If any one can help me I would appreciate it, I am looking for a dog for my daughter she is on the autistic spectum and is educated at school due to not being able to mix. She very rarely leaves the home with out myself so I have been considering getting her a dog for a long time. 
I do not want to breed just need a family pet so a cross breed would be better, may be some ones dog has been a bit eager :)

We are in Plymouth but can travel for the right animal

Thanks very much for your help in this matter I can be contacted at shelleyfishwick@hotmail.com

Make sure that you get the right type.  Dogs can really help with children with autism.  You need to get to know the breed and dog beforehand as some autistic children don't like too much noise so you would need a dog with a low level of barking :d

Hope you find the right dog, sorry I can't be of much help, but I hope that you find the right one for your daughter.

I would ask someone with a bombproof dog to come and visit so that you can see your daughter's reaction to dogs - whilst some children with autistic tendencies do like animals many more can be frightened of them and hate the 'tactile' element.

Contact your local Pets as Therapy organiser as they will know of dogs in your area that have been passed and would be happy for your daughter to interact with.

If things go well then look very carefully at what breeds may be suitable - the dogs that are currrently visiting my local special school are Cavaliers, Newfoundland, Whippet, and my own Belgian Shepherd ( not usually a calm breed though !) we have also had a Leonberger visit and he was a great sucess.

However we have had quite a few Autistic youngsters react with real fear so do test out her reaction first .

Yvonne

Hi I know 2 autistic children both with papilon dogs.....the little dogs have turned the childrens life around....they are not prone to yapping and are so gentle.hope this helps
Pauline