Category: Animal House
Hello everyone.
I would need some guide dogs school either in the united states or Canada that gives hypo-alergic dogs.
I would rather go toward a poodle or something alike because I'm more alergic to short hair dogs then long hair dogs. But long hair dogs are a problem too.
I'm currently with the Mira Foundation http://www.mira.ca/ which is a quite good school but less and less personnal and close to their people.
I have had guide dogs for more then 13 years now and I quite know what I want. So, I would like to know if you could tell me about guide dogs school.
I currently have a bernese mountain dog as a guide. She's a very good dog and the temper of that breed is excellent. But, unfortunately, she's a very big fluffy hair dog and I cdon,t think I will be able to keep her for long.
Thank you.
Hello,
There is a school in the United States, in Columbus, Ohio, called Pilot Dogs, and they train Standard Poodles to become guide dogs. I know there's a lot of people out there, who put down the school, but, I, personally, got a fantastic dog from there, back in 97. I couldn't have asked for a better dog. Maybe the school has changed over the years, but from my own experience, it was great. I knew a girl from high school, who had asthma, and she needed to have a dog that didn't have long hair, and fortunately, she was compatible with the Standard Poodle. It seemed to work out good for her.
I think the seeing eye trains boxers for people that are alergic to dog hair.
Boxers have very short hair so would NOT be suitable here
all the guide dog schools can occodate allergies, I am going to southeastern guide dogs feb 19th.
If I'm not mistaken, most dog-related allergies have to do with shedding. Since boxers have shorter hair and a single coat, they shed less/not at all, so might be a viable option. As mentioned, the seeing eye trains a small amount of boxers for this reason. Guide Dog Foundation in Smithtown, New York trains lab/poodle crosses who do not shed. They might train standard poodles as well, I'm not sure. I've known several good dogs who came from GDF. I don't know much about Pilot Dogs in Ohio, but the things that Ihave heard kind of make me cringe. I'd suggest contacting the schools or visiting their websites. Most schools have a breakdown of the breeds they use on their websites, and are more than willing to accomodate your needs regarding allergies.
I definitely suggest you do your research. Each school is different, and all have both good and bad. I honestly wouldn't go to a particular school based on the opinions of other people. I'd definitely check out web sites, and definitely visit schools, if it's possible.
all of the schools are good. smile.
Someone told me years ago poodles are the ideal dog for those with allergies as apparently they don't shed. I've never had one, but standard poodles are large, & I don't know about any tempermental quirks, so they probably make good guide dogs. The academy I am familiar with in Sarasota, FL at the time I was there only used six breeds: German Shepards, Doberman, Golden Retriever, Laborador Retriever, Hvizdala, and Australian Shepard, but things probably have changed since then.
Hmm I thought the Florida school did poodles also, but then again I'm a cane user.
I did know a couple people who taught there, and although I don't know much about dog guides, I found these people to be quite attentive. They had new ones they were training, but the dog was so obedient and quiet I didn't know it was in the room with us.
labradoodles are actually preferred as guides over standard poodles because of temperament. many have the more laid back nature of labs combined with the hypoallergenic pluses of poodles. in fact, back in the 80s, the labradoodle was developed in australia for guiding people with dog allergies. the problem with dogs is also the dander in the fur. although they are short haired, many boxers are high producers of dander. they also have to have a very firm hand in training.
I'd heard that BOxers were used as gides in some areas but I wasn't sure how true that was.My folks have a Boer named Kaley and she's just about one of the sweetest dogs I've ever met. If they could have gotten to her as a puppy I'm sure she could have made a good guide.
LP's do shed--I had one as a guide from GDf, so I would know I suppose. <smile>
GDF does train some dogs for alergenic people, though.
Take care,
Shanda