What Is a Guardian Home Program for Puppies?

You may have seen the word "guardianship" on our site and wondered what it means. A guardian home program is one of the best ways for a family to bring home a well-bred dog, and one of the best ways for a breeder to give breeding dogs a normal, happy family life. Here's how it works at Doodle's Kennel and how to tell whether it might be right for you.

What is a guardian home?

A guardian family gives one of our breeding dogs a loving forever home while it's part of our breeding program. The dog lives with you full time, as your family pet. It sleeps in your home, goes on your walks and is part of your everyday life.

While the dog is in the program, it comes back to us for breeding and, for females, to have and raise its litter. Once its time in the program is complete, the dog is fully yours.

Why breeders use guardian homes

The alternative for many breeders is keeping every breeding dog on their own property. Even with the best care, that means many dogs sharing one home and one family's attention.

Guardian homes mean:

• Every breeding dog gets its own family. One-on-one attention, a couch to curl up on, and people who adore it.
• Better-adjusted dogs. Dogs raised in a normal family home are more relaxed and confident, and those traits help shape their puppies.
• A smaller, more careful program. We can keep excellent breeding dogs without crowding our home.

It's a big part of why we can raise every puppy inside our home, not in a kennel building.

What guardian families commit to

Guardianship isn't for everyone, and I want to be upfront about what it involves. The exact terms are in a written agreement, but in general guardian families:

• Live within a reasonable drive of Cypress, since the dog will need to come to us at times.
• Provide daily care, love and training, just as you would for any family dog.
• Keep up with vet care and follow our health and nutrition guidelines.
• Bring the dog to us when needed for health testing, breeding and, for females, whelping and raising the litter.
• Keep the dog intact until its program is complete.
• Stay in close communication with us, including updates on heat cycles for females.

What guardian families receive

The biggest benefit is a beautiful, health-tested Australian Labradoodle from our program, raised in your home as your own. You also get:

• Ongoing support from us for questions about care, training and health
• A dog that becomes fully yours when its program is complete
• The satisfaction of helping preserve the breed

Specific terms for each guardian dog are discussed individually. Call me to talk through what's available.

Is guardianship right for you?

Guardianship might be a great fit if you:

• Live in or near Cypress, or in the northwest Houston area
• Have a flexible schedule for occasional visits and drop-offs
• Are comfortable with the idea of your dog having a litter, for females, or being used for breeding, for males
• Want to be part of a breeding program and enjoy working closely with your breeder
• Are responsible, organized and communicative

It's probably not the best fit if you:

• Live far from Cypress or move often
• Want to spay or neuter right away
• Travel often and couldn't bring the dog in when needed
• Would find it stressful to have your dog away for a period of time

Guardianship vs. buying a puppy

Buying a puppy is simpler. You pay, you take your puppy home, and it's yours from day one. Our puppies are sold as pets with a pet-only agreement. See How much does an Australian Labradoodle cost in Houston? for pricing.

Guardianship involves more commitment and partnership, and the dog becomes fully yours only once its program ends. For the right family, it's incredibly rewarding.

How to apply

If guardianship sounds like it might suit your family:

• Call me at 281-923-9266 and ask about guardianship.
• Or send a message through our Contact page.
• You can also fill out our puppy application and mention your interest in guardianship.

We'll talk about your home, your schedule and what dogs we have available. Not every family is a fit, and that's okay. We'll be honest with you either way.

Common questions from guardian families

Do I pay for a guardian dog? Terms are set in each guardian agreement, so we'll go over the details with you before anything is signed.

What if my life changes? Call us. Plans change, and the agreement explains what happens if you can no longer keep the dog. We always want what's best for the dog.

Can I still take my dog on vacation? Of course. We just ask that you keep us informed so breeding and whelping plans can be scheduled around your life.

Learn more

Read more about our program on Our Story, learn about the breed on Labradoodles 101, or read our FAQ. You're always welcome to visit our home in Cypress by appointment and meet the dogs.