'Dogfather' of 300+ pups retires after bringing independence to visually challenged people all over Britain

The 'Dogfather' of guide dogs, a nine-year-old Golden Retriever who fathered over 300 puppies in the UK, has retired from the breeding programme.

Helping humanity one litter at a time

Trigger, aka Dogfather, was part of Guide Dogs, a charity that breeds and trains guide dogs to help visually impairedpeople in the UK.

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The Golden Retriever is dad to 39 litters, including an impressive 16 puppies in 2021 — "a record-breaking number for Guide Dogs," said the organisation in a press release.

"In total, 294 of Trigger's puppies have been bred by Guide Dogs, and a further 29 pups have been born of his valuable 'collaborations' with other assistance dog charities and guide dog schools. This puts his grand total at 323," adds the statement.

His puppies, as per the organisation, have gone to serve as guide dogs in many UK cities, including London, Glasgow, and Cardiff, bringing "independence and confidence" to the"lives of blind and partially sighted people all over Britain."

Two of his litters were born in France and the Netherlands, and are "helping to create guide dog partnerships in both countries."

The very last of Trigger's litters was made up of six puppies. The 'Triglets' — an affectionate name given to his offspring by volunteers and guide dog owners — consisted of five daughters named Jenny, Rita, Hermione, Sandy, and Indy, and one son, Billy.

Currentlyeight-week-old, the six golden retriever puppies "are about to start their guide dog journeys and will be living with volunteer Puppy Raisers for the next year of their lives."

Janine Dixon, the head of breeding operations at Guide Dogs, in a statement, said that Trigger's "wonderful, gentle nature and excellent health" made him a "perfect asset" for their breeding programme.

"We can't overstate the impact that Trigger has in helping us to provide so many guide dogs for people with sight loss," he remarked.

He added that they hope Trigger's progeny Billy will join their breeding programme to continue his legacy, and that "nine of his daughters and half-French son Pierre, are helping us to bring forward a new generation of guide dogs with Trigger’s fantastic genes."

The retired dog will live out his days in Banbury with his Breeding Dog Volunteer Sarah Byrne, who has looked after him for the past seven years. Byrne will now officially adopt the Dogfather.

(With inputs from agencies)