What is a GUARDIAN HOME?  

Do you live within a 1.5 hour drive from Medina Ohio? Maybe being a GUARDIAN FAMILY is for you!

SUMMARY:

We do not believe in the long term kenneling of our dogs - dogs raised and kept in a kennel 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 heath and maintenance (heartworm preventative, annual exams and shots), food and other expenses.  We pay for the genetic and health testing that we do for our breeding dogs.  Once testing is complete, if we choose to go ahead and breed, we have the dog visit us for a short time during breeding and whelping then return to your family. The Guardian Family is welcome to come visit their dog & pups during this time! For each reproduction service, the GUARDIAN FAMILY receives partial reimbursement of their original pet payment until full reimbursement is made (as explained below). Once the breeding contract is complete, we pay to spay/neuter the dog and he/she stays with the GUARDIAN FAMILY, to continue to enjoy the wonderful life you have provided for him/her since puppyhood.

MORE DETAILS:

There are multiple benefits to a GUARDIAN HOME for the dog, the owner and the breeder. As a breeder we do not believe long term kenneling of dogs makes happy, healthy animals. We desire all the dogs in our breeding program to have the socialization and stimulation of being part of a family. We believe this makes the most well balanced and happy animals and GUARDIAN FAMILIES help facilitate this.

Choosing to place some of our puppies with GUARDIAN HOMES allows the family that will care for the puppy it’s entire life to start right from the beginning. The dog lives with them and becomes their dog, however the dog is not de-sexed and WE RETAIN BREEDING RIGHTS. The GUARDIAN HOME FAMILY pays for normal care and maintenance of the dog while we pay for any health testing related to breeding and all breeding expenses. This requires vigilance on the part of the GUARDIAN HOME FAMILY because it is vital that the dogs not be allowed to mate with any other dogs accidently.

By contract we will breed a female for up to 3 litters or 5 years of age. Once the dog is old enough she will come back to our home temporarily for breeding, then when she is due stay with us for a period of approximately 7-9 weeks for whelping and nursing the pups (this is an excellent time for GUARDIAN FAMILIES to plan a trip and not have to pay for boarding of their pet). A male may be retained to sire litters until he is 6 years old but will not need to be away from his family for long periods of time. If the GUARDIAN FAMILY provides transport their expenses will be reimbursed. Once the dog fulfulls it’s breeding obligations, we spay or neuter at our expense and the dog gets to continue living with the same wonderful family it’s know all it’s life!

Financially, the initial expense for the guardian family is the same as that of a pet puppy (call for details), however this can be refunded once testing and breeding have been completed either in cash ($300/litter for females, or $150/service for males) or by keeping a pet puppy from one of the litters.

 If we find that we do not need the dog for our breeding program at any point prior to the end of the contract period the GUARDIAN CONTRACT will be dissolved and the original PET CONTRACT will go into effect. The money paid for the puppy or any remaining funds from the money paid for the puppy will be considered the purchase price. If the GUARDIAN FAMILY cannot comply with the terms of the GUARDIAN CONTRACT one of two things will happen. First, the BREEDER has first option to purchase back the dog for the original purchase price (less any payments made for any previous litters). Second, the GUARDIAN FAMILY will be allowed to keep the dog under the PET CONTRACT terms and he/she must be spayed or neutered immediately at the GUARDIAN FAMILIES expense.

 One of the benefits of being a GUARDIAN FAMILY is that these families get the pick of the litter (chosen by the breeder). The benefits to the dog are that they don’t need to be re-homed as an adult after retiring and they are well socialized and they are well socialized.

When we consider a GUARDIAN FAMILY there are certain requirements and considerations. We require that the GUARDIAN FAMILY own their own home and feed a diet approved by the BREEDER. They must also provide veterinary care when needed. Most importantly, they must notify the BREEDER when a female begins her heat cycle and MUST NOT ALLOW A FEMALE AROUND INTACT MALES during her heat cycle. Males MUST NOT BE ALLOWED TO MATE WITH OTHER FEMALES. The GUARDIAN FAMILY must be willing to open their home to BREEDER for visits.

The choice of a GUARDIAN FAMILY is entirely the decision of the BREEDER and will be determined after discussion and an interview. If you are interested in this possibility we encourage you to contact us.

Call 330-598-1051 if you have any questions or if you are interested in the program