Once an appropriate species has been identified, the next consideration is breed. Within domesticated species, particularly dogs, selective breeding has produced substantial variation in physical characteristics, temperament, behaviour, working ability and health. These differences influence whether an animal is likely to succeed in a particular assistance role and whether the partnership can be sustained over the animal’s working life.

Breed should be viewed as a predictor of probability rather than certainty. While breeds have characteristic traits resulting from generations of selective breeding, there is considerable variation between individual animals. Consequently, breed should inform—but never determine—selection decisions.

Selecting an appropriate breed requires balancing evidence, function, welfare and the person’s occupational needs. A breed that is well suited to one individual may be entirely unsuitable for another. Likewise, a breed that performs exceptionally well in one type of assistance work may be poorly suited to another.

Understanding breed characteristics enables occupational therapists to participate more effectively within the interdisciplinary team, ask informed questions and appreciate why assistance animal professionals may recommend or discourage particular breeds for specific situations.

Course Focus

Although assistance animals may include several domesticated species, this course focuses primarily on assistance dogs, as they represent the overwhelming majority of assistance animals working in Australia and internationally. Dogs have the strongest evidence base, the greatest diversity of recognised assistance roles, and the most established breeding, training and assessment programs.

While this topic explores breed selection within dogs, the principles of evidence-informed selection, animal welfare and occupational matching apply broadly across all assistance animal species.

To support occupational therapists wishing to work with a wider range of assistance animals, WAFA will soon offer optional species-specific endorsement programs following successful completion of this course. These advanced endorsements will explore the specialised selection, training, welfare, legal and practice considerations associated with other assistance animal species, including:

• Assistance Cats
• Assistance Parrots
• Assistance Miniature Horses

Additional endorsements may be developed as the evidence base and professional practice continue to evolve.

Successful completion of this course will provide the foundational knowledge required before enrolling in these optional endorsement programs, ensuring occupational therapists have a consistent understanding of evidence-informed, welfare-first and interdisciplinary assistance animal practice regardless of species.

Why Breed Matters

Modern dog breeds have been developed over hundreds, and in some cases thousands, of years through artificial selection. Humans selectively bred dogs that demonstrated desirable characteristics for specific purposes, including herding livestock, retrieving game, scent detection, guarding property, pulling sleds, controlling vermin and providing companionship.

As a result, many behavioural tendencies have become relatively predictable within particular breeds. For example, retrievers generally demonstrate a willingness to carry objects gently, scent hounds possess exceptional olfactory ability, and herding breeds often display strong instincts to gather and control movement.

These inherited tendencies do not guarantee that every individual dog will display these behaviours, nor do they determine suitability for assistance work. Behaviour develops through the interaction of genetics, prenatal influences, early development, learning, health and life experiences. Nevertheless, understanding breed characteristics allows practitioners to make more informed decisions when selecting an assistance animal prospect and reduces the likelihood of selecting an animal whose natural instincts conflict with its intended role.

Breed characteristics should therefore be viewed as one component of a comprehensive assessment that also considers temperament, health, behaviour, welfare and compatibility with the future handler.

Domestication and Artificial Selection

Dogs are considered the oldest domesticated animal and have shared a close relationship with humans for many thousands of years. Throughout this time, humans have selectively bred dogs not only for physical appearance but also for temperament, behaviour and working ability.

Unlike wild animals, domesticated dogs have been selected for characteristics that support living alongside humans. These include reduced fear of people, increased social bonding, responsiveness to human communication, behavioural flexibility and a willingness to cooperate. Many breeds have also been refined to perform specialised forms of work requiring sustained interaction with people.

Examples include:

• Retrievers carrying game gently without damaging it.
• Herding dogs responding to whistles and hand signals while controlling livestock.
• Guardian breeds protecting people or livestock.
• Scent detection breeds locating missing persons, explosives or medical odours.
• Companion breeds selected primarily for close relationships with humans.

This long history of domestication is one of the primary reasons dogs remain the preferred species for assistance work. Their behavioural adaptability, social cognition and capacity to interpret human communication are unmatched by most other domestic species.

