Would You Like to Be a Guardian Home?

Becoming a guardian home for one of our breeding dogs can be an excellent way to have a top quality dog as your family pet. Here at Davis Doodles, we do not believe in the long term kenneling of our dogs (or any dog for that matter). Dogs raised and kept in kennels often do not get the proper socialization and stimulation that is needed for them to become a well balanced, happy animal. Therefore, we like to place our upcoming breeding dogs in their forever homes with suitable families while we retain breeding rights of that dog for a specified period of time.

What this means is that the dog belongs to you and stays with you as your family dog. You pay for all of the dog’s regular health maintenance (heartworm preventative, annual exams and shots), food and other expenses. We pay for the genetic health testing required for our breeding dogs in addition to all breeding expenses. Some of these expenses include hip and elbow films, annual or semi-annual eye checks, screening for multiple genetic illnesses, and various other tests associated with the breeding process such as semen analysis, progesterone levels, etc. Once the dog has passed its initial health testing (usually prior to his or her first birthday), he or she comes back to Davis Doodles as needed for relatively short periods of time for breeding and/or whelping. When the dog completes his or her breeding obligations, we neuter or spay the dog for you, and the dog comes home to enjoy the wonderful life you have provided for him or her since puppyhood. Males are typically retained as sires for a longer period of time than breeding females, but they do not need to leave their families for extended periods of time. Females in guardian homes may have up to three litters prior to being spayed so their breeding career is often shorter than that of males, but they have to leave their family for longer periods of time. Females will return to Davis Doodles to be bred at the appropriate time, then return home for the duration of the pregnancy. Then she will come back to Davis Doodles for several weeks for whelping, and nursing and weaning of the puppies. Of course the family is welcome to visit any time while the Mom is here taking care of her puppies.

There are many things that Guardian families need to consider besides frequent separation from their pet. Guardians of females sometimes have to deal with several heat cycles, keeping their girl protected from well-meaning gentlemen callers when she is in season. The Guardian family will need to learn the signs of a heat cycle starting and communicate, cooperate and coordinate with us to ensure a successful breeding. Guardians of males will need to be comfortable with some “macho” behavior in their un-neutered boy as well as protect his “purity” so to speak. Yes, there are doggie venereal diseases that we will test for prior to breeding with an unknown female, so your male will only mate with approved females chosen by Davis Doodles.

The price you’d pay for a labradoodle puppy from Davis Doodles varies from $1500-$2300 depending on the generation of labradoodle you are purchasing. The price to purchase a “breeding quality” labradoodle with breeding rights would be significantly higher (approximately 3-4 times higher). The Guardian program allows a family to purchase a “breeding quality” dog for the price of a pet. Therefore, there is still a cost for adopting a puppy from Davis Doodles as a Guardian. The reason for this is that many things determine whether or not a puppy is ever used for breeding purposes. If the puppy doesn’t meet the high testing standards we have set for our breeders, then the Guardian contract would revert to a pet contract. If we decide for any reason not to use the dog as a breeder, the dog would be neutered or spayed at our expense and you’d retain ownership under a pet contract. If for some reason the family is relocated out of state, the Guardian contract would be dissolved and a pet contract would be put in place requiring the dog be spayed or neutered at the owner’s expense. Our health warranty is the same for any dog raised at Davis Doodles whether it is in a Guardian home or a pet home.

In addition, if the puppy passes all testing and is used for breeding purposes (regardless of the number of litters or breedings), you will receive a one time “reward” of a “pick of the litter” puppy or reimbursement of your initial investment (the pet price that you paid for the dog).

Guardian programs provide benefits for the Guardian family:

• Guardian families have a 'pick of the litter' puppy chosen by the breeder
• Guardian families have additional information as to the overall health of the dog
• Guardian families receive ongoing support and training directly from the breeder of their dog
• Guardian families can schedule trips during breedings/whelpings without worry or cost of kenneling their pets

Guardian programs provide benefits for the Dog:

• The dog doesn't need to be re-homed as an adult after retiring
• The dogs are well socialized and in stable home environments
• The dogs rarely have to be kenneled when their family is traveling

There are a few requirements for providing a Guardian home for one of our dogs:

• Guardians must have some previous dog experience
• Guardians must NEVER strike the dog with an object or their hand as a form of discipline
• Guardians must live in a house with a fully fenced yard
• Guardians must keep the dog on a leash when outside unless the dog is in the fenced area
• Guardians must take their dog to puppy obedience classes
• Guardians must ensure the puppy is socialized to adults, children and other dogs
• Guardians must provide appropriate veterinary or emergency care when needed including annual shots and heartworm preventative
• Guardians must feed the dog a diet approved by the breeder and vet
  
• Guardians must not allow the dog to participate in extended strenuous running on concrete or other hard surface before 15 months of age
• Guardians must notify breeder immediately when a female begins her heat cycle
• Guardians must not allow a female around intact males during her cycle
• Guardians must not allow a male to breed ANY females other than those chosen by the breeder at a time determined by the breeder
• Guardians must live within reasonable driving distance from Davis Doodles
• Guardians and all others that live within the home must be interviewed by the breeder
• Guardians must communicate, cooperate and coordinate with the breeder regarding testing, matings, whelpings, and other breeding related activities

If you need more information or are interested in becoming a Guardian Home, please contact us.