We want to expand our breeding program to meet the demand, however, we remain committed to raising our dogs and puppies in an intimate family environment.
In order to achieve the diversity needed for a successful breeding program, Loving Loyal Labs has found that we need to maintain more breeding dogs than we can accommodate living in our home as our pets.
Our solution was to reach out to find “guardians” to our breeding dogs. A guardian dog lives with the guardian home as their pet. We retain breeding rights to that dog for a set period of time.
Once the dog’s breeding career is completed, they are spayed or neutered and full AKC Registration and ownership is transferred to the Guardian family, and the dog to live the rest of their life as the guardian home’s pet.
A Guardian Home is the same as a host home. This is NOT a foster program. This is entered into as what is hoped to be a forever situation. We like to think of our Guardians as a partnership, we enjoy the friendships that come from working together.
Can anyone become a guardian home?
We are committed to maintaining very high standards as to who can own our dogs and how they are treated and cared for. All guardian homes sign a contract that outlines exactly what the terms of the agreement are.
Our Guardian Family Program allows us to expand our responsible breeding practice and offers an attractive financial option for the family to have a healthy AKC Registered Labrador Retriever as their forever family companion.
How much time will my guardian dog spend away from home?
It depends on several factors. We realize guardian families have a tremendous sacrifice to make, given the female breeding dog must be returned to us to be bred, deliver and wean her babies before being returned back to the guardian. Almost all of our dogs/pups available for our Guardian Program will be females, but occasionally we will have a male available. If you house one of our males, we will borrow him here and there for a few days at a time. Probably no more than once or twice a month for a few days to a week at the most. When the 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, usually twice a year (roughly every 6 months). During this time, we will need access to her for breeding related appointments. 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 for the remainder of her pregnancy, and will be returned once she has whelped, raised and nurtured her puppies and they are fully weaned, approximately 7-8 weeks from whelping. We do encourage your visitation here with us while your “precious girl” is staying with us.
What costs are associated with being a guardian?
You are responsible for daily care and normal costs associated with owning a dog: food, vitamins, grooming, general vet bills. We will pay all costs related to genetic or other testing as necessary, reproduction costs; special supplements and reproductive vet bills.
Some requirements for becoming a guardian family:
- Must live within an hour to an hour and a half of us OR be willing to drive here as needed.
- Have a fenced in yard or a means to always have dog safely under control
- Have no other intact dogs of the opposite sex in the home.
- Guardians must have prior experience raising dogs.
- Provide socialization and basic obedience at home or from obedience classes.
- Willingness to follow guidelines and recommendations set forth by Loving Loyal Labs pertaining to care and feedings. Maintain the dog at a healthy weight. Healthy puppies come from healthy dogs.
- Willingness and availability to make the dog available to Loving Loyal Labs for any testing, mating and any veterinary appointments or needs we feel necessary.
- Have a willingness to return the dog to us during breeding and whelping and raising pups at the necessary timing.
- Agree to regular health and veterinary care and keep vaccinations current.
- Communicate freely with us about the health and condition of the dog.
- Take frequent photos and updates of the dog to keep our website up to date
- All dogs and pups placed in Guardian Families must be indoor dogs, and never be left outside unattended.
- A willingness to allow me to visit your home and be able to visit my home so the dog and I are familiar to one another when the time comes for us to spend time together.
Most importantly… all the love and care and attention possible!!
What are the benefits for the guardian family and the dog?
- The Guardian family receives a top quality breeding puppy to become a member of their family chosen by us.
- At eight weeks of age, a top-quality puppy will be sent home to an approved guardian family.
- There is no charge for the puppy.
- If a guardian family decides to adopt another puppy from us, they get the first option of being a guardian of the puppy from their dog’s litter.
- The Guardian Family gets to share the joy and excitement of helping to provide loving well socialized pups to our wonderful waiting families!
- When the dog is retired from breeding, the dog would be spayed/neutered and full AKC Registration and ownership is transferred to the Guardian family.
- After being spayed/neutered, the dog remains with its family to continue his/her life with them
- In exchange, the family agrees to follow the conditions as written in the Guardian Family Contract while it is in our breeding program.
- Guardian families can take advantage of scheduling trips during the whelping and raising of the puppies without paying for kenneling or dog sitting of their pet. Giving the Guardian Families added piece of mind knowing that the dog is in our loving care during their time away.
**The selection of an approved Guardian Family is entirely the decision of Loving Loyal Labs and will be determined after discussion and an interview. If you think you would like to be a Guardian Family, please contact us for more information.**
** Check with Loving Loyal Labs regarding the Guardian Program current availability**
