the guardian program
“Guardian Homes are loving forever homes for breeding dogs.”
what is a guardian home?
Our breeder dogs are pets first and breeders second. Guardian homes are loving forever homes for breeding dogs.
The purpose of a guardian home is to provide each and every breeding dog with a permanent loving family to give them personalized care and attention throughout their life.
The Guardian family is the recipient of a beautiful and healthy puppy to raise as their own at no charge. In exchange, the dog returns to Ponsonby Poodle Doodles for breeding, birthing, and whelping.
how does the program work?
Ponsonby Poodle Doodles remains the legal owner of the dog for about the first 5 years of its life for females, and about 8 years for males. The guardian home provides loving care to the dog for its entire life.
The breeder pays for all routine & breeding related veterinary expenses including vaccinations, DNA testing, routine exams, and spay or neuter.
Our female dogs begin breeding at 18 months of age at the youngest, on their second or third heat, and they retire at around 5 years old. They will likely have 3-4 litters, 1 per year at most. For the male dogs, they can begin breeding at 14 months of age, and retire at about 8 years old. They will likely sire 5-10 litters per year.
When the dog retires from the program, ownership of the dog is signed over to the Guardian family. You have the option of adopting a free puppy from your Guardian Dog’s final litter.
does my family qualify?
To qualify for the Guardian Program you must meet the following:
- Reside within a 1 hour range of Ponsonby, Ontario.
- Have the time and resources to provide a high-quality active lifestyle for a dog.
- Have a fully fenced yard or other activity plan for the dog
- Understand that the dog returns to the breeder for about 8 weeks every year, and be willing to maintain regular communication with the breeder.
Hear what our Guardians have to say!
INTERESTED IN BECOMING A GUARDIAN TO A PONSONBY PUPPY?
Every year Ponsonby adds a select few Guardian females and sometimes a male to our program. If you would like to learn more and see what new dogs are being added to the program, please get in touch with us or find them on the Puppies page.
THE PROGRAM IS OPEN TO ANYONE LIVING WITHIN 1 HOUR’S DRIVING DISTANCE FROM PONSONBY.
If you would like to apply to become a Guardian family, please read the following requirements.
If YOU'VE read the requirements and it sounds like the ponsonby program is a good fit for your family, please tell us about yourself using the form field below. we look forward to speaking with you!
qualifications for guardianship
Provide daily walks for a minimum of 45 minutes.
Be repsonsible for 100% of all driving to and from Ponsonby.
Bring dog for routine vet appointments at Ponsonby.
Respond within 48 hours to requests to have the dog brought to Ponsonby. (Most requests will have at least a week’s notice)
Follow Ponsonby's guidelines for feeding and training.
Be responsible for feeding, training, and grooming costs.
Ponsonby covers the essentials of veterinary care including: routine health checkups, vaccines, reproductive and genetic care. The Guardian is responsible for veterinary costs over and above these things, including contracted illnesses or infections, accidents or injuries, and flea and tick prevention.
Be without your dog for 8 weeks per year for whelping or breeding.
Visit your dog and her puppies while she is with us for the purpose of reassurance and exercise.
Provide quality photos of your dog every month.
Communicate that your dog is in heat the same day it starts and communicate any health concerns promptly.
Make the dog available for yearly check ups.
Have a fenced yard or other activity plan, and never tether the dog.
Have a non-smoking household.
