Mollie, future Guide Dog.

Discussion in 'Labradors in Service' started by Boogie, Nov 14, 2016.

  1. Boogie

    Boogie Supporting Member Forum Supporter

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    Mollie arrives tomorrow - all is ready for her. She will become a Guide Dog brood bitch if she passes all her health and temperament tests along the way.

    She's a pure Lab, mum Vanda and Dad Perry.

    :)

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  2. Boogie

    Boogie Supporting Member Forum Supporter

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    Here she is with her mum xx


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  3. JenBainbridge

    JenBainbridge Registered Users

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    Can't wait to hear about lovely Mollie's journey :)
     
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  4. JulieT

    JulieT Registered Users

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    How wonderful!
     
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  5. drjs@5

    drjs@5 Registered Users

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    Aw, welcome to Mollie :inlove:
     
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  6. PeterMaria

    PeterMaria Registered Users

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    Gorgeous looking girl.
     
  7. Stacia

    Stacia Registered Users

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    How is the decision made that some 'guide dogs' puppies are destined to be just that and some to become brood bitches? What about the sires, can they do both?!
     
  8. Boogie

    Boogie Supporting Member Forum Supporter

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    Most guide dogs are first crosses Lab/GR. GR/GS etc. All breeding stock dogs are pure bred. Stud dogs don't guide, they are looked after in the homes of stud dog holders. They have 100s of pups! When they retire they almost always stay with the stud dog holder and brood bitches with the brood bitch holder :)



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  9. SwampDonkey

    SwampDonkey Registered Users

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    My friend has a brood bitch whose now retired from puppies she's such a lovely dog. They enjoyed having the puppies but it was exhausting. I used to get invited in to give them a cuddle
     
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  10. PeterMaria

    PeterMaria Registered Users

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    That's interesting, do they use first crosses for a reason. I always thought guide dogs were purebred labs.
     
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  11. Emily_BabbelHund

    Emily_BabbelHund Longest on the Forum without an actual dog

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    Gorgeous and I LOVE her name. Welcome (tomorrow) Marvellous Miss Molly!
     
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  12. MF

    MF Registered Users

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    Hey, that's the name I guessed!!!

    Such a cutie.
     
  13. drjs@5

    drjs@5 Registered Users

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    Good guess @MF :D
     
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  14. Boogie

    Boogie Supporting Member Forum Supporter

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    Yes, the GRs are much steadier and more intelligent - just not nearly as keen! So a mix of Lab/GR or GS/GR is ideal.


    :)
     
  15. edzbird

    edzbird Registered Users

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    Will the training that you do for a brood bitch be different to a the training you give to a guide dog?
     
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  16. Naya

    Naya Registered Users

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    She looks so sweet. Can't wait to hear about your journey with her x
     
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  17. Boogie

    Boogie Supporting Member Forum Supporter

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    It will be exactly the same for me. She may not make the grade as a BB. But, she will go to the Breeding Centre from here for all her tests, then on to a BB holder if she passes. Some tests will be done more locally before she leaves me.

    My friend's pup, Sparky was a Prospective Stud Dog but his testicles never descended! So he will now go to Big School.
     
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  18. edzbird

    edzbird Registered Users

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    So a failed stud/brood dog can still make it as a guide dog?

    Sparky - I knew a very old GR called Sparky, it was such an ironic name as he plodded along behind his owner. I'm sure he suited it as a pupster though.
     
  19. Boogie

    Boogie Supporting Member Forum Supporter

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    Yes - absolutely :)
     
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  20. Boogie

    Boogie Supporting Member Forum Supporter

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    She's here!

    She's very pleased to note that we will be feeding her, now she's fast asleep.



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