What is a Guardian Family?
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.
Our Guardian Home Program allows us to expand our dog breeding program the by keeping our breeding dogs out of a kennel environment and in a loving Guardian Home, where each dog is a cherished family member.
In order to be considered as a Guardian Home, you must live within 3 hours of Sedona, AZ and be flexible to drop off and pick up the dog for playdates, health testing, vet visits, breeding, and whelping puppies.
As a Guardian Home, you get a high quality, pick of the litter pup free of charge and you become that puppy’s forever home. Garside Doodles retains breeding rights of the dog. For females, this starts at sexual maturity and ends once the female has whelped (given birth) to 4 litters. Male dogs’ contracts tend to be longer, and they are bred on an “as needed” basis.
While the dog is in our breeding program, Garside Doodles pays for all breeding-related expenses. Guardian Homes are responsible for all typical “pet” expenses and maintenance, including training and grooming by a professional and pet-related vet visit.
Once a dog passes its health testing, Garside Doodles decides when each dog will be bred and to whom. Females stay with their Guardian Family during pregnancy (normal gestation is about 63 days) and then she is returned to us a week before due date and raise her puppies. Once the puppies are weaned, which is typically when pups are around 6-8 weeks of age, the female can be picked up by her Guardian Family.
There are many things that Guardian Families need to consider. Guardians of females have to deal with several heat cycles and keeping their girl protected from unwanted males. Guardians of females will also have to be comfortable being away from their dog for an extended period of time (normally around 2-3 months each litter). 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. Male dogs can only mate with approved females, so the Guardian Home is responsible for keeping the male away from intact female dogs. Guardians of intact males will need to consider the importance of keeping him properly contained to prevent unwanted litters.
We view our Guardian Home Program as a true “win-win” situation. Our Guardian Families receive a quality puppy free of charge in return for working with Garside Doodles during the breeding years of the dog, and we have the satisfaction of knowing that our breeding dogs are living life as cherished family members.
To qualify for our Guardian Home Program, you must:
Live within 3 hours of Sedona, AZ and be flexible for dropping off and picking up the dog for playdates, health testing, vet visits, breeding, and whelping.
Be prepared for a home-visit and provide references prior to the dog/puppy being placed in your care.
Keep the dog safe and contained at all times (fenced in backyard).
Take the dog to our vet for vet care. Garside Doodles pays for health testing and breeding-related vet expenses while the dog is in our program. The guardian is in charge of all routine, pet-related vet expenses, just like you would with any typical pet dog.
Provide basic training that is standard for dog ownership (house, leash, and crate training, and basic obedience).
Keep the dog free of mats and tangles, and have the dog groomed on 6-8 week schedule with a professional groomer.
Feed the dog high quality food.
No plans of relocating within the next 5 years.
Understand that we are waiving the purchase price of the dog in exchange for a service- you must be willing to communicate, cooperate and coordinate with us during their time in our program, and be dedicated to providing a safe, loving home for the lifetime of the dog.
