Table of Contents
- What Is a Guardian Family Program?
- Why Do We Use Guardian Families for Our Dogs?
- What Guardian Program Benefits Do Families Receive?
- Timeline and What to Expect Throughout Your Journey
- How to Become a Guardian Family
- Supporting Ethical Breeding Through Guardian Families
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Related Articles
What Is a Guardian Family Program?
To put it simply, a guardian family receives a pick of the litter puppy at no cost and becomes that puppy’s forever home for their entire life. In exchange, we retain breeding rights for a limited number of litters before the dog retires to live out their golden years as your beloved family pet.
Dogs aren’t bred until they pass extensive health testing including OFA evaluations and comprehensive genetic testing. Females usually have 3 litters and then retire while they’re still young and healthy. Males are contracted for a set number of years rather than a specific number of breedings.
Why Do We Use Guardian Families for Our Dogs?
First and foremost, our breeding dogs are pets first, and they live very fulfilling lives. For ethical breeding, we believe the adult dogs’ quality of life is as important as the quality of life for our puppies.
Breeders face an important choice about how to manage their breeding dogs:
- Keep all breeding dogs in their home and rehome their retired dogs when breeding is finished
- Raise dogs in outside kennels
- Partner with guardian families where dogs live their entire lives as cherished family members
We’ve chosen the guardian family approach because it gives our breeding dogs the very best life possible.
We limit how many dogs we personally keep at our home, and our own dogs live out their entire lives with us. To maintain our breeding standards, we also need to continuously evaluate and add quality bloodlines to our breeding program. Our Guardian Home Program allows us to continue our breeding program the right way by keeping our breeding dogs in Guardian Homes where they live as beloved family members rather than in kennels. We follow guidelines set by organizations like the American Kennel Club to ensure responsible breeding practices. Our guardian breeding program ensures that our Cavapoos, CavaDoodles, and Mini Goldendoodles receive individualized care and live as beloved family pets.
Our guardian dogs live as beloved family pets in their guardian homes. They experience normal family life with daily walks, playtime, and indoor comfort. As true family members, they enjoy the companionship and care that comes with being part of a loving household.
Guardian Programs for Cavapoos, CavaDoodles, and Mini Goldendoodles
Whether you’re interested in becoming a guardian family for a Cavapoo, CavaDoodle, or Mini Goldendoodle, our program provides the same high-quality care and support for all breeds. Each dog receives breed-appropriate health testing and is carefully matched with guardian families based on temperament, lifestyle, and individual needs.
What Guardian Program Benefits Do Families Receive?
Pick of the Litter Puppy at No Charge
Guardian families for our Cavapoos, CavaDoodles, and Mini Goldendoodles receive a pick of the litter puppy at no cost and become that puppy’s forever home for their entire life. This high-quality puppy would typically be among the most sought-after from each litter.
Veterinary Coverage
We pay for annual checkups, all breeding-related veterinary expenses, and spay/neuter surgery when breeding duties are complete. The only time guardian families would have vet costs is in the rare event their dog becomes ill or injured.
Professional Photo Shoot
When your guardian dog passes all their testing, we celebrate with a professional photo shoot. Guardian families are welcome to be part of the shoot—whether that’s the entire family, some family members, or just the dog alone.
Home-Away-from-Home Care
We provide care for your guardian dog at our home when you need to travel, up to 10 days per year. You can use these days all at once or break them up as needed. Since guardian dogs visit our home regularly throughout the program, they feel very comfortable here during these stays.
Ongoing Support
You’re never alone in this journey because we provide support throughout the program. We’re available by phone or text for any questions or concerns, offering guidance on training, nutrition, and health care. We coordinate all veterinary care for reproductive needs and provide educational resources to help you succeed.
Timeline and What to Expect Throughout Your Journey
Guardian contracts typically last until females have completed their 3 litters, at which point they retire while still young and healthy. Males are contracted for a set number of years rather than a specific number of breedings. We maintain flexible scheduling around your family’s needs and always take a health-first approach, with breeding decisions prioritizing wellbeing over everything else.
Your guardian dog lives their entire life as part of your family, with periodic visits to our home for breeding purposes. Since guardian dogs visit us regularly throughout their lives, they become very comfortable at our home, which makes the transition seamless when it’s time to whelp. Guardian dogs typically go home right before the puppies go to their new families at 8 weeks old, then continue their normal family life until the next breeding cycle or retirement.
How to Become a Guardian Family
The process begins when you complete our comprehensive guardian application, which helps us understand your family’s lifestyle, experience, and expectations. We’ll then have a detailed phone interview to discuss the program thoroughly, answer all your questions, and ensure we’re mutually compatible.
Next, we’ll send you the guardian agreement to review thoroughly so you can understand all terms and ensure you’re comfortable with the commitment before moving forward.
After you’ve reviewed the contract, I’ll visit your home to meet your family in person and ensure the environment is safe and suitable for your guardian dog. We respect your privacy and boundaries—I’ll simply want to see where the dog will spend most of their time and verify that your yard is secure. Puppies are surprisingly good at finding small gaps in fencing to sneak out of, so we want to make sure everything is puppy-proof.
