Dogs are great for a variety of reasons, as evidenced in our list of the 10 best service dog breeds for PTSD.
Dogs can pretty much cure anything. Unless you’re allergic, which is a great tragedy, dogs can solve all your problems and be a great comfort to anything you could possibly be going through. I am never more serene than when a dog is in my presence. I’m proud of service dogs because they tolerate wearing the vests (I’ve never been able to get one of my dogs to tolerate a sweater) and they’re so loving toward their owner. They’re incredibly smart.
PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) is common in military veterans or anyone who has gone through a traumatic incident. It’s prevalent in veterans because of the combat they endured. It’s something that should be taken seriously, but is often hard to understand, which is why service dogs are a great help.
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There are various types of PTSD that necessitate different therapy approaches to suit the individual. These include Normal Stress Response, Acute Stress Disorder, Uncomplicated PTSD, Comorbid PSTD, and Complex PTSD. About 8 percent of Americans have PTSD and the number is growing as more people are either aware of it or going through traumatic incidents.
Veterans/those with PTSD tend to get service dogs not just for companionship, but for a specific purpose. Depending on the type of PTSD, there are different types of service dogs that suit the need. Some dogs are trained for specific needs, like for vision, hearing, mobility assistance, diabetic alert, seizure alert/response, etc. Just like on our list of the 11 Best Emotional Support Dog Breeds for Anxiety, we have to find out what dogs suit the specific need. Service dogs are well-trained according to the skill they’re focused on. Service dogs must be reliable and have good temperament and obedience. In order to create this list, we selected dogs that are easy to train and checked federal laws for service dogs. We gathered some of the top choices from Reddit, PetBreeds, and PetGuide.
If you’re looking for a service dog to help you through a difficulty, keep reading for the 10 best services dog breeds for PTSD.
10. Pomeranian
Pomeranians are small and fluffy and great for cuddling. If you live in a big city with not a lot of space, this is a great option. They’re also very intelligent animals.
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9. Rottweiler
A well-trained Rottweiler makes a great service dog. They have a great temperament despite their bad reputation.
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8. Border Collie
We are continuing our list of best service dog breeds for PTSD with Collies that are some of the smartest dog breeds in general. They’re average in size and a very responsive, well-trained breed.
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7. Beagle
Beagles have super soft ears that are very comforting. They’re also fun, loving, and happy almost all the time. They have an even temperament.
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6. Saint Bernard
If you’re familiar with Beethoven, you’re familiar with this breed. They’re friendly and watchful. Just be careful if you’re not that stoked about massive animals because this is essentially a horse.
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5. German Shepherd
German Shepherds, next in line on our list of best service dog breeds for PTSD are obedient and they love to learn and work. They take pride in making their owners happy, which is why they rank on this list of the 10 best services dog breeds for PTSD.
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4. Standard Poodle
Poodles are an ideal companion because they have a great temperament and most are pretty hypoallergenic.
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3. Greyhound
The number three on our list of best service dog breeds for PTSD are Greyhounds that are gentle, affectionate, and even-tempered. They’re easy to train because a lot of them are former race dogs so they live to please.
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2. Labrador Retriever
Labs are one of the most popular choices because they’re gentle, kind, and trusting. They grow to be pretty big, but they’ll love you forever.
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1. Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers top most dog breed recommendation lists, and it’s no surprise considering they’re reliable, confident, and trustworthy. If you can stand the extra dog hair floating around your house, you’ll have a great time with your companion. Retrievers live to please and are almost always happy.
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That concludes our list of the 10 best service dog breeds for PTSD. Hopefully, one breed on this list strikes your fancy.
