The guardian program is only for puppies who we have selected out of a litter, and occasionally open up as an option.

It is not for the puppies that we have ready for forever homes. The Guardian Home Program is a special program.

 

At Power Farms all our breeding dogs live in our home as members of our family OR they live in the homes of some very special families called Guardians with no more than 1 other dog. We specialize in puppy care, so we usually have only 1-2 dogs at our home. When mother dogs come to stay with us, they will get home-raised mother and puppy pampering. This ensures high quality care, sanitation and socialization.

 

The Guardian program was designed with the well-being of breeding dogs in mind. We do not have  to house numerous dogs in kennels or outside dog runs, like larger, commercial breeders do. We believe that this is a wonderful and very ethical practice of breeding. Most large breeders have kenneled dogs that suffer from being unsocialized and neglected, subjected to unsanitary conditions, develop bad habits, and subsequently are unable to bond with their owners. 

 

The Guardian Home program allows breeders like ourselves to keep an active breeding program without raising dogs in kennels. This program also allows breeding dogs to live in FOREVER homes with a family instead of being rehomed at the end of their breeding careers. Large breeders often do not have any other option rather than to rehome their dogs at older ages, which often results in compromising homes, or they become rescue situations.

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Guardians get what we consider to be the very best of the best at no cost to the Guardian Family. We look for the puppy who has all the best qualities the breed has to offer. The Guardian gets to take part in the advancement of a bloodline which can be exciting and also very emotionally rewarding. We also invest a tremendous amount of time and effort to obtain the best knowledge of whelping and breeding, with specific puppy and dam care for the breed.

 

Guardian dogs are raised just like you would raise and socialize any other puppy to adulthood with just a few extra precautions, for example keeping them away from unneutered males while they're in season. Once the female guardian comes into her second heat cycle, which happens between one and a half to two years old, Power Farms will evaluate her for breeding to a stud of our choosing.  Bred females stay with their guardian family during the 63 day pregnancy then about a week before their due date they come to stay with us to get situated and adjust to our family and routine before whelping their litter. We will be at their side to help them to whelp (give birth) and they will continue to stay with us as part of our family for 2 months to raise their puppies. We make sure they're given lots of affection, good nutrition, grooming and veterinary care while they're in our care. 

 

Each guardian dog contract agrees to a limited number of breedings.  Once the contract is completed, they are retired from breeding and spayed at our expense and get to live out the rest of their long and healthy life with their loving families.

 

What Are The Requirements to Become A Guardian Home?

To be considered as a Guardian Home for one of our breeding dogs, we require you:

* Live within an approximate 1 hour drive of our home.

*Have physical fencing to provide a safe and secure environment for her. 

* Own your home. 

*Have a schedule that will allow for your dog to not be left alone for extended periods of time.  

*Have prior dog experience.

* Do not have more than 1 dog in the home currently.

 

So How Does it Work?

Most all of our dogs available for our Guardian Program will be females.  When the Guardian Dog is in season, the Guardian Family is required to contact us at first sign of heat. A female usually has a heat cycle that will last between 14 and 21 days. During this time, we will need access to her for breeding related appointments. Once she has been bred, she will remain with her Guardian Family until one week before her due date (2 months later). At that time, the Guardian dog will come back to stay with us through the end of her pregnancy and will be returned once her pups are fully weaned approximately 7 weeks later. Guardian Families are welcomed and encouraged to visit with scheduled appointments while their Guardian Dog is at Power Farms.

 

Our guardians are responsible for the dog’s regular health maintenance: annual exams, vaccines, food, etc. We pay for all breeding related expenses. Once the Guardian Dog has arrived at breeding age and met requirements, she/he is added to our breeding program. We reserve the right to make all breeding related decisions.