Thank you for your interest in our guardianship program. We believe the dogs in our breeding program should live the life of a beloved family companion instead of being kept long term in kennels. Dogs need to be part of a "pack" for optimal health, happiness and well-being. While I would love to be able to keep all of our breeding dogs under one roof with me, my children prefer to be kept a priority, and I can see their point.. most of the time!
So you play an important role in the future of our program. You have the opportunity to receive a high quality puppy typically the "pick of the litter" for free! We look for very specific qualities when holding a puppy back for breeding purposes. They are chosen for their outstanding temperaments, health, and beauty. While we are continuing to improve and perfect the Labradoodle breed, your commitment to meeting the needs of your new puppy and our program, help ensure their wonderful traits are passed along to future generations.
You will be responsible for basic pet care costs and in lieu of the $2500 purchase price, I retain rights to breeding the dog. I cover all costs related to breeding, and whelp and raise the puppies in my own home. If you have a female I will take her to breed her when she is in heat, then she will return to you for approximately 60 days. A few days before her due date, I will bring her to my home and help her whelp her litter. She will remain with me to nurse the puppies until they are weaned around 5 weeks-old, then your dog will come back home to you. I will breed her up to 5 times over the span of about 3-4 years. When she has finished her breeding career, I will have her spayed and she will continue to enjoy being your pet forever.
If you have a male, the time he is away from your home is more limited. Typically I will take him for a few days to honeymoon with a female. Then he will return to you. When he has completed his breeding career typically around 7 years-old, I will have him neutered and he will continue to enjoy being your pet forever. Male dogs can breed as early as around 10 months-old, and might be used for breeding a couple times or several times each year, depending on the needs of my program. Your boy will need to be constantly kept safe from escaping to find a girlfriend if one is available to him in the area.
Females come into heat once every 6 months - or about 2 times each year. She will typically be bred on her second heat after turning one years-old. 6 months later she will be bred a second time and then she will skip the fourth heat giving her one year between litters. I typically breed again on her fifth and sixth heat cycles. I will skip the following heat and breed her one last time depending on my vision for the program. Females are spayed by the time they turn 5 years-old. When they are in heat you need to keep them safe from straying males. Each heat cycle lasts 2-3 weeks and I will tell you what to expect during this time.
YOUR GUARDIANSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Cover basic costs related to owning a dog including annual vaccines, microchip ID, deworm, flea/tick if needed, etc. - Cover costs related to purchasing pet supplies. A crate, bowls, and toys for example. - Cover costs related to emergency medical treatment while in your care. - Feed a human grade premium dog food. - Ensure your dog is safely restrained at all times. Especially when females are in heat. - Be available to accommodate me when I need the dog for breeding purposes or veterinary tests. - Do basic obedience training with your puppy. - Be aware of special needs when puppies join homes with children and/or existing pets. - Take your dog to a groomer as needed, and inform me before cutting his coat in case I need photos first. - Send me updated photos of the dog for the website, and allow me to borrow him for photo shoots. - If you have a boy, you understand potential behaviors of a non-neutered male. - If you have a girl, you will contact me the first day of each heat so I can prepare to breed her. - Keep me informed of any issues that arise, concerns, or needs regarding the dog. - If your circumstances change in the future and you cannot keep your dog, you will return the dog to me. - Understand the dog is property of Ridgeline Labradoodles until spayed or neutered. - Understand the value of your dog sold as breeding stock is $8,000 to $10,000!
Please read the expectations listed above and let me know if you have any questions or concerns. By signing below you are acknowledging you understand the details of our guardianship program. You will also need to have filled out a Guardian Family Application form at RidgelineLabradoodles.com and be approved for a puppy.
