Definition of guide dog

The term "guide dog" originated in the early 20th century to describe specially trained dogs that assist blind or visually impaired individuals. The concept of using dogs to guide the blind in this way was pioneered by German physiologist Dr. Gerhard Hefern, who began experimenting with the idea in the 1910s. However, it was a Briton, Morris Frank, who is credited with popularizing the practice. In 1927, Frank, who was blinded in a climbing accident at the age of 18, came across a tired and hungry dog named Buddy, who seemed to instinctively help Frank navigate. Frank recognized the potential promise of this newfound companion and started training Buddy to become his guide dog. After Buddy became an acclaimed success, Frank founded the first guide dog school for the blind in Switzerland, with the help of Dr. Hefern. The use of dogs to guide blind individuals soon became a popular concept, and the term "guide dog" was coined in the 1930s. Over time, organizations dedicated to breeding, training, and placing guide dogs became common, and they began to develop breeding programs for specific types of dogs, such as Labrador Retrievers or German Shepherds, to ensure that they possessed the ideal qualities for guide work. Today, guide dogs continue to be an invaluable resource for individuals with visual impairments, providing independence, mobility, and companionship. The term "guide dog" has become a universally recognized term used to describe these trained and specially bred dogs that so dictionary. When working, guide dogs wear a distinctive harness to signal to others that they are working and should be treated as the blind individual’s eyes.