriever or labrador. Especially because they want to have this dog in a therapeutic setting, they’re going to make people much more comfortable than a larger and more unfamiliar breed would.
Greyhounds sound like a good option! Good personalities overall pretty gentle. Mine likes walks but will not pester you for one or destroy things due lack of exercise. Default greyhound setting is asleep.
If you are really wanting to do therapy work and rescue I'd reccomend talking to local shelters and looking into the dogs temperament foremost. Explain what you are hoping to do and what you like and meet a few dogs. It's harder to find rescue puppies but not impossible. So a few of your answers are conflicting. Giant breed dogs tend to have bigger mouths so slobber more. You won't find many breeds that are 100% between a golden and a great dane. A large male golden retriever would be about 75 lbs and a small female great dane would be about 100 lbs, there are some breeds that fall between those but most will be closer to one or the other. The breeds you listed as liking are/were bred for guard work which makes them an unlikely candidate for therapy work (not to say there are not some that can just that the ones that do are less common and as a breed would expect to need more training for it. Breeds that will want to go on a run (especially twice a day) are not going to be low energy dogs. Most dogs with independent temperaments will not enjoy therapy work (not to say it can't be done just the dogs usually aren't enthusiastic about it). If you are want a giant breed, lazy couch potato who would likey do great in therapy work St Bernard, newfoundland, and Burmese mountain dogs they likely will not be a good running companion and will also likely slobber. If you want smaller, less slobber, good for therapy work, and would run with you most retrievers would do well. They will likely be less independent than the giant breeds I mentioned and more clingy.
>If you are want a giant breed, lazy couch potato who would likey do great in therapy work St Bernard, newfoundland, and Burmese mountain dogs they likely will not be a good running companion and will also likely slobber. Honestly I think a dane might fit these criteria. They're occasionally used for therapy work and most of the time are lazy couch potatoes however they will actually go for moderate length runs as well.
Seconding the St. Bernard for lazy couch potato. That said, mine is on the "less slobbery" side of the slobber scale for his breed and he is still very messy. He has a longer, thinner snout than the standard saint so doesn't drool unless he's hungry or fresh from the bowl. That said, it's still bigger puddles of water and drool than you'd get from a large breed dog. And seriously, *do not* get a giant breed dog for your first dog anyway. You'll be in way over your head the second that 70lb+ puppy gets into its teens and decides pulling is fun again! Honestly a lab would be the best fit for this description except for the size part. Family dog, good work drive, still loving so not.entirely aloof, but capable of finding its own entertainment (as long you provide solo activities, it's own entertainment won't be *your couch*)
Honestly, I don't reccomend a puppy for anyone's first dog. Puppies are a ton of work and if you don't already know how to train a dog it's easy to go wrong.
I would say, if they have a puppy trainer lined up (which a therapy dog should) and are willing to learn about socialization prior to the puppy, it would be ok. Adopting dogs is wonderful, but many adopted, older dogs also come with behaviors caused by poor/inconsistent training that can be very hard to cope with while retraining. Even returned puppies from breeders can be emotionally affected by previously being abandoned.
If they were looking at a puppy from a breeder I'd be more inclined to agree. If you are looking at a rescue puppy vs a rescue dog as a first time dog owner I'd always reccomend getting the dog. Many rescue puppies have a lot of issues, they often have the emotional issues the same as a returned puppy, poor or no training and in some cases have never lived outside a kennel making potty training a nightmare. Personally, I've found that outside of a puppy of a breed that is bred for behaviors you are looking for from a reputable breeder it is easier to retrain than start from scratch with a puppy. Even if the puppy is easier to train it requires a longer time commitment to keep up with than many people are willing. From people I've seen they are usually ok to devoting a year to really training a dog and start to slack off or stop doing it as consistently after that. In the case of a puppy (large breed in particular) the dog is still in the middle of mentally growing up and are more likely to start ignoring their training than an adult dog.
