they do have Labs, because that's where Rosa got her dog....she wanted a black lab so the dog hairs would not show as much on her black clothing....I told her what difference did it make..'You're Blind'...lol...she said she didn 't want other people to see the damn hairs...understanding women is NOT my stong suit....lol...Blumen Junge ----- Original Message ----- From: "Carolyn Martello" <marhaven@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: edwinx@xxxxxxxxxxx, zrockenstein@xxxxxxxxx Cc: showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Tuesday, December 20, 2011 9:15:46 PM Subject: Re:Guide Dogs for the blind San Rafael used to use German Shepherd Dogs from breeders and did really well with them. We donated three and they all were graduated as Guide Dogs....and almost all the dogs were German Shepherd Dogs the times we went down to watch our own graduate with their new owners. Then things changed and they begin to try to breed their own when there was a Personnel change. I went back with a friend a few years later with the Lab she was raising for them.  We strolled around the kennel and I was appalled at the quality and temperament of the German Shepherds I saw there at that time from their own breeding program. A few years later they quit using German Shepherd Dogs altogether.......and began to utilize only Golden Retrievers.......and that is pretty much where they are now .......last time I checked.......   Carolyn   marhaven@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx www.Marhaven.com   ----- Original Message ----- From: edwinx@xxxxxxxxxxx To: zrockenstein@xxxxxxxxx Cc: showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Tuesday, December 20, 2011 7:49 PM Subject: [ SHOWGSD-L ] Re: Puppy for legally blind person My second ex-wife is blind....she went to a school in Northern CA. for her guide dog...If I remember correctly the school breeds their own dogs...and sadly they do not use GSDs....much to her disappointment....it may be hard to give a family a puppy and then later expect that dog to be trained as a seeing eye dog....the training and socialzation is very extensive...a family of novices may not be up to it....My ex-wife's Black Lab guide dog, Woodson, is the most incredible animal that I have ever been blessed to experience.....he takes care of m y ex as if her life is at stake...I love that dog...I rest a little better because of that dog...good luck to your puppy and the family...Ed ----- Original Message ----- From: "Zoa Rockenstein" < zrockenstein@xxxxxxxxx > To: showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Tuesday, December 20, 2011 5:17:50 PM Subject: [ SHOWGSD-L ] Puppy for legally blind person Hi Everyone, I am placing a puppy with a family whose wife/mother of two small children is legally blind.� Right now, she can see straight ahead but has no peripheral vision.� Her vision will worsen over time.� They want a family dog that will also become an assistance dog for her.� I have never been in this situation before.� On their second visit, one of the puppies clearly bonded with her.� You know how it is when the puppy chooses the person.� The puppy has a nice temperament, and I have no reason to think she would not develop into the kind of dog this family needs.� I know it is their responsibility to find the appropriate training for their dog.� I have referred them to my regional club for puppy socialization and obedience training, but I would like to be able to provide them with resources more geared to guide dog training.� The family lives in the Minneapolis area.� I know some of you must have had experience placing a puppy in a situation like � this.� Can you suggest any resources, or offer any advice, that I might pass on to this family?� Thanks! � Zoa Dr. Zoa Rockenstein www.riverrockgermanshepherds.comï ¿½ ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2011. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Each Author is responsible for the content of his/her post. This group and its administrators are not responsible for the comments or opinions expressed in any post. ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - http://showgsd.org SUBSCRIPTION:http://showgsd.org/mail.html NATIONAL BLOG - http://gsdnational.blogspot.com/ ============================================================================