https://dognition.com/assets/best-service-dog-breeds-CvcjuA6A.js

1import{M as h,j as e,B as p,Q as g,I as r,a4 as x,a1 as n,a0 as u,a5 as y,C as b,L as t,x as o,T as f,G as l,a6 as w,a7 as v,O as j,F as N}from"./index-D6pMFnJb.js";import{K as k}from"./KeyFacts-D6ljicsp.js";import{M as d}from"./minus-UInz41LO.js";const S=[["path",{d:"M12 3v18",key:"108xh3"}],["path",{d:"m19 8 3 8a5 5 0 0 1-6 0zV7",key:"zcdpyk"}],["path",{d:"M3 7h1a17 17 0 0 0 8-2 17 17 0 0 0 8 2h1",key:"1yorad"}],["path",{d:"m5 8 3 8a5 5 0 0 1-6 0zV7",key:"eua70x"}],["path",{d:"M7 21h10",key:"1b0cd5"}]],R=h("scale",S),C=[{breed:"Labrador Retriever",empathy:"Often high",communication:"Often high",implication:"Reads handler cues readily and recovers fast from surprises — the reason Labs graduate programs at the highest rate."},{breed:"Golden Retriever",empathy:"Often high",communication:"Often high",implication:"Tracks emotional state closely; the strongest fit for psychiatric and autism-support roles."},{breed:"German Shepherd Dog",empathy:"Often moderate",communication:"Often high",implication:"Highly cue-responsive with a lower baseline sociability — excellent task reliability, needs deliberate public-access socialisation."},{breed:"Standard Poodle",empathy:"Often moderate",communication:"Often high",implication:"Learns cued sequences quickly; independent enough that under-stimulation shows up as invented jobs."},{breed:"Collie / Border Collie",empathy:"Highly variable",communication:"Often high",implication:"Exceptional at cued work, but reasoning and sensitivity to novelty make crowded public access harder than program work."},{breed:"Mixed-breed rescues",empathy:"Highly variable",communication:"Highly variable",implication:"Breed tells you nothing here — individual assessment is the only reliable predictor, and strong candidates do exist."}],c=s=>`breed-${s.toLowerCase().replace(/[^a-z0-9]+/g,"-").replace(/(^-|-$)/g,"")}`,m=[{name:"Labrador Retriever",size:"55–80 lb",commonRoles:"Guide, mobility, medical alert, psychiatric",summary:"The most-placed service breed worldwide. Labs combine a high tolerance for handling and noise with strong food motivation, which makes long training programs practical.",cognition:"Consistently high Communication — Labs read human gaze and pointing readily, the foundation of cued assistance work.",pros:["Highest program graduation rates of any breed","Recovers quickly from startling environments","Sociable without being pushy toward strangers"],cons:["Sheds heavily year-round","Food focus can become a distraction in public access","Joint and weight issues shorten working life if unmanaged"]},{name:"Golden Retriever",size:"55–75 lb",commonRoles:"Guide, psychiatric, autism support, facility work",summary:"Slightly softer and more people-oriented than a Lab, Goldens excel where emotional attunement matters as much as task reliability.",cognition:"High Empathy paired with strong Communication — they track handler emotional state closely, useful in psychiatric and autism support roles.",pros:["Exceptionally gentle with children and strangers","Highly biddable with reward-based methods","Strong retrieve instinct suits task training"],cons:["Grooming demands are significant","Sensitivity means harsh handling sets training back badly","Elevated cancer risk in some lines"]},{name:"Labrador × Golden cross",size:"55–80 lb",commonRoles:"Guide and mobility work",summary:"Purpose-bred by many guide dog schools to blend Lab resilience with Golden attentiveness, with the health advantages of a wider gene pool.",cognition:"Program-bred lines are selected directly on cognitive stability, not appearance — the closest thing to a breeding-for-temperament model.",pros:["Bred and raised inside established programs","Predictable temperament from known lines","Strong overall health outcomes"],cons:["Effectively unavailable outside program placement","Still a heavy-shedding, high-grooming coat","Long program waitlists"]},{name:"German Shepherd Dog",size:"50–90 lb",commonRoles:"Guide, mobility, psychiatric",summary:"Highly capable and intensely handler-focused, but a narrower fit: GSDs need stable lines and heavy public-access socialization to work reliably in crowds.",cognition:"Very high Communication