Guide Dogs started breeding dogs specifically for guide work around World War I. These dogs are sweet, sensitive, smart, and stubborn.

A Guide Dog can be in one of five states.

1. Puppies are in foster homes and are being taught basic obedience and manners.
2. Dogs in Training at at either the Oregon or San Rafaeul campus and are in formal training learning how to lead a person.
3. Graduates are dogs that have been successful in training. They have either been partnered with a person and they are working as a guide, or they are a breeder, or they are a K-9 pet for a youth.
4. Career Changes are dogs that for some reason or another don't pass formal training. Some of these dogs go into other programs and some come back to their foster parents. On rare occasions these dogs go up for adoption.
5. Retired dogs worked as Guide Dogs but can no longer work, usually due to age.