What breeds of dog are used as seizure dogs?

Answer 1

Mostly Labradors are used, as well as Golden Retrievers, Poodles, and sometimes German Shepherds.. but since the training goes by not picking the breed you want, it all depends on your seizure activity and pattern. The more severe Epileptics would most likely get a Poodle or Lab. I was told on my milder seizure activity I would get a German Shepherd or Golden Retriever. But you can also adopt a puppy at young age and have him/her trained to become a seizure dog... Hope this answers your question.

What's a seizure dog? If you're referring to dogs trained to perform some behavior AFTER someone has suffered a seizure, the above is accurate and requires only modest training. There are NO controlled studies that I can locate dealing with what dogs sense and will alert to BEFORE someone has a seizure even though numbers of dogs demonstrate this ability.

As a 30+ year trainer, I've taught the latter obedience and to be a better companion. They come in all shapes and sizes from small to large. Coming through the most reputable psychological (training and conditioning) think tank in the U.S., there are no dollars to fund the research and doing it individually sends your home insurance through the roof or is not insurable at all -- a $1,000,000 umbrella/liability policy doesn't even come close.

Clearly it's an area worth exploring and developing a training paradigm, but at present, there are no available resources. I continue to look into it -- money better spent than bailing out the big banks?

Answer 2

German shepherds