Justie being welcomed by the Jeffrey and Charlotte Fleming.

The Malta Guide Dogs Foundation (MGDF) received three puppies bred in France, two of which are to be trained as guide dogs and the third to be raised for breeding.

The puppies to be trained are both males and black, Justie and Juno, while Jodie is female and champagne-coloured. The three are around four months old but already show the sort of temperament essential for a future guide dog.

MGDF officials, led by chairman Leone Sciberras (and his guide dog Aval), secretary Lilibeth Cachia, treasurer Elaine Cassar and Luca Taliana, who is responsible for overseeing local guide dogs, along with the three families that are to take the puppies in their care, were at Malta International Airport to greet the puppies, brought over by Antonin Morin from the French breeding centre.

Justie has been assigned to the Flemings, Juno went to the Hollamby family and the Pictons have welcomed Jodie in their home. Justie and Juno will be trained at the Hellen Keller Guide Dog School in Messina when they are around a year old.

Sciberras said: “The arrival of guide dog puppies is a very exciting time and, thanks to the response we had following our appeals, we are extremely satisfied with the families who have come forward to bring up the puppies at their homes.”

The puppies have settled in well and will be constantly supervised by Taliana. The food for the puppies is being sponsored by Borg Cardona & Co. Ltd, while the flight costs were covered through a long-term agreement with the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.