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International Association of Assistance Dog Partners. (1998). // Finding a suitable candidate for assistance dog work //. Retrieved from []

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 * Dogs trained for walker dog support work typically are a minimum of 23" in height for an average size woman, if a harness is available with a sturdy handle tall enough to bridge the gap between the human's hand and the dog's withers.
 * Most large breeds have a 10-12 year lifespan
 * An important consideration in breed choice is the physical ability and/or financial ability of an assistance dog partner to manage the grooming needs of a particular breed
 * Some long haired breeds may require a two hour long comb-out each week.
 * . A short haired breed like a Labrador Retriever will only need to be brushed about five minutes per week and receive a bath once or twice a year to remain healthy.
 * Some like a Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever exude an unpleasant aroma when they get wet from rain, snow or a swim.
 * Each breed was developed for a purpose.
 * The ancestral urges to hunt, swim, chase livestock, sound an alarm, kill predators or drive away strangers that dare approach are lurking under the surface.
 * Some of these traits will interfere with an assistance dog's reliability.
 * Identifying a very knowledgeable breeder who can accurately predict the size of her pups or young dogs at maturity is the next step in ensuring that the dog's size will be compatible with the job he is supposed to do.
 * The most popular breeds for Service Work in dogs are Golden Retrievers and Labradors.
 * Guide dog schools primarily use Labs, Goldens, German Shepherds, Lab-Golden crosses, some Smooth Collies, a few Flat or Curly coated Retrievers, a few Vizslas, a few Standard Poodles, an occasional Boxer, some Australian Shepherds and a small number of carefully screened Dobermans.
 * Dogs must stand a minimum of 22" and weigh a minimum of 55 lbs to qualify for the position.
 * The normal age range for a service dog is anywhere from 18 months to 3 years.
 * It is especially important to investigate this if selecting a breed for mobility assistance work