A huge number of us decided to welcome new puppies into our homes in the last couple of years – Kennel Club figures show dog ownership soared when the pandemic hit and post-lockdown demand for four-legged friends remains high.
There are a whopping 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, alongside numerous crossbreeds, so there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your family’s latest addition.
For those who are blind or partially sighted, a dog isn’t just a pet – they can provide a level of independence and mobility that would otherwise be impossible.
As well as helping their owner get around, guide dogs offer positive psychological, social and physiological effects, giving a blind or partially sighted person confidence, friendship and security. It can truly be life-changing.
Only a select few breeds have the intelligence, patience and good nature required to carry out the complex job.
So, here are the 10 breeds of dog that make the best guide dogs.
Read more:
5. Border Collie
We're now getting to the less common guide dog breeds. Border Collies are more usually used as a herding dog, but they are also perfectly capable of guiding humans - although their high energy levels can prove problematic. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
6. German Shepherd
The same attributes that make German Shepherds valued army, police and service dogs - intelligence, loyalty and adaptibility - means that they are a perfect partner for blind or partially sighted people. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
7. Chesapeake Bay Retrievers
They may not be as popular as their Golden and Labarador cousins, but the Intelligent and sociable Chesapeake Bay Retriever can make for an equally fine guide dog. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
8. Boxer
Boxer dogs love to work and are never happier than when they have a task to get their teeth into. They take slightly more training to become guide dogs, but will then form a bond with thier owner that will be unbreakable. Photo: Canva/Getty Images