Golden retriever nicknamed 'The Dogfather' retires after fathering more than 300 guide dogs

A golden retriever in Britain, nicknamed the "The Dogfather," is retiring after fathering more than 300 puppies.

Trigger, the 9-year-old golden retriever, was the "star stud dog" of Guide Dogs', a charity that helps pair dogs with people with vision impairment in the United Kingdom. He has fathered 39 litters, including a record-breaking one with 16 puppies in 2021, according to the charity.

Guide Dogs, in a news release, said that 294 of Trigger's puppies were bred by the charity itself, while another 29 pups were born "of his valuable ‘collaborations’ with other assistance dog charities and guide dog schools," bringing his total to 323.

Triglets

Trigger's puppies have been affectionately nicknamed "Triglets," by volunteers and guide dog owners. The Triglets have been helping visually impaired and partially sighted people all across Britain, including "London, Glasgow and Cardiff. Meanwhile, two of Trigger's litters were even 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.

The Dogfather's final litter had 6 puppies, including five daughters named Jenny, Rita, Hermione, Sandy, and Indy, and one son, Billy.

'Perfect asset'

“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 said in a statement. "We can’t overstate the impact that Trigger has in helping us to provide so many guide dogs for people with sight loss."

Dixon said the charity hopes Trigger's son Billy joins the breeding program and continues his father's legacy.

"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.

As for Trigger's future? Guide Dogs said that he will stay in Banbury with his Breeding Dog Volunteer Sarah Byrne, who has looked after him for past seven years and will now officially adopt him.

See more pictures of Trigger below:

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter @saman_shafiq7.