Every day, we strive to find breeders whose highest priority is the well-being of their dogs. At 1mquotes, we believe that service dogs should embody qualities such as health, temperament, working ability, and longevity. The role of a service dog is no ordinary task – it requires a remarkable canine companion.
The Ideal Service Dog
A service dog must possess a unique combination of characteristics. They need to be friendly and approachable, yet capable of focusing on their work amidst distractions. These dogs must exhibit patience, able to wait quietly for long periods while also being ready to spring into action when required. In addition, they should be confident in new situations and respond sensitively to individuals who may have limited physical control.
Furthermore, a reliable service dog should be skilled at retrieving objects, a crucial aspect of their role. Only dogs with a lineage of confident, composed, and task-oriented working dogs, coupled with early handling and socialization, have the potential to become successful service animals.
Our Preferred Breeds
At 1mquotes, we primarily work with Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers. These breeds have consistently proven to possess the ideal characteristics required for service dog work. Labs and Goldens are a perfect fit due to their size, natural inclination to hold objects in their mouths, sociable nature, and high motivation to learn and be trained. While there are many other breeds that can excel as service dogs, we do not utilize breeds that require extensive grooming, such as Poodles or Poodle mixes, dogs with thick coats like Samoyeds or Akitas, and brachycephalic (short-faced) breeds like Boxers.
Desirable Qualities in Sire and Dam
When selecting the parents, we prioritize certain qualities to ensure the best chances of producing exceptional service dog puppies. These desired qualities include at least three generations of orthopedic clearances (such as OFA or PennHip) for hips and elbows, as well as CERF and cardiac clearances. Additionally, we look for other breed-specific clearances such as EIC and CNM in Retrievers, CEA in herding breeds, and VWD in select breeds.
In terms of temperament, we seek sires and dams who effortlessly get along with all people and display appropriate sociability with other dogs. Fearlessness is a key attribute, as is their ability to be handled comfortably by anyone, even strangers. We also value a dog’s willingness to retrieve and their eagerness to work alongside humans. Working titles are an added advantage.
Qualities We Look for in Puppies
1mquotes places great importance on the early development of our puppies. Here are some of the qualities we seek in our puppies:
- Whelped and raised in a home environment.
- Daily handling from birth to foster trust and familiarity.
- Exposure to individuals of all ages, sizes, shapes, and colors.
- Introduction to various sounds, both indoors and outdoors, starting at three weeks old.
- Environment stimulation through different objects, surfaces, and sensory experiences.
- Exposure to diverse environments, including car rides, crates, and various indoor and outdoor locations.
- Familiarity with grooming rituals.
- Learning appropriate toilet habits by observing adult dogs.
- Natural ears and tails, facilitating public access.
- Sociability and confidence in the face of new experiences.
- Ideally, located within approximately 200 miles of Washington D.C.
A Gift That Changes Lives
We understand that breeders who adhere to these standards truly care about the quality of their dogs. We appreciate your commitment and the love you have for your puppies and their futures. We realize the immense request we make in asking for a donated puppy from one of your litters.
It is difficult to express the profound impact a service dog can have on their partner’s life. Your contribution could mean everything to someone in need, transforming both their lifeline and their companion. As a token of our gratitude, we will acknowledge your kennel on our website and during the dog’s graduation ceremony.
Join Our Cause
If you have a well-bred and well-raised puppy that you would like to donate to our program, we would be thrilled to hear from you. You can reach out to us at [email protected]. We would love the opportunity to share more about our program, our goals, and the extraordinary life that your puppy could lead.
Please note that if you are unable to donate a puppy at this time but believe you have dogs that meet our qualifications, we are open to purchasing a limited number of puppies. Feel free to send us an email, and we can explore the possibilities together.
Thank you for considering 1mquotes as a partner. We look forward to hearing from you and working together to continue changing lives through the incredible bond between humans and service dogs.