Assistance Dog Breed Suggestions

[dotdashdot]

Thanks again everyone, I will pass all this along to her. It's very true that training a pup for this role would be hard, even more so with a child with high needs.

[kelpiecuddles]

I think it really is going to come down to what they need the dog to do. My son is a similar age but for us the primary need is simply for the dog to be there and be attached to his hand LOL, so good training and the ability to work nicely in public are all we need to deal with. It sounds like they would also benefit from a dog that can alert to them to trouble if he were to have an anaphylactic episode or other such issues so it would be better in that case to have a dog trained for them.

[helen]

I have had a miniature poodle before and love them so also took a keen interest in poodles around the agility and obedience rings. I think they are the most amazing dogs, friendly and devoted to their owners, smart as can be, obedient, and sporty, maybe there are some neurotic ones but poodles that have been well raised that I have experienced are just plain amazing.

[Pepper21]

I haven't read the other comments so ignore me if this has already been mentioned. Taloodles therapy and assistance dogs is an organisation specifically for autistic children. They're well bred labradoodles of the smaller variety from Tamaruke Labradoodles. The vet clinic I work at supports them, and they're having a big Dogs Day out in Carlingford, NSW mid year if the family wanted to check them out. I'm personally not a fan of the 'oodle' dogs but it's hard to deny the effect they have on these kids.

FB page: https://www.facebook.com/taloodles

Website: http://taloodles.com/

[Salukifan]

I haven't read the other comments so ignore me if this has already been mentioned. Taloodles therapy and assistance dogs is an organisation specifically for autistic children. They're well bred labradoodles of the smaller variety from Tamaruke Labradoodles. The vet clinic I work at supports them, and they're having a big Dogs Day out in Carlingford, NSW mid year if the family wanted to check them out. I'm personally not a fan of the 'oodle' dogs but it's hard to deny the effect they have on these kids.

FB page: https://www.facebook.com/taloodles

Website: http://taloodles.com/

I wish the Taramuke website didn't make me shudder. Slick, very well set up but still a volume breeder IMO. 6 litters of pups due for rehoming in the next 2 months.

Early desexer and overseas shipper. Has a USA dog breeding business too. Did business with Rutland Manor. Only breeder in the world of "paddy melon labradoodles"? No thanks.

I don't care how many stories of dogs saving people and helping autistic kids they post although I note that to date Taloodles have placed only one dog with an autistic child.

Edited February 26, 2014 by Haredown Whippets

[goldenluv]

this is a great group! wonderful people!

http://www.asdog.org.au/

[sandgrubber]

I think it really is going to come down to what they need the dog to do. My son is a similar age but for us the primary need is simply for the dog to be there and be attached to his hand LOL, so good training and the ability to work nicely in public are all we need to deal with. It sounds like they would also benefit from a dog that can alert to them to trouble if he were to have an anaphylactic episode or other such issues so it would be better in that case to have a dog trained for them.

I still see value to input from people with assistance dog experience. Both the dog and your child will live on for a decade or decades. They will change. Needs will change over time. It's hard to see the long haul from the present without input from people who have done that road before. Whatever decision is made, make sure it is tempered by construction of scenarios for 10 years in the future.

Edited February 26, 2014 by sandgrubber

[Pepper21]

I haven't read the other comments so ignore me if this has already been mentioned. Taloodles therapy and assistance dogs is an organisation specifically for autistic children. They're well bred labradoodles of the smaller variety from Tamaruke Labradoodles. The vet clinic I work at supports them, and they're having a big Dogs Day out in Carlingford, NSW mid year if the family wanted to check them out. I'm personally not a fan of the 'oodle' dogs but it's hard to deny the effect they have on these kids.

FB page: https://www.facebook.com/taloodles

Website: http://taloodles.com/

I wish the Taramuke website didn't make me shudder. Slick, very well set up but still a volume breeder IMO. 6 litters of pups due for rehoming in the next 2 months.

Early desexer and overseas shipper. Has a USA dog breeding business too. Did business with Rutland Manor. Only breeder in the world of "paddy melon labradoodles"? No thanks.

I don't care how many stories of dogs saving people and helping autistic kids they post although I note that to date Taloodles have placed only one dog with an autistic child.

Yes I agree with your thoughts on the breeder.

Taloodles have placed two dogs so far, but they've only been up and running for just over a year.

[persephone]

I'm personally not a fan of the 'oodle' dogs but it's hard to deny the effect they have on these kids.

Any dog, pretty much,can have a beneficial effect - afraid I don't condone breeding Xbreds specifically for this task ...

I have seen both purebred and rspca mutts work wonders with kids living with autism and other things .Everything from a newf down in size :) individual people/situations require individual dog sizes/breeds/coats. Not every family wants/needs a dog with a coat which needs a lot of care, or floppy ears which may lead to ear problems ,

Edited February 26, 2014 by persephone