Pitter patter of tiny paws returns to Blue Peter for Guide Dog Week

Pitter patter of tiny paws returns to Blue Peter for Guide Dog Week

To celebrate Guide Dog Week, and 75 years of guide dogs in the UK, Andy and his pup will lead the way to a new chapter in the famous relationship between Blue Peter and Guide Dogs, which stretches back to 1964 – captivating millions of viewers and helping to transform the lives of thousands of visually impaired people.

The duo will follow in the ‘pawsteps’ of guide dog puppy Honey, whose training was charted by Valerie Singleton on the programme in 1964; Cindy who was puppy walked by Peter Purves in 1968; Prince, whose training was followed by Peter Duncan in 1981 and most recently a second pup called Honey – named in honour of her predecessor – who was trained by presenter John Leslie during 1991. 

The litter, from which Andy’s puppy will be chosen, will be ‘live’ in the Blue Peter studio on Monday 02 October.  Viewers will also see a film about the litter’s mother whilst pregnant and Andy with the pups at just 72-hours old.

The pups will be back in the studio on Monday 09 October, CBBC ONE, 5pm, for the exciting announcement of which littermate is to become Andy’s – and as such, one of the most famous puppies in the country!  The traditional competition to name the chosen pup will be launched, with children being encouraged to send in their ideas for names beginning with the letter ‘M’ – the Blue Peter’s litter letter.  Each new litter of guide dog puppies is named in sequence after a letter of the alphabet.

The result of the naming competition will be announced on Blue Peter on Monday 16 October, CBBC ONE, 5pm, as Andy and his special new friend embark on their very important journey together.  

Says Andy Akinwolere: “A guide dog obviously makes a huge difference to the life of a person with sight loss – offering them independence, freedom and confidence.  That’s why it’s so exciting to be involved with the training of one of these special dogs.  It’s a big responsibility, but I’m really confident that we can make it through all the important preparations for our puppy’s future career.  Blue Peter viewers will learn lots about Guide Dogs, and hopefully they’ll be hooked by our adventures!”

Over 1,000 guide dog puppies are born every year to the charity’s 240 brood bitches (guide dog mums), which are cared for in the homes of volunteers. 

Andy will join over 1,300 Guide Dogs’ puppy walking volunteers around the UK in preparing the young pups for their advanced training and future career.  This involves teaching them basic commands and introducing them to the different types of people and places they will experience as a qualified guide dog.   There are currently 4,700 working guide dog partnerships in the UK.

The four guide dog puppies Blue Peter has followed through training, join over 25,000 others around the UK, who have over the past 75 years have provided a truly life-changing level of independence and freedom to their blind or partially-sighted owners.  The first four guide dogs qualified in Wallasey on the Wirral on 06 October 1931.

Guide Dogs’ breeding manager, Matthew Bottomley, says:  “Blue Peter and its viewers have made an incalculable contribution to the work of Guide Dogs.  The exposure on Blue Peter has been key to the charity’s dramatic growth into one of the UK’s largest charities.  I hope the nation’s children enjoy following the journey of Andy’s pup as much as previous generations have enjoyed past Blue Peter puppies.”