Q & A
What dog breeds are used for Guide Dogs?
In Australia mainly Labradors and Golden Retrievers are used. These breeds are chosen for their intelligence, friendly, willing temperaments and range of sizes.
Can I pat a Guide Dog?
No. If a Guide Dog is wearing a harness it is working. Even if the dog is sitting or lying down it is important not to pat or talk to the dog.
If you pat a Guide Dog it might not be able to concentrate on keeping the blind person safe.
Feel free to talk to the person using the Guide Dog.
Can the Guide Dog go into cafes and on trains?
Yes. When someone who has a Guide Dog wants to go into a restaurant or travel on a bus, plane, taxi or train, their Guide Dog can be with them. It is against the law to ask someone to leave a public place because of their Guide Dog.
Are all people who have Guide Dogs totally blind?
No. Some people are, but others do see shapes, colours or may have tunnel vision.
A person's vision can vary day to day depending on factors such as their health, the lighting or their stress levels.
How does a Guide Dog work?
Guide Dogs wear a harness which has a handle. The blind person holds the handle and asks the dog to follow different commands such as "forward", "stop", "find the bus" and "find the seat".
If the Guide Dog comes to a kerb or steps, it stops, which lets the person know they have come to an obstacle. If the person is walking towards something they might bump into, the dog guides them around the obstacle.
What happens when the Guide Dog retires from working?
The dog can stay with the person they have been guiding, or they might go and live with friends or family of the person they have been guiding.