melzawelza Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 Bull breeds can often excel at this kind of work - Animal Farm Foundation have an assistance dog program using rescued 'pit bull' dogs (bearing in mind that the term 'pit bull' in the states includes the APBT, Amstaff, SBT and any mixes that look vaguely similar to those breeds). The program is really successful and the dogs do really well. Animal Farm Foundation - Assistance Dogs program There'd be many, many suitable dogs in rescues all around the country that would thrive with a job like you are describing. Good luck in your search! ETA: They have some great international links and resources for assistance dogs on their website too: Assistance Team Resources Sounds great, but it's in New York though? Or have I got that wrong? Oh yes they're in New York, I spent a week with them in May. I'm not saying the OP could adopt from them but just showing her that Bull Breeds can excel at this work (a lot of people don't believe it to be true! :laugh: ). Plus, they've got some great international resources there that might be helpful for her. Oh right :) haha I don't know why I didn't realise that :laugh: Wow that must have been a fantastic experience to spend a week with them! I'm very jealous! :) It really was, they're an incredible, inspiring organisation in the work that they do - the assistance dog stuff is only a small part of what they do overall. Their internships are run numerous times throughout the year and are free so if anyone is ever in the USA and are interested it's worth applying - they're only a less than 2 hour train ride from NYC and it includes your accommodation on-site (where you get to bunk with a gorgeous rescued Pit Bull!). :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raineth Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 Sounds brilliant Melzawelza, I especially love the bunking with a pit bull bit :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melzawelza Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 (edited) Sounds brilliant Melzawelza, I especially love the bunking with a pit bull bit :D It's the best. This was my BFF for the week - Mumford - who is deaf. An absolute sweetheart. Sorry for the hijack!! No more photos I promise :laugh: Edited November 18, 2013 by melzawelza Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allerzeit Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 Rottweiler. Taken from ANKC breed standard: Temperament: Behaviour and character. Being good natured, placid in basic disposition and fond of children, he is very devoted, obedient, biddable and eager to work. His appearance is natural and rustic, his behaviour self assured, steady and fearless. He reacts to his surroundings with great alertness. And plenty of people have used them for carting, so pulling up on command should be no problem. :) And not drooly if you get one that has close fitting lips...which they should have anyway. Agreed. I rarely offer my breed as a suggested one in breed query threads, but can absolutely say that well bred, carefully selected, well trained Rottis make excellent assistance dogs. They have an innate need to work with people, yet make brilliant couch potatoes or snuggle bunnies when they are not required. Thirded :) A well bred, selected and trained rottweiler would excel at something like this :) Highly intelligent, desire to please, love working with (and being with) their people, adaptable, good with children. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lhok Posted November 19, 2013 Author Share Posted November 19, 2013 Hairy isn't a problem, Treble is quite hairy :D I just can't handle drool, I know I'm a wuss but I gag when I see the drool lines. Miss used to drool when I held a treat sometimes and it just grossed me out :laugh:. I hadn't really had much of a think about bull breeds as I thought they might be a bit on the small side. I have never actually seen a well bred Am Staff though just heaps of mixes and crossbreds. Also thanks Melzawelza I'm having a look at the links now. --Lhok Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melzawelza Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 (edited) Hairy isn't a problem, Treble is quite hairy :D I just can't handle drool, I know I'm a wuss but I gag when I see the drool lines. Miss used to drool when I held a treat sometimes and it just grossed me out :laugh:. I hadn't really had much of a think about bull breeds as I thought they might be a bit on the small side. I have never actually seen a well bred Am Staff though just heaps of mixes and crossbreds. Also thanks Melzawelza I'm having a look at the links now. --Lhok They're small-ish but strong :laugh: They absolutely excel at weight-pull events in the States and here in Australia now that it's started up. They'd have no problem pulling a cart and typically absolutely love to do it. One of the first Australian-Bred APBT pulled a 2100kg Landcruiser. I'll try and find the photo of him with it. Also agree that a Rotty could be a great option too. No worries, hope the links are useful and good luck! Edited November 19, 2013 by melzawelza Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest hankodie Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 Another vote for a rotti there is one in our obedience class and she is so focused on her owner and absolutely loves to please but is very calm at the same time. I imagine if you chose one from an excellent breeder with a solid temperament it would make a fantastic assistance dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
