The Top 5 PTSD Service Dog Breeds For Veterans

Dogs have gained the worthy title of “man’s best friend” for a reason. They are friendly, loyal, loving, and will be your ride or die partner to the very end. So many of us who have brought these lovable canines into our lives have had the pleasure of experiencing firsthand the special type of companionship that a dog affords. But what about those who don’t know this type of love, or those fighting internal battles on their own? PTSD is a very common condition for Veterans after military service. This can stem from trauma, combat training, or even military sexual trauma. A PTSD service dog can provide Vets the very type of companionship that they so desperately are in need of. Learn more about the best breeds for a PTSD service dog, and how to obtain one as a Veteran.

Dogs are great, period. This is a sentiment shared with most people in the world today, especially the United States. However, for those who desire companionship but never had the prior experience of owning a pet in their home before, it is completely understandable as to why one would be hesitant to take the plunge. But I assure you, the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. Due to their ingrained social nature, dogs are the perfect animals for those who battle feelings of anxiety and depression due to PTSD. Canines as a species are capable of detecting surges of norepinephrine, the hormone responsible for activating our body’s fight or flight response. When this happens, a service dog will jump into action to make sure that its human is well taken care of. They will also provide comfort through the means of physical touch. This includes nudging or laying against their owner. Even a dog that isn’t specially trained for these types of responses will still instinctually pick up on something being amiss with their owner. They will provide comfort in their own way.There are so many different breeds out there to choose from. So, how do you know which one is best suited for your personal needs?

The tried and true dog that has become synonymous with the white picket-fence lifestyle established in 19th century America. The Labrador Retriever is the perfect pick for a first-time pet owner due to their easy-going temperament. While they may not be the dog with the highest intelligence quotient on this list, they more than make up for it with their loving personalities and warm loyalty. You’ll often see them resting by your side any chance that they get.

The best PTSD service dog breeds are the ones that will do their duty diligently and will work tirelessly to make sure that their person is well attended to. There are very few dogs in this world quite as well equipped for such a task than the German Shepherd. Tightly associated with the police force, the German Shepherd is a breed that has gained notoriety for their role as a working dog. They have been used in the military for a variety of tasks. This includes sniffing out bombs, taking on the responsibility of being a service dog to those in need of assistance, and even transitioning to a simple farm dog after retiring from the service. The German Shepherd’s innate sense of duty to their bonded person makes them fiercely loyal, so much so that they have been known to even give their lives to protect their owners/families.

Bearing a striking similarity to the German Shepherd, you would be forgiven for thinking that these two dogs are the same at first glance, but make no mistake - they are quite different. The Belgian Malinois is a dog that is nervous energy personified. It's always itching for a chance to prove itself and perform to the best of its ability. Like the German Shepherd, the Malinois is routinely used for police and military work, excelling at sniffing out contraband and assisting their handlers in the field. Their highly energetic personalities also make them extremely loyal to their owner(s), always following in your footsteps ready to please and do whatever is asked. However, this sense of duty may prove to be a challenge to first-time owners. The Malinois is far more energetic than the likes of the German Shepherd or Retriever, which means that they will require more stimuli to keep them from becoming antsy and problematic. If you are able to provide an outlet for this spastic pooch, then you’ll have yourself a companion who will move mountains to see that you are well taken care of and attended to.

Having become recognized thanks to film and television as the personal guard of many a mob boss, the Dobermann has earned itself the reputation of being an intimidating and threatening dog breed. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Despite their intimidating appearance, the Dobermann is a dog that possesses a high degree of intelligence, which has made them a great dog for operations such as police work and home defense. The Dobermann, like most working dogs, possesses a strong sense of loyalty. They will do all in their power to make sure they please their owner. Due to their highly loyal nature, Dobermann are known to bond to one person, which makes them not as well-suited to being a family pet. Due to their intelligence, they require much stimulation. If not properly stimulated or socialized, a Dobermann runs the risk of becoming destructive and sometimes even aggressive. If given the proper training and care, Dobermanns are the perfect service dog for Veterans with PTSD. They will not only provide companionship, but will help you gain some serious street cred.

Sporting a big, muscular, and stocky build, the Rottweiler in some ways resembles a beefed up Dobermann, even maintaining the same signature “eyebrows.” The Rottweiler as a breed has seen its fair share of use throughout many lines of work. Aside from just law enforcement, Rottweilers have been used by farmers for many years to help herd and protect livestock. They also excel as guard dogs for any home that wants a four-legged watchmen keeping an eye out. Despite their reputation in these fields as muscled up brutes, the Rottweiler is also a highly intelligent and loyal dog breed that will fit in nicely with your lifestyle. While they require a certain degree of stimuli and training to keep them in check, they are not as high-maintenance as certain other breeds such as the Belgian Malinois, and unlike the Dobermann that tends to bond to one person, the Rottweiler is much more likely to share a bond with multiple family members. If you’re considering which dog to serve as your service animal, you simply can’t go wrong with a Rottweiler.

In theory, any dog can become a service dog, but the process of doing so is not cut and dry. In order to have your dog be registered as an officially licensed service dog, you both have to meet a certain few PTSD service dog requirements. Check them out below:

Make sure that you are eligible to receive disability. This includes depression, PTSD, ASD, ADHD, OCD, and manic depression.

Your service dog must be properly trained, such as not barking excessively and no aggressive behavior. Additionally, it must possess self-control and have the ability to ignore certain triggering stimuli.

Your dog must pass a Public Assessment Test. This makes sure your dog is capable of adhering to the training it has received.

Once your dog has been assessed and passed and you yourself have been granted eligibility for disability, they will be able to operate fully as a service dog.

The difficulty of mental illness, such as PTSD, is nothing to shrug off - you need support, regardless of whether it is from others or an animal. A service dog is more than just a pet that lounges around the house; it is a companion that will help you through your darkest times and ask for nothing in return. Regardless of whichever breed you choose to function as your helper, a service dog will undoubtedly improve your quality of life and will help you through every rough patch along the way.

The process of training can take upwards of 1 year to 2 years depending on the dog’s breed, age, and what kind of obedience training they already have established. The training is intense and extensive, which will teach your dog everything it needs to know. However, this in turn will take a good amount of time before your dog will be fully prepared to become a service animal.

When it comes to the trainability of a dog to become a service animal, their age definitely comes into play. Puppies offer a fresh canvas to instill obedience into from an early age, which helps with getting commands to stick; however, they are also not as mature. This can result in them being too energetic at times. Conversely, just because a dog has entered adolescence does not mean that they aren’t able to be trained. Be aware that it may take longer if that dog has past experience with a previous owner that damaged their trust in humans. Dogs that have reached adolescence and beyond also have greater attention spans, which may make them better suited to learning new commands. It really comes down to whether you’d prefer to rescue or buy.

Service dog training varies in cost depending on training needs. Guide dogs can range from $15,000 to $50,000 - whereas a PTSD service dog can range from $15,000 to $30,000.These costs are not set in stone. In fact, there are multiple factors that affect just how much you might be spending. There are financing options that exist to assist Veterans who have been found eligible for disability. This can greatly help to reduce the cost on your end.