[NAGDU] schools giving Shepherds to first time handlers..

[Al Sten-Clanton]

I've not had a shepherd, at least, not yet.  My first class was in 1979, 
and several first-timers in that class got shepherds.  My last was in 
2018, and I don't remember if any of its first-timers got shepherds.


Al


On 5/15/23 14:54, Susan Jones via NAGDU wrote:
> I got a Shepherd as my first dog back in 1969.
> My second dog was a Lab, and I knew right away I much preferred a Lab.
> However, back in 1969, most guide dogs were Shepherds, and many people
> opined that Shepherds were the only respectable guides.
>
> Susan & Topher
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Madison Martin via NAGDU
> Sent: Monday, May 15, 2023 2:26 PM
> To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
> Cc: madison.martin2000 at outlook.com
> Subject: [NAGDU] schools giving Shepherds to first time handlers..
>
> Hi all,
> I was telling my O&M instructor the other day about meeting a lady with a
> German Shepherd guide dog and I told him that I don't think I'd want a
> Shepherd as I don't want people to be afraid of my guide (I know they aren't
> aggressive but still not everyone would know that and I don't want people to
> be scared of my guide which is also why I don't want a Doberman) and also I
> know that sometimes they need a firmer hand then a Retriever though I know
> every dog's personality is different but I don't think I have the ability to
> handle one successfully. He said that schools don't give Shepherds to first
> time handlers; so I'm just curious with the exception of Fedelco since they
> only train Shepherds is this generally true or is it a case-by-case thing?
> Just curious as if it's generally true then I wouldn't have to exclude
> schools simply because they train Shepherds but if it's a case-by-case thing
> then I may have to exclude schools that do train them so that if I were to
> get excepted I wouldn't be worrying about whether or not I'd be matched with
> a Shepherd as I know for a fact that I'd worry about it (I know that I could
> tell them that I don't want a Shepherd but I know that the pickier you are
> about what you do/don't want in a dog the longer it'll take/the harder it'll
> be to find a suitable match). I'm not currently applying to anywhere; I'm
> simply asking out of shere curiosity. Look forward to reading peoples'
> thoughts/hearing about their experiences!!!! Thanks Madison
>   
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