hello all!
i study bsl (british sign language) and have found out loads about the charity"hearing dogs for deaf poeple" i have recently started as a "speaker" for them and go round to groups and schools to give them more information about the charity.
i thought that all you doggy people on champdogs would like to know more about the charity!
All hearing dogs for deaf are rescued dogs and all that dont start of in life too well, the dogs get trained up to alert there owners to the day to day noises that we dont even think about like the doorbell, baby crying, telephone ringing, fire alarms, alarm clocks and many other things. They rely on generosity of individuals and organisations so that they can carry on doing all the good things that they do.
please take time to have a look at there website
thank you  heather x

                                            www.hearing-dogs.co.uk

Not all hearing dogs are rescues, there are a number of Norwegian Buhunds used who were donated by their breeders :)
Look out for their collecting dogs (also Buhunds) at Crufts

No, they're certainly not! We donated one of our beautiful lab puppies from our Maggie's surprise litter - we could have sold all the pups twice over, but this was something we chose to do. He is now happily settled with his "recipient", whose previous hearing dog, now retired, is also a lab.

They also bred some"designer"cross breeds although for the life of me I can't remember  which breeds they used

In the USA they only use rescue or gifted dogs no designer X breeds in the USA's version

they will use most breeds of dogs and many cross breeds ( they do not use any garding breeds such as gsd and rottis). my nan had a hearing dog it was a poodle cross yorkshire terrier she was a reascue got for my nan by the famil, i have been to many open day they do great things

Hate to correct you bek but GSDs are most definitely not a guarding breed they are a herding breed & isn't odd that there are GDBA GSDs working but they are not suitable as hearing dogs ?

In the USA where the first Hearing Dogs were trained they use GSDs One of my friends work colleagues has one(especially where he lives & works)his dog was trained by prisoners in one of the jails as part of their rehabilition training !

i no they are not classed as a guarding breed, but when i had a litter of gsd pups 4 years i phoned hem to see if they wanted to come and see them with a view to training one or two( my nan had told me they needed more dogs) they said no as the training would bring out the natural guard in them.

but the GDBA GSDs don't have guarding instincts in them then ?

I have a deaf friend who is 6 foot + tall & was offered a not even knee high hearing dog. Instead he had a GSD puppy trained up for him in the States(he paid for the training) & he(the dog )is brilliant & they go marathon training together. He couldn't do it with the breeds the UK people favour. That's how I know about where they are trained ;)

i also no a gsd that has been trained by the deaf owner and is great i personaly think the should be used as you say not every one suites a small cross breed

The assistance dog people don't use them or BC's either(GDBA don't do BC's either)yet I know a few blind runners who have privately trained BC's & several GSDs trained as assisrance dogs privately.

I do think some organisations make assumptions based on outdated information & beliefs about certain breeds

give a dog a bad name tell me about it as soon as i mentioned gsd they lost intrest it is a shame really i think any dog (with the right temperant) can be trained to do most any thing i dont think breed should be an issue.:rolleyes:

Hi, I have a BC she is a P.A.T visiting dog 
I also studied BSL and deaf/blind communication and voluntarily visit people who have both gsd and bc as hearing and guiding dogs
I also used to exercise a gsd off harness for a blind lady, so if the temperment is right and the dog trains well then I guess lots of breeds are used
It's very rewarding working in this environment and I applaud anyone who takes the time to get involved.
Jacqueline

I have a 10 year ols son that was born profoundly deaf but because of his age we do not qualify for a hearing dog just yet.So.........we decided to train our own dog to a certain degree.And guess what?HES A GSD.:D Hes a wonderful dog and so much loved and is plearsed to do anything for our love and attention. :)