On the partnership with other guide dog schools, Tom said: “Occasionally, we enter mutually beneficial breeding collaborations with other International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF) organisations. These collaborations may be in the form of mating, the exchange of frozen semen, or the transfer of puppies or adult dogs as either a guide or breeding dog.

“Just recently, we had a dog from a guide dog school in Japan join our breeding program. Such dogs help us improve genetic diversity, while ensuring we retain the personality traits and excellent health needed make successful working guide dogs for people with sight loss.”

To ensure they are able to produce the best dogs possible for the job, the family lineage of not only Pierre, but all guide dogs can be traced to ensure genetic diversity.

Characteristics such as temperament and health are taken into consideration, and a system known as Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) help value the breeding animals in terms of their potential genetic merits and hereditary traits.

As with Pierre, who is half-French, Guide Dogs enters mutually beneficial breeding partnerships with other International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF) organisations.

Roughly a year after they are born, pups are put through an extensive health testing which includes x-rays to check their joints, DNA tests and eye exams. If they pass, they will be accepted as a breeding dog, and won’t enter further guide dog training.

However, Pierre, who is looked after by Guide Dogs volunteer Tonia Hone in Solihull, might have a future rival for the throne. In Trigger’s last litter in January this year, a boy named Billy was born, who has been marked as a potential breeding dog of the future and heir to Trigger’s impressive legacy.

Tom said: “Pierre is a perfect example of what can be achieved when organisations come together. His long, illustrious family history that is critical to him producing the guide dogs of the future.”