Our mission is to provide tools, educational materials, and training opportunities that promote the production and rearing of healthy, behaviorally appropriate dogs ideally suited for performing their work. We achieve this with the support of our members, who consist of professional working dog organizations, breeders, academics, veterinarians, breed and sporting clubs and working collaboratives.
We offer resources that expand upon various aspects of the working dog industry, including breeding, health and genetics, environmental and technological advances, working dog behaviors, puppy socialization and breeding program and organizational management. Our members also enjoy complimentary digital access to 3 academic journals – find out more here.
IWDA is a non-profit organization governed by a Board of Directors – find out more about our board of directors here.
The 2023 IWDA International Working Dog Conference (October 16-18 2023, Fort Collins, Colorado) is not to be missed! Tickets are now available – click here.
Join us to explore recent scientific advances in the production of high quality working dogs:
We are accepting abstract submissions: Click here for more information.
Immediately following the IWDC on October 19th and 20th is our next Breeder’s Workshop, showcasing tools and resources to implement evidence based methods when improving the whole dog. Tickets are now available – click here!
If your organization relies on volunteer puppy raisers, you are probably aware of how challenging it can be to attract and retain suitable volunteers. Volunteer puppy raisers are a crucial
Does your organization offer a youth program? Youth programs are an excellent way to establish relationships and integrate families into your programs and organization. The positive effects of guide dogs
The Seeing Eye’s stated mission is to enhance the independence, dignity and self-confidence of people who are blind, through use of specially trained Seeing Eye® dogs. In pursuit of this
IWDA is governed by a Board of Directors that has varied in size over the years. We are proud to have a Board who is dedicated to our mission and contributes to the development of further working dog science and best practice. Our Board represents different countries around the globe, and different specialisations within the working dog industry, which gives the IWDA a well-rounded perspective.
Since 1999, the International Working Dog Conference gives working dog professionals and our members the chance to explore and present the latest industry related advancements.
Initially held in San Antonio, Texas, the IWDC is now an international event – we have met in Australia, Belgium, South Africa, France, Canada and Sweden. The challenges of 2021 did not stop us and resulted in a successful virtual conference. Past conferences are now shared through presentations, lectures and resources which are made available to our members in our IWDC Conference Archives.
The IWDR is an online database in which users can store and maintain working dog records (including pedigrees, health and working behavior records, production outcomes, work placement details, and more).
The database includes a variety of helpful tools, such as test matings, data collaboration, and estimated breeding value (EBV) calculations for specific health and behavior traits. These tools help you decide exactly which dogs are genetically most likely to produce puppies that will meet your breeding program objectives.
The IWDR is proudly owned by the IWDBA, however, registration is separate. Find out more about the IWDR here.
The Early Socialization Project delivers an extensive socialization guideline for working dog puppies from birth to 12 weeks. This is a user friendly educational resource for working dog breeding programs and organisations aiming for confidence, handler focus, & stable psychological and physiological development in their puppies. Our goal is to provide a step-by-step guide to consistent and reliable results, and therefore give our working dog puppies the best chance of success in their future role.
The Early Socialization Project is a collaboration between the IWDR, Southeastern Guide Dogs, Guiding Eyes for the Blind, and Guide Dogs Queensland.
If your organization relies on volunteer puppy raisers, you are probably aware of how challenging it can be to attract and retain suitable volunteers. Volunteer puppy raisers are a crucial …
Does your organization offer a youth program? Youth programs are an excellent way to establish relationships and integrate families into your programs and organization. The positive effects of guide dogs …
The Seeing Eye’s stated mission is to enhance the independence, dignity and self-confidence of people who are blind, through use of specially trained Seeing Eye® dogs. In pursuit of this …
IWDA Member Margot Perez, who since 2017 has held a researcher position at the National Forensic Police Department in Ecully, France, is studying whether dogs can help law enforcement identify …
Is your working dog performing at its optimum ability? IWDA member and United States Army Major Brian Farr, DVM, as part of his engagement with the Penn Vet Working Dog …
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