Only 40% of dogs successfully complete their training as assistance dogs. For guide dogs, the success rate is even lower.
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Many dogs are unable to complete the training required to become assistance dogs.
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This leads to a shortage of suitable assistance dogs, especially guide dogs.
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As a result, many people with visual impairments have to wait years for a guide dog.
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Health, temperament and genetics play a key role in this high dropout rate.
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That is precisely where the key lies : the foundation of a suitable dog is laid before training.
About Nova Canis
Nova Canis is a project of the non-profit organization 4 Zinnen & Meer, dedicated to developing a professional breeding programme for future assistance dogs, with a special focus on guide dogs for people with visual impairments.
Our programme focuses on responsible breeding, health, temperament, early development and lifelong follow-up, in close collaboration with foster families and specialised partners.
Health & Genetics
Comprehensive health screening, carefully planned breeding combinations and a strong focus on sustainable genetic diversity.
Behavior & selection
Behaviour and temperament are carefully assessed through observation and standardised evaluations.
Early Development
Puppies are raised in a home environment, with a strong focus on early socialisation and a stable foundation for the future.
Our mission
The foundation of every successful guide dog is laid long before birth.
A strong start makes all the difference.
For both the dog and the important role it will fulfil in the future.
That is why we are building a healthy and sustainable breeding population, carefully selecting dogs based on genetics, inherited health, behaviour and temperament.
Our goal is to increase the number of dogs that successfully become guide dogs or take on another valuable role within the assistance dog sector.
Our operations
Selection of Breeding Dogs
Young dogs are raised in carefully selected foster families.
Throughout their development we closely monitor their health, behaviour and overall development.
Using behavioural observations, standardized assessments, health screenings and genetic information we carefully evaluate which dogs are suitable for breeding and which combinations best support the goals of our programme.
Litter Monitoring
When a selected breeding female has a litter, she stays with a dedicated maternity family.
We support the family throughout pregnancy, whelping and the puppies' first weeks of life by providing clear guidance and practical assistance.
This ensures a calm, safe and well-supervised start for both the mother and her puppies.
Early development
During the first weeks of life, puppies are guided step by step through their early development.
We focus on early socialisation while gradually introducing new experiences in a calm and positive way.
Throughout this period, we closely monitor each puppy's health and behaviour.
At seven weeks of age, every puppy undergoes a standardized behavioural assessment to help determine its future path.
Coordination & expertise
Nova Canis is coordinated by Birgit Depoorter, who holds a Bachelor's degree in Agro- and Biotechnology (Animal Care). She is a canine behaviourist and leads the Nova Canis breeding programme.
With years of experience in the guide dog sector, she is responsible for supporting foster families and overseeing the selection, development and ongoing evaluation of our dogs.
Our approach combines practical experience from the assistance dog sector with current scientific knowledge of canine behaviour, genetics and early development.
