A guide dog mum named Puds has fulfilled her Christmas destiny by giving birth to a litter at the most festive time of year. The proud four-year-old golden retriever, a breeding dog for the charity Guide Dogs, welcomed nine healthy puppies on 7 December.

Puds’ puppies have a distinctive Christmas pudding-colouring, with one even sporting a white tail tip. This is thanks to their father, a handsome black German shepherd named Shadow. This combination of breeds makes for wonderful guide dogs that are intelligent, loyal and eager to learn.

The litter of five girls and four boys are all destined to be life-changing guide dogs for people with sight loss. The puppies are at the very start of an exciting journey that won’t see them qualify until 2025.

They will stay with mum Puds at home and be cared for by a Guide Dogs volunteer Breeding Dog Holder for their first eight weeks of life.

Janine Dixon, Head of Breeding Operations at Guide Dogs said: “It’s fitting that Puds has had her babies in time for Christmas. We’ve affectionately named her puppies ‘the puddings’ for now.

“There are now nine more future guide dogs in the world, which is a lovely thing to celebrate at this time of year. At Guide Dogs we wouldn’t be able to do our work without help from volunteer Breeding Dog Holders, who look after fantastic mums like Puds, and help give these very important puppies the very best start in life.”