Aid dogs for the blind.

pooch

This must be completely new for all here. The idea is very close to my heart and I was just wondering if I could pursue this at all. India has the highest blind population per capita and that as anyone's guess might be is a really large figure. Surprisingly there is a huge commercial market for pets here but no dogs bred as companions, in fact most dogs are touted as watchdogs.
I am looking at some place like Ooty or elsewhere with temperate climate to breed dogs non commercially for blind people. Since retrievers (labrador and golden) are the best suited I can't set this up in a warm-humid-hot place. It's impossible (I tried this in Bangalore) to find Indian volunteers in numbers since they all need to make a living after all and can't spare time towards this , at least not on a long term basis. The ones who can afford the time and don't need the money can't bother with dogs not their own.
I was just wondering, bear in mind this idea's is still in it's infancy and a completely non commercial one, ie. I would expect the ones who can afford to donate something to donate for the puppy/dog they take home but I intend to give away trained dogs free to those who cannot afford to offer anything. Ok I was wondering since many of you travel to India, some more than once in your lifetime, if it would be worth your while if you were given accomodation (perhaps boarding too) for say a month at the least , to spend your time volunteering at such a place.

Note :I have a retriever and a boxer, both from champion bloodlines and IMHO very capable of being bred for this purpose, I have consulted vets and trainers on this and they agree.
Also the idea of guide dogs is very new in India. Some time back there was this article on this Finnish guy who couldn't take his guide dog anywhere he wanted to since they wouldn't allow his dog in.

cyberhippie

Should you get this of the ground pooch we would be more than happy to give you some of our time!!
We are both dog lovers although my wife is the knowledgable one about things canine!!
And may I say what a brilliant idea!!!!
One thing though, do they really have to be pedigree for the whole training thing as pedigree dogs don't do to well in India we've heard, cut about a third off their lifespan and you'll see what I'm talking about.
Could your average beach/stray dog (who are really smart believe me!) be trained to perform the same function if you got them young enough!!!!????
That would be killing two birds with one stone!!! These dogs are a lot more rugged than your average pedigree and less susceptable to the heat desease etc!! And they're free, to be had anywhere!!!!

pooch

No, they don't really have to be pedigree , just that a particular breed is more predictable and the bloodline after. No argument on strays being smart, in fact I'd reckon they're smarter than a thoroughbred but that springs a dilemma, how likely is the average Indian to care and look after a stray opposed to a pedigree ? I'll have to consult a trainer on this and see if it is possible to preserve characteristics of a stray in it's bloodline. I adopted a badly wounded stray once, apparently a very pissed off Muslim gentleman couldn't take this dog wandering into his front yard anymore and supposedly chopped off it's ankle but she did the disappearing act, I still wonder how she managed wriggling out between the bars of the gate. So I really don't know how inclined strays are by nature to stay indoors or have a master.

Elena

Hello,
I had a similar idea but instead of guide dogs ,assistance dogs which i have experience in training. However, I suggested this to a home for people with a disability and I was shot down, because of the stigma attached to dogs in general. If you get it up and running I would love to help out! I'm going to india in a few weeks so will keep the idea in mind and maybe try to gather a bit of info.