[Lara's mom]

Hi: I found the post you were referring to but somehow in the process, I lost your message. I am the original computer dummy!!! Please either respond to this post or private message me and I'll be happy to share what I know about caring for dogs with minimal or no sight.

I apologise for losing your post. I think the computer ate it!!!

[Todd]

would i be correct in the assumption that blindness in dogs is a lot less of an issue than in humans because dogs don't have very keen eyesight regardless? The rely more on their other senses, most notably smell. Would this assumption be correct?

[Yogi]

Originally Posted by Todd

would i be correct in the assumption that blindness in dogs is a lot less of an issue than in humans because dogs don't have very keen eyesight regardless? The rely more on their other senses, most notably smell. Would this assumption be correct?

Actually no, Their are sight hounds and breeds that rely on sight more than on scent. Terriers react to sight first, scent second. Dogs eyesight is actually fine for what they need it for. The though are color blind only seeing certain shades and hues.

[Todd]

Originally Posted by Yogi

Actually no, Their are sight hounds and breeds that rely on sight more than on scent. Terriers react to sight first, scent second. Dogs eyesight is actually fine for what they need it for. The though are color blind only seeing certain shades and hues.

Oh, OK. But in the instance of a bloodhound would they rely more on smell than sight?

The reason I made this assumption is because dogs noses are A LOT stronger than humans and their eye sight is generally poorer.

[Yogi]

Originally Posted by Todd

Oh, OK. But in the instance of a bloodhound would they rely more on smell than sight?

The reason I made this assumption is because dogs noses are A LOT stronger than humans and their eye sight is generally poorer.

True in a sense but keeping in mind breeds were created for specific purposes and by doing so they were cross bred with others to create breeds wherein if the sight was key, that is what they got if the scent was key same.
Dogs eyesight on the whole as stated, for a dog it is not poor or bad. They can see quite well. Just not the same as you or I. But they see clear enough for their job. A terrier can catch site of a mouse yards away out of the corner of their eye that you would not even notice. Bloodhounds as with all dogs do have a greater sense of smell than humans and as for dog breeds, it has a better sense of smell than nearly all other breeds. It comes down to what they were bred to do which determines how they use their senses and which ones are more dominant. In dogs, blindness is no where near an issue as it is in humans. Sight dogs or scent dogs, make no difference. Their overall senses are better than humans. They call on the other senses to compensate. I have had blind dogs for years and currently still have one. She has no problems navigating on and off the couch to the water bowl and even navigates through the kitchen from the living room to go outside on her own.

[Lara's mom]

I've fostered dogs who were born blind as well as those who have lost their sight due to illness/age. I am by no means an expert but, this is what I've observed:

A dog who has never been able to see learns how to navigate the world quite easily as long as the humans follow a few simple rules:

Things must remain the same. Furniture cannot be moved around. Dishes, beds, toys and treats must always be in the same place. The humans need to watch out for where the dog is because the dog cannot watch out for you.

Dogs who lose their sight due to age/illness usually lose it gradually. However, the same rules apply. With both groups, you have to be hyper-aware when you're out walking. You have to be both your eyes and the eyes of your blind dog. For instance, they won't know when you've reached a curb so, there are new commands that you need to teach such as, "step down and step up."

You need to build an enormous amount of trust between you and that dog because you are that dogs eyes. A blind dog can live a very happy and normal life if the humans simply use some common sense.

[Yogi]

Originally Posted by Lara's mom

I've fostered dogs who were born blind as well as those who have lost their sight due to illness/age. I am by no means an expert but, this is what I've observed:

A dog who has never been able to see learns how to navigate the world quite easily as long as the humans follow a few simple rules:

Things must remain the same. Furniture cannot be moved around. Dishes, beds, toys and treats must always be in the same place. The humans need to watch out for where the dog is because the dog cannot watch out for you.

Dogs who lose their sight due to age/illness usually lose it gradually. However, the same rules apply. With both groups, you have to be hyper-aware when you're out walking. You have to be both your eyes and the eyes of your blind dog. For instance, they won't know when you've reached a curb so, there are new commands that you need to teach such as, "step down and step up."

You need to build an enormous amount of trust between you and that dog because you are that dogs eyes. A blind dog can live a very happy and normal life if the humans simply use some common sense.

This is it exactly. You covered it well.