What is a Guardian Home?
The guardian program allows us to improve our breeding program while prioritizing our dogs' happiness and need for love and attention. As a guardian home, you provide one-on-one attention for a breeding dog, and upon retirement, you become the permanent owner. Joining as a Guardian Home allows you to have a puppy or young adult as a family pet for very little, ensuring our dogs receive optimal care and attention.
What expenses are Guardian Homes responsible for?
Guardians are responsible for all “regular” dog care including providing food, treats, toys, etc. They are also responsible for normal vet care that is not breeding related. The dog must be kept UTD on all shots, flea and tick meds, and heartworm meds at guardians expense. Guardians are also required to pay for grooming unless they opt to do it themselves.
What are some of the requirements for being a Guardian Home?
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Teach basic commands such as sit, stay, lay-down, “no”, quiet, and leave it as well as how to walk politely on a leash
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Must be willing and able to train using positive reinforcement only
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Potty train and crate train the dog by 9 months of age if they are not already
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Keep the dog as an indoor family pet and never allow them to live outside
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Keep the dog off of the ground where other dogs frequent (dog parks, pet stores, etc) and away from unknown dogs until the dog is fully vaccinated (around 16 weeks)
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Be willing and able to socialize the dog with other dogs as well as people
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Provide adequate exercise and mental stimulation
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Be able to bring the dog to and from the breeder within 24-36hr notice
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Must be able to communicate, cooperate, and coordinate with the breeder effectively
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Contact the breeder in the event of any serious illness or accident
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You may not be a guardian home for a different breeder (with the same breeds) while participating in our program
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Fenced in yard is preferred, but not required
What is the Breeder responsible for?
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Provide guardian family with a healthy dog at very little cost
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Pay for health testing
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Pay for all breeding related expenses (ie progesterone testing, semen collection, etc)
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Teaching the guardian family how to detect a heat cycle and how to care for a pregnant dog if they don’t already know
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Pay for the spay/neuter upon retirement
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Provide lifetime support for the dog
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Always be willing to take the dog back if the guardian family can no longer care for them
DOES IT CONFUSE OR NEGATIVELY IMPACT THE DOG GOING BACK AND FORTH?
Initially, they may be slightly confused wondering, “Where’s my family going?”, but typically within 1-2 hours they are settled in. We try extremely hard to make sure that they are as comfortable as possible at their “home away from home” by giving them a lot of extra attention. It is also why we keep our guardian dogs in our home with us, as part of the family! We even allow them to sleep in bed with us if they choose to!
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Please take into consideration that you may also play a role in how quickly your dog adjusts. The more relaxed he/she is, the less stressed out she will be. Humans can project emotions on their dogs, so, if you are crying or acting nervous when leaving your dog, then she will most likely be more stressed.
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WHAT HAPPENS IF I DECIDE I DON’T WANT MY DOG BRED?
Becoming a guardian home for one of our dogs is a huge commitment and a decision that should not be made lightly. Please keep in mind that we are retain full legal ownership of the dog until they are retired from our program and guardians have a legal obligation to follow the contract. Our dogs are very high quality and have been hand selected to benefit and improve our program further.
Becoming a guardian home is not for everyone! Please consider this commitment carefully.
BENEFITS TO BEING A GUARDIAN HOME
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You are getting a top quality dog at very little up-front cost
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The dog will be health tested at the breeder’s expense
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Families are allowed to visit their female and her puppies
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The breeder pays for spay or neuter
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Guardians with females get to name the puppies in her litters
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Once retired and spayed/neutered, full rights and ownership are transferred to you
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Knowing your canine companion is blessing families all over the country
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We consider all of our puppy/dog owners family, but when you become a guardian you are truly part of our team
Click the link below to see who is currently looking for a guardian home!
