Bad news for hipsters! Up to 1.2 million UK dogs are scared of people with facial hair and tattoos, figures reveal – as volunteers with these distinctive characteristics are recruited to help train guide dogs

Up to 1.2 million dogs in the UK fear people with beards and mustaches, figures reveal.

In a blow to hipsters, a survey of 2,000 people found that 10 per cent of British dogs react with fear or confusion when confronted with facial hair.

A charity has warned that puppies should be exposed to unfamiliar physical attributes from a young age to help them socialize properly.

And they’re asking people with beards, tattoos, piercings and other “distinctive features” to help train the next generation of guide dogs.

In addition to the unique characteristics of individuals, Guide Dogs said things like vacuum cleaners, mops, bicycles, strollers, oversized hats, high-visibility jackets and even uniforms can trigger reactions in dogs.

As a result, they’re looking for all kinds of people to volunteer, including cyclists, parents, and those who already have dogs as pets.

Haley Andrews, head puppy raiser at Guide Dogs, says: “Any owner’s goal is to have a dog that is comfortable and confident in all situations, and this can be achieved by giving puppies a strong stool. of calm and confidence.” experiences in the first years of life and continue them into adulthood.

“Rather than exposing puppies to everything and everyone all the time, people should focus on taking dogs through a variety of situations at a comfortable pace and helping them practice a calm, neutral response.

‘Our Puppy Raisers are vital in ensuring guide dog puppies get the best start to becoming future life-changers, by introducing them to new environments and experiences, whilst providing them with a loving home.

“No matter your distinguishing characteristics, all you need to become a volunteer is to commit to showing a guide dog puppy the big world in which he or she will one day work.”

The charity has created a puppy socialization “checklist” (ideally to be completed during the first 16 weeks of the puppies’ lives) to help them adapt to a variety of everyday situations.

Puppy Raisers prepares a puppy for life as a guide dog, helping them through basic training and socialization in a care home for between 12 and 16 months.

The charity covers expenses, including training, feeding and vet costs, and volunteers receive expert guidance at all times.

The number of people in the UK with visual impairments is predicted to rise to more than four million by 2050.