1. How old will a released puppy be?
2. What breeds are available for adoption?
3. Is the body type of Guiding Eyes for the Blind Labs English or American?
4. Do these puppies come with papers?
5. Can I breed my adopted puppy?
6. How are released puppies matched to waiting families?
7. Do I get to pick a puppy out of a litter of pups?
8. Can I come look at the puppy before I make my decision to adopt it?
9. How much does it cost to adopt a released puppy?
10. How can I adopt a released pup or an older dog?
11. Will Guiding Eyes ship my dog by air to me?
12. Can I change the name of my adopted dog?
13. Can I adopt more than one dog?
14. Are females easier to handle than males?
15. Why are puppies released from your program?
16. Do you have a list of recommended trainers?
17. Do Released Pups make good pets?
18. Are the parents guide dogs?
19. Do you recommend a choke collar?
20. How big will the dog be as an adult?
21. Can I give treats?
22. Are the released dogs healthy?
23. Can I have my vet come to check out the pup before I adopt it?
24. How far can I walk my new puppy without worrying about its level of immunization prior to 12 weeks?
25. Can I have the new puppy around my friend’s dog?
26. Are released puppies housebroken?
27. What should I put in the crate for bedding?
28. What size crate should I get?
29. How long can the puppy be in the crate?
30. What size collar should I get?

1. How old will a released puppy be?

The puppies are typically between 7 and 9 weeks old at the time of placement.

2. What breeds are available for adoption?

The vast majority of our puppies are Labrador Retrievers (approximately 95%) and the most common color Labrador is black. There are occasionally German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers.

3. Is the body type of Guiding Eyes for the Blind Labs English or American?

Our labradors vary in body type from the more stocky English look to the equally attractive dogs with less bulk. The foundation stock and numerous ancestors had championship show and working titles. The most important title of more recent ancestors is that they are producers of guide dogs that serve the blind.

4. Do these puppies come with papers?

We are able to provide a pedigree and any health clearance information you request on the parents or ancestors. Our dogs come from some of the finest lines of guide dog breeding stock from around the world, but most from generations of Guiding Eyes’ careful selection. We no longer provide AKC registrations of our dogs as many of the guide dog schools we cooperatively breed with do not register their dogs with this agency.

5. Can I breed my adopted puppy?

No. You are required to sign an agreement that you will have the pup neutered within 6 months of adoption. We require that a certificate of neutering be sent to us by the time the pup is 8 months old.

6. How are released puppies matched to waiting families?

Applicants for a released dog complete a detailed questionnaire, helping us get to know their needs and personality. Using this information, we look for matches on such attributes as energy level, temperament and personality. Very active families that want dogs to run, hike or hunt with them are matched with dogs with a suitable energy level for those activities. Families are also screened to make sure that the puppy will have proper care and attention.

7. Do I get to pick a puppy out of a litter of pups?

No, we work very hard in matching you with a puppy based on your needs and desires. Historically, our adopters have been very pleased with the matches we have made. If upon taking the puppy home, you are not pleased with your new family member, we will offer to take the puppy back and refund your adoption fee within 60 days.

8. Can I come look at the puppy before I make my decision to adopt it?

No, we will not know which puppy you will be getting until the puppy has its final temperament test. See question Do I get to pick a puppy out of a litter of pups? above for related information.

9. How much does it cost to adopt a released puppy?

The cost for all released puppies is $1300.00 with the exception of GLABs (golden/lab cross) and Black & Tan Labs whose cost is $1100.00.

10. How can I adopt a released pup or an older dog?

You can apply for a released puppy online. .

11. Will Guiding Eyes ship my dog by air to me?

No, due largely to increased restrictions by the airlines, we no longer ship released dogs by air to adoption homes. If you are interested in adopting a released dog, you must reside within driving distance of our facility in Patterson, N.Y., near the Connecticut/New York border. Click here for directions to the Patterson, NY area. for information.

12. Can I change the name of my adopted dog?

Yes, you may change your dog’s name, and many adoptive families do so. For record keeping, we ask that you update us on your puppy’s new name.

13. Can I adopt more than one dog?

You can only adopt one dog at a time. Some families will place their names back on the list to adopt a second dog, but, to be fair to those who are waiting, we require that they go to the end of the list. This usually works out well to allow a few years between dogs.

14. Are females easier to handle than males?

Not necessarily! Just like people, dogs come in all types and personalities regardless of sex. Since all released dogs must be eventually be neutered, concentrate on temperament and personality traits rather than gender. If you restrict your application to a female only, your wait will usually be longer, as we have proportionately more applications for females than males and our availability of both sexes is equal.

15. Why are puppies released from your program?

Our released puppies have been evaluated and indicate from these early tests that they do not have the potential to become guide dogs. The most common reason for release we find them too sensitive to withstand the pressures of decision-making.

16. Do you have a list of recommended trainers?

Check with your local veterinarian to find qualified trainers in your area. Also Good Dogs, Great Owners by Brian Kilcommons closely follows the philosophy of Guiding Eyes for the Blind.

