Guide Dog Breeds List Best Guide Dog Breeds for Deaf People Best Guide Dog Breeds for Blind People Seeing Eye Dogs
While Guide dogs can cost their owners thousands of dollars to train - Guide dogs play a vital role in the lives of their handlers! Beyond providing companionship, they give their owners the independence they need to live normal and productive lives. However, not all dog breeds make suitable guide dogs.
Guide Dog Facts
Guide Dogs Are Carefully Paired With Handlers.
The Pairing Process Does not End There.
Certain Breeds Are Commonly Used.
Training and Socializing Start Young for Guide Dogs.
A Guide Dog Takes Directional Cues From Their Handler.
It is Important Not to Pet Guide Dogs That Are Working.
Guide Dogs Can Change Handlers' Lives.
What Do Guide Dogs Do?
The primary roles of guide dogs include:
Navigation Assistance: Guide dogs help visually impaired individuals navigate various environments, including streets, public transportation, and buildings, by avoiding obstacles, stopping at curbs, and guiding them safely across intersections.
Safety: These dogs are trained to perform "intelligent disobedience," meaning they can disobey commands that might lead their handler into danger, such as walking into traffic or unsafe areas.
Companionship and Emotional Support: Beyond their functional roles, guide dogs provide emotional support and companionship, helping to reduce feelings of isolation and increasing the confidence and independence of their handlers.
Independence: By assisting with daily tasks and navigation, guide dogs enable visually impaired individuals to lead more independent lives, engaging in activities they might otherwise find challenging or inaccessible.
What Makes a Good Guide Dog?
Height Interestingly enough, one of the primary traits of a guide dog is its height. Guide dogs have to stand at a specific height so a person can hold onto them with their arm outstretched. If dogs are too short, people will have to hunch to grip their dogs properly. If they are too large, a person will have to hold their arm up, which can be tiring. A guide dog has to be the perfect height for someone to hold onto them for long periods of time without getting sore or tiring out. That disqualifies many dogs based on size alone. Height is the reason why dogs like Labs, Goldens, and Poodles are prized. They all stand about the same height and are the ideal size to serve as guide dogs.
Temperament Guide dogs also have to show a calm temperament. Guide dogs have to be in complicated situations with strangers around. They have to be calm around cars, strangers, unpredictable noises, and in unfamiliar places. Dogs that suffer from anxiety or fear or show signs of aggression cannot be placed as guide dogs. Guide dogs can never bite anyone or cause a public disturbance. For that reason, dogs are screened during training for the proper temperament. Dogs like Boxers, Poodles, and Labradoodles are chosen because they are friendly and calm and rarely show signs of aggression toward people, even in stressful situations.
Intelligence Guide dogs have to show some level of intelligence. Guide dog training is robust, and dogs need to have the mental capacity to learn a series of complex commands and show heightened situational awareness. Not all dogs are capable of this type of behavior. It is no surprise that dogs like Border Collies, Poodles, and Shepherds are on this list. They are also some of the most intelligent dog breeds in the world. The type of intelligence that is prized includes trainability, eagerness to do a job, and the ability to retain specific information for long periods of time.
Labrador Retriever Labrador Retriever is the perfect dog for the job. They are easy to train, and easily adapt to life with a close relationship to humans. Their sporting history, also helps them be strong workers, with great stamina. A well-trained Labrador guide dog can help its owner navigate busy streets, and in and around store. This allows the owners to gain mobility impossible without a guide dog. Another important characteristic of the Labrador breed is their instinctiveness when it comes to danger, which is crucial for the owners that rely on their guide dogs for mobility outside of the home. Guide Dogs go through a formal training process, specifically designed to prepare them for their life as a guide dog. Each dog is trained for a specific person, and their needs, which makes them highly valuable to the prospective owner. Guide dogs are also thought to not only follow commands, but to also disobey them if it is going to put the owner in danger. Due to this difficult and complicated training process, those who want a guide dog, usually have to wait a long time in order to get access to a guide dog.
Flat Coat Retriever Eight guide dogs and 34 years later, a handler contemplated her experiences with four Labs, two Goldens, one Shepherd, and one Flat-coat Retriever. "My Flat Coat solved problems by coming to a full stop. Sometimes he would just stand there, and I could feel his head moving. People said that he looked like he was weighing all the possibilities. Then he would make his decision. And in nine years of partnership, he never made a mistake."
