Guardian Home Program
At ExpeditionDoodles we believe that every dog deserves to have a loving, forever home. All of our dogs are part of our family and live in our home rather than kennels so that we know they are getting as much attention as possible. Because of this we have decided to offer a Guardian Home Program. A Guardian Home is a permanent home for one of our breeding males or females.
Becoming a Guardian Home gives you the opportunity to have one of our top notch, "Pick of the Litter" puppies as a family pet. Rather than buying this puppy you will be putting down a $150 deposit that will be returned at the end of his/her breeding career (4-5 litters or up to the age of 5 for females & up to the age of 6 for males). ExpeditionDoodles will retain ALL breeding rights. We reserve the right to cancel our guardianship program at any time if we deem it necessary. Once retired, he/she will be neutered/spayed at our expense and returned back to you with full ownership.
If you are a Guardian for one of our females you will be compensated $50/puppy OR $300/litter (your choice) once her puppies go home. You are welcome to schedule a visit while she is with us and play with the puppies!
As a Guardian Home you will be required to pay for the everyday expenses of owning a dog including annual exams, vaccines, food, etc. We will pay for all breeding related costs including health testing.
Becoming a Guardian Home is not for everyone. You MUST be willing and able to follow these requirements:
Have previous experience with dogs.
He/She must be an indoor pet and never left unattended outside.
Be willing to teach basic commands such as sit, stay, lay-down, and leave it.
Be willing to socialize puppy. This is very important!
Feed a premium, quality food.
Provide regular exercise.
Provide veterinary care when needed.
Be able to communicate with us, the breeder, about scheduling testing, mating, whelping, and anything else breeding related.
Contact Breeder immediately in the event of a serious illness or accident.
Send a copy of all vet visits to Breeder.
Willing to let us, the breeder, visit your home.
All other dogs in the home MUST be fixed if they are the opposite sex.
Must not allow he/she to mate with any unapproved dogs.
If you are a guardian for a female dog, you must be willing to drop her off for 1-2 weeks while she is bred. Then drop her back off 1 week prior to her whelping date. She will stay with us until the puppies are weaned.
If you are a guardian for a male dog, you must be willing to drop him off for 3-5 days for breedings unless arrangements are made ahead of time for us to pick him up.
If you are interested in becoming a Guardian Home for one of our incredible dogs please fill out the Guardian Home application. We look forward to hearing from you!
DOG HANDLING AND LIVING ARRANGEMENTS:
We ask that our guardian families practice safe dog handling. For example do not leave the dog outside if they are not at home. Don’t let the dog sit in the back of an open pickup. Use a leash in public. Do NOT tie or chain your dog to a tree or post in the backyard. Provide basic and intermediate obedience training so the dog has manners. Our dogs are very family oriented and thrive in a family environment. They love their people.
These are all things that should be done to protect any dog but are especially important to us. All our guardian dogs must be potty trained and crate trained.
GUARDIAN DOG SOCIALIZATION
You also MUST socialize your guardian dog with other dogs, people, kids and strangers. They MUST be potty trained and have some basic obedience skills.
We worry more about proper and early socialization than if they will jump through hoops or play dead. We just need them to be comfortable and well-behaved in a home around a family and be able to obey basic commands, not have anxiety issues when in a crate or around new people.
Guardian Dogs MUST be comfortable being away from their owners without it causing them high stress. Most of the dogs we breed and hold back as future guardian dogs can be really great at all of these things AS LONG AS THEY’RE WELL SOCIALIZED from puppyhood into adulthood.
WHAT EXPENSES DO THE GUARDIANS PAY FOR AND WHAT THINGS DOES THE BREEDER PAY FOR?
The guardian home pays for any normal care items. Food, dishes, leashes, beds, normal vaccinations or worming’s, flea meds, heartworm meds, toys, grooming needs etc. If the dog needs meds due to worms, illness, infection or anything unrelated to breeding it is the guardian’s responsibility to pay for those expenses.
We pay for all expenses related to genetic health testing for breeding purposes, all breeding expenses and litter expenses. We make all decisions on what genetic tests are done and when.
WHAT ABOUT VET BILLS, DO YOU PAY THOSE?
We pay for all Veterinarian bills that are related to pregnancy, reproduction, whelping and all necessary genetic testing.
We do not pay for Well Pet Visits, Preventive Medications or for Immunization.
If the dog becomes sick or injured, we need the guardian family to notify us right away, we must be involved in all decisions regarding the health and veterinary treatment of the guardian dog/puppy.
GENETIC TESTING AND APPOINTMENTS
All the necessary genetic testing will be completed on the guardian dog before the dog is ever even considered for breeding.
We pay for all genetic testing appointments. We may ask that the guardian family provide transportation to and from these vet appointments.
Usually, only one appointment is needed to test for hips, elbows, heart and eyes. You are welcome to use any breeder approved vet of your choosing.
We will work with our guardians in regards to the appointment times and we will give you at least a weeks notice to prepare. *Sometimes we can not attend these appointments ourselves and in those cases we will pay the veterinarian bill over the phone.
WHAT ABOUT TRANSPORTATION?
The guardian home may be responsible for the transportation of the dog to us when needed for breeding, whelping litters, health testing and pick-up. This is the most inconvenient part of the guardian responsibilities.
Please think through this carefully. Sometimes we will pick up dogs ourselves, but this is not always possible. This is the guardian home responsibility and part of how they earn the dog through the program. Guardians will be notified 3 days in advance for any necessary trips.
