Pet Breed? Therapy Minded and Heat Tolerant Suggestions - Page 1

I am doing a breed search for a companion dog for someone who might be depressed or suffering anxiety. They are mostly alone, by choice, too. They had dogs in the past but not recently, when traveling was a big part of their life.

Pretty much they are home bodies and not too social. So, I was thinking of maybe a puppy/dog companion might be just what they need to help draw them out of this self-imposed seclusion.

They mentioned a fondness for the Basset Hound once. I am thinking flop ears are preferred, and a medium-small sized dog is best. They spend most of their time in AZ, so no husky, heavy fur types.

I read some suggestions already and the American Water Spaniel and the Dalmation, might be candidates to suggest to them.

What are peoples opinions on this?

Greyhound.

Best bet is the Labrador Retriever, I myself don't care for the breed, but they are the best for therapy/companion animals. Labs are very good at sensing emotions and very much love helping people. And I have no clue why someone would ever say Dalmatian as an emotional support animal. Dals tend to be too active/hyper and stressful for normal people. Trust me I had one once and he was very stressing. Also finding a healthy Dal is very hard unless is a crossbred one and thus a mutt. And I don't think an American Water Spaniel would be good as they do have longer coats and the ones with curly coats would require lots of grooming to prevent matts. A Lab fits the best for what your friend wants, as it is very short coated, medium sized, and they have floppy ears.

Ya might laugh at this, but Great Dane's are fantastic, lay around the house dogs. Even rated as one of the best dogs for apartment living as they tend to spend a lot of time sleeping and by default, generally do not have the stamina to do much activity. On the down side, i have heard this breed does not have a long life span. 

I was really shocked to learn all of this about the breed a few years back when i was reading up on them in a breed book while waiting at a vet's office

What about a beagle? Smaller hound. Very friendly for the most part. Short coated. Eats anything. Can be very trainable if he owner spends sometime working he dog and having fun. Travel sized.
I hate labs, there one of our top aggressive breed where i live, Leading to quite a few maulings. They shed like mad! And they tend to be lard-asses that don't do well in the heat and prefer playing in water.
Go look at a beagle.
Fry

Beagles are great family dogs

Thanks for these thoughts, really! Just going to add a few of my own.

I had a golden Lab once. I know both sides mentioned to the lab story, to be true. One needs to get a good Lab with the right lines... sounds like GSD! Except IMHO, GSD is more territory loyal. Lab is more of a wanderer.

@greyhound I know a few folks who have adopted them, and were very happy with thier Greyhound, regarding family bonding etc. And when thery were given room to run... well! beauty in motion. This isn't going to happen, but I could be wrong. This person used to be very athletic.

I think they will need more cuddle factor, though... the dog that will fit on the couch so to speak! LOL That takes out the Great Dane, too, sheer size, and yes the short life span...gets to be devastating. Though, in another life, I would really love to own one myself! LOL

And, this might be personal to me, but really, all whippet dogs, IG's etc,... aren't exactly the cuddlers~! Skin and bones and their own nervous energy? Maybe I am wrong, okay... prove it then? ;))))

I do know some folks love their miniature pinchers... but I don't think this person likes the prick ear look!

Soft... hmm. I would like to know about the french bull dog... very popular now.... not so smushed in the face it might take the heat? Kinda tough and elegant in a way? What about some other more obscure breeds... like the Clumber? Brittany Spaniel? The Clumber won Westminster a few years back, didn't he?

The beagle ... Snoopy! So common and popular, in days past. I have a friend who adopted one, ... they said it was a hunting pack reject/left behind! I had no idea that was a possibility but apparently, some get left behind if they don't keep up with the pack! They do howl! As is their nature... I would like this dog, myself, lol! Howling for lonely when one is lonely... ? Maybe it works...?

Please, if anyone has more experience with some more eclectic breeds, this person might just find that appealing! I need/want them to want this idea, too!

I was thinking "Beagles" too...but "Poodles" or a mix of "Poodle" might also be a good choice...Don't shed and seem to be a good choice for alot of people...

~Bob~

Poodles are basically satan with curls. Would not suggest them.

I've also known labs to a lot of the time be lard-asses. Aggressive or overly hyper, not my style.

Beagles are nice, but the baying can get annoying for the wrong person. I do like them though.

Sheltie maybe?

Or a Golden?