Guide Dog ‘Dogfather’ Retires After Fathering Over 300 Puppies

Trigger, a 9-year-old Golden Retriever, has been a very busy dog in his role as “stud dog” for Guide Dogs, a charity organization in the UK. Nicknamed “the Dogfather”, Trigger has the legacy of having fathered 323 puppies. Trigger fathered 39 litters with one record-breaking litter of 16 puppies in 2021 and his final litter of puppies is now eight weeks old and beginning their training to become guide dogs.

Over the years, Trigger’s offspring have been nicknamed “Triglets” by the volunteers of the group. Triglets have gone to homes throughout Britain and have also been born at guide organizations in France and the Netherlands.

“Trigger’s legacy can be seen in the independence and confidence his progeny has brought to the lives of blind and partially sighted people all over Britain,” Guide Dogs said in a news release announcing his retirement.

“Trigger’s wonderful, gentle nature and excellent health have made him the perfect asset to our breeding program,” Janine Dixon, Head of Breeding Operations at Guide Dogs added. “We can’t overstate the impact that Trigger has in helping us to provide so many guide dogs for people with sight loss.”

Hopes are that Trigger’s son Billy will join their breeding program. “In the meantime, nine of his daughters, as well as his half-French son Pierre, are helping us to bring forward a new generation of guide dogs with Trigger’s fantastic genes,” Guide Dogs said.

Trigger is now off to enjoy his retirement with Breeding Dog Volunteer Sarah Byrne, who has looked after him for the past seven years and is set to officially adopt him.