Irish Dogs For The Blind

My dog, Kayda, is a 9 year old mixed breed that we bought from the shelter. She's very dominant and protective, but she's also going blind. It's gotten to the point where she'll stand at the top of the stairs, back feet on the second stair down, front on the fourth, and whine and look around. She didn't come down, but rather layed at the top of the stairs waiting for my dad or I to go upstairs. I've heard stories of blind dogs getting assistance from their seeing friends, so they don't bump into things.

Would now be an alright time to ask for another dog? My mom's working more hours, my dad will be gone for a week some time this summer, my dad and I might be going to LA this summer, as well as my sister leaving for college in the fall. We also have a lot of animals: two fish, three guinea pigs, one hamster, one cat, and one dog. (of course.) The house is one story with a basement (we keep the cages/tanks in the basement. It's warm, don't worry.), so we've not got the most room right now. But once my sister leaves, we'll have an extra room, which either I'll take or my dad will move his computer things into, or we put the cagse/tank in. Would it be worth it to ask for a dog right now?

Also, what breed/age would be best if it's a yes? These are the dog breeds I like: Irish Wolfhound, APBT, Bulldog, Saluki, and Papillion. I ask that you please not reccomend retrievers or other toy or terrier dogs. I do not like retrievers or terriers or toys, and neither does my father.

I'm willing to do everything for this dog. We never crate trained Kayda, and I really wish we had. I have a spare collar that's perfect for a puppy, and I also have one that'll fit an adult medium sized dog. We have spare leashes, and I'd buy the food and dish. The dog and the cat drink out of the same bowl, why couldn't a third? I would like a male, and keep him intact until he's full grown, and then neuter him. Simply because I wish for him to get the hormones his body would need to develop properly.

So, is it a good idea or not? Other reccomendations?
There's usually at least one person home at all times. My sis is leaving in late fall, my dad around the middle of summer, my dad and I would be about late summer. (assuming we go.)

I would devote a lot to the new dog. You have no ideaz.
Thank you Moof. My sister is rarely home as it is right now, she's usually off working or sleeping at a friends house or with her boyfriend.

We had another dog for a while, but he always wanted to play. Always. Kayda had to be put on anxiety medications, since there were long stretches where no one was home to play with the young dog to hone it's energy. For a day, though, we pet sat a small puppy- just weaned- and Kayda loved it. Loved it. Let it sleep on her bed and everything. (she won't even let the cat do that.) Now that someone would be home at all times (I'm not partaking in any clubs or sports during the summer, though my brother is.) no matter what (my dad is home until about 10 minutes after I get home from school.), scheduling wouldn't be a problem.

I have my priorities, and an Irish Wolfhound, Mastiff, or Saluki would fit them best. (I'm a fan of big breeds.) of the breeds that I've scoped out so far.
Thank you soooo much for the long answers. She has SOME sight left, not too much (enough to see me hold up her toothbrush today when I was about to brush her teeth.), and a while ago my dad's friend brought their dog Louie over. He's a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, and Kayda looked so happy chasing him around the yard. There wasn't a "I'm going to kill you the second I grab you" look on her face either.

Yes, I mentioned that I don't like tiny toys... but I like Papis, for whatever reason. I don't want the world's brightest dog.... they need a LOT of mental stimulation, which might be crazy hard.

With so many dogs needing homes right now, it's hard to say not to bring another one in your home. However, your 9 year old can't see and adding another dog is likely to upset her, especially if it turns out to be a more dominant dog. Your new dog won't know Kayda is blind and will expect her to react to any "doggie signals" he gives out. If she doesnt, there could be some problems. Also, it is likely that between the new dog and the ccat, Kayda might get pushed out for water and food.

It sounds like you have a busy household right now. Trust me when I say that getting a new puppy is alot of work. I recently lost my 15 year old Golden Retriever and I forgot how much work a new puppy can be - and how much destruction can be done.

Why not respect your old friend Kayla and give her the time and attention she needs at this point in her life. If she were not blind, I would say getting another dog would not be a big issue, but she is and it is.

As far as the dog breeds you are interested in:
Irish Wolfhounds are huge dogs - in fact, the largest of the dog breeds. Both Irish Wolfhounds and Salukis are sight hounds who love to run and chase/kill things. Either breed would need lots and lots and lots of room and exercise. Plus, since both breeds are bred to chase things, these breeds would not be good with a cat. Chances are good that she could get hurt or even killed.

Bulldogs are nice, but because of their pushed in faces, they do have a hard time breathing. If you live in a hot climate, it will be hard for him to stay cool through panting. Also, because of the Bulldog's head size, almost all Bulldog puppies are born throuch Caesarean section. This usually make the cost of the puppies very expensive.

APBT - just plain no. It is very hard to find one from a good breeder - in fact, APBT is not even a recognized AKC breed. In addition, the state of Oregon so far (and I'm sure others will follow), are requiring all owners of any pit-bull-type dog to carry a million dollar home owners insurance policy because of past issues with these dogs. I've included the link below regarding this law.

Papillions are small dogs who were bred to be companions. They are cute and I have no problems with this type of breed.

Finally, I'm not sure when you would consider your male dog full ground to neuter him. There are some studies that state that letting a male dog reach 1 year of age before neutering helps with their bone formation, however the evidence is not conclusive. Dogs don't need their hormones to develop.

2009-07-01 19:04:26 by Irexiak

Find out more about the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind by watching our corporate video. You'll hear first hand how our services help people ...

any good idea's for fundraising ideas for the blind, guide dogs of ireland or irish cancer society??
something different and fun

Hey Elle - those are some GREAT causes!

I've been heavily involved with nonprofit fund raising for years....so here are some ideas I have that could be relatively low in cost for your cause...

