09/26/2025
🐾 What Do Service Dogs Look Like? 🐾
Service dogs don’t have a specific “look.” Almost any breed can become a service animal — though medium and large breeds are more common, since small dogs aren’t suited for tasks like mobility aid or guide work.
✅ Gear – A service dog might wear only a collar, a vest, or a full guide harness. Simply wearing a vest does not make an animal a service dog. What matters is the extensive training they undergo to perform specific tasks and remain non-disruptive in public.
✅ Appearance – All service dogs, regardless of breed, should be clean, healthy, and well groomed.
✅ Behavior – A true service dog is extremely well-behaved in public.
They typically walk next to or slightly ahead of their handler, or may circle them to create space.
They may or may not be leashed, depending on their handler’s needs.
If an off-leash service dog approaches you, follow it — their handler may need urgent help.
Service dogs may:
🐾 Smell items presented by their handler (ex: allergen detection)
🐾 Poke, paw, jump on, or bark at their handler to alert them to a medical concern
🐾 Retrieve items on command
🐾Sit or lay on their handler if the handler is sitting or laying down, often to provide grounding, pressure therapy, or support.
They should not:
🚫 Lunge at people or animals
🚫 Ride in shopping carts
🚫 Constantly sniff shelves or try to approach strangers
🚫 Beg for or eat dropped food
🚫 Have accidents indoors
👉 Service dogs are working partners, not pets. Always respect their space and never distract them while they’re on duty.
