A guardian home opportunity will be available for a female puppy at the end of 2026. Enquire now or explore our Guardian Home page for more info.

Guardian Homes

Our Guardian Program

At Silky Ears Spaniels, our dogs are first and foremost our pets. Every dog in our program is raised in a home environment and valued as part of the family.

As our breeding program grows, maintaining the same level of individual attention, care and quality of life for every dog remains incredibly important to us. Rather than expanding beyond what we believe is fair for our dogs, we have introduced our Guardian Home Program.

Guardian homes allow selected dogs to live full lives as loved family pets while still remaining part of our carefully managed breeding program for a limited period of time.

Instead of permanently residing with us, these dogs are placed in carefully chosen guardian families where they receive the benefits of a dedicated home environment, close companionship and individual attention every day.

Once their breeding career is complete, the dog is desexed at our expense and full ownership is transferred permanently to the guardian family.

What Is a Guardian Home?

A guardian home is a long term partnership between the breeder and the guardian family.

As a guardian family, you become the permanent home for one of our breeding dogs while they remain part of our breeding program for a limited period of time.

Your dog lives with you full time as a loved family companion while we retain breeding rights and responsibilities throughout their breeding career.

This allows our dogs to enjoy the benefits of a normal family life while still contributing to our breeding program.

Why We Offer Guardian Homes

We strongly believe breeding dogs deserve to live as loved family pets with individual attention, routine, companionship and stability.

Guardian homes allow us to continue preserving and improving our lines responsibly without compromising the wellbeing of our dogs.

Rather than maintaining a large number of breeding dogs within one home, guardian homes ensure each dog has the opportunity to form close bonds and thrive within a dedicated family environment.

For us, this program is about prioritising welfare, responsible breeding practices and lifelong commitment to every dog who is a part of our breeding program.

Typical Guardian Home Journey

Puppy Joins Guardian Family

Your puppy comes home and is raised as a normal family companion.

Health Testing & Maturity

As your dog matures, health testing and breeding suitability assessments are completed.

Breeding Period

Your dog returns to us only when required for breeding, pregnancy, whelping and puppy rearing.

Retirement

Once retired from the program, your dog is desexed at our expense. Full ownership transfers permanently to the guardian family and your dog remains with you for life.

What This Means for Our Dogs

One on one love and attention every day
A stable, home based family environment
Stronger individual bonds and personalised care
Happy, confident and well adjusted dogs
Dogs living as fully integrated family members
Careful planning around breeding and wellbeing
Lifelong security and commitment after retirement
Ongoing communication and partnership between breeder and guardian family
A normal, enriched life outside of breeding periods
Breeding dogs who are companions first and foremost

How the Program Works

Guardian dogs live full time with their guardian family and participate in everyday family life just like any other pet.

During the time they remain part of our breeding program, we manage all breeding related decisions and expenses. Females return to us when required for breeding, pregnancy management, whelping and puppy rearing.

Once the dog retires from the program, they are desexed at our expense and full ownership is transferred permanently to the guardian family.

Financial Information

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

Guardian families also receive compensation throughout the dog’s breeding career in accordance with the guardian agreement. This offsets all of the initial purchase cost.

The exact financial arrangement is discussed individually with each approved guardian family.

Why We Carefully Select Guardian Homes

Guardian homes are an incredibly important part of our program and are selected very carefully.

Because these dogs are intended to remain with their guardian family for life, we place enormous importance on finding homes that align with our values, lifestyle expectations and long term commitment to our dogs.

Our priority is never simply placing a dog quickly. It is finding the right lifelong fit for both the dog and the family.

Our Responsibilities

As the breeder, we are responsible for:

Providing a healthy, carefully selected dog at a reduced upfront cost
Covering all breeding related expenses, including reproductive care and health testing
Covering the cost of desexing once the dog retires from the program
Managing all breeding decisions in the best interests of the dog
Providing guidance and support regarding heat cycles, breeding and pregnancy
Providing agreed compensation per litter
Caring for mum and puppies throughout whelping and puppy rearing
Covering all litter related veterinary and rearing expenses
Screening and selecting suitable homes for puppies
Providing ongoing guidance and lifetime support
Taking responsibility for the dog if a guardian family can no longer care for them
Providing a detailed guardian home agreement outlining expectations and responsibilities

Guardian Family Responsibilities

Guardian families are responsible for providing:

A loving, stable and consistent home environment
Daily care including feeding, exercise and enrichment
Appropriate socialisation and training
A primarily indoor family lifestyle
Routine veterinary care and preventative healthcare
Grooming and coat maintenance
A safe and secure living environment
Open communication regarding the dog’s wellbeing
Responsible management of an entire (non desexed) dog
Cooperation throughout breeding related period

We expect all guardian dogs to be genuinely loved family members and raised in a well adjusted, stable and enriching environment.

Living Requirements

To be considered for our program, guardian families must be able to provide:

A safe and secure home environment
Daily companionship and interaction
Commitment to ongoing training and responsible ownership
A lifestyle where the dog is included as part of the family
Appropriate management of an entire dog
Reliable communication and cooperation throughout the program

A securely fenced yard is essential.

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

Breeding & Program Structure

The dog remains part of our breeding program for a limited period of time.

For females, this typically includes:

Returning to us during heat cycles for breeding
Staying with us during pregnancy, whelping and puppy rearing
Planned breeding schedules based on the individual dog’s health, maturity and wellbeing

Females will have a maximum of three litters and are retired by five years of age.

Breeding decisions are always made conservatively and with the dog’s welfare as the highest priority.

Once retired, the dog is desexed at our expense and full ownership is transferred permanently to the guardian family.

Who Guardian Homes May Suit

Guardian homes may suit families who:

Want a well bred pedigree English Cocker Spaniel at a reduced upfront cost
Are comfortable owning an entire dog for a period of time
Are flexible, communicative and reliable
Live within Victoria
Are excited to remain connected with our breeding program
Understand the commitment involved
View the dog as a genuine family member

Important Considerations

Becoming a guardian home is a significant commitment and may not suit every household.

Before applying, please carefully consider:

Your ability to temporarily be without your dog during breeding and whelping periods
Your long term housing and lifestyle stability
Your willingness to maintain ongoing communication with us
Your ability to responsibly manage an entire female dog and her heat cycles
Your commitment to training, care and responsible ownership

Guardian homes are carefully selected and not every applicant will be suitable. Our priority is always finding the right long term fit for both the dog and the family.

Please view our Frequently Asked Questions Here

Olive and Maple are two of our guardian girls and are a wonderful example of the loving homes our dogs are raised in.

We are always happy to speak with families interested in learning more about our Guardian Home Program.

If you believe this arrangement may suit your lifestyle and values, we would love to hear from you and discuss whether one of our future dogs may be the right fit for your family. Contact details available on our Contact Us page.

Full details, expectations and responsibilities are outlined within the formal Guardian Home Agreement provided to approved applicants.

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