A dog born without eyes is finding his way in life after teaching himself to ‘see’ like a BAT

[The Straight Story]

A dog born without eyes is finding his way in life after teaching himself to ‘see’ like a BAT

Rowan, a German Spitz, barks and then listens to the echoes to help him tell where he is in relation to his surroundings.

Owner Sam Orchard, 41, was shocked when a congenital defect caused Rowan to be born without eyes.

But the 18-month-old is now almost indistinguishable from a sighted dog after learning to navigate using his barks.

Sam, who breeds dogs and runs a boarding kennel at her home in Potton, near Biggleswade, Beds., was stunned when she realised that Rowan was using echolocation.



http://swns.com/blind-german-spitz-dog-uses-echoes-to-find-his-way-round-291142.html

[xchrom]

1. Good Boy, Rowan! Nt

[Lasher]

2. That is amazing! n/t

[madmax]

3. We evolve

I believe all creatures learn to use what they have and can adapt. May need help with certain facets of life but, for the most part adapt.

:hug: Rowan. Good boy! :loveya:

[pipoman]

4. There was a story of a blind human doing the same thing

on Stan Lee's Super Humans show. That guy could ride a bike while making a clicking noise with his mouth and avoid objects...even tell what the object was.

[The Straight Story]

7. That reminds me of the book "Follow my Leader"

About a boy who gets blinded by a firecracker and learns to 'see' with his cane. One of my all time favorite books as a kid.

[Boxerfan]

5. Wonderfull story with a very sad twist...No eyes-no feet etc.. are from overbreeding

I may be wrong but I'd bet the cause of the problem was poor genetic(s)in many breeds nowadays. I see baby birds with no feet fairly often & it is tragic.I can only assume this born with no eyes is a similar problem.

My beloved family doggie is 1/2 German Shepard. Sadly her hips are typical to that breed & she's having issues at age 4!. It's due to over breeding I'm told.

[MadHound]

6. That was the first thing I thought as well, a victim of over breeding

Far too many breeders breed too close to get those prized show quality traits. But they also get all the recessive traits coming into play as well.

Happens in people as well.

But it is cool that this dog has learned how to cope and compensate.