Many people with visual disabilities have had the need to have a faithful companion to guide them on their way to better perform their daily activities, which must be a guide or guide dog. For this reason, in this article you will know everything related to the best Breeds of Guide Dogs that exist and more. We invite you to continue reading.
Guide Dog Breeds
When it comes to guide dog breeds, most people only think of one, the retriever. This is due to the ease of its training and also to its very friendly behavior with its owner and with others. Currently, efforts have been made to train dogs of other breeds, and even mongrels and strays, in order to solve two social problems at the same time. On the one hand, choosing dogs from kennels and animal shelters and training them to help people with all kinds of disabilities, including mental ones.
Golden Retriever
It is a breed of dog that emerged recently and originated in the United Kingdom around 1850. However, the mixtures made to obtain this breed are not yet known. Due to the characteristics of a dog, you can bet there are some bloodhound and spaniel genes among its ancestors that have made it an excellent hunting companion for its tracking abilities. Its creator was Lord Tweedmouth, an avid waterfowl hunter. His passion as a hunter was only surpassed by his dedication to hunting dogs.
There are some differences between members of this British guide dog breed, common in Europe and Australia, and those of the American type, and these differences are reflected in the breed standards. This type is larger boned, smaller, has a more angular head, and the muzzle is usually a bit lighter. American Line Dogs tend to have their eyes set farther apart than British Line Dogs and can appear cropped and triangular.
The British pup may have a golden or cream colored coat. Originally cream was not an acceptable color by British standards, but in the middle of the last century the pattern was changed to include cream. This exclusion was found to be incorrect and the original XNUMXth century Yellow Retriever was lighter in color than accepted by the standards. British schemes are used in all countries except the United States and Canada.
The American breed tends to be quieter and taller than the British. In general, it has a dense and impermeable coat, in different shades of bright gold, it can be smooth or slightly wavy. The coat is generally darker on the outside and lighter on the inside. Your step must be free, fluid, powerful and well coordinated. On the other hand, they lose hair throughout the year and especially when the seasons change. It is recommended to brush his hair at least once a week to remove all dead hair, making his coat much more attractive and shiny.
Adult males are typically 56-61 cm tall and weigh 31-36 kg, females are 51-56 cm smaller and weigh 27-31 kg. The tail in males varies between 45 and 50 cm, while in females it varies between 40 and 45 cm. It is very important to take care of their diet, since it is usually expensive to make these dogs lose weight. It is a sociable, friendly and reliable dog, it lacks aggressiveness towards both humans and other dogs. But if he realizes that his life or that of his family is in danger, he will defend it if necessary.
These members of the guide dog breeds are good companions and love children. They are very easy to train, thanks to their intelligence and calm nature they are very playful and when training becomes a game it is very easy to do so. They are very intelligent, which is why they are often used as part of the breeds of guide dogs, rescue dogs, detector dogs and even social therapy dogs because they are very emotional.
German shepherd
Two hundred years ago this breed originated in Germany, as a result of the breeding of dogs that were capable of protecting flocks of sheep against wolves. Historically, Maximilian von Stephanitz has been recognized as the father of this breed, and Horand von Grafath, a powerful animal with a firm character and gray fur, was the first formally registered specimen. Later, with the creation of the Association of Friends of the German Shepherd, a selection of specimens whose crosses improved the physical and mental appearance of the animal began.
It is a physically very strong dog but it is still very agile, with an elongated constitution and whose jaws are characterized by generating a force of more than 200 kg. There are many color variations in this breed of guide dog, such as black and brown, reddish and black borders, but their black coat is still visible, which many have called the black coat. The height at the withers is about half a meter, the weight is 25-50 kg, in addition, they have a life expectancy of more than 10 years.
Regarding the health of these dogs, it is important that they have all their vaccinations up to date, since they are animals that usually have distemper. As is common in large dogs, this breed is prone to hip dysplasia. It is a very good companion dog with people, it is very balanced and easy to train. Training and socialization should start from the moment the puppy first enters the family.
At the same time, they need to exercise continuously because they are a working breed. These dogs excel at sports that help keep them healthy and in balance physically and mentally. On the other hand, it is one of the most popular, versatile and largest dog breeds in the world, standing out as a born worker, affectionate with the family, excellent guardian, rescue animal, patient and protector. In addition, it shows that it is an excellent example of guide dog breeds, due to its courage, intelligence, renunciation and loyalty.
It is advisable to bathe it with neutral soap or shampoo, and ensure a good diet, making sure that it does not overeat due to the risk that this breed has of suffering from gastric problems which, if not treated properly, can cause chronic diarrhoea. Daily brushing is necessary to prevent dead hair from hanging on his limbs and neck, and it also keeps his coat shiny, healthy and beautiful. To complete the care regimen, it is necessary to take him to the vet at least once a year for a general check-up.
poodle
It is one of the dog species that has been a symbol of high social status from the XNUMXth century to the present day, although it is now widely used as one of the guide dog breeds. Known for their curly, shaggy coat, there are several types, the most common being large, medium, and dwarf-sized. Seven centuries ago it was a water retriever because it found previously hunted prey that had fallen into the water, such as ducks and swans.
