A thing that occurred to me recently, while trying to settle on a breed and breeder for my service dog, is that it truly doesn't matter if they're an eye-catching breed or not because I plan to dye my dog's fur/ hair anyway, and if they're a poodle I plan to give them fun haircuts. Not just as anti-theft (along with getting them chipped) but also for fun! I do plan on going for a breed that's recommended, but that can include collies and cocker spaniels, sometimes even corgis. It's not just labs, goldens, poodles, and the occasional german shepherd out there!
I also love the idea of my dog and getting into dog sports and grooming together. My dog is going to basically be my whole life, and dogs need a lot of attention. Especially the breeds recommended for service work! It only makes sense that another job would distract me from being able to give my service dog the best life possible, especially due to my limited energy levels, so my dog being my job feels right to me. On top of this, I know that if I were to get a poodle or collie I'd be supported and guided by my breeders to this type of career if I asked for it!
The other thing I have to assess is whether or not I'll need a tall dog, because this will determine if I'm going for the usual tall breeds, or if I'm looking into a sheltie, mini/ toy poodle, corgi, or cocker spaniel. It all hinges on what tasks are the most important for me and how much I value being able to lift my dog when using an escalator or stairs versus how often I even have to use those.
