🐾 How to Choose the Right Service Dog Prospect: What to Know Before You Bring Home a Puppy

A stable temperament shows right away. Look at this 3.5 month old puppy being calm and relaxed in a public outing.

Getting a service dog isn’t just about training—it starts long before the leash is clipped on. The dog you choose as a prospect will set the tone for everything that follows, and picking the wrong candidate can cost you time, money, and emotional heartache.

Whether you’re going the rescue route or purchasing a purpose-bred puppy, this guide will help you make an informed decision, so you can start your service dog journey with your best paw forward.

🎯 Let’s Be Real: 

Breed Matters

Every breed was developed for a specific purpose. That purpose matters—especially when your goal is to create a dog that can perform reliably in public, handle pressure, and complete complex tasks under stress.

For example:

• Herding breeds like Border Collies and Australian Shepherds are smart and eager, but they’re bred for movement and eye-stalk behavior, not necessarily for calm, still scent detection.

• Guardian breeds like Cane Corsos, Akitas, and Anatolians are not ideal candidates. Their instinct is to be suspicious of strangers and act independently—exactly the opposite of what we want in a public access service dog.

• Primitive or ultra-independent breeds (Basenjis, Huskies, Shiba Inus, etc.) are fascinating dogs… but they tend to do their own thing. That doesn’t mix well with task work or public access reliability.

I love my Ibizan Hounds, but not a breed for service dog work.

✅ The “Fab Four” Breeds

There’s a reason you see the same four breeds dominating the service dog world. These breeds aren’t a guarantee, but they give you a much higher probability of success when sourced from the right lines:

1. Labrador Retriever

2. Golden Retriever

3. Standard Poodle

4. Lab/Golden Crosses

These dogs are:

• Eager to please

• Social and friendly

• Physically sturdy

• Versatile in task training

They’re popular for a reason. Going with one of these doesn’t guarantee success—but going against the grain adds risk, especially if you’re not experienced in behavior evaluation or breeding.

Bruno, the black lab with my daughter, Cassidy.

🧬 Health Testing: What Actually Matters

Let’s clear something up:

Embark is NOT real health testing.

Sure, it gives you some insight into breed mix and rare genetic conditions—but it won’t tell you anything meaningful about longevity or orthopedic soundness.

What you want to see:

• OFA or PennHIP clearances for hips and elbows

• OFA heart and eye certifications

• Additional breed-specific testing for conditions like EIC, PRA, or Ichthyosis

These tests are expensive. Which means if a breeder has done them, they’ll be shouting it from the rooftops. They’ll have paperwork ready. And they’ll be happy to show you the results—or you can verify them yourself by searching the dog’s registered name at ofa.org.

⚠️ One tested generation isn’t enough. You want to see multiple generations of proven health—ideally on both sides of the pedigree.

Vet evaluations are crucial!

🧠 Temperament Testing & Parent Behavior

A good service dog prospect needs a predictable, stable temperament. Here’s what to look for when choosing a puppy—or evaluating a litter:

• Do they perform structured temperament testing? (Volhard, Puppy Culture, etc.)

• Have you met both parents?

• Are the parents calm, approachable, and well-mannered?

🚩 Red flags to walk away from:

• “Dad isn’t available because he’s protective.”

• “Mom doesn’t like strangers, so we keep her put away.”

• “You can’t meet the parents at all.”

If the adults are unstable or the breeder is secretive, keep looking. There are plenty of puppies out there—and you don’t need to settle.

Temperament is critical, even more so when children are involved.

🐶 What About Rescues?

We love rescue dogs—but you need to go in with your eyes wide open. Rescue prospects are 50/50 at best, especially as puppies when temperament and health are harder to predict.

Your odds improve when:

• The dog is already a year or older (you know who they are)

• You’ve worked with a trainer for evaluation

• You’ve seen how they handle new environments and stress

⚠️ Keep in mind:

Most rescues are spayed/neutered early, and research is showing that altering dogs before puberty may increase the risk of joint issues and behavior problems. This is yet another reason adult rescues are more predictable than baby ones.

Rescues can be great! Don't write them off, but do some research!

🩺 Consider a Vet Consult

If you’re seriously investing in a training program, time, and energy—it’s worth scheduling an orthopedic consult before committing to a dog. Ask a vet to evaluate the dog’s:

• Gait and posture

• Joint flexibility

• Muscle symmetry

This won’t replace genetic or orthopedic testing, but it adds another layer of insight and peace of mind.

🤝 Work With Your Trainer From the Start

Already planning to train with a service dog program or private trainer? Loop them in early.

They may:

• Know trusted breeders with proven lines

• Help you evaluate rescues or litters

• Spot early red flags you might miss

Avoid the heartbreak of buying a dog that isn’t a good fit. The right trainer will want to help you find a dog that sets you up for success.

My own service dog is an off breed. We are open to them with some limitations. You need to know what you're getting into.

💬 Final Thoughts

A service dog is a long-term investment. Picking the right prospect now saves you years of stress and thousands of dollars down the road.

Choose wisely.

Ask questions.

And don’t settle for red flags.

There’s no perfect dog—but there is a right fit for this work. With the right guidance, you can find a dog that’s not only trainable—but ready to walk beside you as a trusted partner for years to come.

Baby Dharma