I only use canes and have never used a guide dog but I think one of the biggest differences is that a dog is a living thing and not an inanimate object. On the one hand this is great because a dog is obviously more intelligent than a cane. It can "think along" with you and anticipate certain obstacles or dangers. For example with my cane I first have to bump into a wall before I know that I can't walk in that direction but a guide dog would elegantly lead me along the wall. Another advantage of owning a dog is of course that pets - and especially dogs - can become very close and loyal friends. If the chemistry between you and your dog is good, it can be a wonderful relationship.

One of the downsides I see is that dogs also need to be cared for. They need to be fed, cleaned, taken for walks, played with, taken to the vet and so on. If you have a cane you can simply fold it up when you get home and forget about it. With a dog this doesn't work. Another downsides I see is that dogs have a way of making your home kind of dirty. Some people don't mind this but I think I would be kind of bothered if I had dog hair all over my couch. Also, if you are allergic to dog hair, that's of course an issue.

I won't get a dog because the culture regarding service animals is negative in my region. I would constantly be having issues in public places. I don't want to pick up poop nor feed a dog every day. And I go to new places every other day, and I notice that dods need a stable rout.

I had many dogs. I love them, but until the legislation surrounding service animals is tightened up a bit, I don't want a guide dog. I've heard guide dog owners get a lot of flack from random idiots (Uber, stores, events, etc.,) and I just don't need any more of *that* in my life.

I appreciate all the comments. I’ve been a guide dog user for 10 years and I love the freedom of using a dog.
Once you and a guide have bonded, the things that dog can do are amazing. Husband parks the car 5 blocks away, my dog can take me right to it. Find his/her way through a crowded airport or mall with no problem. Gets me back and forth to work without a thought. Once the dog knows a route or a word it’s an effortless task to get there. The command of find me a chair or an empty seat on the bus/coffee shop works wonders. Find a certain store or place on a block of stores, find the push button on an elevator or a cross walk pole, find the handle on a door, the possibilities are endless. The dog loves the challenge of the training and responds accordingly. I’m not looking for obstacles, we breeze around them with little thought.
Yes, they may be a little more work then a cane when I get home but the companionship is such a positive that it’s all worth it. Dogs are way less messy than kids and I have a bunch of those. Don’t want dog hair on the couch, don’t let them up on the couch, the bed, etc. I don’t let me guides in the furniture and the floors are easy to vacuum. Yes, a dog can get sick but so can people and again kids. It’s all about choices and I choose a guide dog because it makes my blind life simpler and more independent. I never liked sighted guide with strangers and the dog allows me to rely on him/her and not strangers or family.

If I lived in a big city and was commuting to work and navigating large, crowded areas everyday. I'd consider a dog. We thought about moving to Boston a few years back so I could take a developer position there and I definitely would have applied for a dog if that had been the case.

As it is, I live in a small town in a fairly rural area and work from home. A guide dog would be wasted on me and I'd much rather see one go to someone who needs it a lot more than I do.

Also, I have a dog as a pet and I wouldn't want to have both. I feel like it would be confusing to both dogs and it's more animal maintenance/expense than I want to take on.

A dog is a lot of work. It's a big investment of time, finances, and emotional energy. A cane just kind of sits there until you need it. Don't get me wrong, I think dogs are great for the right people in the right circumstances and that all the extra commitments are worth it in those cases. That's just not me or my situation.

As previously mentioned, dogs are a animal you need to take care of. Many places unfortunately still deny access to people with guide dogs (just today, I was speaking to a client who is a guide dog user, and discussed how many times he was not allowed to go into a place because of his guide dog. And he's a lawyer, too).

The advantages is smoother travel in known areas. Dogs can see further ahead and anticipate obstacles, so move around them. Many times, my client doesn't even realize there was an obstacle in the way.

Another thing, though.... guide dogs replace a cane, but you still need travel skills. You can't just tell the dog "Take me to work" and they can figure out the entire route. They can recognize some landmarks, so you'd have to know where you are, and direct them to the next landmark (door, stairs, etc). And for street crossings, while they stop at the intersections, the client is in charge of giving the command for the dog to cross. The dog has some emergency training for stopping someone from walking into traffic, but it shouldn't be used constantly (the dogs would have a nervous breakdown).

The style of using a guide dog is different from cane useage. You use a cane for identifying obstacles while a guide dog specifically avoids obstacles. While they move in specific ways to avoid low branches, let you know there's stairs or a seat, etc, they're still not gonna help you know that there's a fire hydrant on one corner and a huge mailbox the next, which can be confusing if you do the same route without your guide.

Dogs can get sick, have issues with their training, have phobias, refuse to listen, get distracted, etc. I've known multiple people whose guides just suddenly sat in the middle of a street because of stress. They also should be taken out for routes, ideally for at least an hour a day, and many people who get guide dogs and don't work with them frequently end up having issues.

There's also vet bills, boots, grooming, food, poop bags, and other costs to take into account, as well as time cost since most people I know who have guides end up having multiple refusals per trip if they use Uber/Lift.

That said, many people find that their dog helps them move more confidently, helps them feel safer, and makes them more willing to explore and live their lives, versus just a cane. Any drawbacks are outweighed by the independence they feel with a dog by their side.

I have heard that people usually interact with the guide dog instead of the handler and don't remember the handlers name.

Getting a guide dog changed my life. I was suddenly far more active for obvious reasons. In a year I lost 7 stone (44.5 kg) and now I’m starting hill walking for enjoyment. Plus the whole looking after a dog really gives you a focus and a routine

The endorphins and sense of independence make for quite the mood lifter.

It might not be the right solution for you but I can say from my experiences it certainly could be worth some thought

:)

Generally, people who use a guide dog still use a cane together.