There may be another reason the blind don't work so much with GSDs. I know a man who used to train dogs for the blind, who now trains Malinois for SchH. He stated that it was difficult to find a GSD with the right temperament: AKC dogs were too variable or freaky, and working GSDs from Germany were too "drivey."
Originally posted by WolfLarsen: This is one of the reasons you never see the blind community working with GSDs as much, like you see Goldens and Labs. The reason for this is because when they walk into a place of business insurance companies that insure these places don't allow certain breeds to enter for any reason. I assume there are exceptions for government and police reasons, but I think that's it.
Actually, it is illegal (civil and in some states criminal) for a business to refuse entry to a seeing eye dog, regardless of the breed. Same for an apartment complex refusing to rent to someone with an assitance animal, even if they have a "no pets" policy. Basically, anywhere that the general public can go, any service they can get, is available to someone with an assitance animal. The animals existance doesn't count. The only time a dog can be legally excluded is if it is acting out of control, such as growling at other people, or in some other way disrupting the service being provided, such as barking non-stop during a movie at a theater. There is a pretty good FAQ on the laws at http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/7930/common_q-a.html
So anyone who says the seeing eye foundations aren't using GSD's because of insurance companies isn't being truthful. I know of a number of groups that use GSD's, the ones who don't aren't using them because of temperament and/or health issues, not because if insurance companies.
Two friends were taking a walk with their dogs. One had a Doberman and the other had a Chihuahua. It was a hot day and they were walking for miles so one friend said to the other lets stop there and get a drink. His friend replied we can’t go there it’s a bar and we have nowhere to leave the dogs. The man with the dobie said just follow my lead. He puts on a pair of dark sunglasses and proceeds to the bar. The bouncer stops him and said he can’t bring the dog in. The man said this is my Seeing Eye dog .The bouncer said since when are Doberman used for Seeing Eye dogs. The man tells him that Dobermans are used all the time. Bouncer says ok go in. Now its his friend turn, he puts on the shades and walks up to the bar . Bouncer said you can’t bring the Chihuahua in. Man replies this is my Seeing Eye dog. Bouncer said since when are Chihuahuas Seeing Eye dogs. The man exclaims Chihuahua, Chihuahua that’s what they gave me.
The law reguarding assistance dogs is Federal. It is covered in the ADA. It doesn't have to be a guide dog or hearing dog either. There was a big flap here at a WalMart in Phoenix because the Manager refused entry to an assist dog for an epileptec. Assist dogs are used for many health problems, mobility limitations, and things like epilepsy.
If you can't be a Good Example,then You'll just have to Serve as a Horrible Warning. Catherine Aird.
Your right Richard it does not have to be just a seeing eye dog or hearing dog. There are now victims assistance dogs that are trained in personal protection for rape victims and also panic attack assistance dogs to help calm people when they feel an attack coming on. All these dogs are considered service animals and can NOT be denied access to a public places. There are I/D tags and badges that have the ADA act on the back with picures of the dog and handler. These help in situations such as the Walmart situation you talk about. Walmart are the worst from what I understand.
It seems to me that the AKC and its problem with bititng sports originates in ignorance and gets exponentialy worse with their efforts to ban it. Are there not far more serious problems in the world of dogs than my decision to let my dog bite an individual who volunteers to be subjected to such treatment? Its not a matter of morality or money; it is the inability of some to mind their own business which manifests its self in baseless slander and ridicule. I'm sure there are better uses for the AKCs lobbying and financial power. I'll get off my soap box now.
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