Breeder Dog Custodians

Custodian Criteria:

• The desire to support Guide Dogs for the Blind’s mission as a volunteer.
• Enthusiasm to learn about our mission of service to people who are visually impaired and how the breeding program supports that mission.
• Willingness to comply with Guide Dogs for the Blind’s protocols and practices.
• Flexibility to accommodate the breeding dog's schedule and breeding program's needs.
• Ability to provide a safe, secure, caregiving home for a large, reproductively active dog.
• Live within 50 miles of Guide Dogs for the Blind’s California campus in San Rafael.

In addition, when a volunteer breeder dog custodian welcomes a dog into their home, you will be responsible for providing the following:

• Dog food as recommended by Guide Dogs for the Blind
• Equipment (such as leashes, grooming tools, etc.)
• Daily exercise and grooming
• Flea-free environment
• Formal obedience training
• Attendance at required veterinary care appointments
• Transportation to and from our campus in San Rafael when the dog's breeding services are required (brood bitches may require 8-10 round trips per year since they are required to be boarded in a kennel when they are in season; stud dogs may require as many as 15)

You would also need to agree to adhere to the following requirements to ensure the dog’s safety and well-being. Breeder dogs are required to:

• Sleep indoors as part of the family.
• Be kept on leash when not in a securely fenced area (no exceptions).

To ensure that Guide Dogs for the Blind’s breeder dogs are placed in healthy, safe, and secure homes, the screening process includes:

• A written application
• A telephone interview
• A group orientation held at Guide Dogs for the Blind’s California campus in San Rafael
• A home visit, which includes yard and fence evaluations
• Completion of an on-campus dog management class which covers dog handling and training tips, dog behavior, and canine health care and grooming.