and working memory, with lower novelty tolerance — brilliant with one handler, less forgiving of chaotic environments.",pros:["Learns complex multi-step tasks quickly","Strong mobility support build","Deep bond with a single handler"],cons:["Reactivity risk means careful line selection is essential","Hip and elbow dysplasia are common","Public perception can complicate access"]},{name:"Standard Poodle",size:"45–70 lb",commonRoles:"Medical alert, psychiatric, allergy-sensitive households",summary:"The strongest option when a handler or family member reacts to dander. Poodles are quick studies and hold up well to detailed alert training.",cognition:"High Reasoning and Memory — good at generalizing a learned task to new locations, which is exactly what public access demands.",pros:["Low-shedding coat","Excellent problem-solving and task retention","Athletic and long-lived"],cons:["Requires professional grooming every 6–8 weeks","Can be sensitive to environmental stress","Needs substantial mental enrichment off-duty"]},{name:"Poodle crosses (Labradoodle, Goldendoodle)",size:"40–75 lb",commonRoles:"Psychiatric, autism support, allergy-sensitive placements",summary:"Originally bred for guide work in allergy-affected households. Success depends far more on the individual breeder's temperament testing than on the cross itself.",cognition:"Highly variable — first-generation crosses can land anywhere between parent breeds, so individual assessment matters more here than in any other entry.",pros:["Often lower

1-shedding (not guaranteed)","Frequently combines Poodle reasoning with retriever steadiness","Widely available from programs and breeders"],cons:["Temperament is genuinely unpredictable across litters","Attracts inexperienced high-volume breeders","Coat care can be more demanding than either parent"]},{name:"Bernese Mountain Dog / Newfoundland",size:"80–150 lb",commonRoles:"Heavy mobility support, bracing, counterbalance",summary:"Chosen when a handler needs genuine physical support. Calm, low-arousal giants that are easy to live with — and short-lived working careers.",cognition:"Low reactivity and high self-control; slow, deliberate responses suit bracing work but not fast alert tasks.",pros:["Physical scale suits mobility and bracing tasks","Very calm in public settings","Gentle with families and children"],cons:["Short lifespan means a 4–6 year working career","Heat intolerance limits climates","Drool, shedding, and high food costs"]},{name:"Collie / Border Collie",size:"30–55 lb",commonRoles:"Medical alert, seizure response, psychiatric",summary:"Extraordinary at noticing change — including subtle changes in a handler's behavior — but the same sensitivity makes public access stressful for many individuals.",cognition:"Elite Memory and Reasoning; the breed most associated with large learned vocabularies, and also with over-arousal in busy environments.",pros:["Learns nuanced alert cues faster than almost any breed","Small enough for tight public spaces","Long working life"],cons:["Noise and motion sensitivity is common","Needs a real off-duty outlet or it self-employs","Poor fit for crowded urban placements"]},{name:"Smooth-coated small breeds (Papillon, Miniature Poodle)",size:"8–20 lb",commonRoles:"Medical alert, diabetic alert, psychiatric",summary:"Where the task is detection or alerting rather than physical support, a small dog is often the better answer — easier transit, lower cost, longer career.",cognition:"Strong Communication and Memory in a package that can travel anywhere; no capacity for weight-bearing tasks.",pros:["Portable in transit and small spaces","Long working lifespan (12+ years)","Lower food and care costs"],cons:["Cannot perform mobility, bracing, or guide work","More likely to face access challenges from uninformed staff","Fragile around crowds and foot traffic"]},{name:"Mixed-breed rescues",size:"Varies",commonRoles:"Psychiatric, medical alert (owner-trained)",summary:"A rescue can absolutely become a service dog, but the base rate is low — most programs wash out the large majority of candidates, and rescues carry unknown early histories.",cognition:"Assess the individual, not the label. Temperament stability under novelty, plus recovery time after a startle, predict success better than any breed guess.",pros:["Assessment can be done before committing","Far lower acquisition cost","Adult dogs show their adult temperament already"],cons:["Unknown early socialization and health history","High washout rate wastes years of training","No breeder or program support if it doesn't work out"]}],T=[{icon:u,title:"Stability under novelty",body:"A service dog will meet automatic doors, wheelchairs, sirens, and toddlers in a single afternoon. What matters is not that the dog never startles, but that it recovers within seconds and re-engages with the handler."