Longsightedness (poor shortrange vision)
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Longsightedness (poor shortrange vision)
A friends lurcher sometimes doesn't see wildlife within 10m when out walking and then is startled when it bolts. She's also attacked people other than her family inside the home when approached - it's not predictable. Could it be vision related ? Local vet says her vision is 'normal for sighthounds' but they didn't seem to have any specialist equipment. Do sighthounds naturally have poor short range vision ? Should her other senses compensate tho ? Can weird eye problems like humans get be diagnosed in dogs ?
Re: Longsightedness (poor shortrange vision)
It's common in my experience for lurchers not to notice prey animals when they are stationary, even at short range. They tend to be much more sensitive to movement. I'm not an expert but I would guess that attacking other people is unrelated to her eyesight. If you search on the internet for 'test eyesight in dogs' you should be able to find several suggestions for checking a dog's eyesight at home.
Whatever the cause of the attacks, it should be addressed, though. If you or the owner could give a full run-down of the dog's daily routine and exactly what happens when she attacks (whether the other person approaches her, where she is, what exactly she does, and what happens after) the experts may be able to help. Also, has this just started recently?
Whatever the cause of the attacks, it should be addressed, though. If you or the owner could give a full run-down of the dog's daily routine and exactly what happens when she attacks (whether the other person approaches her, where she is, what exactly she does, and what happens after) the experts may be able to help. Also, has this just started recently?
Jasper, lurcher, born December 2009
Re: Longsightedness (poor shortrange vision)
She's got a APBC behaviourist involved now, so hopefully they'll work it out, thanks for your reply.