Peter White examines the changing role of the working dog through extensive and sometimes previously unbroadcast archive. BBC Radio 4 Saturday 19th December, 8pm and Monday 21st December, 3pm

Dogs – perennially ‘man’s best friend’ – but also now man’s best colleague. From guide dogs to guard dogs, hearing dogs to healing dogs, we look at the ways we have become so dependent on canines.

With reference to the 75th anniversary of the foundation of the Guide Dogs For The Blind Association, Peter White examines the role of the assistance dog from the early 1900s, to the development of their role within today’s society. Over the years we’ve progressed from guide dogs to dual purpose dogs, to dogs that can detect imminent epileptic fits, smuggled drugs and explosive devices … even dogs that can do your washing, and a wealth of captivating programme archive charts the whole story.

The programme features a mix of historical material, new interviews and previously untransmitted archive, of the trainers, the owners and those that place their lives in the paws of their dogs.

Presenter – Peter White Producer – Elizabeth Foster

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