},{icon:y,title:"Handler focus over friendliness",body:"A dog that greets everyone is a poor service candidate. The trait to look for is a dog that notices peo

1ple and then checks back in with you — high Communication, low social solicitation."},{icon:R,title:"Physical fit for the task",body:"Mobility and bracing require size and sound joints. Alert and psychiatric work do not. Matching the dog's build to the actual tasks prevents both injury and unnecessary cost."}],A=[{q:"What are your certifications, and who accredits you?",why:"Dog training is unregulated in most places. Look for CCPDT, IAABC, KPA, or an Assistance Dogs International (ADI) member program — and verify the credential independently."},{q:"What is your washout rate, and what happens if my dog washes out?",why:"Honest programs quote a real number (often 50–70 percent for owner-selected dogs) and have a written policy on refunds and rehoming. A trainer who claims every dog succeeds is telling you something important."},{q:"What methods do you use if the dog gets it wrong?",why:"The answer should describe rewarding alternatives and managing the environment. Prong collars, e-collars, and 'balanced' corrections are associated with higher stress and worse public-access reliability in assistance work."},{q:"Can I observe a class and speak with two past clients?",why:"Refusal to let you watch a working session, or to provide references, is the single clearest warning sign in this industry."},{q:"How do you train and proof public access specifically?",why:"Task training is the easy half. Ask how many hours are spent in real environments — stores, transit, medical settings — and how behavior is proofed there."},{q:"What is the total cost, timeline, and what does it include?",why:"Get it in writing: assessment, training hours, equipment, follow-up support, and re-certification. Legitimate programs are transparent; expect $15,000–$50,000 for a fully program-trained dog, or a lower figure for owner-training support."},{q:"What ongoing support do you provide after placement?",why:"Skills decay. Ask what happens at 6 months, at 2 years, and when the dog retires — good programs plan for the whole working life."}],D=["Sells 'certification', 'registration', or vests online with no evaluation — no such registry is legally recognized in the US.","Guarantees your dog will qualify, or promises a timeline under a few months.","Refuses to let you observe training or contact past clients.","Recommends aversive equipment as a first response to stress behavior.","Pressures a deposit before assessing the dog or your actual task needs."];function G(){return e.jsxs("div",{className:"min-h-screen bg-surface text-foreground",children:[e.jsx(p,{variant:"solid"}),e.jsxs("main",{className:"pt-24",children:[e.jsx(g,{className:"mx-auto max-w-4xl px-6 pt-6",items:[{label:"Home",to:"/"},{label:"Dog Breed Questions",to:"/dog-breed-questions"},{label:"Best Service Dog Breeds"}]}),e.jsxs("section",{className:"mx-auto max-w-4xl px-6 pb-14 pt-6 text-center",children:[e.jsx("p",{className:"text-[11px] font-semibold uppercase tracking-[0.24em] text-primary",children:"Breed Guide"}),e.jsxs("h1",{className:"mt-4 font-display text-4xl font-extrabold leading-[1.05] sm:text-5xl md:text-6xl",children:["The Best Service Dog Breeds —"," ",e.jsx("span",{className:"text-primary",children:"and How to Choose Responsibly"})]}),e.jsx("p",{className:"mx-auto mt-6 max-w-2xl text-base leading-relaxed text-foreground/70 sm:text-lg",children:"Which breeds succeed most often, the temperament traits that actually predict it, and the exact questions to ask before you hand a trainer or program a deposit."