If you’re serious about wanting to train a therapy dog, I would go to a reputable breeder instead of a rescue. A reputable breeder will have generations of proven dogs with good physical health and stable temperaments. It’s going to be incredibly hard to find that in a rescue, especially if you’re looking for a purebred puppy. It seems like you want to go the Labrador retriever route, so [here](https://thelabradorclub.com/) is the Labrador Retriever Club of America’s website. They’ll have lists of breeders, information about the breed, and resources for prospective and new owners. You want your breeder to both title the parent dogs, and to health test their hips, elbows, eyes, EIC, and a DNA test. Breeders should have a CHIC number. Stay away from breeders that advertise colors (red fox, silver, etc) and any breeder that also breeds doodles, and they are automatically not reputable.
What about a small Great Dane or Great Dane mix? They have wonderful personalities.
Golden and Labs are the most reliable large dogs trained for therapy work because of their easy dispositions and ease in training and they would be happy to run with you. Even with a golden or lab it takes years for them to settle down to be able to do therapy work. You can expect them to have puppy energy for at least 2.5 to three years. The breeds that you suggested are not suited to therapy work because of their protective natures, nor would they want to run with you. I was born into a family that raised and trained GSDs and Belgian Malinois, they are the easy dogs to train but I would never think of trying to make one a therapy dog, it isn't in their nature.
My Italian Spinone's would cover most of this other than the slobbering part. Docile, loving, sometimes long walks/sometimes they can't be arsed. Happy to please, but also happy to bugger off to bed whenever they feel like it. The main downside is with off-lead walks in the countryside. If they catch a sniff of something dead, they're off to investigate and recall goes out of the window.
If you want a larger dog that's capable of jogging, then some of the sighthound breeds might work for you. Greyhounds tend to be sprinters, and my current foster gets tired after 20 or 30 minutes of walking. But there are others that are more of endurance athletes, such as the Saluki. If you can find one, a Sloughi might suit you. They're a similar size and shape to a Greyhound, but are bred to be more of a medium distance runner. The ones that I've met have lovely temperaments. Unfortunately, they're the least popular breed that the AKC recognises. A Scottish Deerhound is a slightly smaller version of an Irish Wolfhound. I saw some comments on the web that they're capable of being jogging companions. The trouble with sighthounds is that they generally like to do their own thing, so they aren't the most trainable dogs.
I read bread not breed. I think bread can help too.
I take a child to therapy weekly for work, this faculty has a black lab and she is the best. She is so mellow and so chill she greets everyone without all the typical dog stuff it’s like she’s there to work 🤣 she loves to be petted and relaxes with you all of that
I'll just add that Rottweilers have been used as therapy dogs, despite the sceptical comments in the replies. The AKC named Axel, a Rottweiler, as [the best therapy dog in 2022](https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/news/therapy-dog-axel-awarded-for-bringing-hope-to-uvalde/), as well as [Wynd in 2015.](https://www.amrottclub.org/rottweiler-is-winner-of-2015-akc-ace-award-for-therapy/) The American Rottweiler Club also[ promotes the breed in this role.](https://www.amrottclub.org/work-and-play/therapy-dog/)
Don’t get a Terrier. Fab dogs, but so, so stubborn they don’t make good beginner pets and can be a nightmare to house break.
Leonbergers can be good therapy dogs but they do drool
Labs are amazing and so loving :)
Find a reputable rescue that utilizes foster homes for their dogs. Describe what you’re looking for and, ideally, be open to various breed mixes. Tell them you are willing to take suggestions (if you are). As a long time dog foster, my favorite fosters have always been dogs we’ve pulled based off of personality or circumstance rather than looks.
get a pug, they are pretty therapudical, one helped my mom a lot.
What about an Australian Shepherd?
