Guardian Home Program...

Our breeding program focuses on the health and quality of life for each dog. We feel they should always be first and foremost a beloved companion. To ensure our dogs have the best possible life and develop to their full potential, it is important for us

to limit the number of dogs we keep at our home.

We are also committed to being a responsible breeder of quality dogs.

in order to preserve this wonderful

breed, we need to add quality dogs

to our breeding program

To do so, we occasionally place a 'pick puppy' into a Guardian Home where they can flourish in a family environment while we monitor their development. We stay in close contact with them and their Guardian Home and assess them as they grow. Our goal is for these 'pick puppies' to eventually become part of our breeding program and thereby contribute to the continuation of this breed.

~ The details of our Guardian Home Program ~

This works as a partnership between carefully selected Guardian Home families and ourselves.

This special arrangement is based on mutual trust and a shared commitment to

the continuation of this wonderful breed, through our breeding program.

Puppies placed in a Guardian Home are:

offered at a significantly reduced price in exchange for their contribution to our breeding program,
placed with their new Guardian families but we retain ownership until their contribution to our breeding program has ended, ownership is then transferred after the spay/neuter is completed,
under a special 'Guardian Home Program Contract' outlining this special arrangement, and
monitored for temperament, health and their conformity to breed standard.

The Guardian Home Families commitment:

To work cooperatively within the terms of the Guardian Home Program, for a set duration.
To be an excellent Guardian Home and provide the utmost care and attention to the dog, following the guidelines provided by us for food, grooming, training, veterinary care, and general maintenance.
To stay in regular contact with us, providing pictures and updates.
To make the dog available for viewing, visiting, and evaluating periodically.
To make the dog available for health screenings and genetic testing at our request.
To make the dog available for use in our breeding program, in order to produce a set number of litters (females).
To make the dog available for use in our breeding program, in order to obtain a set number of years (males).
To ensure the dog is spayed/neutered once their contribution to the breeding program has been completed.

Our commitment:

To work cooperatively within the terms of the Guardian Home Program, for a set duration.
To provide guidelines for food, grooming, training, veterinary care, and general maintenance.
To stay in regular contact, communicating and requesting pictures and updates.
To coordinate viewing, visiting, and evaluating of the dog periodically.
To coordinate and pay for all health screenings and testing, and any reproductive related expenses.
To coordinate the use of the dog in our breeding program.
To coordinate when the dog is spayed/neutered and then transfer ownership to the owner.

~ Some F.A.Q.'s on our Guardian Home Program~

Question: Where will the dog live?

Answer: With the Guardian Home family, they will come to visit us occasionally for short periods so that they maintain a connection with us and feel comfortable in our home (this is more so for the females).

Question: Who will own the dog?

Answer: Like all our Pureheart puppies, they are registered to us the breeders until they fulfil the terms of their contract. For companion animals it's proof of spay or neutering but for Guardian Home dogs it's completing their role in the our breeding program and proof of spay or neutering.

Question: What other requirements are there for the dog while it is in the Guardian Home program?

Answer: We will want to see the dog regularly, usually for handling classes as well as taking it to shows to obtain its Championship title. You will need to keep up with a regular grooming schedule at a professional groomer of our choice, which we request that you book prior to shows we will attend. The dog will also need to be available for health testing at an appropriate age.

Question: Do I have to participate with the handling classes and shows?

Answer: No you do not have to participate but we will ask that you bring your dog to handling classes so they can practice with us and we will coordinate with you around shows. We like to let you be as involved as you would like in this process, so if you want to learn we'd love you to do the handling practice with them but if not, we can do this. Likewise for shows, if you want to come along you are welcome but if you want to just drop off the dog for the weekend that's okay too.

Question: How long is the commitment to the breeding program?

Answer: For females it's 1 to 2 litters (with a minimum litter size of 4 puppies) and for males it's age 4 (2 years of stud service after turning 2).

Question: Who makes the decisions around breeding and whether or not a dog will be used in the breeding program?

Answer: We make all the decisions around whether or not a dog will end up being used in our breeding program. We also make all the decisions around breeding, although we will coordinate with you so that you can plan accordingly.

Question: How much does a puppy cost through the Guardian Home program?

Answer: We price our puppies less than half the regular cost and offer financial incentives for additional litters or matings.

Question: What other benefits are there for the Guardian Home family?

Answer: We usually take the dog for shows, which allows the family to get away without the cost of other boarding services. This also means that we assist with grooming, particularly when we cannot arrange professional grooming appointments prior to shows, which is a big cost savings to you.

~ Final Thoughts on our Guardian Home Program ~

We are entrusting the Guardian Home Family with a top pick puppy who will be future contributor to our breeding program. Guardian Home Families raise the puppy in a home environment as a beloved member of their family.

This special arrangement allows local families to have one of the best Springer Spaniels available at a reduced cost.

The guardian home program is a beneficial arrangement for the dog, the Guardian Home families, and for us as breeders.

It's also beneficial for the breed in that it enables us to continue to produce exceptional English Springer Spaniels.

It's one of those "win-win-win" situations for everyone involved.