Guide Dogs National Centre

03/06/2026

Did you know? For the first time, we've opened our volunteer breeding dog holder role (guide dog mums) to people living in East Berkshire, South Buckinghamshire, and parts of Oxfordshire.

Guide dog mums Betsy and Ulanda recently welcomed litters just one day apart with their breeding dog holders, Sandra and Jacquie, among the first people in the South East to take on this rewarding role 💛

Jacquie, from Oxfordshire, became a guide dog mum "mum" for the first time when Ulanda's puppies arrived. The litter of seven (four boys, three girls) is also Ulanda's first.

"I was already a full-time mum of three and a marketing consultant. Now I'm also a Breeding Dog Holder, or guide dog mum mum!"

We need more people to take on this special role across parts of Oxfordshire, East Berkshire, and South Buckinghamshire. Visit our website to find out more 👉
https://bit.ly/4akhz7N

[Visual Descriptions: Image one shows guide dog mum Ulanda (yellow golden retriever cross Labrador) on a comfortable blanket in a padded bed with her newborn litter feeding. Image two shows breeding dog holder Sandra kneeling on the floor in front of a bed containing small yellow guide dog puppies. Sandra is smiling and stroking one of the litter. Image three shows nine small yellow puppies, heads down feeding from a lengthy line up of bowls, all facing each other. Image four shows breeding dog holder Jacquie with her arm around a guide dog mum, smiling at the camera. They are facing a dog bed holding small, just visible puppies.]

01/06/2026

Today is the start of Volunteers' Week - a week dedicated to recognising and celebrating the contribution of volunteers 💗

A huge thank you to all our wonderful volunteers who help us bring life-changing guide dogs and vital support to people with sight loss. We couldn’t do it without you 👏

[Visual descriptions: Image one shows volunteer breeding dog holders Ruth and John standing in their garden holding two young guide dog pups each (one black and one yellow) Guide dog mum Rhoda (yellow golden retriever cross Labrador) is lying contently next to them. Image two shows a male Guide Dogs volunteer driver standing holding a young guide dog puppy by the open boot of a Guide Dogs van. Image three shows a volunteer breeding dog holder sitting on a covered bench with a guide dog mum (golden retriever) standing by her feet. A Guide Dogs staff member is sitting next the volunteer holding a small guide dog puppy (yellow Labrador) Image four shows volunteer breeding dog holder Fiona sitting and gently holding a sleeping Labrador puppy, with another puppy resting in a red basket nearby. Image five shows volunteer breeding dog holders, Jude and Brenda, smiling and holding guide dog puppies next to a sleeping guide dog mum - Jasmin (black Labrador) in a Guide Dogs branded dog bed.]

30/05/2026

We love this picture of guide in training Judy and "friends" from Guide Dogs Scotland 📷

Can you think of a caption?

[Visual description: Guide dog in training, Judy - black Labrador, is sitting in a room at our Forfar centre. Judy is in the middle of two life-sized black Labrador plushies, which are standing up. The one on the left is looking over to the side of the room. Judy and the other stuffed toy are looking into the camera. Judy has a bemused expression on her face.]

28/05/2026

After recently visiting the National Centre for their puppy checks, cheeky Jinny, Milo, and Isaiah have gone to live with wonderful volunteer puppy raisers across the UK. In Isaiah’s case, he also received a very warm welcome from pet dog Lindy too 🐶

This is the next step on their journey to becoming life-changing guide dogs. Best of luck little pups!

Find out more about what being a volunteer puppy raiser entails 👉 https://bit.ly/4tmUXuj

[Visual description: Image one shows young puppy Jinny, Labrador cross golden retriever, leaning over the half door of a pen in one of our vans, looking directly towards the camera with her tongue curled up over her nose. Image two shows a close-up of Milo, black golden retriever cross German shepherd, sitting and looking to camera with innocent expression. Image three shows pet dog Lindy, black Labrador, with puppy Isaiah, yellow Labrador cross golden retriever, lying together on the floor with their heads next to each other. Lindy has her front paws wrapped around Isaiah in a cuddle.]

26/05/2026

This isn't what we meant by navigating routes...🦮

Find out all about how we train our young puppies to become working guide dogs 👉 https://bit.ly/4f8P9Rz

[Visual description: One of young guide dog puppies (pale yellow Labrador) has their front paws up and resting on the steering wheel of a blue plastic toy car at the National Centre]

22/05/2026

With high temperatures incoming, what does a heatwave mean for our dogs?

Temperatures over just 20°C can start to have an impact, and when the mercury reaches 25°C, greater care should be taken to prevent your dog getting too hot and risking heatstroke.

Help your dog safely enjoy warmer temperatures by following our tips:

1. Create a cool space in your house - pick the coolest area of your home and provide a cooling mat or cold damp towel for your dog to lie on.
2. Ensure your dog is well groomed to remove excess hair - allowing your dog’s skin to breathe and trap less heat in their coat.
3. Keep your dog’s water bowls filled with fresh water, including an extra one outside if needed.

You can find more hot weather tips and information via our website 👉 https://bit.ly/3PvtVD9

[Visual description: One of our dogs (golden retriever) enjoying splashing in a paddling pool which is placed in a shaded outdoor area at the National Centre.]

20/05/2026

The toy cars are always a hit at the National Centre - especially with our puppies in the driving seat! 🚗

[Visual descriptions: Image one shows one of our young guide dog pups (yellow Labrador) sitting in an indoor play area on a blue toy truck - the puppy wears a slightly serious expression. Image two shows another of our young guide dog pups (yellow Labrador) showing the camera their dark blue rubber ring. The pup's front legs are over the door, and next to the steering wheel, of a red toy car - the pup is looking into the drivers side window. Image three shows a young guide dog pup (yellow Labrador) using their front paws to stand on a blue toy truck.]

18/05/2026

Our wonderful breeding dog holders are volunteers who care and nurture a guide dog mum - and plenty of little puppies when they arrive 🐾

Join our virtual information event tomorrow (19th May) at 12pm to find out more about our guide dog mums, and how you can get involved. Register via our website 👉 https://bit.ly/4nIjHMo

[Visual description: Guide dog mum Ellen (golden retriever cross Labrador) lying on a blue comfy blanket surrounded by her litter -approx eight puppies and some colourful stuffed toys.]

16/05/2026

Meet Buzz, one of our guide dog puppies with star potential ⭐

As a beloved space ranger returns to the big screen soon, you can sponsor puppy Buzz and support his mission to become a life-changing guide dog 🦮

To find out more about Buzz and the newest Sponsor a Puppy pups, visit https://bit.ly/4eIqeEh

[Visual description: Guide dog puppy Buzz (golden retriever aged approx. 12 weeks) is among a cardboard box town. He has his paws up on one of the boxes, which says "hotel" on the front of it. Behind Buzz are drawings of a rocket and a horse.]

14/05/2026

Congratulations to newly qualified guide dog Grant!

Have you ever wondered how a puppy becomes a guide dog? It’s a journey that takes time, skill and dedication. Find out more about the journey of a guide dog 👉https://bit.ly/4tzCkmO

[Visual description: Black Labrador Grant is sitting outside a front door looking proudly towards the camera wearing a red and white checked guide dog harness, which indicates a dog is partnered with a person with sight and hearing loss]

Congratulations to Grant who has now officially qualified as a guide dog🐾

We think he looks very proud!

He'll now go on to help someone with sight loss live the life they choose.

Good luck on your journey Grant!

[Visual description: Image of black labrador Grant standing looking proudly towards the camera wearing a red and white checked guide dog harness, which indicates a dog is partnered with a blind and deaf person]