}),e.jsx(k,{className:"mt-10 text-left",answer:e.jsx(e.Fragment,{children:"The breeds that succeed most often in service work are Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Labrador–Golden crosses, Standard Poodles and German Shepherds — because they combine biddability, stable temperament and a strong tendency to take information from people rather than solve problems alone. Breed is only a starting point: accredited programs still wash out a large share of dogs from these lines, and the decision is made on the individual dog's temperament and task suitability, not its pedigree."}),facts:[{label:"Most common breeds",value:"Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Lab–Golden cross, Standard Poodle, German Shepherd"},{label:"Traits that predict success",value:"Handler focus, low reactivity, recovery from startle, food or toy motivation"},{label:"Cognitive markers",value:"High empathy and high communication (the Dognition dimension underlying trainability)"}

1,{label:"Evidence base",value:`Dognition assessments of ${r.toLocaleString()} dogs`}],source:e.jsxs(e.Fragment,{children:["Dognition's assessment dataset of ",r.toLocaleString()," ","dogs, built on research from the Duke Canine Cognition Center founded by Dr. Brian Hare, co-author with Vanessa Woods of"," ",e.jsx("em",{children:"The Genius of Dogs"})," and ",e.jsx("em",{children:"Puppy Kindergarten"}),"."]})})]}),e.jsxs("section",{className:"mx-auto max-w-5xl px-6 pb-12",children:[e.jsx("h2",{className:"font-display text-2xl font-extrabold sm:text-3xl",children:"Best service dog breeds at a glance"}),e.jsxs("p",{className:"mt-3 max-w-2xl text-base leading-relaxed text-muted-foreground",children:["Reviewed ",x.modified.slice(0,7)," against Dognition's dataset of"," ",r.toLocaleString()," assessed dogs. Tap a breed for the full profile."]}),e.jsx("div",{className:"mt-6 overflow-x-auto rounded-2xl border border-border",children:e.jsxs("table",{className:"w-full border-collapse text-left text-sm",children:[e.jsx("caption",{className:"sr-only",children:"Common service dog breeds, typical roles, size and cognitive fit"}),e.jsx("thead",{className:"bg-surface-low",children:e.jsxs("tr",{className:"border-b border-border",children:[e.jsx("th",{scope:"col",className:"px-4 py-3 font-semibold",children:"Breed"}),e.jsx("th",{scope:"col",className:"px-4 py-3 font-semibold",children:"Typical roles"}),e.jsx("th",{scope:"col",className:"px-4 py-3 font-semibold",children:"Size"}),e.jsx("th",{scope:"col",className:"px-4 py-3 font-semibold",children:"Cognitive fit"})]})}),e.jsx("tbody",{children:m.map(s=>e.jsxs("tr",{className:"border-b border-border/60 last:border-0",children:[e.jsx("th",{scope:"row",className:"px-4 py-3 align-top font-semibold",children:e.jsx("a",{href:`#${c(s.name)}`,className:"text-primary underline-offset-4 hover:underline",children:s.name})}),e.jsx("td",{className:"px-4 py-3 align-top text-foreground/80",children:s.commonRoles}),e.jsx("td",{className:"whitespace-nowrap px-4 py-3 align-top text-foreground/80",children:s.size}),e.jsx("td",{className:"px-4 py-3 align-top text-foreground/80",children:s.cognition})]},s.name))})]})})]}),e.jsx("section",{className:"bg-surface-low",children:e.jsxs("div",{className:"mx-auto max-w-4xl px-6 py-16 sm:py-20",children:[e.jsxs("div",{className:"flex gap-4 rounded-2xl border border-primary/25 bg-primary/5 p-6 sm:p-7",children:[e.jsx(n,{className:"mt-0.5 h-5 w-5 shrink-0 text-primary","aria-hidden":!0}),e.jsxs("div",{className:"space-y-3 text-sm leading-relaxed text-foreground/85 sm:text-base",children:[e.jsxs("p",{children:[e.jsx("span",{className:"font-semibold",children:"Read this part first. "}),"A service dog is a medical tool, not a breed choice. Start from the tasks you need performed, then find a dog — usually through an accredited program — capable of performing them reliably in public for years."]}),e.jsxs("p",{children:["This guide is educational and is not medical, legal, or training advice. Dognition does not train, place, or certify service dogs. For placement, work with an"," ",e.jsx("a",{href:"https://assistancedogsinternational.org/",target:"_blank",rel:"noopener noreferrer",className:"font-semibold text-primary underline-offset-4 hover:underline",children:"Assistance Dogs International"})," ","member program or a credentialed professional trainer."]