Update on progress against Irish Guide Dogs Breeding Regeneration Plan.

Concentrate on Labrador Retriever Colony – using existing breeding stock held.

  • All our Golden Retriever and Labrador Broods are now mated with a Labrador line.
  • We have increased our number of Labrador broods from 7-9. We currently hold 15 broods and 2 live studs in our breeding colony.
  • We will be looking to place approx. 11 new brood bitches and 4 new stud dogs on our breeding programme in 2018 for 2019 breeding – subject to health and behaviour.
  • New brood bitches will be pure Labradors and Labrador X Golden Retriever breeds. Studs will be pure labs. This give us a 100% increase.

Source new lines from other schools in the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF)/ EBN – chilled/ frozen semen, to increase genetic diversity.

  • We have received 2 Labrador stud dogs on loan from Dutch Guide Dogs (KNGF) in 2017. These studs were used for matings and had semen harvested for future matings.
  • We have received 3 Labrador lines via dry shipper from Guide Dog Breeding Kennels in France (CESECAH).
  • We are currently in talks with CESECAH in regard to receiving a gift of a stud dog from our gift of potential brood bitch ‘Orchid’ in 2017.
  • 2 of Irish Guide Dogs Bitches mated were with Guide Dogs UK (GDUK) lines in 2017.
  • We now hold to 12 Labrador Stud Lines.

Source new broods from other schools in IGDF/ EBN. – Genetic Diversity.

  • Nana – came as a puppy has now been approved as a brood bitch by GDUK from GDUK Lines. Will begin breeding in 2018.
  • Emmy – 2016 – Guiding Eyes for the Blind. Travelled to Irish Guide Dogs pregnant, her litter of 7 was gifted to Irish Guide Dogs as support.
  • Fiona – 2018 – Guiding Eyes for the Blind. Travelled to Irish Guide Dogs pregnant, her litter of 7 was gifted to Irish Guide Dogs as support.
  • Lottie & Lulu – offspring of Emmy – will begin breeding in 2018.

Move to Transcercival Insemination for all matings.

•Relationship now developed with Reproduction Veterinary Surgeon Sarah Mitchell, Southview Veterinary Hospital, Clonmel, Co, Tipperary.

•Since June 2017 16 TCI’s carried out resulting in 12 pregnancies – 75% success of conception.

•Southview Veterinary Hospital also maintain our frozen semen, sort import logistics in regard to licenses, etc.

BCL assessments of all Dogs.

•Behaviour Check List (BCL) – Temperament assessment of all dogs coming in for training, entering the breeding program are all assessed using the BCL scoring system.

•Potential Breeding Stock (PBS) – PBS options have now increased due to more litters on puppy raising being assessed for breeding.

Implement Early Socialisation of puppies prior to placement on puppy raising.

  • Historically puppies transitioned from the nest onto puppy raising saw 56% of our puppies having to attend vets with 24/48 hours post placement. Since implementing Early Socialisation and in particularly Home Socialisation phase 100% of pups have not required veterinary care in that 24-48 Hour period.
  • Since implementing Early Socialisation Irish Guide Dogs has seen a huge benefit to our pups in their confidence, adaptability and ability to transition from one stage to the next.
  • We now have 21 Home Socialisation Volunteers supporting us on this.

Olive O Sullivan

Dog Supply Manager

Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind

March 2018

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