However, artificial selection has also produced inherited diseases and exaggerated physical characteristics within some breeds. Selection for appearance rather than function has contributed to chronic health problems, breathing difficulties, skeletal abnormalities and reduced quality of life in certain breeds.

For assistance animal work, responsible breed selection should therefore prioritise:

• health
• temperament
• behavioural stability
• functional structure
• longevity
• welfare

rather than appearance, novelty or popularity.

Dogs Australia Breed Groups

Dogs Australia (formerly the Australian National Kennel Council) classifies recognised breeds into seven groups according to the historical purpose for which they were developed. Understanding these groups provides useful insight into the behavioural tendencies and working characteristics that may influence assistance animal suitability.

Breed Group	Historical Purpose	Examples
Sporting (Gundogs)	Retrieving and assisting hunters	Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Cocker Spaniel
Hounds	Hunting by scent or sight	Beagle, Bloodhound, Greyhound
Working Dogs	Herding livestock	Border Collie, Australian Kelpie, German Shepherd Dog
Terriers	Vermin control	Jack Russell Terrier, Airedale Terrier
Toys	Companionship	Papillon, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Utility	Guarding and specialised work	Boxer, Dobermann, Rottweiler
Non-Sporting	Diverse historical purposes	Standard Poodle, Dalmatian, Boston Terrier

These groupings provide useful background information but should never replace assessment of the individual dog. Many breeds have evolved beyond their original purpose, while responsible breeding has also influenced temperament and working ability over time.

Matching Breed to Function

Different breeds possess different strengths because of the work they were originally developed to perform. Understanding these characteristics helps practitioners select breeds whose natural tendencies complement the functional requirements of assistance work.

Examples include:

Assistance Role	Characteristics Often Desired
Mobility assistance	Physical strength, stable temperament, appropriate size
Autism assistance	Calm, predictable, patient, adaptable
Psychiatric assistance	Emotional stability, resilience, strong handler focus
Medical alert	Excellent scenting ability, motivation, trainability
Hearing assistance	Environmental awareness, responsiveness, agility

These examples illustrate why no single breed is ideal for every situation. Selection should be based on the person’s functional goals, occupational profile, living environment and the intended role of the assistance animal rather than on breed popularity or personal preference alone.

The “Fab Four” Assistance Dog Breeds

Across the world, four breeds consistently dominate assistance dog programs due to their combination of temperament, trainability, health, versatility and suitability for public access work. These breeds are often informally referred to as the “Fab Four”:

• Labrador Retriever
• Golden Retriever
• Standard Poodle
• Smooth Collie and Rough Collie

These breeds have earned this reputation through decades of practical experience, structured breeding programs and consistently high success rates in guide, hearing, medical alert, autism and service dog programs. They have been selectively bred to work cooperatively with people, adapt to a wide variety of environments and remain behaviourally stable under pressure.

Importantly, being one of the “Fab Four” does not guarantee that an individual dog will become a successful assistance animal. Likewise, many outstanding assistance dogs come from breeds outside this group. The term simply reflects the greater likelihood that these breeds will possess characteristics associated with successful assistance work.

Within each of these breeds, considerable variation also exists between breeding lines. Understanding the differences between show (conformation) lines, working lines and purpose-bred assistance dog lines further assists practitioners to select animals whose behavioural characteristics align with the demands of assistance work.

Labrador Retriever

Labrador Retrievers are the most commonly used assistance dogs worldwide. They are widely recognised for their stable temperament, adaptability, high trainability and willingness to work closely with people.

Labradors typically demonstrate excellent food motivation, strong social engagement and good recovery from unfamiliar situations. Their size and physical strength also make them suitable for a broad range of assistance roles, including mobility support, autism assistance, psychiatric assistance and medical alert work.

Potential inherited health concerns include hip and elbow dysplasia, exercise-induced collapse (EIC) and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), making comprehensive health screening essential.

Golden Retriever

Golden Retrievers are highly regarded for their calm disposition, sociability and gentle interactions with people. Their patience and emotional stability frequently make them well suited to autism, psychiatric and mobility assistance roles.

Goldens generally form strong social bonds and often display high levels of cooperation and responsiveness during training.

Health screening remains essential because of inherited orthopaedic conditions and an increased predisposition to several forms of cancer compared with many other breeds.

