Guardian Home

What is a Guardian Home?

A Guardian Home provides a well-bred dog to a family, giving the dog an excellent family life, but allows the Breeder to keep the dog in their breeding program.

What is required?

            The Guardian Home provides all day-to-day care, training and veterinary care for the dog. Any breeding related costs are paid for by the Breeder. Any breeding related vet care provided for the dog while in the care of the Guardian Home will be reimbursed by the Breeder upon receipt. Any travel expenses (gas and mileage) will be reimbursed at 0.60 cents per mile. Health testing must be completed and will be paid for by Breeder, including orthopedic, cardiac, genetic and ophthalmological testing. The dog will be bred for three (3) litters and then retired. Each litter, the Guardian would receive $2500. At the final litter, Guardian Home may elect to receive Pick of the Litter Puppy or a Puppy Fee ($3500). The dog must be spayed within three (3) months of the last litter at which point full ownership is transferred to Guardian Home.

Local regular vet care.

            A regular veterinarian local to the Guardian Home should be chosen by the Guardian Home to provide regular care, including but not limited to parasite prevention, vaccinations, annual well-being checks. This will be paid for by the Guardian Home.

Local reproductive vet care.

            A reproductive veterinarian local to the Guardian Home will be able to provide basic testing such as progesterone blood draws and ultrasound pregnancy confirmation. This will be paid for by the Breeder.

What happens when a heat cycle begins?

            A heat cycle will begin when brown or red spotting is noticed. Please notify Breeder as soon as possible Around 5-7 days after the first appearance of spotting, a progesterone will need to be drawn. This blood test will aid planning. Guardian can elect to have dog return to Breeder for this and to be bred. Timing may be 2-3 weeks. As soon as dog has completed breeding, dog will be returned to family.

Dog is bred!

            Approximately one month after the breeding, dog will need to have pregnancy confirmed, generally via ultrasound. Pregnancy care will be advised at this time. Generally, this includes a gradual increase of food, avoiding dog parks, an extra worming cycle. Approximately one week prior to the start of the whelping window, dog will need to be returned to Breeder for whelping and raising of puppies. Dog will stay until weaning of pups (usually completed by 6 weeks of age) and can return to Guardian Home.

Can I vacation with my dog?

            Absolutely! On Guardian Home has taken their dog to Disney in Florida several times, on cruises and even to Mexico!

Can I show or compete with my dog?

            Absolutely! Training and titles benefit the dog and our program, but especially the dog. Because of the training required for most competition and titles, it keeps the dog happy and motivated.

What food do we need?

            Currently, our dogs are eating either Inukshuk Professional Performance Marine 30/25 Dry, or Inukshuk Performance Marine 26/16 Dry. Less than 2 cups per day is fed. It can be ordered through Chewy.com and I can help locate a distributor local to you. If you want to feed a professional raw diet (We Feed Raw), a well-balanced homemade raw diet, or a mix of raw and kibble, that is perfectly fine. We feed a variety of foods to our dogs, based with the kibble. Raw eggs, kefir, pumpkin, banana, blueberries, sardines, chicken feet and turkey necks. Sometimes we supplement with satin balls as well.

What about supplements?

            The dog must be kept on a daily regimen of folic acid (5 mg tablets), omega 3 (salmon oil – Nordic Naturals Omega for Pets), and a multivitamin (Fido-Vite Sportz Dog). This ensures the health of the dog, and the health of future pups.

What about treats?

            Dog is used to chews and treats! Please do not feed rawhide products. Otherwise, spoil away!