By Design Poodles
Our Guardian Program
We believe that the best environment for ALL dogs is a home. Our goal is to continue developing our breeding lines while ensuring our breeding dogs are in family homes where they are loved, nurtured and socialized as as the wonderful creatures they are! We feel our guardian program is an excellent way to achieve this goal.
What is a guardian home?
Our guardian program allows our breeding dogs to be in the loving care of guardian homes. Our guardian program exists to match one of our “pick-of-the-litter puppies” to an approved forever family while the breeding rights are retained by By Design Poodles for a designated amount of time. Guardian homes allow a dog to live a happy, full life with a family while contributing to By Design Poodle's amazing line of beautiful, classy companion puppies.
Anytime, Anywhere
You've got questions? I've got answers.
What does becoming a guardian cost?
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Not a thing. That is correct. Becoming a guardian home is free. You will receive a top quality dog that has been hand selected by us to remain in our program at no purchase cost.
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What are the responsibilities of a guardian?
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Guardian families are responsible for the loving, day-to-day care for the dog.
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Guardian families are responsible for routine vet care and additional emergent treatment of the dog as needed that is not related to reproduction expenses.
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Guardian families are responsible for the proper grooming care, as well as monthly flea/tick preventatives and related expenses.
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Guardian families are responsible for providing a healthy, approved nutritional diet for the dog.
What are the responsibilities of the breeder?
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Provide guardian family with a healthy dog at no cost
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Pay for health testing related to genetic conditions, or reproduction related screening/testing
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Pay for all breeding related expenses (ie progesterone testing, semen collection, pregnancy confirmation ultrasounds, puppy count x-rays, etc)
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Teaching the guardian family how to detect a heat cycle and how to care for a pregnant dog
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Pay for the spay/neuter at the breeders veterinarian clinic upon retirement
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Provide lifetime communication breeder support
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Always be willing to take the dog back if the guardian family can no longer care for them
What are the requirements to become a guardian?
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Live within 1 hr from our home (some exceptions may be allowed)
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Have a fenced in yard (though some exceptions may be allowed)
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Not have any other unaltered male or female dog living in your home.
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Must be willing and able to teach basic commands such as sit, stay, lay-down, “no”, quiet, and leave it as well as how to walk politely on a leash
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Crate train and house train by 9 months of age
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Keep the dog as an indoor family pet and never allow them to roam outside unattended
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Keep the dog off of the ground where other dogs frequent (dog parks, pet stores, etc) and away from unknown dogs until the dog is fully vaccinated (between 16 and 20 weeks)
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Be willing and able to socialize the dog with other dogs as well as people
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Provide adequate exercise and mental stimulation
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Be willing and able to bring the dog to and from the breeder within 24-36 hr notice
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Must be able to effectively communicate, cooperate, and coordinate with us.
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Contact the breeder in the event of any serious illness or accident to the dog.
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Contact the breeder if your family life circumstances change that would directly impact your ability to adequately care for the dog or require you to move farther than an hour from our home.
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You may not be a guardian home for a different breeder while participating in our program