Standard Poodle

Standard Poodles combine exceptional intelligence with athleticism, versatility and strong trainability. Their low-shedding coat may be preferred by some households, although regular professional grooming is necessary and no breed is completely hypoallergenic.

Standard Poodles are commonly selected for psychiatric assistance, autism assistance, mobility assistance and medical alert work because they combine behavioural flexibility with excellent working ability.

Smooth and Rough Collies

Smooth and Rough Collies have a long history as working dogs and assistance animals. They are generally intelligent, responsive and highly attentive to their handlers. Their calm demeanour and sensitivity often make them well suited to psychiatric assistance, autism assistance and hearing assistance roles.

Some individuals may be more environmentally sensitive than retrievers, making careful temperament assessment particularly important. Health testing should also include screening for conditions such as Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA) and the MDR1 gene mutation.

Why These Breeds Are So Successful

Although each breed possesses unique characteristics, they share many qualities associated with successful assistance work, including:

• strong social attachment to people
• willingness to cooperate
• high trainability
• behavioural stability
• resilience
• adaptability
• motivation to work
• predictable temperaments
• physical suitability for public access work

These characteristics increase the likelihood of success but do not guarantee it. Many individuals from these breeds are unsuitable for assistance work, while excellent assistance animals can also be found in other breeds and crossbreeds. Selection should therefore always prioritise the individual dog’s temperament, health, behaviour and welfare rather than breed alone.

Show Lines, Working Lines and Purpose-Bred Assistance Dogs

Within many breeds, different breeding lines have been developed to emphasise particular characteristics. Although dogs belong to the same breed, selective breeding over multiple generations can result in significant differences in temperament, working drive, energy levels, physical structure and behavioural tendencies.

Broadly, many breeds may be described as belonging to show (conformation) lines, working lines, or increasingly, purpose-bred assistance dog lines. These categories are not absolute, and many breeders produce dogs that combine characteristics of more than one line. Regardless of the breeding line, responsible breeders should prioritise health, temperament and welfare.

Show (Conformation) Lines

Show-line dogs are bred primarily to conform to the breed standard established by Dogs Australia and international kennel clubs. Responsible breeders aim to preserve the breed’s physical structure, movement, temperament and overall appearance while also maintaining health and genetic diversity.

Many show-line Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Standard Poodles and Collies have successfully worked as assistance dogs because they often demonstrate calmer temperaments, moderate energy levels and behavioural stability that suit public access work. These dogs may also possess the sound physical structure needed for long-term working careers.

However, success in the show ring does not automatically indicate assistance dog suitability. Likewise, champion bloodlines do not guarantee that an individual puppy will possess the temperament required for assistance work. Every prospect should still undergo comprehensive behavioural and health assessment.

Working Lines

Working-line dogs are bred primarily for performance and functional ability rather than success in conformation showing. Selection commonly emphasises traits such as motivation, stamina, problem-solving ability, persistence, responsiveness and strong working drive.

Working-line dogs frequently excel in roles including:

• livestock handling
• police work
• military service
• scent detection
• search and rescue
• sporting disciplines
• conservation detection

These dogs often possess higher energy levels, stronger motivation to work and greater exercise requirements than many show-line dogs.

While some working-line dogs become exceptional assistance animals, others may find the slower pace of public access work frustrating. High prey drive, environmental sensitivity or an intense desire for constant activity may reduce suitability for some assistance roles.

Working lines should not be considered superior or inferior to show lines. Instead, practitioners should consider whether the behavioural characteristics of a particular breeding line are compatible with the person’s functional needs and lifestyle.

Purpose-Bred Assistance Dog Lines

Many established assistance dog organisations now maintain their own breeding programs or collaborate with specialist breeders to develop dogs specifically suited to assistance work.

Unlike breeding programs focused primarily on showing or other forms of work, purpose-bred assistance dog programs select breeding animals based upon characteristics known to predict long-term success as assistance dogs.

Selection commonly prioritises:

• stable temperament
• emotional resilience
• low reactivity
• trainability
• willingness to cooperate
• social engagement
• confidence in novel environments
• physical soundness
• longevity
• low incidence of inherited disease

Over multiple generations, careful selection increases the likelihood of producing dogs that possess the behavioural characteristics required for assistance work while maintaining high standards of health and welfare.

