{"id":493,"date":"2020-01-22T19:16:06","date_gmt":"2020-01-22T19:16:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mypetsies.com\/blog\/?p=493"},"modified":"2020-07-23T12:59:12","modified_gmt":"2020-07-23T12:59:12","slug":"small-service-dog-breeds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mypetsies.com\/blog\/guest-blog\/small-service-dog-breeds\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 5 Small Service Dog Breeds"},"content":{"rendered":"

We are a professional blog site that may receive compensation or free samples from the companies whose products and topics we write about. We are independently owned, and the opinions expressed here are of the writer. To read the full disclosure\u00a0<\/span>click here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

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The adage of\u00a0Bigger is Better\u00a0doesn’t necessarily apply when it comes to some Service Dogs. Of course, you most likely wouldn’t want an eight-pound pooch guiding you through a busy crowd. However, small canines can still act as a therapy dog.<\/p>\n

In this post, we will take a look at the qualities that make a great therapy dog. We’ll also rank the top 5 small service dog breeds. These little fellas are guaranteed to put a smile on your face.<\/p>\n

What Makes a Great Therapy Dog?<\/h2>\n

Not every dog is cut out for the important job of therapy work. Big or small, the\u00a0<\/strong>therapy dog needs to be gentle, calm, and obedient.\u00a0He must love to be held and petted and doesn’t mind meeting new people.<\/p>\n

Nursing homes, hospitals, and schools all use therapy dogs. Therapy canines may not be specially trained, but their mere presence and ability to bring joy to all they meet are\u00a0good medicine.<\/p>\n

These top 5 small breeds are among the most popular for therapy work.\u00a0I bet you can’t help but smile\u00a0when you check them out.<\/p>\n

#1 The Toy Poodle<\/h2>\n

\"Toy<\/a><\/p>\n

Sweet, delightful, charming, and highly trainable are just some of the qualities the Toy Poodle possesses. These\u00a0curly-coated cuties\u00a0<\/strong>are considered to be\u00a0hypoallergenic, which is great for people that may be sensitive to pet fur.<\/p>\n

The Toy Poodle is a popular therapy dog as they enjoy being social and can be taught tricks to help alleviate the stress and tension of anyone they visit.<\/p>\n

Poodle Fun Fact:\u00a0Did you know the Poodle was bred in Germany as a water retriever? And that\u00a0chic hairdo\u00a0was designed to make it easier for the dog to swim. It also helps keep its vital organs and joints warm!<\/p>\n

#2 The Corgi<\/h2>\n

\"therapy<\/a><\/p>\n

Queen Elizabeth II\u00a0has owned over 30 Corgis during her lifetime making this pooch synonymous with Royalty. They\u00a0bring a smile to even the\u00a0gloomiest of hearts.<\/p>\n

The Corgi is an active breed, highly intelligent, and easy to train. They are great with children which would make them the perfect therapy dog for pediatric wards or grade schools.<\/p>\n

Corgi Fun Fact: Did you know legend has it that the Corgi was once used by\u00a0Fairies?\u00a0These enchanted beings were said to have enlisted the help of the Corgi to pull their coaches and for steeds for the warriors.<\/p>\n

Check out some\u00a0corgi stuffed animals<\/a> from Petsies!<\/em><\/p>\n

#3 The Chihuahua<\/h2>\n

\"therapy<\/a><\/p>\n

This tiny pup can be a fierce watchdog when called for, probably because he loves being around his human companions and only wants to protect them against anything out of the ordinary.<\/p>\n

When it comes to therapy work, the\u00a0Chihuahua<\/a>\u00a0is small enough that owners can easily hold and pet it. This popular breed is also a fast learner and with the proper positive motivation, can learn any trick.<\/p>\n

Chihuahua Fun Fact:\u00a0Did you know you shouldn’t poke a Chihuahua in the head? Like a baby, this breed has a soft spot in its skull called a\u00a0molera. Some Chihuahua’s may outgrow their molera, but some do not. It all depends on the dog’s size, genetics, and the structure of the skull itself.<\/p>\n

Check out\u00a0chihuahua stuffed animals<\/a> that Petsies has created.<\/em><\/p>\n

#4 The Pug<\/h2>\n

\"therapy<\/a><\/p>\n

Known as the\u00a0clowns of the canine world,\u00a0this compact little dog is sure to bring a smile to any face. The Pug was\u00a0originally bred to be a lap dog,\u00a0and he takes this role seriously.\u00a0The Pug has a\u00a0smooshie face, deep wrinkles, and big eyes. Some may call it “homely”, but many find his odd features endearing.<\/p>\n

Pug Fun Fact:\u00a0Did you know this breed got its name from a\u00a0Marmoset? In the 18th century, these small monkeys were kept as pets and were referred to as “Pugs.” The name most likely made the jump over to the pooch because they share similar facial features.<\/p>\n

#5 The Yorkshire Terrier<\/h2>\n

\"therapy<\/a><\/p>\n

Voted the most\u00a0popular Toy Breed in America, the Yorkie is a feisty little pooch with a lot of love to give. The long silky coat and perky top-knot give it a sense of style and elegance, all the while weighing in at\u00a0only seven pounds.<\/p>\n

Being in the Terrier family, the Yorkie can be a bit\u00a0protective and yappy, but early training can usually curb this behavior. This breed makes a great therapy pet due to its charming personality and hair-like coat that tends to be\u00a0less allergenic\u00a0to sensitive people.<\/p>\n

Yorkie Fun Fact:\u00a0Did you know a Yorkie named\u00a0Smokie\u00a0was the first-ever therapy dog? During World War II a friend of an injured corporal brought the soldier a Yorkie puppy. This sweet little pup had such a positive effect on the morale of all the injured men that\u00a0Dr. Charles Mayo\u00a0(Mayo Clinic) began to take Smokey on all his rounds.<\/p>\n

Pet Therapy Works<\/h2>\n

The very presence of a furry pup can do wonders for a sick or hurt individual. These top 5 small service dog breeds are among the favorites in their field of work. Pet therapy works, just ask anyone that has ever had the pleasure of meeting or working with one of these fantastic dogs.<\/p>\n

Check out\u00a0Petsies<\/a>\u00a0custom stuffed animals that look just like your pet! They make the perfect gift for your pet-obsessed loved ones. Order today!<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"petsies<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

You most likely wouldn’t want an eight-pound pooch guiding you through a busy crowd, but small canines can still provide one service: The therapy dog.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":499,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[82],"tags":[476,238,33,152,150,151,542,113,149,255,153],"class_list":{"0":"post-493","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-guest-blog","8":"tag-ads","9":"tag-petsie","10":"tag-petsies","11":"tag-service-dog","12":"tag-small-dog","13":"tag-small-service-animal","14":"tag-therapy","15":"tag-therapy-animal","16":"tag-therapy-dog","17":"tag-therapy-pet","18":"tag-tiny-dogs"},"yoast_head":"\nTop 5 Small Service Dog Breeds | Petsies<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"You most likely wouldn't want an eight-pound pooch guiding you through a busy crowd, but small canines 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