})]})]}),e.jsx("h2",{className:"mt-14 text-center font-display text-3xl font-extrabold sm:text-4xl",children:"What Actually Predicts Success"}),e.jsx("p",{className:"mx-auto mt-4 max-w-2xl text-center text-base leading-relaxed text-muted-foreground sm:text-lg",children:"Programs wash out most candidates for temperament, not for intelligence or trainability. These are the traits they screen on."}),e.jsx("div",{className:"mt-10 grid gap-5 md:grid-cols-3",children:T.map(s=>{const i=s.icon;return e.jsxs("div",{className:"rounded-2xl bg-surface-lowest p-7",style:{boxShadow:"var(--shadow-ambient)"},children:[e.jsx("span",{className:"inline-flex h-10 w-10 items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-primary/10 text-primary",children:e.jsx(i,{className:"h-5 w-5","aria-hidden":!0})}),e.jsx("h3",{className:"mt-4 font-display text-lg font-bold",children:s.title}),e.jsx("p",{className:"mt-2 text-sm leading-relaxed text-foreground

1/75",children:s.body})]},s.title)})})]})}),e.jsx("section",{children:e.jsxs("div",{className:"mx-auto max-w-5xl px-6 py-20 sm:py-24",children:[e.jsxs("div",{className:"mx-auto max-w-3xl text-center",children:[e.jsx("h2",{className:"font-display text-3xl font-extrabold sm:text-4xl",children:"10 Breeds Commonly Placed as Service Dogs"}),e.jsx("p",{className:"mt-4 text-base leading-relaxed text-muted-foreground sm:text-lg",children:"Grouped by the roles they're most often matched to. Breed sets the odds; the individual dog decides the outcome."})]}),e.jsx("div",{className:"mt-12 space-y-6",children:m.map((s,i)=>e.jsxs("article",{id:c(s.name),className:"scroll-mt-28 rounded-2xl bg-surface-lowest p-6 sm:p-8",style:{boxShadow:"var(--shadow-ambient)"},children:[e.jsxs("div",{className:"flex flex-wrap items-baseline gap-x-3 gap-y-1",children:[e.jsx("span",{className:"font-display text-sm font-bold text-primary",children:String(i+1).padStart(2,"0")}),e.jsx("h3",{className:"font-display text-xl font-bold sm:text-2xl",children:s.name})]}),e.jsx("dl",{className:"mt-4 flex flex-wrap gap-2",children:[{k:"Size",v:s.size},{k:"Common roles",v:s.commonRoles}].map(a=>

1e.jsxs("div",{className:"rounded-full border border-foreground/10 bg-surface px-3 py-1 text-xs",children:[e.jsxs("dt",{className:"inline font-semibold text-foreground/60",children:[a.k,":"," "]}),e.jsx("dd",{className:"inline text-foreground/85",children:a.v})]},a.k))}),e.jsx("p",{className:"mt-5 text-sm leading-relaxed text-foreground/80 sm:text-base",children:s.summary}),e.jsxs("p",{className:"mt-4 rounded-xl border-l-4 border-primary bg-primary/5 p-4 text-sm leading-relaxed text-foreground/80",children:[e.jsxs("span",{className:"font-semibold text-primary",children:["Cognitive note:"," "]}),s.cognition]}),s.name==="Labrador Retriever"&&e.jsx("p",{className:"mt-4 text-sm leading-relaxed text-foreground/80 sm:text-base",children:"Service organizations, including Duke's own Puppy Kindergarten, rely heavily on Labrador Retrievers. But even within this one breed, cognition varies enormously: in our assessments, Labradors appear across every cognitive profile we measure. Breed gets you a starting point; it doesn't tell you who your individual dog is. That's what the assessment is for."}),e.jsxs("div",{className:"mt-6 grid gap-6 sm:grid-cols-2",children:[e.jsxs("div",{children:[e.jsx("h4",{className:"text-[11px] font-semibold uppercase tracking-[0.2em] text-primary",children:"Strengths"}),e.jsx("ul",{className:"mt-3 space-y-2",children:s.pros.map(a=>e.jsxs("li",{className:"flex gap-2 text-sm text-foreground/80",children:[e.jsx(b,{className:"mt-0.5 h-4 w-4 shrink-0 text-primary","aria-hidden":!0}),e.jsx("span",{children:a})]},a))})]}),e.jsxs("div",{children:[e.jsx("h4",{className:"text-[11px] font-semibold uppercase tracking-[0.2em] text-foreground/50",children:"Trade-offs"}),e.jsx("ul",{className:"mt-3 space-y-2",children:s.cons.map(a=>e.jsxs("li",{className:"flex gap-2 text-sm text-foreground/70",children:[e.jsx(d,{className:"mt-0.5 h-4 w-4 shrink-0 text-foreground/40","aria-hidden":!0}),e.jsx("span",{children:a})]},a))})]})]})]},s.name))})]})}),e.jsx("section",{children:e.jsxs("div",{className:"mx-auto