A stable genetic disposition is a must when choosing puppies to be trained as guide dogs. Furthermore, choosing the mother and father dog is an important first step in order to breed suitable puppies for this important and difficult job. Piroska Komondi, professional leader at our foundation writes about how the International Guide Dog Federation (IDGF) and its member organisations are offering support and opportunities in various fields of guide dog training.

Guide dog schools situated in neighbouring countries – which are also members of the IGDF – and our foundation have established a closer network of cooperation recently. We started a joined breeding programme, through which we share not only information, but swap breeding dogs and sometimes puppies as well. As a part of this cooperation, we share a database containing medical information and the results of behaviour tests of our dogs.

Our guide dog trainees go through several testing phases but one of the most important one is done at the age 12-16 months, before the actual guide dog training begins. This test is called GD Bart and it was designed by an Australian professor especially for testing guide dogs. All its components are designed to decide whether a dog will be suitable as an assistance (working) dog. The main idea behind the test is that the dog has to face various situations in a specific order and for a set amount of time. The impulses that the dog experiences and his/her responses are then recorded and analysed in great detail. Carrying out this standardised test means that the results can be compared with other test results, carried out anywhere else in the world.

As part of the GD Bart test, the dog has to cooperate with somebody unknown in a new environment, while being triggered by various impulses. When analysing the results, we evaluate how quickly does the dog adjust to these changes, what is his/her response to some of these triggers and how sensitive he/she is to unexpected events. We also check that if the dog does get disturbed by these triggers, how long does it take for he/she to calm down and be ready to work again. As part of the test we are able to check a dog’s characteristics that will be passed on as his/her genetic inheritance: ability to deal with stress and noise; being scared of strangers, other dogs or strange objects; aggressive behaviour; body sensitivity; harness sensitivity; vertigo; being scared of stepping on weird surfaces like a grate; obedience and respect for rules.

Evaluating the results of such tests allows us to pair dogs as part of our breeding programme that will be a better match in order for their puppies to be suitable candidates for guide dog training. A calm dog with a stable nervous system is better suited for the job of a guide dog; he/she can handle the stress of various impulses and triggers every day much better and thus live a healthy and long life as a working dog helping his/her human.