 |
The other breeds trained at Paris school
For many years the guide dog image was closely linked to the German Shepherd. This was mainly because of his stature, his size, his intelligence and the notion of safety the breed portrayed. Furthermore, the first efforts to help the visually impaired began in Germany.
In time the training evolved and other breeds were sought that were more robust and less dominant. This, at a time when the German Shepherd market had become very commercial and less stress was laid on quality. The dogs were not healthy and it became more and more difficult to find dogs with stable characters and no physical defects.
Lead by the Anglo-Saxons the schools turned to the Labrador which has now replaced the German Shepherd as a guide dog in the eyes of the public. |
 |
Even though the Labrador is the breed most frequently used, related breeds like the Golden Retriever and the Flat-coated Retriever have also been employed. Labradors have also been crossed with Golden Retrievers.
Other breeds that are being used are the Swiss Shepherd, the German Shepherd, the Border Collie and sometimes the Barbet (non-shedding variety).
Labradors, Golden Retrievers and dogs bred from crossing these two breeds make up 40% of the dogs trained at the Paris school, the Flat-Coated Retriever 30%, the Swiss Shepherd 10% and the Hovawart 10%.
As for the «dog robot»
that the Japanese have begun marketing, it has, as yet, not been tested in France. To what extent it will become a guide dog is thus not yet known. The advantages are, however, obvious: minimal costs, no health problems, no shedding!
To know more about other breeds
|