As for the tallest dog, it is believed to be the original variety from which the others came, thanks to interbreeding to reduce size. The height at the withers varies from 45 to 60 cm. On the other hand, it can be noted that they weigh about 30 kg, while those of medium size are perhaps the least known, and at the same time the quietest. It measures from 36 to 44 cm at the withers and, as in all sizes, only solid colors are accepted in the coat. Additionally, there is the dwarf that measures between 25 to 36 cm and is similar to the medium in its physical appearance.
For health reasons, the eyes and ears should be cleaned frequently. Coat care is essential in this breed, so it should be bathed with dog shampoo monthly. Its care must be very meticulous, since it can easily get tangled due to its curly, woolly and thick mane. They must be brushed every week, in addition, a hair dryer must be used and it should never be exposed to the air. They are dogs that after the main change from puppy to adult almost do not lose hair and are hypoallergenic.
This species of guide dog breeds is characterized by intelligence, affection and loyalty, these are the qualities that describe the personality and character of these dogs. Despite his royal appearance, he has a playful side, enjoys interacting with his owners, is generally very friendly with people, and always likes to please. Combine his legendary intelligence with his sociability and the result is a highly trainable dog, fit to be a guide dog.
Labrador Retriever
Among the breeds of guide dogs, the preference that this animal of British origin has acquired is very common. Although many researchers place its origin in Canada, because one of its direct ancestors was Canadian, another of its ancestors is also believed to be the Castro Laboreiro (Portuguese) dog. But as the breed has spread across Great Britain, it is considered the mother of the Labrador Retriever and is therefore registered in the acts of the Cinological Federation.
This breed of guide dog arrived in England in the second decade of the XNUMXth century. Sailors and hunters crossed this water-loving dog with English collectors of the time. These English had no idea that this future dog was going to be the most popular hunting breed and companion on the planet. In the XNUMXth century, fishermen on the island of Newfoundland used a type of dog to help them with their work. Over time, some of these specimens would find their way to the UK.
On the other hand, it is considered a hunting dog breed due to its instinct and strength. Despite this, today this animal is very loved by people in activities that have nothing to do with the former, for example, being part of the guide dog breeds. In addition, it must be taken into account that a healthy dog must have an adequate diet and stay in shape and not be overweight, to avoid the risk of further developing hip dysplasia or other joint problems and diabetes. Also, the ideal weight for these dogs is between 36 and 46 kg.
Another notable attribute is that they adore people because the more time they spend with them, the happier they will be. Along the same lines, they are cooperative dogs, which will allow you to receive objects thrown into your house. They are often patient with wonderful owners and pets. It is important to know that this is not a guard dog. They may bark to give a warning, but will usually never act more aggressive. In addition, it is the most intelligent and sensitive breed of dog.
They are also easy to train, so the work of the guide dog will become a fun way to share with him. In turn, this breed needs a lot of exercise, which is accentuated because they love to eat. So making sure they receive training, exercise, and care is the key to a happy, healthy, and good-natured dog. It is one of the most useful for people because they are not only pets, but for many people it is essential to their daily life as a service dog.
Boxer
It is one of the breeds of guide and working dogs, originally from Germany and of quite classic dimensions. Its physical characteristics include a strong head with a prognathic mouth at the bottom, whose jaw pressure is usually 120 kg, it has a snout with a characteristic black mask and, in general, a robust body. It has a short, shiny and smooth coat, dark in color and in some cases white spots. The height at the withers is about 60 cm and its average weight is 28 kilograms.
For his bravery, strength and agility, he was chosen as a police dog, used as one of the breeds of guide dogs, as well as being a member of the fire department for his great sense of smell and his bravery in great disasters. He is a loyal, intelligent and vigilant dog, without a doubt one of the most complete dogs that exist. He is meek and has unmatched loyalty to his family, which he will protect from any threat he deems. As they age, these dogs need exercise to stay fit and build muscle. As well as proper nutrition.
Training from an early age is recommended, since these animals usually have a strong personality, making it very difficult to train them in adulthood. They are very playful, so they do not like to be confined, they prefer to be outdoors, so you have to walk them often and do some exercise with them. They are also dogs with a great learning capacity and therefore they are one of the recommended guide dog breeds.
How are guide dog breeds trained?
Basically, the function of these dogs is "to be the eyes of those who do not see", and for this they have to train hard for almost two years. Observer dogs are not normal pets, but they have been trained to play a role. The process begins long before the birth of the animal, purebred puppies are selected in breeding centers. When they are two months old and no longer breastfed, they are properly vaccinated and released to foster homes, where volunteer families care for them.
During this period of time, the supervisors regularly visit the homes and make sure that the animal is treated well and that it has everything it needs. The organization provides them with food and veterinary care, which includes neutering the dog to prevent changes in its behavior. After a year, they already have the ability to learn their tasks and start training, so they return to the foundation and have to get used to sharing their lives with other people.
The foster family can advise on the development of his former pets, visit him and find out who he will gain when he completes his training. The training process is extensive, approximately two years are estimated and although it is difficult, it does not represent suffering for the animal. On the other hand, it can be pointed out that in the event that a dog is very sensitive to environmental stimuli such as noise, other dogs or humans, it will not be selected as an assistance dog.
Guide dog breeds must be able to help their owner to cross public roads, use transport, go through doors, use stairs, avoiding at all times any object that prevents them from advancing along the path. Patience is essential for instructors as there are always some who need more time to learn. When you determine that the dog is ready to begin guiding work, the next step is to find a suitable person for him. Who will be chosen based on the animal, taking into account size, weight, walking speed, initiative, activities, among other aspects.
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