Australian Shepherd The Australian Shepherd is another breeds whose history as a herding dog makes them a natural fit for guide dog duties. They are a particularly good choice for blind or partially sighted people who are very active. Australian Shepherds are a brilliant and easy-to-train breed. These traits, their eagerness to please their owner, and their natural protective tendencies make them fantastic guide dogs. This breed thrives on human companionship and forms intense and devoted bonds with their humans. Like Border Collies, Aussies have a fair amount of energy, so they are best for active folks.
Golden Retriever Golden Retrievers are naturally intelligent and alert dogs, traits necessary for a successful guide dog. They have a quick response time, a high level of obedience, and unparalleled loyalty, which further solidify their ability to do service work. Golden Retrievers have an innate need to please their owners, which comes in handy when it is time to train them to be guide dogs. The Golden Retriever is loved for many reasons, one of which is their ability to take control. Goldens have the benefit of being both recognizable and friendly, but also a good worker when given a job. While Goldens can be fairly high energy, they are just as happy to enjoy a quiet evening at home if they have undergone proper training.
Border Collie Border Collies are generally considered the most intelligent dog breed. They are more usually used as a herding dog, but they are also perfectly capable of guiding humans - although their high energy levels can prove problematic. Collies are exceptionally aware of their surroundings and can be super resourceful. Collies are alert and quick to please their owner, but be sure to give them an outlet for their enthusiasm and energy! Though they are traditionally used to herd sheep and other farm animals, their intelligence, adaptability, and trainability help them excel at various tasks and jobs. These dogs have infinite energy, however, and are best suited for handlers with active lifestyles. Border Collies make fantastic guide dogs for the blind and visually impaired because of their stamina and strong work ethic. They are adept at remaining focused and acting as the eyes of their handler. With training, Border Collies can perform complex tasks alongside their handlers such as crossing streets, boarding public transportation, and safely navigating other potentially dangerous obstacles.
Standard Poodle Poodles are not only smart, they are eager to please and quick to learn! Poodles stand tall, proud, and are very reliable once they have a job to do. The problem with Poodles as guide dogs lies with the public, not the pooch. Poodles appear much more approachable than a German Shepherd, and people often mistake it for a pet rather than a service dog. This can be distracting, so be sure to teach your pal what it means to be on and off duty! They make great guide dogs thanks to their intelligence, problem-solving skills, and adaptability. Additionally, this breed is generally easy to handle, gentle, and calm, which can make them ideal for folks wary of bigger dogs. Poodles are used in situations where a person might be allergic to dog fur or are uncomfortable with the level of shedding that a German Shepherd or Golden Retriever produces.
Boxer
Boxers were initially developed to work as hunting and guard dogs, and they retain much of this loyalty and protective nature to this day. This breed's natural attachment toward their humans, combined with their high intelligence, makes them excellent service dogs. Additionally, Boxers are pretty trainable and have immense patience, traits they can easily apply to guide dog work. Boxer dogs love to work and are never happier than when they have a task to get their teeth into. They take slightly more training to become guide dogs, but will then form a bond with thier owner that will be unbreakable. The big Boxer is always there to save the day when it is needed most. Not only are boxers adorable, they are loyal, patient, and love to work. Once they have formed a strong bond with their owner, there is just about nothing that can break their devotion. Training needs to be consistent and owners need to display confidence for a Boxer to be best trained.
Airedale Terrier Airedale Terriers were originally bred to be versatile hunting and farm dogs but have since found work in the police force, military, and as guide dogs. This is a confident, bold, and loyal dog breed. They are eager, tireless, and wholly devoted to their families, all traits that can make them fantastic guide dogs. They combine the scrappy enthusiasm typically seen in terrier breeds with a larger dog's trainability and intelligence. Also called the King of the Terriers because it is the largest Terrier of all, the Airedale has a long working history in roles like a hunter for nobility and sniffing dogs for law enforcement. They have a scrappy terrier enthusiasm combined with a larger dog's intelligence and trainability—the perfect traits for a guide dog.
Collie Collies can make fantastic guide dogs, though they’re not used as often for this purpose as they once were. They can be very confident, focused, easy-going, and friendly. Collies may be less biddable than other common guide dog breeds, but that does not mean they are untrainable. They may just require extra work and consistency.
