Guide dogs are expensive because of training costs, and applications mostly go through public welfare channels

Guide dogs are working dogs that have undergone systematic training to assist people with visual impairments in getting around, able to guide their owners to avoid obstacles, cross intersections, and use public transportation. They differ from ordinary pet dogs and usually do not enter the commercial trading market, so what people commonly call the price of a guide dog refers more to training costs than to a market sale price.

In terms of breed, guide dogs are mostly selected from breeds with gentle temperaments and good obedience, such as Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and German Shepherd Dogs. Puppies must go through multiple rounds of screening for health, temperament, and other factors, then complete socialization with a foster family, and afterward enter the professional training stage. The entire cycle is long and the elimination rate is high; when feed, medical care, and trainer input are added together, the comprehensive cost is far higher than that of an ordinary domestic dog.

In the actual application process, people with visual impairments in China and many regions generally apply to guide dog training bases or public welfare organizations, and after review, assessment, and joint training they are matched for use. In most cases, they do not need to pay a high fee, or only bear a small amount of miscellaneous expenses. Because the number of qualified guide dogs is limited, the wait in line may be long.

It should be noted that there is currently basically no commercial channel for openly buying and selling guide dogs, and people should remain vigilant when encountering promotions selling so-called guide dogs at high prices. According to relevant regulations, guide dogs may enter public places and ride public transportation. When you encounter a guide dog at work, please do not feed or tease it, so as not to interfere with its task.