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GDB Breeding Program;
A Whole New generation of Guide Dogs
from Guide Dogs for the Blind Website
Only those dogs who have met the highest physical and temperamental standards
are considered for the Guide Dogs breeding program by a team of training,
veterinary and breeding experts. The breeding program, established in the late
1940s, ensures our school's consistent production of dogs with the traits and
qualities necessary to become working guides. In addition, the Breeding
Department staff provides support to our volunteer custodians, guaranteeing that
each breeder dog receives top-quality care and is an enjoyable family companion.
- Breeds used in the breeding program:
Labrador
Retrievers (black and yellow),
German
Shepherd Dogs and
Golden
Retrievers.
- Labrador Retrievers comprise the largest percentage of our breeding
colony.
- The breeding stock dogs live as family pets in loving custodial
homes located within a 50-mile radius of the San Rafael, California,
campus. (Breeding stock dogs are not afforded the same public access as
working guides.)
- There are more than 400 active and retired breeding stock custodian
families.
- Approximately 50 new breeders are added to the program annually; of
those, 80 percent are female.
- Females are generally bred until their sixth year of
age; males are used for breeding as frequently as needed
Breeders live their lives as pets to "Breeder
Custodians", carefully screened families who agree to take care of the
breeder in their homes and agree to bring them to GDB as needed for breeding.
Our Graduate Breeder Dogs
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Fawn
Female Yellow Lab
Born: 4/20/03
Parents: CCI's Baumann/Wren
Raised by Debbie M.
Graduated 2/2005 from the CA
campus as a Breeder Dog for GDB |
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Leona
Female Black Lab
Born: ?/?/01
Parents: Wallace/Hattie
Raised by the Fraiser/Swansons
Graduated 2003 from the CA campus
as a Breeder Dog for GDB |
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Hattie
Female Yellow Lab
Born: 2/14/99
Parents: Darien/Natoma
Raised by the Fraiser/Swansons
Graduated 2000 from the CA campus
as a Breeder Dog for GDB |
Family Resembances
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Francois (left) is Sire to:
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Doyle and Alice
Sire and Dam to: |
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Kennedy |
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Kim |
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Kristin |
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Kinley |
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Sprig and Gloria
Sire and Dam to: |
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Not all Littermates look alike...
Network, Norbert, and Novak |
...and some look exactly alike- even in a different
color! Mojave, Marcella, and Maile |
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Weaver, a Breeder for Guide Dogs, meets
with his son, Baron at Fun Day 2004! |
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