Information about our Guide dogs
Guide dogs help blind and partially sighted people to get around independently, confidently and safely. They are trained to guide their handlers around hazards, negotiate traffic, locate common destinations such as the supermarket or post shop, and travel on planes and buses.
Handlers and guide dogs share a unique and profound partnership based on trust and respect.
There are around 240 working guide dogs in New Zealand, all trained by our guide dog services team. Each year some 100 puppies are placed with volunteer puppy walkers who care for and socialise the puppies for around 12 months. Puppies then return to us and begin their formal training. Our overall success rate in breeding, training and matching dogs places it among the top accredited guide dog schools in the world.
To become a guide dog, puppies train for two years, pass 55 different tests and walk many thousands of steps. Guide dogs are provided to handlers without charge, and the costs are met by public donations, sponsorships and legacies.
For more information please contact our guide dog service team by phone: 09 269 0400, or email: gds@rnzfb.org.nz
Learn some interesting facts about guide dogs.
Learn about becoming a puppy walker.
