Hey, I'll do my best give you the short version of why I'm asking about large breed dogs.

9 days ago(on the 3rd) I had to go to walmart to run my payday errands.
I was on the last leg of getting everything needed from walmart(I was heading to get the hand sanitizer, the last item to pick up before heading to check out) when I hear a man yelling "hey, hey you" about 5 times now the store was filled with loads of people so this could have been directed at anyone but turns out that he was trying to get my attention...but I just speed up the cart cause creepy old guys make me really uncomfortable...and I'm already hurting because of my right leg acting out...
He continued to follow me, I then said "Ewww" walked even faster even though it hurt and almost made me loose grip on the cart, I then told the old guy to leave me alone, he still persisted, by this time I was in the isle with the hand sanitizer and the guy followed me there too, I said ewww again and clearly looked destressed by tjis time but thankfully there was an employee in the isle and that finally got the old creep to bugger off...

But because of that event most if not all of my PTSD/Panic Disorder progress I made in 2 years has been totally desimated... I'm still feeling the after effects, and my fiance have agreed that I will not go out to the big stores(savemart, safeway, walmart, ect) with out someone with me, at least not till I get a large breed dog to to train as my service dog. A small breed dog also will not really be able to help with mobility/ballance assistance either.
Though I do still have plans on a small breed service dog, just a little bit further down the road, possibly closer to or after we have moved out of the apartment complex.



I do have a few breeds in mind already, but I'm willing to concider others. Links to breed info pages would be great so would pictures.

The requiorments are as follows:
Weight between 65lbs and 80lbs(with 65lbs being the absolute minimum, and 80lbs being the absolute max. Though I do know mix breeds are often times harder to figure out their max wieght by age 2-3)
Male and Female(Female prefered)

This dog will be my next service dog(as this event made it clear that once I get my forearm crutches and wheelchair that a small breed dog will do very little to deture people from causing me problems).
The dog will be trained to help with both my mental and physical disabilities.

Thanks


Current List Of Breeds I'm Concidering:
1). Golden Retriever OR Mix
2). Labrador Retriever OR Mix
3). Akita OR Mix(mix prefered)
4). Alaskan Malamute OR Mix(mix prefered)
5). Bernese Mountain Dog Mix(mix only due to being classified as a Giant/X-Large breed dog)
6). Great Pyrenees Mix(mix only due to being classified as a Giant/X-Large breed dog)
7). Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Mix(mix only due to being classified as a Giant/X-Large breed dog)
8). Kavasz Mix(mix only due to being classified as a Giant/X-Large breed dog)
9). Newfoundland Mix(mix only due to being classified as a Giant/X-Large breed dog)
10). Rottweiler OR Mix(mix prefered)
11). Siberian Husky Mix(mix only due to being classified as a medium sized breed dog)
12). Belgian Malinois Mix(mix only)
13). Belgian Sheepdog OR Mix(mix prefered)
14). Belgian Tervuren OR Mix(mix prefered)
15). German Shepherd Dog OR Mix(Would be pleased to have either, but I love GSD mixes)
16). Australian Shepherd Mix(mix only due to being classified as a medium sized breed dog)

I'm still taking suggestions on breeds, and mixes. I'm also very partial to fluffy/fuzzy dogs, and will be getting the proper groombing tools.

I live in Northern California, in the foothills of the Sierra-Navada mountians. Temps range from 78 degrees fahrenheit to 110 degrees fahrenheit during the summer, with an a average of 90 degrees fahrenheit during summer. Winter is normally much more mild with tempatures ranging from 30 degrees fahrenheit up to 78 degrees fahrenheit, with an average of 65 degrees fahrenheit. Spring and Fall temps are generally mild and range in the 70s or maybe early 80s. Rain/Snow/Hail do occure though not very often with the drought. I don't go out without a ride most days in summer so IF I got a dog with lots of fur I would have the proper brushes/combs, regular baths, lots of drinking water, and there are good shady spots to relax/cool down too. I'll also be getting boots/socks for my dog to prevent burned/frozen paw pads.

Please note though I CAN NOT have and pitbull or pitbull mix breed dogs due to a ban on the breed(s) where I'm currently living. :( I think it is because of the property insurance, not totally sure though.

Well, I am certainly not a dog expert. I do, however, have a lot of friends who breed, show, and train dogs as a living. I know that there especially if you're training the dog as your service dog there are going to be breeds that are going to be easier to train and more obedient, and there are certain breeds that are more suited to the type of training that goes into service training, but that depends mainly on personality.

