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Buying or adopting a dog is a big decision. If you have never owned a dog before, understand it is a 12- to 15-year commitment. Dogs require a lot of work – especially if you bring home a puppy – and they are dependent on you for everything. For me, that is the appeal of owning a dog. I am lazy by nature and having a dog forces me to get up off of the couch to take care of them. 

When you have a disease such as multiple sclerosis, it is important to push yourself to stay active and a dog is a great and willing partner for activities such as walking. The problem with me is I have allergies, and unfortunately, dogs are one of the things I am really allergic to. No matter what your situation, there is a type of dog that is perfect for your lifestyle, but you have to do the research. In this article, we will look at different types of dogs that work for different types of MS. 

Service

Service dogs are the first type of dogs people living with MS may consider when they think about getting a dog. Service dogs can be any breed that is trained to fulfill their service. However, there is a working class of dogs that make ideal service dogs. 

Many of us think of German shepherds when we think of police dogs, but German shepherds instinctually like to protect their herd, making them ideal service dogs. Retrievers also make for good service dogs. When I worked at a neuroscience clinic many years ago, I met a person living with ALS who had a retriever mix that was a service dog. That dog could open the fridge and retrieve things for its owner. 

Service dogs go through extensive training and certification and their skills can be tailored to match your unique needs. Service dogs can travel on a plane and sit with you in the cabin making them an ideal dog to travel with.

Hypoallergenic 

Maybe you want a dog, but you are like me and have horrible allergies. Did you know there are certain breeds that do not shed and are considered good for people with allergies? All you have to do is Google hypoallergenic dog breeds and you will see a list of dogs that could be good for you. Also, a pet shop is not a great place to see if you are allergic to a specific breed because the rooms where you meet the dog will have the dander of other dogs that were there before. 

If you have allergies and see a dog in the pet store, your allergies will be on fire when you leave. I have had a soft-coat Wheaton terrier and now Havenese, and I have had no allergies from those two breeds. Other hypoallergenic breeds include poodles and schnauzers. I like both of those breeds because they come each come in three different sizes: giant, standard, and mini. 

Even if your dog is hypoallergenic, remember they run and play outside. They will bring in seasonal allergies, such as grass and pollen.

Big and small

Size matters when it comes to picking out a dog. Mostly the size of your dwelling and yard. Getting a 100-pound dog for a studio apartment in the city might be more than you and the dog can handle. Whereas that same 100-pound dog could thrive in a single-family home with a fenced-in yard. Remember bigger dogs require more exercise and space to roam. 

Little dogs are perfect for apartment life. Some little dogs can even be litter box-trained making apartment life easy. Little dogs may require less exercise and less cleanup than bigger dogs making them perfect for someone with MS who have mobility or other issues linked to MS. However, these little breeds are companion dogs and can get separation anxiety, so keep that in mind if you are going to be gone a lot. These breeds include Havanese, Shi-Tzu, miniature poodles, and Lhasa Apsos, among others. 

When I was first diagnosed with MS and had a lot more energy, I wanted a dog that would push my limits in terms of walking and being active. For me, that was a soft-coat Wheaton terrier. These dogs are medium-sized, hypoallergenic, and are very active. Other dogs that fit this description are the Kerry blue terrier and the standard schnauzer. What I like about these dogs is the medium-sized dog doesn’t knock me over when they jump up. They have the personality of a big dog, but in a smaller, more manageable package. They also have energy to go all day, which was important to me back when I was trying to learn how to walk again after my initial diagnosis. 

No matter where you are in your MS journey, a dog can be a wonderful companion. You just want to make sure the type of dog you pick works best for your MS.