Purpose-bred assistance dogs generally demonstrate higher success rates than dogs selected from the general pet population because breeding decisions intentionally focus on traits associated with successful assistance work rather than appearance or unrelated working abilities.

Which Line is Best?

There is no universally “best” breeding line for assistance work. The most appropriate line depends on the intended role, the individual handler and, most importantly, the individual dog.

For many assistance roles, dogs demonstrating moderate energy, emotional stability, resilience, adaptability and a strong desire to cooperate with people are often more suitable than dogs possessing extremely high working drive or intense behavioural motivation.

Rather than asking whether a dog comes from show or working lines, practitioners should instead ask:

• Does this dog’s temperament suit the intended role?
• Is the dog’s physical structure appropriate for the required tasks?
• Has the dog been health tested?
• Can the dog’s welfare be maintained throughout its working life?
• Is this dog compatible with the future handler’s occupational profile?

These questions are generally more informative than the breeding line alone.

Coat Type and Grooming

Breed influences coat type, which affects maintenance, hygiene, comfort and practical management throughout the animal’s working life.

Factors to consider include:

• shedding
• grooming requirements
• clipping frequency
• coat maintenance
• drying time after bathing
• seasonal coat changes
• climate suitability
• debris collection
• hygiene after public access

Some handlers may prefer lower-shedding breeds because of household cleanliness or allergies within the family. However, no breed is truly hypoallergenic. Allergic reactions are generally caused by proteins present in saliva, urine and skin cells rather than hair alone.

Long-coated breeds may require extensive daily grooming to prevent matting, while curly-coated breeds such as Standard Poodles require lifelong professional clipping. Conversely, very short-coated breeds may require less grooming but may provide reduced protection from cold weather or prolonged sun exposure.

Occupational therapists should also consider whether the handler can realistically manage ongoing grooming requirements or whether additional support services may be required.

Size Considerations

Breed strongly influences adult size, which affects both the tasks an animal can perform and its suitability for different environments.

Small breeds may be appropriate for hearing assistance, psychiatric assistance or medical alert roles where physical strength is not required. Their smaller size may also be advantageous for apartment living, travel and air transport.

Medium and large breeds are commonly selected for guide work, autism assistance and mobility assistance because they possess sufficient size and strength to safely perform many physical tasks.

Giant breeds may initially appear attractive for mobility support due to their considerable strength. However, their large size can create practical challenges relating to:

• transport
• housing
• feeding costs
• lifting and handling
• access to public spaces
• shorter working lifespan

Selection should therefore be guided by the person’s functional requirements rather than assumptions that larger dogs are always more capable.

Brachycephalic Breeds

Brachycephalic breeds, including Pugs, French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs and similar breeds, have been selectively bred for shortened skulls and flattened faces.

Unfortunately, these characteristics are associated with an increased risk of chronic breathing difficulties, heat intolerance, exercise intolerance, eye disease, dental abnormalities and other health problems collectively referred to as Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS).

Although individual dogs vary considerably, these breeds are generally not recommended as assistance animal prospects because the physical demands of assistance work may compromise their welfare.

Ethical assistance animal selection should prioritise breeds capable of comfortably performing required tasks without increasing the risk of chronic pain, respiratory compromise or reduced quality of life.

Giant Breeds

Large and giant breeds possess considerable physical strength and may be capable of performing demanding mobility-related tasks. However, these advantages must be balanced against their shorter life expectancy and increased risk of orthopaedic disease, arthritis and other age-related conditions.

Earlier retirement may shorten the working partnership and require replacement of the assistance animal sooner than anticipated.

Additional considerations include increased costs associated with:

• food
• transport
• equipment
• veterinary care
• housing
• medication

For many handlers, a medium or large breed may provide a more sustainable balance between physical capability and longevity.

Breed-Specific Health Risks

Every dog breed carries inherited health risks that should be considered during selection. Although responsible breeding and health screening can significantly reduce the likelihood of many inherited conditions, no breed is entirely free from genetic disease.

