Testing the dogs

testing the dogs puppy testing suitable evaluation physical exeminations

Guide Dog School tests all the puppies and dogs for the program. The puppies are tested when they are six weeks old, and the dogs starting the training program when they are 18 months old. The purpose of the tests is to define the dogs' suitability for guide dog use. The results of the tests are written down and they are used when new breeding combinations are being planned.
Guide Dog School has elaborated a computer-based breeding program, in which all the registration, health and testing information of the dog can be found. This breeding database includes reports based on the information on the pedigree and descendants of the dog. The school is developing further these computer-based programs in cooperation with other experts on breeding. A target for the near future is to be able to mathematically count a breeding value for a dog based on its bloodline and offspring.