Guardian Home

What is a guardian home?

The guardian program allows us to grow our program and continue to better our breed, without sacrificing any of our dogs happiness and need for love and attention. While we want to keep all of our dogs with us, we understand that they will be happier with more one on one attention than we can give them.

As a guardian home, you are the permanent home for one of our breeding dogs while they are in our program. Once they are retired (and spayed/neutered at our expense), full ownership transfers to the guardian family and they get to keep the dog forever.

By offering the guardian program, we are able to ensure that our dogs get to live the best possible lives in a loving, caring home where they receive as much one on one attention as possible.

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What is the fee? Is there a deposit?​

Long answer: The fee is $2,000. Yes, I require a non-refundable deposit of $500 due when you are placed on the Guardian waitlist. The deposit is non-refundable. The deposit is applied to the total fee, with the balance due when the contract is signed.

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Can I visit LMR dogs and puppies?

Please go to Visiting LMR for more information.

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Do we have to live close to LMR?

It's preferred, but as long as you either live within 8 hours or are willing to meet halfway!

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What expenses are Guardians responsible for?

Guardians are responsible for all “regular” dog care including providing food, treats, toys, etc. They are also responsible for normal vet care that is not breeding related. The dog must be kept UTD on all shots, flea and tick meds, and heart worm meds at guardians expense. 

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What are the requirements to become a Guardian home?

Families must submit an application as they would for a puppy. 

Families must train for at least basic obedience, any AKC or UKC titles will receive a financial reward.

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Does it put undue stress on the dog?

Initially, they may be slightly confused wondering, “Where’s my family going?”, but typically within 1-2 hours they are settled in. We try extremely hard to make sure that they are as comfortable as possible at their “home away from home” by giving them a lot of extra attention. It is also why we keep our guardian dogs in our home with us, as part of the family! We even allow them to sleep in bed with us if they choose to!

Please take into consideration that you may also play a role in how quickly your dog adjusts. The more relaxed she is, the less stressed out she will be. Humans can project emotions on their dogs, so, if you are crying or acting nervous when leaving your dog, then she will most likely be more stressed.

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What now?

• Welcome to the Lakemist family! Now you have our support for life! I encourage you to reach out to me for any questions you have, and if I don’t know the answer, I’ll help find out!

Refusal

I reserve the right to refuse the purchase of any dog or puppy, to any person or family, for any reason I deem legitimate, up until and including the day the dog or puppy is due to go home.

If this situation happens, any fees less deposit will be refunded.