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Guardian Homes

Our Guardian Program

We’ve recently introduced our Guardian Home Program as a way to continue improving and preserving our lines without ever compromising our dogs’ happiness, health or quality of life.

Our dogs are such a big part of our family. They’re raised in our home and loved endlessly. As our program grows, it’s important to us that every single dog continues to receive the same level of one on one attention, space and care. This is something we will never compromise on.

While we would love to keep all of our dogs with us, we understand that they are often happiest in a home where they receive more individual attention than we are able to provide across a larger program.

That’s where guardian homes come in.

Instead of keeping all of our breeding dogs with us, we place some in carefully selected homes where they live full lives as loved family pets. As a guardian home, you become the permanent home for one of our breeding dogs while they are part of our program. During this time, they remain under our guidance and care in regard to breeding.

Once their breeding career is complete, they are desexed at our expense and full ownership is transferred to the guardian family to remain with them forever.

Becoming a guardian home gives you the opportunity to welcome one of our carefully selected puppies into your family at a reduced cost, while they continue to be part of our breeding program for a period of their life.

By offering this program, we are able to ensure our dogs live the best possible lives in a loving, stable home environment where they receive the one on one attention, care and companionship they deserve

What This Means

One on one love and attention every day
A calm, real home environment (no kennels or cages)
Stronger bonds and more personalised care
Happy, confident, well adjusted dogs
Each dog lives as a fully integrated member of the family
Our guardian dogs live as companion animals first and foremost
Careful planning around breeding to ensure each dog’s wellbeing
Regular communication and partnership between us and guardian families
All breeding dogs will have a permanent home for life after their breeding career
A commitment to always prioritising the dog’s happiness, health and stability
The opportunity for your dog to be part of something meaningful while still living a normal, enriched family life

Cost

Guardian homes are offered a significantly reduced upfront cost compared to purchasing a puppy outright.

By the end of the contract, this initial cost plus more will be returned to the guardian family though the compensation received per litter during the dogs breeding career.

Breeder Responsibilities

As the breeder, we are responsible for:

Providing a healthy, carefully selected dog at a significantly reduced upfront cost
Covering all breeding related expenses, including health testing and reproductive care
Covering the cost of desexing once the dog is retired from the program
Managing all breeding decisions in the best interest of the dog
Providing guidance and support regarding heat cycles, breeding and pregnancy
Offering ongoing lifetime support and communication
Providing monetary compensation per litter
Taking full responsibility for the dog if a guardian family can no longer care for them at any stage
Managing full whelping and rearing process of any puppies at our home
Covering all litter related expenses, including veterinary care, supplies and general costs associated with rearing a litter
Screening, assessing and selecting suitable homes for all puppies
Providing a comprehensive guardian home contract outlining responsibilities and expectations of both parties

Responsibilities of a Guardian Home

Guardian families are responsible for providing:

A loving, stable and consistent home environment
Daily care including feeding, exercise, training and socialisation
A primarily indoor family lifestyle
Routine veterinary care for general health needs
Up to date vaccinations and preventative health care
Grooming and coat maintenance
Ongoing training and reinforcement of good manners
A safe and secure living environment
Clear and open communication with us regarding the dog’s wellbeing
Care during the pregnancy period (dog returns to us to have her pups and stays here throughout the rearing process)
Have a secure property

We expect guardian homes to be committed to raising a well cared for, well adjusted dog that is truly part of the family.

Living Requirements

The dog must live as a full time indoor family pet
The home must provide a safe, secure environment
The dog must not live outside or be isolated from the family
Guardian families must be able to provide daily interaction, enrichment and companionship
Commitment to responsible ownership, training and care is essential

A fenced yard is preferred but not required, provided the environment is secure and appropriate.

Breeding & Program Structure

The dog will remain part of our breeding program for a limited period of time
Females will return to us during their heat cycles for breeding
Females will also stay with us for whelping and raising puppies
Timing and duration are planned carefully around each individual dog
Breeding is always managed with the dog’s health and wellbeing as the priority
Once their breeding career is complete, the dog is desexed at our expense and ownership fully transferred to the guardian family

Important Considerations

Becoming a guardian home is a long term commitment and may not suit everyone.

Before applying, please consider:

Your ability to be without your dog during breeding and whelping periods
Your long term living situation and whether you plan to remain in Victoria
Your ability to meet the training, care and communication requirement
Your willingness to work in partnership with us throughout the dog’s breeding period
Your commitment to responsible ownership of an entire female dog and managing her heat cycles

Benefits of Being a Guardian Home

A top quality pedigree cocker spaniel selected by us at no upfront cost
Reduced financial cost compared to purchasing a puppy outright
All breeding and litter related expenses covered by us
Desexing covered at retirement
Monetary compensation per litter (or keeping a puppy from the final litter)
Ongoing guidance and lifetime support
The opportunity to be involved in the breeding journey
Your dog lives with you full time as a loved family pet
Clear structure and expectations throughout the agreement
Peace of mind knowing your dog will always have a safe home with us if needed
Becoming part of our extended breeding family

Frequently Asked Questions:

How much will this cost me?

Guardian families recieve a top quality purebred cocker spaniel at a significantly reduced upfront cost compared to purchasing outright. By the end of the contract, this cost and more is returned through compensation recieved on a per litter basis.

Who owns the dog?

We retain full ownership of the dog while they are actively part of our breeding program. Once their breeding career is complete and they are desexed at our expense, full ownership is transferred to the guardian family.

Will my dog live with me fulltime?

Yes. Guardian dogs live full time as loved family pets in their guardian home. They are only returned to us when required for breeding or whelping.

Is there an option to keep a puppy?

Yes. For the final (third) litter, guardian families may have the opportunity to keep a puppy at no cost in place of the usual litter compensation. This is offered as an alternative option and can be discussed and agreed upon depending on the specific arrangement.

How long will my dog remain in the program?

This varies depending on the individual dog. Breeding is carefully planned around each dog’s health, maturity and wellbeing. The number of litters is limited to a maximum of 3 (three) per female and responsibly managed. Your dog will remain in our program for a maximum of 5 years of age, or until she has had 3 litters maximum. She is typically retired and desexed prior to reaching 5.

How often will my dog need to stay with you?

For females, this typically includes time during heat cycles for breeding and time spent with us for whelping and raising puppies (8 weeks plus). Timing is communicated in advance and managed carefully. This will be no more than twice in any 18 month period.

Can I desex my dog?

No. Guardian dogs must remain entire while in the breeding program. Once retired, they are desexed at our expense and ownership is transferred to you.

What if my dog is not suitable for breeding?

If a dog is deemed unsuitable, they will be retired from the program. You will then arrange desexing at your expense, after which full ownership is transferred to you.

What if I can no longer keep my dog?

If your circumstances change, the dog must be returned to us. We will always take responsibility for our dogs and ensure they have a safe and appropriate home.

Can I be a guardian for another breeder?

No. While participating in our program, you cannot be a guardian for another breeder.

Where do guardian homes need to be located?

Guardian homes must be located in Victoria to allow for practical coordination of breeding, transport and care.

Can I visit my dog while she is with you?

Yes. Guardian families are welcome to visit their dog and her puppies where appropriate.

Olive and Maple are two of our guardian girls and are a wonderful example of the loving homes our dogs are raised in. If our guardian program is something you would be interested in joining, please reach out with your expression of interest. Contact details available on our Contact Us page.

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