Cedar Creek Kennels Guardian Home Program
At Cedar Creek Kennels, our Guardian Home Program is a special opportunity for families to welcome an exceptional, pick-of-the-litter female puppy into their home at a greatly reduced cost, while partnering with us in our responsible and ethical breeding program.
Instead of paying the full puppy price, approved guardian families pay a ¼ of the price and provide a loving, permanent home for one of our top-quality females.
What Is a Guardian Home?
A guardian home is a forever family for one of our breeding females. Your dog lives with you full-time as your beloved pet, enjoying all the comforts of family life. When she is mature and ready, she temporarily returns to us for breeding and whelping before coming back home again.
After completing her breeding career, she is spayed at our expense and enjoys retirement with you as your cherished companion.
What You Provide
As a guardian family, you agree to provide:
- A loving, permanent home where the dog is treated as a cherished family member
- Daily care, training, socialization, routine veterinary care and regular grooming (doesn’t have to be at a groomer, but they must be kept looking nice)
- Transportation for required health or genetic testing (all testing costs are covered by us) and for breeding/whelping visits
- Care and attention during her pregnancy while she is living with you
What We Provide
Cedar Creek Kennels covers all breeding-related responsibilities, including:
- All specialized health, genetic, and breeding testing
- Professional reproductive planning and breeding management
- Whelping care and puppy raising
- Spaying after her final litter (at our veterinarian, fully covered by us)
- Ongoing support and guidance throughout the dog’s life
How the Program Works
- You receive a pick-of-the-litter female puppy
- She lives with you full-time as your family dog
- She comes back to us for specialized health testing approx. 2-3 times in the year once she has reached age 1
- Once mature and health-tested, she comes to us for breeding
- She returns home for normal life and her pregnancy
- Just before whelping, she comes back to us to deliver and raise her puppies
- She stays with us for approximately 9 weeks until the puppies are weaned
- This cycle is repeated for three litters
- After her final litter, she is spayed at our expense and retires to live with you
Who Can Participate?
Our Guardian Home Program is offered to families who:
- Live within 100 km of Cedar Creek Kennels
- Ideally already has at least one other dog at home (to reduce stress when she is temporarily away), but we are open to discuss this program with someone who doesn’t have another dog if they are ok to part with their dog for 9 weeks a year
- Are committed to providing excellent care and communication
- Want to be part of a responsible, ethical breeding program
It’s a meaningful way to enjoy an exceptional dog while helping us preserve and improve the breed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who qualifies for a Cedar Creek Kennels Guardian dog?
We seek families who can provide a safe, loving environment and have experience caring for dogs. Guardians should be committed to the lifetime wellbeing of the dog and willing to partner with us for testing, breeding, and care.
What responsibilities does a guardian family have?
Guardian families provide daily care, basic training, routine vet care, grooming, transportation for required testing and breeding/whelping visits, and follow our guidance throughout the dog’s life.
Will I get to name my guardian puppy?
We do this together! We ask our families to come up with 3 names they like and then we choose 1 of the 3 names for her.
Do guardian families need a fenced yard?
While not always mandatory, a secure yard helps ensure your dog’s safety and is strongly recommended.
What happens if I already have dogs at home?
We welcome homes with other dogs, provided the environment is harmonious and safe. We’ll consider each situation to ensure the best fit for all animals involved.
How often will my dog be needed for breeding?
Your dog will come to Cedar Creek Kennels for breeding when mature and only at times necessary, based on her health and reproductive cycle. We plan schedules collaboratively and well in advance.
Can I be there when puppies are born or visit her and the puppies after?
While we truly appreciate how much families want to visit their dog during her stay with us, these visits can unfortunately cause stress for the mother. Seeing her owners often makes her believe she is going home, which can be upsetting for her during this time.
We will provide regular updates on both mom and puppies and are happy to arrange a visit at the end of her stay for you to meet the puppies, when she is ready to return home with you and the puppies are preparing to go to their new homes.
What if I can no longer be a guardian family?
If your situation changes, we will work with you to either find a new guardian home for the dog or she can come back to us.
What happens after her breeding career is over?
Once she has completed her final litter, she will be spayed at our expense and remain with you as your beloved family member.
If you think the Cedar Creek Kennels Guardian Home Program might be right for your family, we’d love to hear from you!