Did anyone else notice the advert in the back of dog world this week advertising guide dogs at stud ? - I must say that I thought it very irresponsible of the Guide dogs Association to encourage breeding in this way -they did mention " to approved bitches only" but no mention was made of health testing etc and both breeds offered were already 'over bred' ( Goldies and Labs) their only reason for doing this must be to make some extra money - but hardly the most ethical way of doing it :( -and a terrible example to set for others - what do you think ?

Yvonne

I have stopped taking the dog press lately but there always used to be stud adverts from other breeders in there so why not?  They may not mention testing in the advert but as they breed more pups than any other single breeder in the UK I would expect them to know as much as anyone of the importance of breeding from healthy stock.  The numbers of puppies bred is dictated by the number of bitch owners who decide to breed so I guess if they choose a GDB dog its only at the cost of another stud dog.  Not many Jo Public read the dog press so I doubt there will be many incited to breed who might not have otherwise.  Just my thoughts :)

Trevor ~ If anyone is interested in using a Guide Dog stud on their bitch, I can assure you they must have had all relevant health checks, be from a good line, be in good health & be fit, be of good temperament, have an excellent pedigree & the bitch will be seen/approved by the Breeding Manager or a member of staff from the GD Breeding centre before being able to use a GD stud.  :)

To be honest Trevor

I would rather someone used a Guide Dog Stud with all their relevant health checks, than just any old stud dog.

Its a certain fact that their temperaments have to be 100% something that is sadly lacking in some GR's nowadays.

I would also think with their experience they would be a good mentor for someone with little knowledge breeding their bitch.

Also why not make some extra funds this way.

I'm all for it.

who said it's to make money?
why do you think the only reason is to make money Trevor?
what about it being a way of bringing in some outside bloodlines into the GD breeding programme?;)
what about it being a way of sourcing extra quality puppies for puppy walking? ;)

The Guide Dogs breeding Centre is the biggest dog breeding establishment in the country.
Guide Dogs are the largest breeders of working dogs in the world.
With an excellent standard of staff training & working with experts in Dog breeding like Proffessor Gary England, I think that maybe this is being done for the right reasons.  :)

"what about it being a way of bringing in some outside bloodlines into the GD breeding programme?
what about it being a way of sourcing extra quality puppies for puppy walking"

would they really be keeping all the pups bred from their dogs ? i don't think so :( do you not think that they are simply encouraging folk to breed ? - are they willing to take on the responsibility of any pups that end up unsold or need rehoming ? - lets face it if you were seriously thinking about breeding a litter then you would source the most suitable stud dog yourself - not answer an advert in the back of the dog press - the only people to do this are likely to be those with a pet who think it might be a good idea to let their bitch have a litter. Most serious breeders already know which lines might be best for their stock and good stud dogs don't need to advertise in this way !.

How many labradors are there already in rescue kennels up and down the country - does the Guide Dog Association really need to potentially add to this number ?

Yvonne

You could argue, Yvonne, that it's better they stand their dogs at stud to pet bitches than yer Jo Bloggs down the road with that dodgy tempered b****r.   You will always have people taking litters from pet bitches whatever you say.     At least the pups should have a lovely even temperament (assuming the bitch  has) and I'm sure that they are much more responsible than yer Jo Bloggs at helping with homing, after all, they have contacts with all the other major assistance organisations.

Jo and the Casblaidd Flatcoats

Surely Smudgley, GDB are knowledgable enough to know what lines they are interested in rather than accept whatever owners of pet bitches make enquiries to them?  I can't see how you are going to get quality pups this way.
As you say "with experts in Dog breeding like Proffessor Gary England I really don't understand why he isn't sourcing whatever breeding and qualities he needs.

Incidentally, Prof. England has left Guide Dogs now, and is the new Dean of the Vet Faculty in Nottingham University.

I dare say they still refer to him, however.

Jo

Trevor

Guide Dogs do not sell any pups. Nor do they send them to rehoming centers. Any dogs that do not make the grade are rehomed firstly to the puppy walker or to a person on the rehoming list, but this dog always stays within the ownership of Guide Dogs for life.

Maybe your referring to expanding their gene pool. This I feel is a good thing as good healthy dogs are required for a very worthwhile job.

Julie

Yes Gary England is no longer employed by GD's - but as you rightly say he will continue to liase with & work alongside staff / dogs at the Breeding centre as he has done for many years.  :)

As someone who has used guide dog stud dogs before, I have always been very pleased with the dogs I have used and the progeny resulting. Temperament and health must always be paramount in my opinion and GD dogs go through more stringent, unbiased  checks and tests than any independant breeder could possibly manage.
In return they can pick and choose from outside bitches those pups that they feel will do well in their programme ( I think I am right in saying that 1/2 outside bred and 1/2 GD breeding have a good success rate in training) and also brings in new blood.
Cant see what the problem is with that.
Amos

I can't understand what the problem is, these people are professionals who i presume would carefully pick a mate and ensure there puppies go to suitable homes as they do with there working puppies, all puppies would be healthy and from top quality dogs, and maybe they would make some money for a well deserved charity in the process.