Deciding on the breed

• Deciding on the breed Jennifer Posted : 11/30/2006 12:15:59 AM I see everyone has every breed in the book. I want to know what breed would be good with adults that are mental retarded & has autism. We need a dog that is very laid back & will tolerate the stepping on paws, hair pulling etc etc Or ones face in the dog's face, hugging. That sort of things!   We are not planning on buying a new dog after we lost our beloved eldest dog we had for 12 yrs. So I want you to list of breeds that would fit our life style etc etc   We maybe buy a new puppy when our heart says we're ready! Maybe (6 mons) Thanx LIKE 8 REPLIES 291 VIEWS LAST POST XERXES Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• Kali Barlendokk Posted : 11/30/2006 12:21:21 AM I imagine that it mostly has to do with the individual dog itself rather than the breed. To me a good choice would be a Labrador, simply because of their good nature and because they are used in a lot of therapy and animal assisted therapy work. Golden Retrievers and GSD's are, also, though. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• Pwca Posted : 11/30/2006 12:41:42 AM Samoyeds and Collies can both be good with autistic individuals, as can labs, goldens, and some of the spaniels. HOWEVER, the adult's caretaker has a MAJOR responsibility to make sure the dog is not being injured by being stepped on or pulled on. Just because the adults have autism doesn't mean the dog should have to put up with infinite amounts of being picked on. That alone is not a reason to pick a dog, though. All the breeds I listed above shed copiously and need fair amounts of exercise. While I'd avoid the higher-drive guarding breeds, some of the LGDs could work with proper training, as well as some of the larger toys- almost any breed *could* work if you are willing to put in the time and training and look for a tolerent individual dog. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• rolenta Posted : 11/30/2006 2:49:01 AM I, too, think it depends a lot more on the individual. I know lots of labs that are too rough and rowdy for someone like that. I'd suggest getting a rescue dog where you don't have to guess whether or not it'll grow up to be compatible. Especially in a situation where certain characteristics are so important. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• mrv Posted : 11/30/2006 7:38:36 AM I would suggest an adult dog, not a puppy.  I would suggest working with shelters and rescues to select a dog with the correct temperment.  I would be prepared for a considerable amount of time and effort in the search which could take a considerable time (a year or more).  You need to define the situations and needs of the people and environment, then look for a dog to fill those needs.  0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• houndlove Posted : 11/30/2006 9:30:32 AM I'm with mrv. It is not as much a breed thing as an individual dog thing, and an adult dog (over the age of 3 at least) is way more likely to display these characeristics than a puppy. You just have to find the one dog that sort of won that genetic lottery and it is going to be difficult.  Find a shelter somewhere near you that has an experienced temperment tester and behaviorist on staff and work very closely with them to identify the right dog for you. Don't rush it and don't get a preconcieved notion about what breed that dog might be. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• Jennifer Posted : 11/30/2006 1:39:11 PM Thanks everyone for your comments! 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• kyda fett Posted : 12/3/2006 6:35:55 PM Pitt Bulls and Staffies have a high pain tolerance and love people. They as panicy as other breeds of dogs, if trained right they can make a good dog for anyone. Mutts or dogs from Shelters can also be good therapy dogs. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• Xerxes Posted : 12/3/2006 9:24:58 PM The dogs that impress me the most when dealing with severe mental disabilities are Dobermans and Greyhounds.  That being said, it is absolutely imperative that the dogs are s (over 3 yrs old) and are temperment tested- and that they have been living in a foster situation for at least 30-60 days.  The reason being that after about 4-5 weeks in a foster home the true personality of a dog starts to show, and only those who have fostered can accurately tell you what that personality is like. The downside of both breeds is that they do need exercise in varying amounts. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login