Guide Dogs

Guide dogs are generally, of three breeds: Golden Retrievers, Labrador and German Shepherds. These particular dogs have proven equally success as guide dogs because they meet the three basic requirements of willingness, health and temperament. The three breeds also provide an ample variety of sizes to ensure proper matching with the blind master. Other breeds that have also been used in the guide dog program are the Australian Shepherd, Doberman, and the Golden Retriever/Labrador mix.

The Guide Dog does not know where to go. The Blind individual directs it to where he or she wants to go. Dogs are colour blind and can not read traffic signals. It is the responsibility of the human member of the team to listen for the movement of traffic and other sounds in the environment to determine whether it is safe to proceed. If the guide dog judges that it is unsafe, it may refuse the command. This is called "intelligent disobedience".

A blind individual accompanied by a guide dog can go anywhere where the general public can, subject to the applicable law of that country.

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