For those who are blind or visually impaired, a dog isn’t just a companion animal – they can provide a level of independence and mobility that would otherwise be impossible. In addition to helping their owner get around, guide dogs provide positive psychological, social, and physiological effects, giving a blind or visually impaired person confidence, friendship, and security. It can really be life changing.
Many of us have decided to welcome new puppies into our homes over the past two years – Kennel Club figures show dog ownership soared nearly 8% when the pandemic hit and post-lockdown demand for four-legged friends remains high.
There are 221 different purebred dog breeds to choose from, as well as plenty of crossbreeds, so there’s a lot of thought to go into before selecting the latest addition to your family.
Only a select few breeds have the intelligence, patience, and good nature to carry out this intricate work. Here are the 10 dog breeds that make the best guide dogs.
Labrador Retrievers are the most popular dog in the world and they have all the attributes required to make the best guide dogs on the planet as well. There are several thousand working in the UK alone.
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What is true of the Labrador Retriever tends to be true of its close cousin the Golden Retriever as well. This includes that they make excellent guide dogs, dedicated to their owner with a loving and relaxed personality.
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The same attributes that make German Shepherds popular army, police and assistance dogs – intelligence, loyalty and adaptability – mean they are an ideal partner for people who are blind or have low vision.
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Poodles may be better known as show dogs, but they are one of the smartest dogs on the planet, as well as being very reliable, a perfect combination for a guide dog. The standard size of the poodle, rather than the toy or miniature, is preferred.
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