Trogun Australian Shepherds

New breed for Guide Dog Services

Photo Caption: Melinda Dawson, Breeding Services
Manager (GDS) with four of the Australian Sheperds.

Four of the puppies, tri-coloured Wilbur and Windana and blue-merle-coloured Xana and Xenia, were born in late February.

In late April, Guide Dog Services got to grips with some very special new visitors - five Australian Shepherd puppies.

Ian Cox, general manager Guide Dog Services, saw the Australian Shepherds whilst visiting South Eastern Guide Dogs in Florida, USA.

"I was amazed at the dogs' long working life and their other positive features that make them manageable for their owners and acceptable to the public", says Mr Cox. "This is the first time we have introduced them in New Zealand."

Mr Cox says that usually guide dogs work until they are about 10 years old. The Australian Shepherds, however, can work until they are 14 years old, which adds about 20 to 30 per cent more time to the dog's relationship with its owner.

Added to that, says Mr Cox, is the knowledge from consultations that blind and sight impaired people like having a choice of dog breeds. "Having the Australian Shepherds adds another breed to the 22 breeds and purpose-bred cross-breeds of guide dog already working in NZ," he says.

Guide Dog Services were delighted to find a local breeder, Colleen Pitt from Bombay, who supplied the puppies to train as potential guide dogs.

"We are most grateful for her support," says General Manager, Ian Cox.

Wilbur and Xenia headed for puppy walkers in Tasmania, Australia, at the end of April. Windana and Xana are both being puppy walked in Auckland. The fifth, tri-coloured Paddie, is almost six months older and is being puppy-walked in the central North Island.

"So far, all the puppies are responsive to socialisation," says Paula Lee, Puppy Development Manager, Guide Dog Services, "and are progressing as well as would be expected for their age and maturity. They are people-orientated dogs and very intelligent so one of our biggest challenges will be keeping their minds busy so they don't get bored. It's going to be an interesting two years, as we see how this breed develops and responds to guide dog training.