Labernese: New Breed And Best Dog For The Blind

I read an interesting article about this "new" breed.

In the province of Quebec, MIRA is well know. It is an organisation devoted to helping the blind, deaf and physically handicapped, but mostly the blind by training dogs as service dogs.

They started using the Labrador, and eventually used the Bernese Moutain dog. Both dogs had different strength and weaknesses, for different needs and uses.

They do a lot of R&D at MIRA, and they decided to try and breed the two together to create the Labernese, in hope to keep only candidates showing strengths of both breeds.

Read about it here: http://www.mira.ca/contenta/nc1-3a.html

And surf their web page, it's really interesting.

I can't wait to see how this thread turns out...

It's awesome to see mix-breeding done to actually suit a specific goal. Good for them!

Yes. At least their intentions are noble.

FYI, they do NOT charge for service dogs, they are usually "given" for adoption to a (usually blind) youth in need.

I've heard about these, I think it's a neat idea. it really is refreshing to see mixes being bred for a working purpose instead of just fluffy little companions (because we really don't have enough of those. really. )

I agree, as long as it has a purpose why not? Although I dislike the use of 'hybrid' as usual, and it irks me that they are calling it a breed, when it's not (yet at least).

I agree. They look huge, whats the avg adult weight of a Labrenese?

The actual company does charge but donations cover the bill. My aunt's service dog was about $20,000 but the donations from people covered it. So the person receiving the assistance dog does not pay but their still are costs involved.

I must say they are beautiful and echo the above .

This is exactly how the labradoodle started out. A I hope this goes better than that did.

I was just getting ready to say that, and was glad that someone already did! My brother has SMA (spinal muscular athropy) and is looking at a service dog as an option for when (if is more likely) he moves out on his own. I know P.A.W.S. also charges around $20,000.

Service dogs are bred together all the time. there is a point to it and they all find great homes. They breed labs and goldens together a lot too. They are not doing it to be hypoallergenic.

True that there is costs involved, but mostly it is covered by people donations, charities.

The thing is that the demand for these dogs is so high that they are prioritising the youth.

MIRA is doing a great PR job. They "give" puppies to foster families, and theses dogs are taken everywhere. I remember at university dogs with the MIRA bandana sitting quietly while students were attending classes. It is to socialise them, get them used to everyday life.

They're so sweet.

How can you make somthing so cute aww. It's a sin to be that cute. I want to kiss them right on the lips.

I echo all the above. A purpose for the breeding, and not just to slap a cute name on it and sell it for tons of money.