While we love and want to keep all our dogs with us, we understand that sometimes they do best when they are the center of attention in a permanent family home. Our Guardian Home program allows dogs to go into a permanent home when they are puppies or young adults (and sometimes adults), allowing them to live their best lives with lots of one-on-one attention from their forever families.
Becoming a guardian home gives you the opportunity to have a puppy or young adult at no cost as a family pet while he or she remains in our program. Once they are retired, they are spayed/neutered at our expense, full ownership transfers to you, and you get to keep the dog forever.
What is the Guardian Home Program?
In order to give our breeding dogs the very best life possible, it is important to limit how many dogs we personally keep at our home. But, in order to breed the best quality dogs possible, we need to continuously evaluate and add new blood-lines to our breeding program. The best way for us (and other breeders like us) to expand our program the right way is to keep our dogs out of a kennel environment and in a loving Guardian Home, where each dog is a cherished family member.
Does it cost to become a Guardian Family?
No, you will receive a dog that has been selected by us to be part of our program at no upfront cost to you!
What about transportation between the Guardian Home and breeder?
Guardian Homes are responsible for transportation to and from us unless prior arrangements have been made.
What expenses are Guardian Families responsible for?
Guardian Families are responsible for:
All regular dog care including food, treats, toys, etc.
All vet care that is not breeding related (yearly check-ups, exams, emergencies unrelated to breeding, etc).
Keeping the dog up to date on all shots, flea and tick, and heartworm medications.
All grooming expenses.
Any training related expenses.
What are some requirements for potential Guardian Families?
Guardian Families must:
Live within two hours of North Central PA or be willing to travel and meet.
Have a fenced in yard (may consider otherwise for the right person/family).
Not have any other intact animals in the home.
Be willing to keep the dog intact while in our breeding program (3-4 years).
Have previous dog experience (Aussie preferred).
Allow the dog to live in the house and be part of your family.
Be willing to provide obedience training, socialization, and potty training.
Stay in close communication with us while the dog is in our breeding program.
Allow the dog to stay with us for breeding and while whelping/nursing.
What is the breeder responsible for?
We will:
Provide the Guardian Family with a healthy dog at no cost.
Pay for genetic testing.
Pay for all breeding related expenses.
Always provide the dog with lots of extra love and attention and make them as comfortable as possible while they stay with us.
Keep the dog in our home with us as part of the family during their stay.
Pay for the spay/neuter upon retirement.
Always be willing to take the dog back if the Guardian Family can no longer care for them.
What happens if I decide I don’t want to breed my dog?
Being a Guardian Home is a huge commitment and a decision that shouldn’t be made lightly. Before placing a dog in a Guardian Home both the family and the breeder will sign a Guardian Home contract and families have a legal obligation to follow the contract. As the breeder we do retain ownership and breeding rights for the dog until it is retired from our program.
Do Guardian Families have to feed a specific food or treats?
We do not require specific food to be fed. However, we do require families to feed high-quality food that is not grain free. Our preference is the dog is fed Purina Pro Plan or Hill’s Science Diet. For treats, we do not have any specific requirements other than they be high quality and no rawhide treats.
What happens if it turns out my dog isn’t used for breeding in your program?
If for some reason we decide not to breed the dog, they will be retired from our program. You will be required to spay or neuter them at your own expense. After that, their ownership papers will be transferred to you.
What does the process look like?
Females in our Guardian Homes would come back to use to stay during her heat (1-2 weeks) and then be returned to you where she will stay during her pregnancy. About one week before whelping, she would return to us where she will stay throughout the remainder of her pregnancy up until the puppies are weaned (6-7 weeks), at which time she will be returned to you.
We view our Guardian Home Program as a win-win situation. Our Guardian Families receive a pick of the litter quality puppy at no charge to have and raise as part of their family. And we can rest assured our breeding dogs are living their best lives as cherished family members.
If you feel you would like to make the commitment to be a Guardian Family, please fill out the application HERE.
