Name a Puppy

By raising or donating £2500 or more you can name one of our life-changing guide dog puppies.

Once the funds have been raised and the donation made, we ask you to complete a quick naming form which lets us know your suggested names. A short while later and you’ll hear the exciting news that a new puppy is here. Name a Puppy follows a real life pup, in real time, so waiting times may vary.

If you wish to fundraise or donate to name a guide dog puppy, complete our short sign up form.

Our ‘Raise’ level includes the opportunity to digitally meet with the puppy. ‘Train’ and ‘Transform’ Name a Puppy levels have the option for you to meet the puppy in person, or virtually if you prefer. An ‘in-person’ visit may mean that you need to travel to meet with us and the pup in a suitable location.

Our Raise, Train and Transform options also include a ‘My first year’ celebratory video montage, for you to keep and share with everyone involved in the fundraising.

Please note: In-person puppy visits can only be completed when the pup is ready (fully settled in their training and comfortable travelling) and the pup must be at least 17 weeks old.

Suggested names will ideally be two syllables to help when training, and they can’t rhyme with our training commands. Please consider how our trainers and future owners may feel with any unusual or creative suggestions.

We ask where possible that you suggest both male and female names, or gender-neutral names, as we won’t know if we will get male or female puppies until the pups are born! Please be aware that if only one gender name is given, it will take us longer to gift your name to one of our pups.

If you’re naming a puppy in memory of a loved one, we understand how important their name will be to you.

Occasionally, a suggested name may be unsuitable. If that happens, we’ll give you a call and ask you for some different suggestions.

As a tiny young pup, it’s extremely difficult to predict what their future may hold. We have four incredibly special roles for our new puppy recruits to aspire to: a guide dog, buddy dog or maybe even a guide dog mum or dad.

• Our guide dogs give people with sight loss the confidence to get out and about safely. From helping their owners get to work or university, or simply to a regular exercise class, they provide life-changing practical support every single day.
• Our buddy dogs bring a canine friend into the lives of children with sight loss. By helping them build confidence in themselves and trust in their surroundings, these dogs have a hugely positive effect on a child and their family’s wellbeing.
• Our guide dog mums and dads are all about the future. Without them we wouldn’t be able to create the next generation of life-changers.  It’s an incredibly special role, they are the start of every puppies story.

Even though our success rate is one of the highest in the world, for some of our four-legged family guiding is not the career for them. We put the welfare and wellbeing of our dogs at the heart of everything we do, so if one of the roles above isn’t right for them we ensure they are re-homed with a loving family, many of whom become ambassadors – sharing the work of Guide Dogs with all those they meet.

Every guide dog puppy is completely unique – and that means the costs to us can vary. For example, some pups and dogs, who need a special diet, will have more expensive food bills. Some will need additional veterinary care or extra training support on their exciting journey with us.

This is why your donation to Guide Dogs through Name a Puppy won’t be restricted specifically to the puppy you have named. But rest assured, your generous support will go where it’s needed most – 
helping provide independence and freedom for people living with sight loss.

It’s around 15 weeks from that first twinkle in the eye to a 6-week old puppy, and we would hope to be able to  name a puppy within this time frame for you.  From time to time it may take us longer, mother nature can at times gift us with lots of pups in a litter, but she can also do the opposite too! 

Operating a real life, real time scheme is both exciting and challenging, with many variables as you can imagine so we ask you to bear with us.

Whilst awaiting the exciting news of the pup you have named we’ll send you some lovely information about the different types of dogs we breed and insights into what happens during those incredibly special first few weeks.

You can choose if you would like to receive your Name Puppy communication either by post or electronically – just let us know which you would prefer.

We have a range of naming levels with each level following a puppy to a different milestone in their journey. So, it will all depend on the level that you choose. See full details on our naming levels.

We want to keep your fundraising fun, so we recommend no longer than 2 years. We will be on hand throughout your fundraising journey to help with fundraising ideas and answer any questions to support you in achieving your fundraising aspirations.

We have a fundraising pack full of ideas and inspiration. We also appoint a dedicated key contact from the Guide Dogs team who will be happy to help answer any questions you have.

For anyone who wishes to name a puppy in memory of a loved one we have a specialist in memory team at Guide Dogs to support you every step of the way.  Find out more about our tribute funds and in memory options.

Of course, please let us know if you wish to name a puppy in memory of a loved one or a faithful animal companion.  We have a specialist in memory team at Guide Dogs to support you every step of the way. Find out more about our tribute funds and in memory options.

Yes, however, if you select a named sponsorship level that includes a puppy visit we wouldn’t be able to bring the puppy to see you in person, however the digital option will be available to you.

If you would like to update your address or contact preferences please contact the Name a Puppy Supporter care team at nameapuppy@guidedogs.org.uk or call us on 0345 1430 222.  The team are available Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm and are always happy to help.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to specify the colour or breed of your named dog, but we can guarantee that whatever breed or colour they are, they’ll be adorable.

We’re really sorry but that wouldn’t be possible. Having a dog is a huge commitment and a big decision.  We have a re-homing team that carefully assess the needs of our dogs and find the perfect home to meet those needs.

No, the fundraising targets to Name a Puppy do not include any Gift Aid amounts and therefore can't be counted towards your Name a Puppy goal. Not all donations are eligible for Gift Aid to be claimed by Guide Dogs so excluding Gift Aid from the target ensures everyone is raising or donating the same amount.