I would look at dogs in the Working and Sporting groups, with a focus on Working dog breeds. These kind of dogs are bred to be put to "work" so to speak and tend to be easier to train. The same goes with sporting breeds. Herding breeds can be good, too, I find that many of them have an intense "drive" that can be difficult to work around.

I'm sure since you're doing research you've already looked through the "groups", but I've included a few links to try and help out.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Working_Group_%28dogs%29
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sporting_Group

I can unreservedly recommend the Australian Shepherd. They are toward the low end of the weight range you want, but they are loyal, protective, smart, and gentle. If you want a dog that can support and buffer for you, learn to do all sorts of helpful things, and not "act out" in ways that could leave you facing a lawsuit, consider an Aussie. The Farm Collie (also called English Shepherd) is good too, but a bit smaller than what you are looking for.

Certain Rough Collies might suit your purposes, but you'd have to be very careful to locate the right type of breeder. Many modern show-type Rough Collies are not at all smart and have health problems. Also, they suffer from the "Lassie factor"--lots of people, especially children, assume they can run right up to any Rough Collie they see and start petting it, because of the movie-star Lassie.

A Rottweiler might also be a good choice, but could cause you a bit of trouble in public places by her/his mere appearance. They have an undeserved reputation for being dangerous. Also, some men seem to feel called upon to demonstrate that they are not afraid of a Rottweiler and may try to insist upon petting the dog. They are bigger than Aussies, Farm Collies, and Rough Collies, and they have short, easy-care coats. For big dogs, they have fairly long lifespans, but they do eat a lot.

I have known and worked with all these dog breeds.

One other breed, which I have not worked with, but which has an excellent reputation and might suit your purposes, is the Newfoundland.

I have a bachelor's degree in zoology, a master's degree in psychology, and I have worked as a veterinarian's assistant. Feel free to PM or ping me if you like, LLD. And good luck finding the perfect dog; s/he is definitely out there somewhere.

Thanks for the collie suggestions. I'll look into them.

My very first SDiT was a rottie mix, he was a doll too. So If I could find a rottie mix that would be nice.

And as much as I love Newffies(pure bred)they are way to large for the apartment I live in. It's only 800sqft total, but maybe a newffie mix may be possible.

I'll look to see what breeders and possibly rescues that are near my area.

LDD, what state do you live in? I ask to learn the temperature. I used to show dogs my mother breed in my youth. She started with Newfoundlands, and I have always loved them, but I would not suggest them for more southern states. I did a lot of handling and training for the working breeds so I might be able to give you a good idea of the different breeds dispositions and intelligence. I think those two traits would be very important for you.

I live in Northern California in the foothills of the Sierra-Nevada mountians.

I'm good with all breeds of dog(except for pure bred poodles we just dont like eachother, however poodle mixes are fine).
Though you are correct disposition and intellegance are very importiant for service dog handlers(owner handler/trainers and program trainers) to concider. While all breeds CAN be service dogs doesn't mean that there are breeds or individuals that are better sutied to it than others.

Sadly it would be best not to get a newf then, their coat is very dense and they would slobber a lot when out in the heat. While not as sloppy as a saint, it would still be kinda gross. Maybe a Greater Swiss Mountain dog? They have a much thinner coat, and are large, but still within your specs, and with colorings some might mistake for a dobberman or other guard type dog, but they have a very different temperment. They are great with all family members, very intelligent, loyal.

PS. the main drawback to larger breed dogs is lifespan. It is very sad to say, but 10 years max is what you can expect from the larger breeds.

I'll look into the Greater Swiss Mountian Dog, at the least I'll concider a mix. :) Thanks for helping.

In my town it would be likely that a dog thats simular in color to a Rottweiler or Doberman would be mistaken for them, cause most locals arent very dog smart.

I know, though most service dogs tend to live a bit longer than the average max due to the extream care that service dog handlers take of their dogs, though I am aware that most large and giant breed dogs don't live past 12 years.

Still looking for suggestions for breeds.

I don't know if the weight of our German Shepherd is a little overboard, but maybe you should get a German Shepherd?
They are loyal, protective, and affectionate.

One time, I got in trouble for something and my aunt was shaking me, so our German Shepherd came up and growled at her; even though she knew my aunt was no threat. Or not really at least.
German Shepherds have an extremely painful bite if it comes to it, but they can be really helpful.