Some of its best characteristics are the range of shapes, sizes and personalities that allow for a close match with the needs of vision impaired people. The Labrador's greatest asset is its willingness to please. Breeding Guide dog associations throughout Australia breed more than 200 Labrador puppies each year to train as guide dogs. The breeding process begins long before the guide dog puppy is born. Litters can vary from one or two puppies to eight or nine.
Puppies vary in colour, from black to cream, including chocolate.
The puppy stays with its mother for approximately eight weeks and then commences training as a guide dog. Socialisation is one of the most important parts of training given to the puppy by its puppy walkers. This involves taking it to shopping centres, railway stations, city centres and a range of other places it is likely to encounter during its training and subsequent work as a guide dog. When the puppy is about 12 months old, it is assessed for its suitability for training as a guide dog. During a two week period, it is assessed for its reactions to other dogs, cats, trains, buses and other situations it is likely to encounter as a working guide dog.