Dogs for Leading the Blind

New Zealand Listener, Volume 4, Issue 94, 10 April 1941, Page 5

Dogs for Leading the Blind

N England, there is an association known as Guide Dogs for the Blind Association. The dog used for training to lead the blind is the Alsatian. This exceptionally intelligent breed of dog shows special aptitude for this type of work. Some two or three years ago, a broadcast appeal was made by the BBC for funds to assist in training Alsatians. This resulted in realising more than £750, enough to train nine dogs, for it costs about £80 to train each dog. When trained, they are absolutely reliable. A blind person can be lead about in perfect safety, throfigh crowds

and traffic. These fine dogs are trained with the utmost kindness. The trainer who commences the training, goes through to the end, No one is allowed to take over his work. Generally, after two or three months intensive training, the dog is ready for his job, and then it takes four to six weeks for the dog and the blind person to become accustomed to each other. The Alsatian is exceedingly

ss sensitive, and has wonderful hearing. Words of ¢ mand are never shouted at him. The dog becomes very conscious of his duty, and develops a sort of understanding of traffic signals. A close attachment grows up between the dog and his blind friend, and they stick together through thick and thin. In one Continental city, there are about 180 of these dogs specially bred and trained for leading blind persons about the streets-("Dog Guides and Guards,’ by Mrs. A. A. Spence-Clark, 3Y A, March 14),