1) Consider a mail campaign - depending on how many mailing addresses you have, you never know how many people might respond to your cause and just write you a check! This works amazingly well for several organizations that are short on time AND resources.

2) Consider running an online auction - this is an AWESOME way to get to the people whose mailing addresses you don't have (ie you've got their EMAILS)...your email base can feel like they're using their expendable income on great stuff AND its going to their community at the same time!
I've included a link of one of the online auction companies that I've worked with...cMarket. They also have another website, BiddingforGood.com, that opens your auction up to all their members so that people who you don't even know can donate to your cause and bid on your items!

3) Instead of having a garage sale at your home, try having a "garage" sale on eBay! Think of it as a virtual way to get rid of some stuff AND make a little more money...(make sure you include the cost of shipping those items online or else you'll end up losing money!).

4) Have a fundraising event - give people in your community something to look forward to, and host a gala....you can sell tickets, have an auction, raffle prizes, etc that will give your church something to look forward to AND a perfect opportunity to donate to something they care about.

5) One last tid bit - consider selling sponsorships for your event...this can help off set some of your cost INCREDIBLY. You'd be surprised how many local businesses want to be a part of your cause-minded event! You can ask for anywhere around $500 per sponsor, and if you put your auction online, you can ask for even more than that because they'll be getting just that much more exposure through your website and event emails!

Best of luck with all of this! :)

2008-04-27 15:23:12 by elle.gunn

Price: $19.98

I was looking through some pictures with my mom from when I was little and she told me about how I treated my dog. We have always had a lot of dogs, but when I was little I got mad at my dad for not having one that was only mine. So for my fifth birthday, he got me a mutt from a shelter. Because of the size he had as a puppy, dad thought he’d be about the size of a Border Collie. Let’s just say, I realized early that dads can be wrong… and that my mutt had some Irish Wolfhound in him.

My mom told me, and I kind of remember, that I insisted on doing everything myself, even though mom and dad never expected me to. Because it was MY dog. I fed him, groomed him and took him for walks by myself. I think mom and dad had to redo a lot of it when I wasn’t looking though, lol. When I took him for walks I always wanted him to be on a leash, even though it was physically impossible to make him leave my side. And we had tea-parties in the garden and went swimming together in the lake near our house.

I realize now that we were very lucky when it comes to him. Even as a pup he was extremely calm and very protective of me. He never let strange people or dogs come near me unless my dad was there as well. I also had a habit of falling asleep on him (he’s a great pillow) and then he’d growl at the other dogs when they came to play with me.

He’s 16 years now, and has gone almost blind and has stiff joints, and I realize he might not be around by next year. That really breaks my heart.

But back to the question. My parents tell me that my sisters and brother didn’t treat the dogs that patiently when they were little, and I see that my nephew is also a bit rough with the dogs. The only dog we dare let him play with is the GSD/BC mix we have. How do kids normally treat dogs?

depends on the kid and the dog and all kinds of stuff
mean kids are mean to the dogs unless they love dogs
nice kids are nice unless they hate dogs
but mostly if they see the dog as entertainment or another living thing
most kids are impatient so they probably get mad if the dog doesn't listen
also the dog is a big thing dogs that don't want to play dont want to play and thats that
if a kid wants to play and the dog doesnt that may make the kid get mean with the dog like rough housing with it.
if i were you just lay down boundrys and tell them to be careful with the dogs and dont get to crazy and its a good idea to keep the older dog away


hope i helped
and i'm sorry for you and your older dog

2010-02-02 16:16:45 by Karisma

Price: $18.98

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this question does not make any sense.

2009-08-28 03:30:12 by quicksilverfresh

ok so my parents want to get a 3rd dog
we already have :
2 year old female irish setter
5 year old clumber spaniel
we are an outdoorsy kinda people at least my mom and dad now that we have out own house they spend a lot of time in the garden and they love it me im more inside but i do take our dogs 2 times a day for a 2 hour jog my dad works from home so the dogs always have company and they spend most of the time outdoors like the backyard door is always open so they come in and go
we build 2 dogs houses for them so that if they wanna nap they can do it in the doghouse not somewhere under the tree or something
my dad is really into getting an aussie or border collie my mom is more into those spitz dogs like shiba inu or pom
if it was up to me i would get an english springer spaniel
both my parents want a long haired dog so thats why the aussie is the breed that my dad wants he really likes the way the blue merle aussie looks but ive read that blue merle aussies can be deaf and/or blind is that true??
also here is something else are there toy and mini aussies ??? or is there the only 1 "regular" aussie ???? and mini and toy are just mutts or runts from the puppy mills or BYB
also do you tihnk that an aussie would be a good choice for us ??
i agree our clumber is quite and lazy indoor he will eat and sleep at the time

I think your family is in a good position to bring an Aussie into.
2, 2 hour jogs per day? Sounds great for an Aussie.

They have been trying to make "miniature" Aussies for decades, but it really does not seem to be going anywhere.

Stick to the regular sized Aussies from a good reputable breeder and you should be fine.

With regards to the deaf/blind merle, that is a result of when two merle dogs are bred together.
The merle gene is represented by "M" whilst non merle is "m"
There are 2 alleles in the merle genotype.

A regular merle which will be healthy is "Mm"
A non merled dog is "mm"
And a "lethal" (deaf/blind) merle would be "MM"

When two merled dogs are bred together, all the pups will be merle, but there is a 50% of the pups being born a lethal merle.

Many breeders do not practice breeding 2 merles together because of this reason.
A good breeder should be able to provide you with a hearing/seeing healthy merle aussie.
But make sure that coat colour isn't their first priority ;]

2009-05-06 19:54:17 by dAmIAnOO