Become a Breeding Dog Carer

Our Broods and Stud Dogs, who make up our Breeding Colony, are cared for by dedicated and loving volunteers across Brisbane, and the Gold and Sunshine coasts.  

Unlike Puppy Raising, becoming a Breeding Stock carer is a long-term commitment.

These volunteer families, with the ongoing support of Guide Dogs Queensland’s expert breeding team, offer loving homes and help monitor the health and welfare of our very valuable breeding dogs. Carers are expected to properly manage their dog’s fitness, weight and condition so that it is in optimum condition for breeding when the time comes.

As a breeding stock carer you will keep the dog at your home for the majority of the year, except for when the broods are in season (about twice a year) and when they are ready to have their litters. All puppies are born and reared at the centre’s purpose built Breeding Centre.

Stud dogs will need to come to the centre for natural matings and other breeding matters (regular health checks or semen collection etc). How often the stud dog will be used depends on GDQ’s needs and the success rate of the stud.

More information about our Guide Dog Breeding Program can be found on our More Breeding Info page.

Our breeding dogs enjoy a loving family life, along with the benefits of being associated with the Guide Dog program. GDQ broods are retired between 7 to 8 years of age. Stud dogs retire at about 10 years of age or when their fertility begins to decline. Carers are given first option of keeping the dog as a pet when it is retired.

Criteria for Breeding Stock Carers

Applications to become a breeding stock carer are currently open.

Like our Puppy Raisers, all our breeding stock carers must meet a criteria before they can be accepted onto the program. If you can answer yes to the following please fill out and submit the below application form. 

•  Do you live within 90 minutes of Brisbane (including Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast)? 
• Is there at least one adult with flexible working hours, who can oversee the care, supervision and possible travel requirements of being a Breeding Stock carer?
• Are you fit and active enough to able to exercise alongside your dog for 40 minutes, five times a week?
• Is your property securely fenced? 
• Are you willing to have the dog live and sleep inside your home?

If you answered yes to all of the above click here to download the Breeding Carer Application Form.

Email the completed form to c.brown@guidedogsqld.com.au; fax it to 07 3261 7500 or post it to Guide Dogs Queensland, PO Box 50, Bald Hills, 4036.