Because assistance animals are expected to perform physically and mentally demanding work over many years, inherited disease can affect not only the animal’s welfare but also the sustainability of the assistance partnership. A dog that develops chronic pain, progressive blindness or neurological disease may require early retirement, resulting in emotional, practical and financial consequences for both the handler and the assistance animal.

Prospective assistance animals should therefore undergo appropriate veterinary assessment and breed-specific health screening before significant training resources are invested.

Common inherited conditions include:

• Hip dysplasia
• Elbow dysplasia
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
• Exercise-Induced Collapse (EIC)
• Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)
• Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)
• Multidrug Resistance Gene (MDR1) mutation
• Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA)
• Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)
• Patellar luxation
• Hereditary cataracts
• Cardiac disease

The health tests required vary between breeds and continue to evolve as new genetic tests become available. Responsible breeders should be able to explain which conditions affect their breed and provide evidence of appropriate health screening for the parents.

Occupational therapists are not expected to interpret genetic test results. However, they should understand that comprehensive health screening is an essential component of ethical assistance animal selection and should encourage clients to obtain dogs from responsible breeders or organisations that prioritise health and welfare.

Crossbreeds and Designer Dogs

Crossbred dogs may become excellent assistance animals, and many successful assistance dogs throughout the world are crossbreeds. Crossing two breeds may increase genetic diversity and, in some circumstances, reduce the likelihood of particular inherited diseases.

However, crossbreeding is not a guarantee of improved health, temperament or behaviour. Puppies inherit genes from both parents and may inherit the strengths, weaknesses or health conditions associated with either breed.

In recent years, so-called designer dogs, including Labradoodles, Groodles (Golden Doodles), Cavoodles and many other deliberately bred crossbreeds, have become increasingly popular. These dogs are often marketed as healthier, hypoallergenic or inherently better suited to assistance work.

While some individual designer dogs become exceptional assistance animals, these claims should be approached cautiously. No crossbreed is automatically healthier or easier to train than a purebred dog, and no breed or crossbreed is completely hypoallergenic.

For example, a Labradoodle may inherit:

• the trainability of both parent breeds
• the low-shedding coat of a Standard Poodle—or the shedding coat of a Labrador Retriever
• orthopaedic disease from either parent
• behavioural characteristics from either breed
• grooming requirements ranging from minimal to intensive

Similarly, a Groodle may inherit desirable social characteristics from both parent breeds while also inheriting health conditions associated with either lineage.

Selection should therefore focus on:

• the health of both parents
• temperament of both parents
• comprehensive health screening
• early socialisation
• individual behavioural assessment

rather than assumptions based solely on the name of the crossbreed.

Here’s a revised Understanding Hybrid Vigour section that integrates the discussion about “-oodles” naturally rather than treating them separately.

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Understanding Hybrid Vigour

One of the most common misconceptions surrounding crossbred and designer dogs is that they are automatically healthier because of hybrid vigour (also known as heterosis). While hybrid vigour is a well-recognised biological phenomenon, it is frequently misunderstood and is often used as a marketing term for designer crossbreeds, particularly the various “-oodle” breeds.

Hybrid vigour refers to the improved health, fertility or performance that may occur when two genetically diverse populations are crossed. Increased genetic diversity can reduce the likelihood of some inherited recessive disorders because harmful genes are less likely to be inherited from both parents.

However, hybrid vigour is not guaranteed, and simply crossing two breeds does not automatically produce healthier puppies.

This is particularly relevant to designer crossbreeds such as Labradoodles, Groodles (Golden Doodles), Cavoodles, Bernedoodles, Sheepadoodles and many other “-oodle” crosses. These dogs are frequently marketed as healthier, hypoallergenic or inherently better suited to assistance work. While many individual “-oodles” become excellent assistance animals, these claims should be viewed critically and supported by evidence rather than marketing.

If both parent breeds are predisposed to the same inherited condition, their offspring may still inherit that condition. Puppies may also inherit undesirable physical characteristics, health conditions or behavioural traits from either parent.

