Blind dogs banned from comps

Clodagh

Clodagh

Rage, rage, against the dying of the light.
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Just flicking through the paper and saw that the KC have banned blind dogs from taking part in competitions. What competitions do they take part in?
TBH it makes perfect sense to me, my kelpie went blind and she would not have liked anywhere strange, but she was a nervy dog. Perhaps a more stoic individual may carry on happily enough.
 
I think maybe obedience or rally? I can understand a partially sighted dog taking part but not sure any form of competition is suitable for a totally blind dog.

I retired R from agility when his eyesight deteriorated, he was still enjoying himself but overjumping to a scary degree, nothing was given less than a foot of spare room. He is one of life's worriers and retirement suits him!
 
hmm if endo can go and do liberty work with no eyes, seemlingly unbothered and enjoying himself, as a prey species why couldn't the right dog?

The statement is all very 'could be' I wonder what research they did into the actual stress levels.

blackcob I did observe that with a horse developing catarracts- came up at vetting. Ex JA pony so had always jumped lower heights fast and flat and she started basculing..
 
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Like that? :p
 
In the article they said that the inability to read other dogs body language could lead to problems, so do you think there has been a bust up?
I got Sash the lurcher when Bonnie the kelpie was blind and Sah used to try and dominate her but as Bonnie couldn't see it she just used to barge her out the way and carry on. It worked as Sash thought that Bonnie was well 'ard.
 
The same reason they compete a blind horse? (and yes granted there aren't many of them but the particular one I mention is rather successful against the sighted versions- I do rather expect him to be the exception though!)
 
I didn't even know it was possible to be honest! More disciplines are rightly putting restrictions on animals with poor health/bad test results. When you think about how closely scrutinised animal events are by the animal rights lobby, and that lots of these disciplines act as a showcase/shop window for healthy animals, it's not really a surprise.
Having said that, the agility waiting line is probably the biggest cortisol producer there is ;)
 
surely that depends what you do with said dog outside the ring? Is that not the owner's responsibility?
 
I think there are a few dogs with some sight problems competing in rally, not sure about obedience as some exercises eg retrieve would be difficult. A friend has recently returned to doing agility with her dog who lost the sight in one eye, the dog seems to be happy to be back competing. Outside the ring people are aware of her, and other dogs with issues, and make sure they have plenty of space queuing.
 
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