max-w-5xl px-6 py-20 sm:py-24",children:[e.jsxs("div",{className:"mx-auto max-w-3xl text-center",children:[e.jsx("h2",{className:"font-display text-3xl font-extrabold sm:text-4xl",children:"What Our Assessment Data Shows"}),e.jsxs("p",{className:"mt-4 text-lg leading-relaxed text-muted-foreground",children:["Breed lists usually stop at temperament. Dognition has scored"," ",r.toLocaleString()," dogs across five cognitive dimensions, and two of them — ",e.jsx("strong",{children:"empathy"})," and"," ",e.jsx("strong",{children:"communication"}),", the dimension that underpins trainability — are the ones that separate dogs who succeed in service work from dogs who wash out."]})]}),e.jsxs("div",{className:"mx-auto mt-10 max-w-3xl space-y-4 text-base leading-relaxed text-foreground/80",children:[e.jsxs("p",{children:[e.jsx("strong",{children:"Empathy"})," measures how closely a dog tracks your emotional state — whether it yawns when you yawn, whether it orients to you when something changes. In psychiatric, autism-support and medical-alert work, that responsiveness is the job itself, not a nice-to-have."]}),e.jsxs("p",{children:[e.jsx("strong",{children:"Communication"})," measures whether a dog spontaneously reads human gestures — a point, a glance, a shift in posture — instead of solving problems independently. This is the single best proxy we have for trainability, because a dog that already looks to you for information needs far fewer repetitions to learn a cued task."]}),e.jsxs("p",{children:["A dog scoring high on both is describing the classic service-dog cognitive profile: attentive to the handler, reliant on human cues, and comfortable deferring rather than improvising. A dog that scores high on"," ",e.jsx("strong",{children:"cunning"})," and low on communication is the opposite — an independent problem-solver, brilliant company at home and a poor fit for public-access work."]})]}),e.jsxs("div",{className:"mx-auto mt-10 max-w-3xl overflow-x-auto",children:[e.jsxs("table",{className:"w-full border-collapse text-left text-sm",children:[e.jsx("caption",{className:"sr-only",children:"Cognitive tendencies of common service dog breeds across Dognition dimensions"}),e.jsx("thead",{children:e.jsxs("tr",{className:"border-b border-border",children:[e.jsx("th",{scope:"col",className:"py-3 pr-4 font-semibold",children:"Breed"}),e.jsx("th",{scope:"col",className:"py-3 pr-4 font-semibold",children:"Empathy"}),e.jsx("th",{scope:"col",className:"py-3 pr-4 font-semibold",children:"Communication (trainability)"}),e.jsx("th",{scope:"col",className:"py-3 font-semibold",children:"What it means in service work"})]})}),e.jsx("tbody",{children:C.map(s=>e.jsxs("tr",{className:"border-b border-border/60 align-top",children:[e.jsx("th",{scope:"row",className:"py-3 pr-4 font-semibold",children:s.breed}),e.jsx("td",{className:"py-3 pr-4 text-muted-foreground",children:s.empathy}

1),e.jsx("td",{className:"py-3 pr-4 text-muted-foreground",children:s.communication}),e.jsx("td",{className:"py-3 text-muted-foreground",children:s.implication})]},s.breed))})]}),e.jsx("p",{className:"mt-4 text-sm text-muted-foreground",children:"Tendencies describe population-level patterns, not individual dogs. Within every breed listed here the spread across dimensions is wider than the gap between breeds — which is exactly why programs assess the individual dog."})]}),e.jsxs("div",{className:"mx-auto mt-10 max-w-3xl rounded-2xl border border-dashed border-border bg-surface-low p-6",children:[e.jsx("h3",{className:"font-display text-lg font-bold",children:"Per-breed percentile data — pending"}),e.jsx("p",{className:"mt-2 text-sm text-muted-foreground",children:"We hold empathy and communication distributions for every breed in the dataset. Exact per-breed percentile figures are being pulled and verified against the in-app numbers before they are published here, so that a figure on this page always matches what you see in your own results."