17. Do Released Pups make good pets?

Yes, they make excellent pets. They are well-bred, affectionate dogs who have been handled and socialized since birth by our staff and volunteers. The very traits that keep them from being guide dogs are the same ones which make them ideal pets.

18. Are the parents guide dogs?

Before going into guide dog training, a dog must be neutered or spayed, therefore our breeding stock is determined before this time. However, dogs that become breeders for Guiding Eyes are an extremely elite class of dogs that would have certainly worked as a guide but were found to be so superior in temperament, intelligence, confidence and health, they were chosen to carry on the progeny for Guiding Eyes.

19. Do you recommend a choke collar?

No, we do not recommend training or “choke” collars, as they are more difficult to use properly. We recommend head collars for people who have strong and self-willed dogs. There are two brands currently on the market; Gentle Leader and Halti head collars. These are available from pet stores and mail order catalogs such as JB Wholesale. A puppy, properly trained during the early months, will be responsive to your direction without the need of a training collar.

20. How big will the dog be as an adult?

The size of a Guiding Eyes dog when full grown can vary based on sex and genetics, but on average, a full-grown Labrador can weigh between 60 and 80 lbs. and be between 21″ to 26″ tall when measured at the shoulder.

21. Can I give treats?

You can give treats to your dog, but it is advisable to limit treats to a small portion of the daily caloric intake. Treats are not balanced nutritionally and could also add to a common problem of obesity, which shortens your dog’s life span and results in numerous health problems.

22. Are the released dogs healthy?

Our puppies come from generations of parents who have been selected for their excellent health and temperament. As a result, the incidence of hereditary problems in our dogs is much lower than the average dog population. All parents are screened to be free of hip, eye, heart, elbow and other common health problems in the breed. Guiding Eyes’ veterinarians monitor our dogs’ health from birth. At the time of adoption, all vaccines are up to date. We do request that you notify us if your dog does develop any hereditary illnesses so that we can use that information to continue making the right decisions in breeding management.

23. Can I have my vet come to check out the pup before I adopt it?

You are welcome to have your vet come with you for the placement or as is more commonly done, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian for an exam. In addition, our veterinary staff has examined every puppy and deemed your puppy healthy. If there are any concerns or questions you or your veterinarian identify with your puppy, our veterinary staff will be happy to answer your questions. See question Are the released dogs healthy? above for related information.

24. How far can I walk my new puppy without worrying about its level of immunization prior to 12 weeks?

Prior to the pup’s 12 week vaccinations, it is best to keep the puppy from areas traveled by dogs such as parks, pet stores, veterinary offices and even your neighborhood. You can exercise and socialize your pup to new experiences, but, if you are unsure if stray or other potentially unhealthy or unvaccinated dogs may have had access to the area, it is best to avoid it entirely.

25. Can I have the new puppy around my friend’s dog?

You can expose your pup to other dogs you know provided they are properly vaccinated and friendly. Make sure that you are always there to properly monitor play. Rough play with an older dog can result in serious injury to the smaller puppy.

26. Are released puppies housebroken?

No, puppies released from Guiding Eyes are not housebroken.

27. What should I put in the crate for bedding?

For the first two to three weeks, do not place anything in the crate of a newly released puppy. A towel or blanket may encourage the puppy to eliminate in the crate. Also puppies tend to chew and ingest everything whichThis could cause intestinal obstructions and serious illness.

28. What size crate should I get?

A good source of mail order dog equipment is JB Wholesale. Ideally, you would have two crates – a Vari Kennel 200 or medium size from adoption through age 4 months, then once housebreaking is complete, move to a larger, permanent crate model Vari Kennel 500 or X- large size for females and a size larger for males. A guideline is that the crate size should be large enough for the pup to lay down comfortably but not big enough that he has room to eliminate in one corner and sleep in another. If you do not want to buy a bigger crate later, you can purchase a crate that is large enough for your pup when full grown and place a divider in the crate while the pup is house trained.

29. How long can the puppy be in the crate?

At 8-20 weeks of age, the pup needs to be let out a minimum of every 2 hours. Beginning at 20 weeks, build up to 3 hours & 4 hours until the dog is about 8 months old. Young puppies need to eliminate much more frequently than older dogs. Initially you should plan on letting the puppy out every hour until it learns where to eliminate and then, decrease the frequency to every two hours. Take note as to when the pup goes. Until housetraining is established, you should feed the pup the same time each day and be home to let the pup out to eliminate around the same time each day It is also important to make sure that the puppy has had a chance to exercise and “get busy” before being placed in the crate for long periods of time.

30. What size collar should I get?

You will need a puppy sized “buckle” collar. If you want a collar that will grow with your puppy for a while, you can purchase a 3/4 inch width, 9-14 inch long adjustable collar. Nylon web collars are the most common and durable.

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Have a question?
Email us at releasedpup@guidingeyes.org