Dogs and humans can put more wags in their walkies next month for New Zealand's first-ever Pawgust fundraiser for guide dogs.

All people have to do is register and choose the number of kilometres they aim to do, and then get sponsors.

Blind and Low Vision NZ community fundraiser Kawab Aldawi said it can take up to $175,000 to keep a guide dog in service.

It takes nearly two years to breed and train a dog, and the first year of a guide dog’s life provides the vital foundation for guide dog training.

There are 150 guide dog teams in New Zealand and 33 people, who are blind, deaf-blind or have low vision, on the waiting list for one.

There are 19 guide dog handlers in Mid Canterbury.

One is Ashburton man Andrew McDonald, who has had three long-term guide dogs and received his first when he left school.

The longest period he has been without one is about six-to-eight months when he was between dogs.

Eight-year-old Karla is by his side 24/7 and although she's a working dog, she does have some time out for free runs by the Ashburton River and to play with toys.

"Although I'm always happy if she puts a tooth through the squeaky ones."

Karla and McDonald get a kind of WOF check once a year by a Blind and Low Vision NZ dog instructor to make sure everything is going well.

McDonald said that when a dog retires it is possible to keep it as a pet or rehome them.

"It depends on your circumstances. Whether you're working or not and how much time you have at home with the dog."

The Pawgust concept has been borrowed from Australia, which held its first event in 2018 and has since raised $A6-million for guide dogs.

"Pawgust is an exciting fitness challenge that encourages everyone to brave the cold of August while raising awareness and much needed funds for Guide Dogs," Aldawi said.

By Julie Moffett