For complete details about our program structure and all requirements, you can visit our guardian program page where everything is explained in depth.
Supporting Ethical Breeding Through Guardian Families
By choosing guardian families over commercial facilities, we ensure individual attention for every breeding dog and natural socialization that creates better-adjusted puppies. Our health-focused decisions prioritize wellbeing rather than profit-driven breeding, and we maintain transparent practices with families who can see our commitment firsthand. This approach allows us to maintain higher standards of care throughout the entire breeding process.
Resources to Help You Learn More
- Why We Don’t Keep a Waiting List
- Finding the Best Breeder
- Temperament Testing in Puppies
- Learn to Control Puppy Biting
Frequently Asked Questions About Our Guardian Family Program
What exactly is a guardian family program?
A guardian family program allows you to welcome a breeding dog into your home as a permanent family member while temporarily participating in our ethical breeding program. The dog lives as your beloved pet while occasionally having litters under our guidance and support, ensuring dogs receive individual attention rather than living in kennels.
Is my guardian dog really mine?
Yes, in every way that matters! While we retain ownership on paper during the breeding program, your guardian dog is part of your everyday life as your family pet. They live with you permanently, sleep in your home, go on family trips, and bond with your family just like any beloved pet.
Is “guardian” just another term for fostering?
No, these are very different. Foster dogs are usually rescues or dogs needing temporary care before finding permanent homes. Your guardian dog is a pick of the litter puppy who IS your permanent home—they live with you forever. While we hold legal ownership during breeding years, ownership transfers to you at retirement and they never leave.
How long does the guardian family commitment last?
Guardian contracts last until females complete their 3 litters, at which point they retire while still young and healthy. Males are contracted for a set number of years. The exact timeline depends on the individual dog’s health and successful breeding outcomes.
What costs are guardian families responsible for?
You pay for food, grooming, and routine care. We cover annual checkups, all breeding expenses, and spay/neuter surgery. You would only be responsible for costs if your dog becomes ill or injured, which is uncommon.
Can I travel with my guardian dog?
Absolutely! Guardian dogs can travel with their families and we encourage these experiences. The only time we ask that you coordinate with us is if travel conflicts with planned breeding dates or when a female is in heat.
Can I visit my guardian dog’s puppies after they’re born?
Yes! Once the puppies reach 4 weeks old, we welcome guardian families to visit. It’s a wonderful experience to see your dog with her puppies, and mom dogs often seem proud to show off their litter.
Where do puppies stay during their first 8 weeks?
Puppies are born and raised at our home for the first 8 weeks. This provides the best socialization and health outcomes in a familiar, stress-free environment. We provide all necessary supplies throughout this process.
What happens when the guardian contract ends?
When your dog retires from our breeding program, we pay for spay or neuter surgery and your dog remains permanently with your family. There are no additional obligations, and your dog enjoys retirement as your treasured family member.
Can guardian families adopt puppies from their dog’s litters?
Yes! Guardian families receive significant discounts if they’d like to welcome one of their guardian dog’s puppies into their family. Many guardian families expand their pack this way, creating multi-generational family dynamics.
What if my guardian dog needs emergency veterinary care?
For breeding-related emergencies, contact us immediately and we coordinate and cover all expenses. For routine pet emergencies unrelated to breeding, you handle these as you would with any family pet. We’re always available for consultation if you’re unsure whether an issue is breeding-related.
Do you have male guardian dog opportunities?
Yes, though most guardian positions are for females due to breeding logistics. We occasionally seek guardian families for exceptional males. The contract principles remain similar with adjusted breeding expectations, and males often have fewer breeding commitments than females.
How do I know if my family is ready for a guardian program?
Ideal guardian families have dog experience, secure fencing, commitment to indoor living, flexibility for breeding schedules, and enthusiasm for supporting ethical breeding. During our application process, we help you assess readiness and ensure it’s the right fit for everyone.
How are guardian dogs selected for the program?
We evaluate temperament, complete health testing including OFA and genetic screening, conformation, and breeding potential. We maintain high standards because guardian dogs must excel as family companions and contribute positively to our breeding program.
How close do guardian families need to be?
Guardian families must be within 1 hour of Burton, Ohio. Since breeding, whelping, and puppy care all take place at our home, this proximity requirement ensures we can coordinate schedules and provide the best support.
What health testing do guardian dogs receive?
All guardian dogs receive all recommended OFA testing for their breed mix and comprehensive genetic testing through Embark. Our health testing meets CHIC (Canine Health Information Center) requirements. We cover 100% of these costs and ensure all testing meets or exceeds industry standards for ethical breeding. Each guardian dog also receives a complete physical examination by our reproductive veterinarian to ensure they’re in optimal health for breeding.
Can we do a trial period with the dog?
Yes, we offer a 30-day trial period to ensure it’s a good match for both your family and the dog. We want everyone to feel completely comfortable and confident in this important partnership.
Can we do a trial period with the dog?
Yes, we offer a 30-day trial period to make sure it’s a good match for both your family and the dog. We want everyone to feel completely comfortable and confident in this important partnership.
Ready to transform a dog’s life while enriching your own family’s experience? Learn more about our requirements and application process on our guardian program page, or explore our comprehensive FAQ page for additional information.