Doberman Pinscher The affectionate and obedient Dobermann can be trained to carry out pretty much any task, including being a skilled and dedicated guide dog. While not often thought of as guide dogs, Doberman Pinschers have been used more often recently. This is an energetic, alert, and loyal dog breed with a long history of acting as a working dog. These hardworking pups are brilliant and easily trainable. Remaining hyper-focused on their handler comes naturally to them. This powerhouse breed combines physical strength, alertness, and affection to offer their handlers a well-rounded guide dog that can learn and obey commands quickly and reliably.
German Shepherd The German Shepherd is a working dog breed initially developed for herding sheep. These loyal and friendly dogs have been used in many other work endeavors, including search-and-rescue, police work, and, of course, serving as guide dogs. They do well in these roles as they are very self-assured with an eagerness and willingness to learn and serve a purpose. German Shepherds can be very protective and devoted toward their humans, further adding to their suitability for guide dog work. German Shepherd pride themselves on their devotion and adaptability. Their high intelligence and good intuition makes them great guide dogs, but they need lots of exercise before they can chill out! While they are working dogs and learn quickly, German Shepherds do best with an active owner and experienced training.
Chesapeake Bay Retriever The Chesapeake Bay Retriever has the perfect disposition for a guide dog, thanks to their bright, happy, and affectionate nature. They are not only brilliant and trainable but fantastic, loyal companions, too. These pups were initially bred as gundogs to help hunters retrieve waterfowl and pull fishing nets, so the working dog DNA coursing through their veins ensures they thrive in the role of a guide dog. Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are friendly, loyal, hardworking, and intelligent. They are the right size and have the right temperament to become full-fledged service dogs. Chesapeake Bay Retrievers were originally bred as working dogs, so they really enjoy having a task and sticking to it. These dogs are quite energetic, so they might need more exercise or stimulation than other breeds on this list.
Vizsla Vizslas have the usual skillset required for guide dogs - being easy to train, sociable, loyal and obendient. They also have the added benefit of being one of the breeds of dog that need the least amout of grooming - a wipe down with a damp cloth is usually all that's needed. Vizslas are easy to train, kind, obedient, and obedient. Add that to a list of super easy grooming requirements and you have yourself an all around beauty! Vizslas love to exercise and work, so with enough activity to allow them to focus, they make an excellent guide dog. Slim and muscular, they are sure to be a true showstopper as they guide you around town.
Golden Lab (Goldador) Not all guide dogs are purebred. Some guide dogs are mixes that are carefully selected for desirable traits. Some guide dog trainers have claimed that Golden Labs or Goldadors are some of the best dogs they have ever worked with. Golden Labs are a mixture between a Golden Retriever and a Labrador. Goldens and Labs are two of the most common breeds used as guide dogs, so it is no surprise that a Golden Lab is also an excellent choice. Golden Labs are intelligent, large, and eager to please, which makes them ideal candidates for guide dog training.
Labradoodle Labradoodles are another mixed breed that can be trained to be guide dogs. Labradoodles take the intelligence of a Poodle and the eagerness of a Labrador and combine them into one excellent package. They are also less allergenic and shed less than a typical Labrador, which is great for people who have allergies. Labradoodles are smart, hardworking, and loving. Like the Golden Lab, these dogs prove that some mixed breeds can be just as well trained and successful as purebred dogs when it comes to becoming a working guide dog.
Shiba Inu Although less common, there are examples of Shiba Inus being trained as guide dogs. The Shiba Inu has a courageous, independent and alert personality, as well as being very intelligent and adaptable.
Samoyed Samoyeds are dependable, sturdy dogs that crave companionship. They enjoy plenty of exercise and are skilled at strength-based dog sports such as pulling sleds. Because of their heavy, fluffy coats, this service dog breed does especially well in the cold. Samoyeds additionally make great mobility service dogs due to their large size and pleasing nature. Mobility service dogs assist individuals with physical impairments, disorders, or disabilities that affect their movement, such as Muscular Dystrophy and Cerebral Palsy. These pups are often trained to physically brace against their handlers, which is why the Samoyed's size and power is so significant. For handlers in wheelchairs, Samoyeds can also train to retrieve objects, open doors, turn lights on and off, and aid in wheelchair transfers.
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