There is no such thing as the "ideal service dog." TOP DOG has successfully trained many different dogs--purebred and mixed breed. Some breeds make better candidates than others, but certified TOP DOGs include Golden and Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, Australian Shepherds, Border Collies, Rottweilers, a Standard Poodle, a Belgian Tervuren, a Chow, a Collie, and an Irish Setter, plus many wonderful mixed breeds.

Qualified dog applicants must be spayed/neutered, no less than six months of age (older for some breeds), and no older than four years. A dog cannot be the least bit aggressive toward other dogs, animals or people; nor can it be too shy. Confident reserve is the ideal canine attitude for which TOP DOG is looking. The dog must be at least 40 pounds so that it can stand up to the rigors and demands of service dog work.

If an applicant does not have a dog, TOP DOG will help a qualified applicant find a suitable dog. The program has rescued quite a few dogs from local animal shelters in this manner. We have even had some "career change dogs"; dogs that started out at Guide Dogs for the Blind, but did not complete that program for a variety of reasons. TOP DOG will help an applicant find a particular breed if he or she has a preference. We take great care in trying to match the personality of person and dog.