WHAT IS A GUARDIAN HOME?
Here at Grace Kennel, we feel that in order to succeed as an exceptional breeder of poodles and doodles, and to properly develop the breed, it requires us to have a number of dogs in our breeding program.
It is our goal to successfully further and develop our lines while having our breeding dogs live in a family environment.
We have found that the Guardian Home Program is the best way to accomplish this.
This is a very unique program that allows our breeding dogs to live as loved family members with our locally selected families while participating in our breeding program.
This is our way of ensuring that our breeding dogs live with their families in forever homes and still participate in the future development of the breed under our watchful eye.
The program is only available to families and individuals who live within a 2 to 3-hour drive from St. Cloud, Minnesota.
We ask that you assess your lifestyle, reliable transportation and permanency in the area to ensure that you are able to meet the requirements of caring for a pet but also meeting the requirements of the Guardian Home Program agreement.
We do require the dogs to come back to us for short visits so they can participate in the assessment and testing process, and eventually the breeding program, but always the Guardian Home dogs return to their family after these short breaks.
Any “breeding related” medical costs for the Guardian Dog are the expense of Grace Kennel.
Our Guardian Homes are only responsible for routine maintenance and medical care just as they would if they had their own dog.
Guardian puppies that enter our breeding program will begin producing between 18 and 24 months of age.
When a female Guardian dog is in season, the Guardian Family is required to contact us immediately.
An intact female usually has a heat cycle that will last between 14 and 21 days.
During this time, we will need access to her for breeding related appointments and we may have her stay in our home for a period during this time.
Once she has been bred, she will remain with her Guardian Family until one week before her due date.
At that time, the Guardian dog will come back to stay with us throughout her pregnancy and will be returned once her pups are fully weaned at 8 weeks of age.
Guardian Families are welcomed and encouraged to visit with scheduled appts while their Guardian Dog is at Grace Kennel.
Male dogs must be available for breeding when we have a matched female in heat.
We may bring the female to the Guardian family’s home for breeding, or we may bring the male to our house.
All breeding rights belong to Grace Kennel and no breedable dogs of the opposite sex are allowed in the same home with the co-owned puppy.
After your dog has fulfilled the requirements under the Guardian Home Program, we then pay to spay/neuter them for you, and they continue to live with your family in their forever home.
You must have a safe and secure environment for a Guardian Home dog to ensure their safety and health.
While we prefer families with previous dog ownership experience, we are happy to work closely with families and individuals who are new to dog ownership.
Our Guardian Home Program dogs are to be kept as house pets and family members.
Guardian Home Requirements:
- Live within a 2 to 3-hour driving distance from St. Cloud, Minnesota
- Provide a fully secure fenced yard
- Feed quality food only
- Provide basic obedience training, proper socialization to people, children, and dogs
- Understand the issues and responsibilities of caring for a breeding dog
- Willingness to return the dog to Grace Kennel during breeding and whelping
- Agree to regular health, veterinary care, and vaccinations
- Communicate freely with Grace Kennel about the health and conditions of the dog
Benefits of Being a Guardian Home:
- Receive the best quality breeding puppy chosen by Grace Kennel for 1/2 price!!!
- Grace Kennel will pay for the spay/neuter when the dog is retired from breeding
- Discounts to guardian family wanting an additional puppy from Grace Kennel
- Providing a breeding dog a family for LIFE, never experiencing life in a kennel or being re-homed after they are retired
The Guardian Home 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 that there is no better way than the guardian home program to help reputable breeders continue to breed dogs in a humane and loving environment and out of cages so in order to continue to produce HAPPY and HEALTHY puppies for families who are looking for a forever pet.
If you are interested in our Guardian Home Program, please fill out the Guardian Home Application form, e-mail us at Vicki@gkpoodlesndoodles.com or call us at 612-242-3534 for more information or questions.