A dog is a friend of man. For many, this animal has become not just a friend, but even a member of the family. But for some, dogs are a necessity. We are talking about guide dogs.
Looking into the past, you can find out that the first schools for training animals, subsequently helping people who are blind or visually impaired, appeared in Germany during the First World War. Specially trained tetrapods became faithful helpers for veterans who lost their sight due to wounds on the battlefield and helped to search for the wounded. And later, such animals became constant attendants, which facilitated the owners to move outdoors, on busy streets, thereby protecting them from injuries. Mention is also made of earlier attempts to train dogs as guide dogs.
Today, there are quite a lot of specialized schools for dogs around the world. But not every breed can be accepted in them. So, for example, Chow Chow or Pekingese are unlikely to ever be enlisted in the ranks of guide dogs. They, like the Afghan hound and mastiff, along with the English bulldog, have a very low level of intelligence, and the title of "smartest breed of dogs" will always bypass them. Representatives of these breeds are best wound up simply for the soul.
Pugs and French bulldogs, as well as bobtails, St. Bernards, Maltese lapdogs and scotch terriers, were awarded a little greater training abilities. To memorize new commands, they need to hear them at least fifty times. Such data will not please any trainer, especially if he is an employee of a specialized dog school. The main goal of such institutions is to train the maximum number of animals in a minimum of time. But in the pursuit of quantity, in no case should quality suffer, so even the most intelligent breed of dogs will undergo the strictest selection and will be surrounded by close attention.
The most common breeds trained to help people with disabilities are the German Shepherd, Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever . Surprisingly, the smartest breed of dogs, which is considered a border collie, is almost never found among guide dogs. The reason for this, of course, was her too energetic character. To be a reliable assistant to its owner, the animal must have a stable psyche, be extremely attentive to all the little things, listen and catch any changes in the state of the ward person. Undoubtedly, smart dog breeds take part in training, but, nevertheless, one of the main keys to successful training is the early start of classes. The puppy must get used to certain conditions from a very young age. From the first days he needs to feel the responsibility that will accompany him all his life, because guide dogs are selected individuals. At about the age of six months, the little doggie first gets to know his master and continues his studies with him.
Thus, the future assistant will be able to begin to adapt to the specific lifestyle and behavior of a person who needs a guide dog. Together with their pets, the hosts are trained. By the way, it does not matter whether this is children or elderly people, the essence remains unchanged - the owner himself raises a true friend. Dog handlers and trainers present at the school carefully monitor the regime and take an active part in the life of both dogs and people with disabilities.
In any case, it doesn't matter what the smartest breed of dog is. The main thing is that the learning outcome is really useful for people with disabilities.