Why not the fab4?

First is the good ol' Labrador Retriever. Labs are too short to do the mobility work we do, they are moderate to heavy shedders, and they are prone to health issues. Typical labs are kind of aloof or just plain stubborn if they're not interested in the training you're asking them to do. They can be a little bit rowdy if their training isn't maintained, which can be hard to handle when you're running on limited resources. They require consistency and can fall out-of-training easily if not correctly managed by their handler. Prone to overeating, they cannot be free-fed, which while not ideal from a training perspective, is sometimes a requirement when you're not capable of keeping a feeding routine due to your disability.

Golden Retrievers are beautiful, but their thin frame isn't ideal for pulling a wheelchair. They are easier to work with than a labrador but mature later, closer to 3 years old. They can be a little too friendly, not focused solely on their handler, and training can be hard because they have a very short attention span. While incredibly loving and affectionate, they lack a bit in the intelligence area (bless them). They are also heavy shedders that require daily brushing and require a ton of exercise or they will pace around and become whiny or bark to release their energy.

Poodles are off the charts on intelligence, energy level, and training needs on top of sporting a very petite frame not suitable for pulling. If you don't keep this breed entertained, it can become destructive, anxious, and aggressive. They are very agile and independent, and often engage in a game of "come and get me" when asked to do something they would rather not, especially if not well exercised. If they want to outsmart or outrun their handler, they will. Poodles are very easy to train, but incredibly difficult to live with because of that. If you don't spend time training daily, they will get bored and find something to do, or antagonize their housemates with their incredible intelligence. They are prone to nipping and jumping. Most people with mobility problems cannot spend time every day doing advanced training or games, so this is an obvious pass for us.

And last but certainly not the least, German Shepherds. They can also be intimidating, especially to people who are scared of dogs. They are very smart and eager to please, but another "easy to train, hard to live with" situation due to their high energy and prey drive. They need ongoing socialization to maintain their indifference with other dogs, and while they are long-lived, they often are retired early due to their own mobility issues, just from getting in and out of the car many times daily.

And for a bonus, Doodles, the movement I was behind---and then abandoned. They are just neurotic, and the reason for that is the breeders are not socializing their breeding dogs or the puppies well enough and picking their stock based on looks not temperament. They are mostly the products of puppy mill operations where hundreds of puppies are pumped out every year, but none got the attention or love that is needed to make a well-rounded dog. The dogs are jumpy and have anxiety and/or aggression, or they're friendly, bossy and uncontrollable. The good breeders who are being selective with their lines are not breeding doodles, because conformation championships cannot be won by an unrecognized breed, with no breed standard. The few well bred doodles you find are so anthropomorphized that they are going through a constant existential crisis, and their handler would never consider *telling* their furbaby what to do, so the doodle runs the house in a very anxious manner.

Our dogs are big-bodied, non/low shedding, highly biddable, in-tune with emotion, eager to please and easygoing. They are active enough to go all day, but also can take a week off without becoming unruly if their owner isn't feeling well. The main focus of our breeding program is to produce long-lived (12-14 years), 100% congenital defect free lines, with excellent temperament for service dog and therapy dog work.
Every dog comes with a 5 year guarantee. We do random health testing on dogs from every litter, and all of our breeding dogs. Our testing includes UC Davis Embark DNA and Health Testing, and OFA for Eyes, Thyroid and DVM examine for hips, elbows, spine, and neck. Our dogs are raised in our homes, one litter at a time.  We socialize our dogs from the time they are born by bringing new smells and sounds to the whelping box starting at 1 week old. Our breeding and training program focuses on producing the highest quality dogs available for the lowest cost to their disabled handler.

Why a Bobtail Bernard?﻿
✅ Size: Large enough to perform mobility tasks but not so big as to be an inconvenience or unmanageable to someone using a mobility aid.
✅ Non/Less Shedding: The sheepdog genetics reduce shedding. Less energy on cleanup around the home, less complaints from establishments.
✅ Less Drool: A major benefit of adding sheepdog traits to the Saint Bernard line
✅ Narrow Tail Base: Allows for safe docking, preventing wheelchair-related injuries, and reducing the space they take
✅ Enhanced Stamina & Agility: Increased endurance without losing the nurturing temperament of the Saint Bernard
✅Longer lifespan: We want to get as many years with our service dogs as we can, it truly is a bond like no-other. 

﻿
﻿
Health & Training Standards﻿
Every dog in our program receives:
✔ Full veterinary examinations✔ Age appropriate inoculations or titers
✔ Embark DNA & health screening
✔ OFA Eye certification
✔ Hip & elbow evaluations by a DVM
✔ Hundreds of hours of socialization & training from birth

Why not the fab4?

Team.

Meet the Crew

Gallery.

Contacts

Gallery

Social media