Guide Dog Breeding

Producing the world's best

Guide Dogs Victoria is able to offer an internationally renowned standard of Guide Dogs as a result of our world class breeding, puppy raising and training programs. We are proud to be recognised as one of the five leading Guide Dog breeders in the world.

Our breeding program has been refined since 1965 and all our puppies are bred to inherit the characteristics they need for the extraordinary demands of Guide Dog work. Our breeding stock are of such a high standard that they themselves would be assessed as being suitable for Guide Dog training.

Guide Dogs Victoria also uses frozen semen from selected stud dogs from a special network of overseas Guide Dog schools. This international partnership enables the exchange of top quality Guide Dog genetic material.

What breeds are used?

Labrador Retrievers are most commonly used as within the breed there exists a broad range of types - from tall, powerfully-built males and solid females, to small, lighter-framed dogs. Labradors generally are highly trainable and readily transfer their respect and allegiance from one person to another without complication. Also, they have a positive public image, being well-accepted within the community.

We also breed Labrador Retriever/Golden Retriever crosses, and purebred Golden Retrievers.

Puppy Nurturing

About 130 Labrador puppies are bred at the Guide Dog Centre in Kew each year. Puppies born in the Breeding Centre remain with their mothers until they are weaned and are ready to be placed out in the community at six to eight weeks. During their first eight weeks, our puppies are socialised on a daily basis, carefully nurtured from birth so they can fulfil their potential as exceptional mobility aids and true companions.