GUARDIAN PROGRAM

What is a guardian home?

A guardian home is a co-ownership of an intact dog. A family receives a free dog while the breeder retains breeding rights on the dog. The dog will stay with the breeder to sire or whelp (give birth) litters, then return to their guardian home. We currently have 17 breeding or potential breeding dogs in 15 Guardian homes.

At Apricot Poodles & Goldendoodles, we want what's best for all of our breeding dogs, which is why we like to use guardian homes. Because we have a limit as to how many dogs we can have at our house, some of our dogs live in guardian homes. We do not believe in selling a retired breeding dog after they are done having puppies for us. Our guardian home program ensures that every dog in our breeding program has a loving home where they are treated as members of the family. Once a breeding dog in a guardian home retires, he or she will be fixed(neutered/spayed) and live the rest of their life with their guardian family. 

Qualified guardian families get a lifelong companion at no cost in exchange for us to use them in our breeding program. As a guardian you will be responsible for caring for your dog financially (vet bills, food, grooming, training etc.). All things breeding related will be covered by us (DNA testing, hip certification etc.). We want what is best for both parties involved. If the Guardian home is unable to keep the dog due to unforeseen circumstances (allergies, financial, etc.), the dog must be returned to the Apricot P&G. Transferring dog to extended family or friends is not permitted. 

REQUIRMENTS:

·       Guardian families must live within 1 hour of Murrieta for female dogs and within 30 min for male dogs.

·       Must have a fenced yard with 6 ft surrounding fencing

·       Pools must have fencing or proper pool covering to prevent drowning

·       Have the dog professionally groomed. Curly Goldendoodles and pure bred poodles groomed every 3-4 weeks for curly, Goldendoodles every 5-6 weeks for wavy coats and every 8-12 weeks for straight coats. Retrievers groomed twice a year to de-shed the coat.

·       Own a home 

·       Poodles must be kept in a Poodle trim; top knot intact, ears unshaven and Goldendoodles kept in a Goldendoodle trim; beard, mustache, eyebrows & tail intact. 

·       Regular brushing and bathing at home required

·       Provide proper, age appropriate, exercise

·       Properly training (especially in the first 12 weeks of life) and socialize the puppy/dog outside of the home in a safe manner (Baxter & Bella online puppy school one-time membership, puppy kindergarten or private trainer)

·       Must keep name picked by Breeder or mutually agreed upon. 

·       Good communication

FEMALE GUARDIAN DOGS:

Female guardian dogs are bred 1-2 times/year starting at their third heat cycle or at 18 months, whichever comes first. Guardian families must contact us every time she has a heat (even when she isn't being bred). Guardian families are responsible for keeping their female away from intact males when they are in heat. Females might be boarded with us for a few days (up to a week) when being bred based on the needs of the breeder. She will stay with her guardian family for the majority of her pregnancy (8 weeks). Females will come to us a week before the puppies are born and stay around 5-6 weeks when whelping/raising litters. Once the pups are weaned, she will return to her family. Guardian families are welcome to visit the puppies one time during the litter around the age of 4-5 weeks old and we encourage this! Females will have around 4 litters and retire aft. After she is retired, she will be spayed and enjoy the rest of her life with her guardian family and will no longer be legally owned by Apricot P&G. 

MALE GUARDIAN DOGS:

Male guardian dogs may require day use only. Breeding are usually single or two breedings with a day or two in between. Guardians for male dogs are responsible for keeping them away from intact females in heat. Males retire later around the age of 7-9. After he is retired, he will be neutered (paid for by Apricot P&G) and enjoy the rest of his life with his guardian family and will no longer be legally owned by Apricot P&G.

If the dog does not pass health testing standards for “breeding better” and improving future dogs, we will not use them in our program. This includes temperament as well as health. If the dog is not bred, neutering/spaying the dog will be required (1yr-18 months for females and males) and will be paid for by the Guardian home as a normal dog expense. If the dog is used for breeding, then Apricot P&G will cover neutering/spaying when it is time to do so.