})]}),e.jsx("div",{className:"mx-auto mt-10 max-w-3xl rounded-2xl border border-border bg-surface-low p-6",children:e.jsxs("p",{className:"text-base leading-relaxed",children:["Breed narrows the odds. It does not tell you whether the dog in front of you has the profile. The"," ",e.jsx(t,{to:"/dog-iq-test",className:"font-semibold text-primary hover:underline",children:"Dognition assessment"})," ","scores an individual dog on all five dimensions at home, and the"," ",e.jsx(t,{to:"/profiles",className:"font-semibold text-primary hover:underline",children:"nine cognitive profiles"})," ","describe what each combination looks like in daily life."]})})]})}),e.jsx("section",{className:"bg-surface-low",children:e.jsxs("div",{className:"mx-auto max-w-4xl px-6 py-20 sm:py-24",children:[e.jsxs("div",{className:"mx-auto max-w-3xl text-center",children:[e.jsx("h2",{className:"font-display text-3xl font-extrabold sm:text-4xl",children:"7 Questions to Ask Any Trainer or Program"}),e.jsx("p",{className:"mt-4 text-base leading-relaxed text-muted-foreground sm:text-lg",children:"Bring this list to the first call. The answers separate accredited programs from vest sellers."})]}),e.jsx("ol",{className:"mt-12 space-y-4",children:A.map((s,i)=>e.jsx("li",{className:"rounded-2xl bg-surface-lowest p-6 sm:p-7",style:{boxShadow:"var(--shadow-ambient)"},children:e.jsxs("div",{className:"flex gap-4",children:[e.jsx("span",{className:"inline-flex h-8 w-8 shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-primary/10 font-display text-sm font-bold text-primary",children:i+1}),e.jsxs("div",{children:[e.jsx("h3",{className:"font-display text-base font-bold sm:text-lg",children:s.q}),e.jsxs("p",{className:"mt-2 text-sm leading-relaxed text-foreground/75",children:[e.jsxs("span",{className:"font-semibold text-foreground/60",children:["Why it matters:"," "]}),s.why]})]})]})},s.q))}),e.jsxs("div",{className:"mt-10 rounded-2xl border border-foreground

1/10 bg-surface-lowest p-6 sm:p-7",children:[e.jsxs("h3",{className:"flex items-center gap-2 font-display text-lg font-bold",children:[e.jsx(n,{className:"h-5 w-5 text-primary","aria-hidden":!0}),"Red flags to walk away from"]}),e.jsx("ul",{className:"mt-4 space-y-2",children:D.map(s=>e.jsxs("li",{className:"flex gap-2 text-sm leading-relaxed text-foreground/80",children:[e.jsx(d,{className:"mt-0.5 h-4 w-4 shrink-0 text-foreground/40","aria-hidden":!0}),e.jsx("span",{children:s})]},s))})]})]})}),e.jsx("section",{children:e.jsxs("div",{className:"mx-auto max-w-5xl px-6 py-20 sm:py-24",children:[e.jsxs("div",{className:"mx-auto max-w-3xl text-center",children:[e.jsx("h2",{className:"font-display text-3xl font-extrabold sm:text-4xl",children:"Foundation Training Resources"}),e.jsx("p",{className:"mt-4 text-base leading-relaxed text-muted-foreground sm:text-lg",children:"Whether you're preparing a puppy for a program assessment or building basics alongside a professional, start here."})]}),e.jsx("div",{className:"mt-12 grid gap-5 sm:grid-cols-2 lg:grid-cols-3",children:[{to:"/guides/dog-training-tips",title:"Dog Training Tips Hub",blurb:"Every guide on the site, filterable by topic and skill level."},{to:"/guides/how-to-train-a-puppy",title:"How to Train a Puppy",blurb:"An 8-week science-backed plan covering the socialization window."},{to:"/guides/how-to-train-a-dog",title:"Adult & Rescue Playbook",blurb:"Building reliable behavior with a dog whose history you don't know."},{to:"/guides/how-to-potty-train-a-dog",title:"Potty Training Guide",blurb:"House-training reliability is a prerequisite for any public access work."},{to:"/guides/dog-intelligence-test-science",title:"The Science of Cognitive Testing",blurb:"How communication, memory, and reasoning are measured — and why it matters here."},{to:"/top-20-games-to-play-with-your-dog",title:"20 Cognitive Games",blurb:"Off-duty enrichment that keeps a working dog mentally healthy."}].map(s=>e.jsxs(t,{to:s.to,className:"group flex flex-col rounded-2xl border border-foreground

