German shepherds are one of the most visually distinctive working breeds around. They are known for their intelligence and their trainability, making them top candidates for military, police and emergency response work. These skills also make them one of the top choices for those looking for a large service dog that can assist with many tasks. Their empathetic natures and large size make them compatible with psychiatric and mobility service work.
If you are thinking about adding a service dog to your treatment plan, it’s important to research German shepherd service dogs and learn about this breed’s common traits.Our guide below gives you an overview of the German shepherd as a service dog and will cover some of the legal protections that your dog would be entitled to as a service dog, regardless of breed.
What Is a Service Dog?
Service dogs are dogs that are trained to help people with disabilities, such as physical, mental, or psychological disabilities. Your service dog does not need to be trained using a specific course or with a specific trainer, but they must be able to perform duties that help relieve the symptoms of your disability. Service dogs can be so essential to their owners that they are granted legal protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
It’s important to note that your dog must be generally well-behaved and under your control in public, or they could be asked to leave by the business for safety purposes.
Can I Train My German Shepherd Service Dog?
It is possible to train your own German shepherd service dog, but this process can be time-consuming, and it requires consistency. Many individuals choose to train their own German shepherd service dog to avoid long waits for a fully trained service dog and to avoid spending too much money, as service dogs can overall be quite pricey.
However, it’s important to note that while you can teach your dog to retrieve medication and respond to certain commands easily at home, scent training your dog or teaching them to recognize allergens and medical alerts can be more difficult to achieve for the home trainer.
Can My German Shepherd Be an ESA?
The great traits that make a German shepherd a strong service dog also make it an excellent emotional support animal (ESA). As an ESA, your dog would not have the same protections that service dogs do. ESAs are not trained to perform tasks that directly relate to someone’s disability. Instead, they solely have federal legal housing protections that grant you the right to keep your ESA in your home with you in almost any area of housing without pet rent or pet fees. ESAs are exempt from pet or breed restrictions, which is important to note because German shepherd dogs are often listed among banned breeds by landlords due to their size and strength.
Why Are German Shepherds Good Service Dogs?
German shepherds have the right size and strength to help with many different service tasks, such as mobility support and guidance, and they are very intelligent. This allows them to learn tasks easily, and ensures that they actually enjoy working at your side. They can be focused and loyal, something that helps to provide individuals with the assistance they need to get through their days.
German Shepherd Service Dog Overview
Learning about German shepherds as service dogs is essential to understanding how this breed can help you with your disability. Below, we give you an overview of German shepherds as service dogs.
Size and Strength
German shepherds are generally large dogs, and they can weigh between 75 and 100 pounds. These dogs stand up to 25 inches tall, allowing them to provide mobility and balanced support. They can also guide individuals or pull wheelchairs around as needed. Their short hair makes it a little easier to maintain their coat, which is important for those who would have trouble grooming dogs that need frequent brushing.
Temperament
German shepherds are generally very loyal, attentive, and eager to work with their owners. Sometimes, these dogs can have a high prey drive that leads them to be more energetic, but with consistent training and commands, these dogs can focus totally on their work and burn their energy when they are off duty.
Overall, the German shepherd can be very focused on their work, and they listen carefully to their owners. They are eager to complete tasks, and working as a service dog can fulfill their needs for mental stimulation.
Training Aptitude
German shepherds are usually fairly easy to train, and they are known for their high intelligence and their love of learning new things. These dogs are historically a working breed, so they will adapt well to service dog work and completing tasks on behalf of their owners. Consistent training every day helps this breed exercise their mind and stay ready to perform the service dog tasks you need assistance with, even the more complex skills and tasks.
German Shepherd Service Dog Legislation
Understanding the legal protections and laws that you and your German shepherd service dog are protected by is essential when adding this dog to your treatment plan. Below, we give you an overview of the most important laws to know about.
The Fair Housing Act
The Fair Housing Act (FHA) protects your German shepherd whether it serves as a service dog or as an ESA. The FHA outlines rules that landlords need to follow when a tenant with a service dog or an emotional support animal applies to rent the housing unit or apartment unit.
The FHA permits you to keep your German shepherd service dog at your side in your chosen housing space, even if the housing doesn’t typically allow dogs or the German shepherd breed. You will need to request accommodations as part of the rental application process. However, you are not required to pay pet rent or extra pet deposits under this legislation.
The Air Carrier Access Act
The Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) gives people with disabilities the right to bring service animals onto planes without fees. There can be size restrictions, however, and you will need to work with your chosen airline directly to submit the applicable paperwork and veterinary documents for your German shepherd service dog to travel with you. You should also keep in mind that the Air Carrier Access Act no longer grants protections for emotional support animals traveling with their owners; ESAs will be treated like regular pets, while service animals will still be granted special access protections.
The Americans With Disabilities Act
The most important piece of legislation to pay attention to when it comes to owning a German shepherd service dog is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This act was established in 1990, and it covers protections for individuals with service animals, including giving guidance on the public and private spaces where service dogs are allowed to access with their owners.
The ADA established that the only proof of a dog’s status as a service dog that a person has to give is the answer to two questions when prompted by the owner or agent of a business or government building. Those questions are: “Is that a service dog?” and “What tasks does it perform?” The dog handler is not required to provide evidence of disability, nor is the dog required to perform the named tasks as proof.
Where Can I Get a German Shepherd Service Dog?
German shepherd service dogs can be obtained through a national or local organization that specializes in training service dogs. Some organizations train all breeds, while others may exclusively train German shepherds. Usually, to obtain a German shepherd service dog through one of these organizations, you will need to complete paperwork, show doctor’s notes, and participate in the training process to ensure you know what to do with your German shepherd once you are back at home together.
The alternative to purchasing a fully trained service dog is to train one yourself, which is possible, as the ADA does not require your dog to complete a specific training course or hours of training. As long as you can dedicate time and effort to training your German shepherd service dog to perform at least two disability related tasks, and your dog is generally well-behaved and well-mannered in public, this is a great option for adding a German shepherd service dog to your treatment plan.
Adopting Your German Shepherd Service Dog
Adopting a German shepherd service dog can be a great way to get the assistance you need navigating the world with a disability. German shepherds are ideal service dogs due to their size, strength, and intelligence, and adding a German shepherd service dog to your treatment plan can benefit you greatly. If you are interested in this option, speak to your doctor or a licensed mental healthcare provider about your options and suitability for a German shepherd service dog.