For example:

• Labradoodle (Labrador Retriever × Standard Poodle): Both parent breeds are predisposed to hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) and other inherited disorders. Crossing these breeds does not eliminate these risks.
• Groodle (Golden Retriever × Standard Poodle): Offspring may inherit orthopaedic disease, inherited eye disorders and an increased predisposition to some cancers present within the parent breeds.
• Cavoodle (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel × Poodle): While crossing may reduce the likelihood of some inherited disorders, offspring may still inherit mitral valve disease, luxating patellae, inherited eye disease or other breed-associated conditions.

Similarly, coat type is highly variable. Some “-oodles” inherit the low-shedding coat associated with Poodles, while others inherit a shedding coat, a combination coat that is prone to matting, or grooming requirements that exceed those of either parent breed. No “-oodle” is guaranteed to be hypoallergenic, and no dog breed is completely hypoallergenic.

Health outcomes ultimately depend on:

• the health of both parents
• comprehensive genetic testing
• orthopaedic screening
• responsible breeding practices
• genetic diversity within the breeding population
• early nutrition and development
• lifelong management

For assistance animal selection, the focus should remain on evidence-based health screening, responsible breeding and individual assessment rather than assumptions that a designer crossbreed will automatically be healthier or better suited to assistance work than a purebred dog.

Hybrid vigour is a genuine biological concept, but it should never be used as a substitute for comprehensive health testing or careful selection of breeding animals.

Restricted Breeds and Wild Canids

Some breeds and breed types are subject to legislative restrictions within Australia. Depending on the jurisdiction, restrictions may apply to ownership, breeding, sale, movement or public access.

Similarly, dingoes, wolf hybrids and other wild canids present significant legal, ethical and welfare considerations. Although these animals may demonstrate intelligence and form relationships with humans, they have not undergone the same process of domestication as domestic dogs and often retain behavioural characteristics that make them unsuitable for assistance work.

Their behavioural needs, welfare requirements and legal status frequently conflict with the expectations of assistance animal work.

Occupational therapists should not recommend restricted breeds, wolf hybrids or dingoes as assistance animal prospects. Where uncertainty exists regarding breed legality, advice should be sought from the relevant State or Territory authority before any selection decisions are made.

Avoiding Breed Stereotypes

Breed provides valuable information about likely behavioural tendencies, but it should never replace objective assessment of the individual animal.

Not every Labrador Retriever will become an excellent assistance dog, and not every Border Collie will be unsuitable. Likewise, dogs should not be selected or rejected simply because of public perceptions, media reports or breed popularity.

One of the most common misconceptions is that the “smartest” breed will automatically make the best assistance dog.

Intelligence is only one characteristic required for successful assistance work. Assistance animals must also demonstrate:

• emotional stability
• behavioural predictability
• resilience
• adaptability
• low reactivity
• confidence
• willingness to cooperate
• the ability to remain calm during prolonged public access work

Some highly intelligent breeds, such as Border Collies, may possess intense herding instincts, heightened environmental sensitivity or exceptionally high exercise requirements. These characteristics make them outstanding working dogs in the right context but may reduce suitability for some assistance roles.

Conversely, breeds with more moderate working drives may be better suited to accompanying a handler through shopping centres, workplaces, classrooms, hospitals and other complex public environments.

Breed should therefore be considered alongside temperament, health, behaviour, occupational fit and long-term welfare rather than viewed as the deciding factor.

Occupational Therapy Considerations

Occupational therapists should understand how breed influences physical characteristics, behavioural tendencies, grooming requirements, inherited health risks and working style. This knowledge enables therapists to participate more effectively within interdisciplinary discussions and to appreciate why assistance animal professionals may recommend or discourage particular breeds or breeding lines.

However, occupational therapists should avoid recommending specific breeds based solely on popularity, personal experience or public perception. Instead, breed should be viewed as one component of a comprehensive selection process that also considers the person’s occupational profile, intended tasks, environment, lifestyle, available supports, and the long-term welfare of the animal.

The role of the occupational therapist is to identify the functional outcomes the assistance animal is expected to achieve and to collaborate with appropriately qualified assistance animal professionals, veterinarians and breeders in selecting the most suitable prospect.

Ultimately, successful assistance animal partnerships are not created by choosing the “best” breed, but by carefully matching the right breed, the right breeding line and the right individual animal to the person’s unique needs while maintaining the highest standards of animal welfare, ethics and evidence-informed practice.