Service and Therapy Dogs
Mastiffs make wonderful service dogs.
Mastiffs and Frenchies can be wonderful service dogs.
Mastiffs have a deep range of abilities and can serve in multiple ways.
Frenchies are perfect as comfort dogs or someone with PTSD.
English Mastiffs As Service Dogs
Mastiffs make great service dogs for the right people, but not for everyone.
Don't like attention? Mastiffs attract a lot of attention, and since service dogs go where pet dogs can't , you will get a lot of it.
Do you have the patience to answer the same types of questions over and over when you just wanted bread and milk from the store? Yep, that 10 minute trip will take you 30 minutes or more because people constantly stop you. My dogs have been called Beethoven, I have heard almost every comment possible on their size, questions on how much they eat, what they weigh, age, color, you name it.
Can you afford the gear? A quality mobility harness can run about $1000, plus the collars, leashes, patches, and other things you will need for your service dog.
When you take one with you for more than a short errand you will basically have to pack a doggy diaper bag of stuff.
How much grooming is needed? A lot more than a pet Mastiff. Service dogs should be clean, with well-trimmed nails and should not have an odor.
They should also be bathed in an allergen-reducing shampoo to avoid triggering someone's allergies.
Drool should be wiped off regularly so you do not leave an unhygienic mess behind you.
How much training is needed? I usually put in 1000- 1500 hours into my dogs before they are done.
If you are not skilled at dog training, you will either need to hire a trainer or go to classes. It gets expensive.
I am not saying don't get a service dog, it's more like know what you are getting into.
Mastiffs tune into your emotions and react to them.
Without proper training and guidance, you could have a reactive dog or one that's a complete mess. If you cannot control yourself, you really can't control your dog.
My dogs alert to diabetic highs and lows, seizures, high pain levels, PTSD flashbacks, and anxiety.
They were trained to do so in a way where they were not overwhelmed by my issues.
The dog pictured is my 3rd service dog from Beowulf Mastiffs Global and my life would not be possible without them.
I have many stories over the years about how they have saved my life.
Susann Everett knows most of them. It takes the right dog and the right person to make a great team. Virgina Herhold, Trainer/Owner FMI: UnitedStatesServiceDog.com 1-985-284-3199
FMI: contact TherapyDogs.com / 307-432-0272
Also, check with your state Therapy Dog Groups.
Mastiffs As Therapy Dogs
The reason I got into Therapy dog work with was because I could not go anywhere without drawing a crowd so I figured I may as well put it to good use. You cannot train a dog to be a Therapy Dog, it either has the personality to do it or it doesn't. Therapy dogs are not service dogs, the primary job of a Therapy dog is to provide comfort and support, help to make a difficult situation better. Bam Bam is my 3rd Mastiff certified through Therapy Dogs of Vermont. Temperament is key to having a good Therapy Dog and Beowulf Mastiffs have more than met my expectations for this, I would highly recommend anyone getting a Mastiff puppy through Beowulf consider making your dog a certified therapy dog and help make the world a better place by spreading smiles.
Brian Carten, Mad River Mastiffs