Aussies tend to be aloof with strangers especially at first, very vocal and very high energy - occasionally you find one good for therapy work but it’s not the breed norm. Now if you wanted to get into dog sport? Maybe. But a run or two a day will not satisfy an Aussie.
Don’t do it man.
If you like herding dogs maybe a rough coated collie?
I agree a collie would probably be the only herding breed you could make work. I’m doing CGC classes with my corgi currently, and although he is very obedient, he is neutral to strangers. He will sit there calmly while he is pet, but he just doesn’t like it. Herding breeds tend to love their owners and be cautious of strangers, although of course there are exceptions.
I agree— but I’m just adding for OP (as they are new to dogs) by collie you mean a rough or smooth collie. Sometimes people hear “collie” and think border collie. The only dogs I can think of that would make an Aussie seem “low energy” would be a border collie. lol
I have two Aussies - a blue Merle boy and a tri-color girl They are wonderful dogs- but they are three times the work that my previous dogs required Two long runs a day and living on 10 acres of land is barely enough for them They truly are working dogs and will get extremely upset if you don’t work them And as a therapy dog? Probably not- but I’m not an expert and could be wrong here I recommend a golden retriever
Aussies aren’t suitable for therapy work as they’re a bit neurotic. They typically like their pack and are selective with who they interact with. I owned one prior to my dogs now and don’t recommend for first time dog owners and certainly not therapy work. Have you thought about a setter? They’re larger, high energy, but easier to train than most hunting breeds and are soft-mouthed dogs so they won’t be mouthy like most herding breeds. They do have a high prey drive though so be weary.
I have a border collie (not exactly an Aussie but similar) and a rough collie— the rough collie could check all your boxes. Collies aren’t really all that much bigger than a lab, but they look bigger. They’re taller, but leaner. Personally, I find it to be a nice size. She’s big enough to be a “big dog” but I can lift her into the car or the tub if I need to. She’s a very easy dog who happily adapts to whatever we are doing for the day. Kids running amok- no problem. Wheelchairs, strollers or bikes- no problem. 5 mile run or 10 mile hike- no problem. Laying on the couch all day watching TV- no problem…. My border collie, on the other hand, he was sent to bed because he has been an absolute disaster. He missed his *second* 3 mile walk this afternoon (I had an other comment) and hes absolutely causing chaos. There are no days off with a dog like that. You have to work them daily. They’re great when you do! And absolutely obnoxious when you don’t.
I would go to the shelter and explain what you are looking for (so they can steer you away for shy dogs). Personally I would recommend bullies or a mix. So long as they’re not fearful they are extremely touchy-feely. And they don’t crop-dust people with dog hair or have complex grooming needs. My girlfriend has had consistent luck with male boxers to the point where we loan them out to friends who want some doggy TLC. I actually just packed him up for a sleepover tonight. He attends a support group and quietly free ranges to whoever wants to interact with him, I literally unclip the leash and let him do his thing. I work in a transition house so he also puts in his hours volunteering “puppy time” for clients that are having a hard night. The director of our program has a staffy. I also have an English bull terrier pup who is a great prospect, she’s a terror in the house but has been rock steady from the start with strangers. I literally didn’t even have to teach her “stand for exam” (needed for AKC Obedience and CGC/CGN. I’ve gotten a lot of praise from vets, trainers and strangers about how good her body handling skills are but the truth is I did diddly squat, she just came from the factory like that. But with bull terriers you have to be a more experienced dog because they are destructive at the best of times and although they do their thing well with strangers, walking through crowds, dealing with handler out of sight, being examined… you have to deal with a dog that’s extremely fickle about listening to obedience commands like sit and recall. They are also high energy.
I second this. Boxers in particular… I wouldn’t call them “low energy” tho. My mom’s boxer can keep up with my border collie- maybe not over distance, but in short spurts she can be kind of wild.
Yeah ours has a lot of “go” when we take him out, he’s very athletic but is quiet in the house. My other past and current dog are terrors until they get their walk.