Canine Research

Guide Dogs’ priority is to ensure that the health, welfare, quality of life and performance of all our dogs is second to none. This includes breeding stock (stud dogs and brood bitches), puppies, working guide dogs and retired guide dogs.

Our canine research programme has existed since 1990. It aims to improve the quality of our breeding programmes, the effectiveness of our dogs throughout their working life and their overall health and wellbeing.

Our research is focused on projects that enable us to:

• Improve the efficiency of the selection of breeding stock and breeding practices to maximise production.
• Identify optimal methods of rearing puppies to maximise their potential.
• Develop assessment techniques that allow for the early identification of puppies unlikely to succeed in the demanding conditions of guiding in today’s environment.

The outcomes are already being used to inform and modify our everyday working practices. Within our Operations division there is a project department, dedicated to taking forward and developing the outputs from our research programme to ensure we apply the information and findings for the benefit of our service provision and the health and welfare of our dogs.

Download the Canine Research Update 2009 pdf or word