I don’t know who was the first to say that dogs are man’s best friends, but he couldn’t have been more right. Dogs aren’t only great companions and friends for life, but they’re also there when you need them. There isn’t a better example than service dogs.
Service dogs are the reason many disabled people can continue their lives and work normally. It’s a challenging responsibility, but the little furry creatures are ready for it.
In this article, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about French Bulldog service dogs.
Do French Bulldogs Make Good Service Dogs?
One of the most essential qualities of service dogs is a calm nature. Temperamental dogs wouldn’t work for these kinds of things. That’s why French Bulldogs would make good service dogs. They’re relaxed, evenly-tempered, and sweet.
Not only that, but Frenchies are also mostly quiet. They rarely bark unless there’s a serious issue going on. Additionally, they’re incredibly loyal, which is one of the main reasons people love them. Having raised Frenchies my whole life, I can easily say they’re among the most loyal dog breeds.
Service dogs deal with people who have physical disabilities. Therefore, they need to have a lovable nature, and they shouldn’t be easily irritated or triggered. Frenchies fill all these categories just fine.
Despite that, I believe Frenchies would make better emotional support dogs. Based on my experience with the lovely doggies, there are some service tasks that aren’t suitable for them.
What Is the Difference Between a Service Dog and an Emotional Support Dog?
Emotional support dogs mostly deal with people who are recovering from traumas. Meanwhile, the prominent role of service dogs is guiding and helping people with physical disabilities. They’ll usually help people with deafness, blindness, and mental disabilities. Here’s a comparison between the two.
Service Dogs
Service dogs need professional training in order to carry out their job correctly. Their job is relatively more demanding than emotional support dogs because they’ll need to help their owners when they need it.
For example, they may have to deliver medications to their owners. Plus, they’ll have to carry cell phones, magazines, and similar items to give them to the disabled person.
Some service dogs will even have to alert their owners when there’s danger around. Whether there’s a fire breaking out or a thief breaking in, they should be able to alarm their owners in an instant.
Any service dog should receive his certificate before he can carry out his job. If he has his certification, he’ll be allowed in all public places, including those that prohibit dogs.
Lastly, the most significant difference between service dogs and emotional support dogs falls in federal laws.
Three federal laws protect service dogs: the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Air Carrier Access Act, and the Fair Housing Act. In addition to that, service dogs cases can go under trials before a judge, if needed.
Emotional Support Dogs
Emotional support dogs don’t need training. The reason is pretty simple; their job is to present support for people who are recovering or suffering from something. Dogs already do that perfectly fine!
Frenchies would make excellent emotional support dogs. While they may not be the brightest breed out there, their loveable nature is unmatched. Plus, their faces are too adorable to resist. I believe they’d be perfect for the support task. If you do not need a trained service dog, a French Bulldog therapy dog might be the right choice for you.
How Would You Train French Bulldog Service Dog?
For your Frenchie to gain a certificate as a service dog, the ADA will need to confirm his health. He’ll need to be completely healthy so that he can perform his tasks correctly. On top of that, he’ll need to be calm-natured. If your dog has a tendency to be aggressive, he won’t be the best choice for servicing.
The first thing you should do to train your dog is to get a professional trainer. It’s not a must, but it’s always better to get someone qualified and reputable.
You can train your Frenchie at home. There isn’t any rule that implies he should get training in a facility.
As for the time requirement, the law doesn’t specify the number of hours. But I’d say 120 hours would be sufficient. It’s the standard time period for training dogs, anyway. Dogs will need about six months for this number of hours.
A good chunk of training should be in public places. That way, your Frenchie will be able to do his job even when there are distractions.
Lastly, the most important thing to train your dog for is regular servicing tasks. These include fetching medicine, alarming the owner, and responding to calls for help.
Where Can I Register my Frenchie as a Service Dog?
Each country has its system for registering dogs for servicing. Luckily for you, the United States is one of the most flexible countries in this matter.
You don’t even have to register your buddy as a service dog. There’s no law for it.
People mostly register their dogs so they wouldn’t be bothered in public places. Additionally, it’s one way of maintaining privacy. Once people see the ID or the vest on your dog, they’ll leave you alone.
That being said, no staff person should ask you to show an ID or a vest. It’s not a legal requirement, and so it shouldn’t affect your access to any place.
If you want to register your Frenchie as a service dog, you can pay a visit to the National Service Animal Registry website. Or, you can do it through the Service Dog Certifications website.
Common Problems with Bulldogs as Service Dogs
Now let’s talk about the fact that Bulldogs aren’t the best breed when it comes to service dogs. Don’t get me wrong; I love Frenchies more than anything on the rounded globe. They’d be perfect as emotional support dogs, but they’re not cut-out for some tasks of service dogs.
Firstly, they’re brachycephalic. While this gives them an adorable distinctive look, it can be an obstacle for standard tasks, such as running and walking long distances. Additionally, it means they’re prone to getting some health issues, which should be avoided in service dogs.
One more problem is their relatively short lifespan. No disabled person should go through the heartbreak of losing service dogs more than necessary, so it’s always better for them to deal with dogs who live up to 20 years and more.
What Dog Breeds Make the Best Service Animals?
There are plenty of breeds that can be service dogs better than Frenchies. Some breeds are larger, which naturally gives them leverage. Meanwhile, other breeds live longer than Frenchies, and some others are smarter.
Each breed has its own qualities that make it great for servicing. Here’s a shortlist of the best breeds for this kind of thing.
- German Shepherd
- Beagle
- Labrador Retriever
- Saint Bernard’s
- Bernese Mountain
- Poodle
- Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Summary
Frenchies are a favorite breed for a lot of dog lovers, and it’s easy to see why. They’re adorable, loveable, and sweet. If you think your French Bulldog will be a good service dog, by all means, go for it.
Disabled people generally don’t move around a lot, so the short breath thing can be easily handled. And while you can’t go around the lifespan thing, you can live with it, if you don’t mind.
All in all, it’s a matter of personal preferences. The dog’s personality plays a huge role in the choice too.
