As a Guardian home, you get a free puppy and the dog stays with you as your family for the life of the dog and we retain breeding rights for a certain amount of litters starting at sexual maturity and ending once the female has whelped a set amount of litters, or the male has reached a certain age. Each Guardian dog contract is unique but it usually consist of whelping between 2-4 litters depending on what we are trying to accomplish with the female and how she reacts during and after whelping.
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Our Guardians are responsible for the dog’s regular health maintenance, annual exams, vaccines, flea control, heartworm medication, food, grooming and anything else associated with raising a dog. We pay for genetic health testing and all breeding related expenses. Once the dog has passed their genetic testing they will be added to our breeding program. We decide when and to whom she will be bred to. She is returned to us on the 10th day of her cycle for approximately one week and then is returned to the Guardian. The female is returned to us 7-10 days before her due date and will remain with us for 5-7 weeks. After her puppies have been whelped and weaned the female will return home to the Guardian.
When the dog is older and completes her breeding obligations, we pay for spaying and your dog comes home to enjoy the wonderful life you have provided for her since she was a puppy.
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There are many things that Guardian families need to consider. Guardians of females sometimes have to deal with several heat cycles and keeping their girl protected from unwanted males. The Guardian family will need to learn the signs of a heat cycle and be willing to communicate, cooperate and coordinate with us to ensure a successful breeding.
Qualifying to be a Guardian Home
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Guardians must keep the dog on a leash or in a confined area. Guardians must be willing to train the dog in the very basic obedience commands. Guardians must ensure the puppy is socialized to adults, children and other animals. GUARDIANS MUST PROVIDE APPROPRIATE VETERINARY and EMERGENCY CARE WHEN NEEDED. Guardians must feed a diet approved by the breeder.
Guardians must be able to identify and notify us immediately when a female begins her heat cycle. Guardians must not allow a female in heat near intact males. Guardians must live within a reasonable driving distance of Valdese, North Carolina.
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The Guardian Program is actually a very simple program even though it may seem like there are a lot of details. The main thing to remember is, if we as humans truly reject the idea of puppy mills, then to me there is no better way than the guardian home program to help reputable breeders continue to breed dogs in a humane and loving environment. In order to continue to produce happy and healthy puppies for families who are looking for a forever pet or are in need of a service dog we have adopted this wonderful program and it has worked very well for us and the families involved
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