1/10 bg-surface-lowest p-6 transition hover:border-primary",children:[e.jsx("h3",{className:"font-display text-base font-bold group-hover:text-primary",children:s.title}),e.jsx("p",{className:"mt-2 flex-1 text-sm leading-relaxed text-foreground/70",children:s.blurb}),e.jsxs("span",{className:"mt-4 inline-flex items-center gap-1 text-xs font-semibold text-primary",children:["Read the guide",e.jsx(o,{className:"h-3.5 w-3.5","aria-hidden":!0})]})]},s.to))}),e.jsxs("div",{className:"mx-auto mt-12 max-w-3xl space-y-5 text-base leading-relaxed text-foreground/80 sm:text-lg",children:[e.jsxs("p",{children:["If you're evaluating a specific dog rather than a breed, the useful question isn't how smart it is — it's how it thinks. Dogs high in Communication take direction well; dogs high in independent reasoning make their own calls, which is a liability in assistance work."," ",e.jsx(t,{to:"/smartest-dog-breeds",className:"font-semibold text-primary underline-offset-4 hover:underline",children:"Breed intelligence rankings"})," ","miss that distinction entirely."]}),e.jsxs("p",{children:["Related reading:"," ",e.jsx(t,{to:"/best-guard-dog-breeds",className:"font-semibold text-primary underline-offset-4 hover:underline",children:"guard dog breeds"}),","," ",e.jsx(t,{to:"/best-family-dog-breeds",className:"font-semibold text-primary underline-offset-4 hover:underline",children:"family dog breeds"}),", and the full"," ",e.jsx(t,{to:"/dog-breed-questions",className:"font-semibold text-primary underline-offset-4 hover:underline",children:"breed questions hub"}),"."]})]})]})}),e.jsx("section",{children:e.jsx("div",{className:"mx-auto max-w-3xl px-6 py-16 sm:py-20",children:e.jsx(f,{title:"Measure the traits that predict a working dog",body:`Service work depends on self-control, memory and reading people. Dognition scores all three at home through ${l} science-based games.`,ctaId:"best-service-dog-breeds-bridge"})})}),e.jsx("section",{className:"bg-surface-low",children:e.jsxs("div",{className:"mx-auto max-w-3xl px-6 py-20 sm:py-24",children:[e.jsxs("h2",{className:"flex items-center gap-3 font-display text-3xl font-extrabold sm:text-4xl",children:[e.jsx(w,{className:"h-7 w-7 text-primary","aria-hidden":!0}),"Service Dog FAQs"]}),e.jsx("div",{className:"mt-8 space-y-3",children:v.map(s=>e.jsxs("details",{className:"group rounded-2xl border border-foreground

1/10 bg-surface-lowest p-5 sm:p-6",children:[e.jsxs("summary",{className:"flex cursor-pointer list-none items-center justify-between gap-4",children:[e.jsx("h3",{className:"font-display text-base font-bold sm:text-lg",children:s.question}),e.jsx("span",{className:"inline-flex h-8 w-8 shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-primary/10 text-primary transition group-open:rotate-180",children:e.jsx("svg",{xmlns:"http://www.w3.org/2000/svg",width:"16",height:"16",viewBox:"0 0 24 24",fill:"none",stroke:"currentColor",strokeWidth:"2",strokeLinecap:"round",strokeLinejoin:"round","aria-hidden":"true",children:e.jsx("path",{d:"m6 9 6 6 6-6"})})})]}),e.jsx("p",{className:"mt-4 text-sm leading-relaxed text-foreground/75 sm:text-base",children:s.answer})]},s.question))})]})}),e.jsx("section",{children:e.jsxs("div",{className:"mx-auto max-w-3xl px-6 py-20 sm:py-24",children:[e.jsx(j,{}),e.jsxs("div",{className:"mt-16 text-center",children:[e.jsx("h2",{className:"font-display text-3xl font-extrabold sm:text-4xl",children:"Understand How Your Dog Thinks Before You Commit"}),e.jsxs("p",{className:"mx-auto mt-5 max-w-xl text-base leading-relaxed text-foreground/75 sm:text-lg",children:["Dognition's ",l," science-based games measure communication, memory, reasoning, and self-control at home — the same dimensions that separate a working candidate from a wonderful pet."]}),e.jsxs("div",{className:"mt-8 flex flex-col items-center gap-4",children:[e.jsx(t,{to:"/",hash:"ready-to-play",className:"inline-flex whitespace-nowrap rounded-full px-7 py-3.5 text-sm font-semibold text-primary-foreground shadow-[var(--shadow-soft)] transition-all duration-300 ease-out hover:-translate-y-0.5 hover:shadow-[var(--shadow-lift)]",style:{backgroundImage:"var(--gradient-primary)"},children:"Get Started"}),e.jsxs(t,{to:"/dog-iq-test",className:"inline-flex items-center gap-1 text-sm font-medium text-primary transition hover:text-primary-fixed",children:["Learn about the dog IQ test",e.jsx(o,{className:"h-4 w-4","aria-hidden":!0})]}),e.jsxs(t,{to:"/guides/dog-training-tips",className:"inline-flex items-center gap-1 text-sm font-medium text-primary transition hover:text-primary-fixed",children:["Or browse the training tips hub",e.jsx(o,{className:"h-4 w-4","aria-hidden":!0})]})]})]})]})})]}),e.jsx(N,{})]})}export{G as component};