griff Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 (edited) I also have to vote for a well bred Rottie . :) Edited November 19, 2013 by griff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackJaq Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 (edited) I would advise against Pointers if you rely on the dog to get you safely from a to b since a cat or rabbit sprinting past you could quickly make the dog guide you right under the next car unfortunately. Also if you are physically limited I would be concerned that the amount of physical and mental stimulation would not keep a Pointer happy ETA: With a young child I would also especially advise against adding a GSP or similar to the household for first time owners (or even some more experienced people) until the child is older. Edited November 19, 2013 by BlackJaq Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bjelkier Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 (edited) What about a Samoyed? There are a few in America working as assistant dogs. They're strong and easily capable of pulling in harness (my big boy weighs 36 kilo, my smaller male is 31). They would be wonderful with your daughter and mine all love Akita's and can deal with silly bouncy babies very well. Edited November 19, 2013 by Bjelkier Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 (edited) Agree with BlackJaq re the GSPs I've met.....even my Springer would happily guide me under a bus if there was fur or feather in her sights! Labs that are bred for assistance/guide dog work have been specifically selected to remove a lot of the gundog prey drive. I know Dalmatians have been used as guide dogs in NZ but you would certainly need the "right" dog. Plus you'd have WAY too many people wanting to come and pat him! Edited November 19, 2013 by The Spotted Devil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph M Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 (edited) Labs and Goldens are out as I am still not quite over losing Missy dog who was a retriever mix. I'd suggest you have another look at a pure-bred Lab. They're a type of dog you know well, and sound ideal for your situation. A pure-bred might be different enough that it doesn't always remind you of the dearly departed, and it will be a puppy, which is different in itself, for a long while. You might even find yourself saying "Wow! She's just like Missy!" I am biased, but a flat coat could be lovely. Gus is exuberant, friendly, sensitive, happy and loves to do his 'jobs' and be around his people. Sounds like a good mix for an assistant dog. He is low on the small-critter drive though. They are slow to mature though, but quick to learn and easy to motivate. We've also got on his back early about being gentle with kids. He seems to accept they're not toys now, which is a huge plus! He's just tipped 28kg as well. At 8 months. He can also go a few days without an outing quite happily as long as he gets people time. Definitely not an outside dog, but happy to stay home for a week so long as he has Rosie to play with. He's not really destructive either, unless you count my cauliflowers... Edited November 19, 2013 by Steph M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airedaler Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 Airedale Terriers have been used in many assistance situations but most would - or should not be over 30kg and you would need to be very disciplined in training from a young age. I have no doubt that many Airedales could fit the bill but finding the right one may be a challenge. Remember though they are Terriers and although much more subdued than the smaller terriers do have many of the natural terrier instincts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lhok Posted November 19, 2013 Author Share Posted November 19, 2013 (edited) Okay, well that is pretty clear on the pointer front, I've never met a pointer to be honest I was just told that maybe a quieter one would be something I could consider. I certainly don't want to be pulled under a bus :laugh: As for exercise my hubby walks Treble in the mornings and afternoons if I can't manage to do it so there is a chance for the dog to be just a dog :) I hadn't thought about Sammys either. So far the list is looking like Leonbergers German Shepherds Poodles- Standard Rottweilers Samoyeds possible a bully breed Airedale Terrier --Lhok Edited November 19, 2013 by Lhok Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alyosha Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 Might be slightly smaller than what you are used to, but I have a European friend whose Collie Roughs do a fair bit of harness work and are super reliable and strong. Nice clean faces and no drool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melzawelza Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 Hairy isn't a problem, Treble is quite hairy :D I just can't handle drool, I know I'm a wuss but I gag when I see the drool lines. Miss used to drool when I held a treat sometimes and it just grossed me out :laugh:. I hadn't really had much of a think about bull breeds as I thought they might be a bit on the small side. I have never actually seen a well bred Am Staff though just heaps of mixes and crossbreds. Also thanks Melzawelza I'm having a look at the links now. --Lhok They're small-ish but strong :laugh: They absolutely excel at weight-pull events in the States and here in Australia now that it's started up. They'd have no problem pulling a cart and typically absolutely love to do it. One of the first Australian-Bred APBT pulled a 2100kg Landcruiser. I'll try and find the photo of him with it. Also agree that a Rotty could be a great option too. No worries, hope the links are useful and good luck! Found it! McConnell's Revhead, pictured pulling a 2100kg Landcruiser, weighing only 24 kilos himself :) Pedigree with photos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RiverStar-Aura Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 Also, I know you've got an Akita (gorgeous breed btw) but what about a Malamute? I'm not sure how big they get, but they'd be good at pulling in a harness I'd imagine? I don't know anything about spitz, but I thought I'd make the suggestion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mixeduppup Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 Also, I know you've got an Akita (gorgeous breed btw) but what about a Malamute? I'm not sure how big they get, but they'd be good at pulling in a harness I'd imagine? I don't know anything about spitz, but I thought I'd make the suggestion. A mal's prey drive would be off the charts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RiverStar-Aura Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 Also, I know you've got an Akita (gorgeous breed btw) but what about a Malamute? I'm not sure how big they get, but they'd be good at pulling in a harness I'd imagine? I don't know anything about spitz, but I thought I'd make the suggestion. A mal's prey drive would be off the charts. Oh. Then never mind Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackJaq Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 I might be worried about their prey drive, too but I am not overly familiar with the breed. A large bull breed or Rott sounds like a likely choice to me, too, especially if you don't want to go with the traditional breeds (i.e. Lab and Golden) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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