Over half of our dogs are produced via our own Kennel Club Assured Breeding Scheme with the remaining number being generously donated by breeders and members of the public. In addition, the Charity selects and trains a small number of puppies from rescue centres, as and when suitable recruits are identified.
The most successful breeds utilised by the Charity throughout its’ history have been those of the gundog group such as the Labrador, Golden retriever and Cocker spaniel. Miniature poodles have also been very successful. In response to this the Breeding Scheme was started to provide the Charity with a steady flow of young pups from within these breed types and their crosses.
Over the years the Breeding Scheme has been refined to enable the Charity to produce hearing dogs of outstanding temperament and health. We pride ourselves on the high quality of care and expertise we provide through our highly professional and dedicated staff, volunteers and veterinary professionals.
We have over 40 brood bitches and studs (hearing dog mums and dads) in our Breeding Scheme which are placed with volunteers who care for them in their own homes. The daily life of a brood or stud mimics that of a family pet in many ways, and they also attend regular training classes at our centre in Buckinghamshire to keep their manners and behaviour up to scratch.
Around once a year a brood bitch will have a litter of puppies. The development of our puppies in the first few weeks of their life is vitally important in equipping them with the skills they will need in their careers as hearing dogs. For this reason each of our puppies enjoys a structured program of play-based socialisation throughout their time in the litter to ensure they move onto the initial stage of training having had the best start in life.
Please contact the Breeding Department on 01844 348 100 (voice and minicom) or via breeding.scheme@hearingdogs.org.uk for more information.
