If you’ve been thinking about welcoming a new dog into your home then you’re in good company – Royal Kennel Club (the new name for the UK Kennel Club) stats show that the number of people looking for puppies has surged to record levels.
Dogs come in all shapes, colours and sizes - there are 221 different pedigree dogs recognised by breeders in the UK, from Affenpinscher to Yorkshire Terrier (there are sadly no dog breeds starting with the letter ‘z’!).
So there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your family’s latest four-legged addition – whether you want a large dog, family-friendly dog, or an easy to train dog.
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There is even scientific research to guide you, in particular psychologist Stanley Coren’s groundbreaking book The Intelligence of Dogs.
Choosing the right breed is absolutely essential – for example opting for a small dog if you don’t have much room at home, or a hypoallergenic dog if you suffer from allergies.
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 13 breeds of dog that make the best guide dogs.
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9. Dobermann
The affectionate and obedient Dobermann can be trained to carry out pretty much any task - including being a skilled and dedicated guide dog. | Canva/Getty Images
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10. Vizsla
Vizslas have the usual skillset required for guide dogs - being easy to train, sociable, loyal and obendient. They also have the added benefit of being one of the breeds of dog that need the least amout of grooming - a wipe down with a damp cloth is usually all that's needed. | AFP via Getty Images
11. Flat-Coated Retriever
As should be pretty clear by now, any dog with the word 'retriever' in its breed name is likely to make a decent guide dog. That's again the case with the Flat-Coated Retriever, a cheerful, intelligent and people-oriented breed who are naturally enthusiastic learners a willingness to work that can make them promising guide dog candidates. | kpa/United Archives via Getty Im
12. Labradoodle
Since Labradors and Poodles both make good guide dogs it only stands to reason that the Labradoodle - a cross of the two breeds - also is. | Canva/Getty Images