_edited_edited.jpg)
Guardian Home Programs benefits all involved... the dogs, the families, the breeders, and the breed as a whole.
Updated: 2 days ago
Guardian Home arrangements can have a bit of a bad rap due to some less than ethical breeders (usually doodle or designer breeders) who use them to their sole advantage. The expectations they put on their Guardian Home families is unfair IMO. But I think that ethical breeders should really consider this option. If done properly, a Guardian Home arrangement can be a win-win-win for everyone involved. And they might just be an integral piece of the puzzle to supporting ethical breeders to preserving our beloved breeds.
Like many things, we do Guardian Homes differently, read on to see how...
Our take on Guardian Homes is based on a partnership and the expectations of both parties needs to be reasonable and fair, while striving to reach a common goal. We value our Guardian Homes immensely! By choosing suitable families and showing mutual consideration, we can meet everyone's needs and make huge strides forward.
Let's break it down...
A guardian arrangement gives a carefully chosen family the chance to welcome a beautiful, top-tier puppy into their home, meanwhile Pureheart Spaniels retains breeding rights for a set period. The dog grows up as a cherished family member with the individual attention and training they deserve and thrive on. The breeder remains closely involved as the dog matures, offering guidance, health planning & support, all while pursuing a conformation title and health testing.
For the right family, it can be a wonderful way to raise and love an exceptional dog. For the breeder, it supports thoughtful, ethical breeding. For the dog, it offers a normal family life and undivided affection. For the breed, it helps protect health, temperament, and genetic diversity for future generations.
What a Pureheart Guardian Home looks like:
A guardian home is a long-term family home for a dog that remains part of our carefully planned breeding programme.
The family raises the dog and cares for them just like any other dog owner including:
regular walks and play, providing appropriate physical exercise
training and manners, ensuring mental stimulation
social time with people and other suitable dogs, supporting socialization
grooming and coat care, keeping the dog in proper condition
routine vet care, following details in the contract
a loving home environment, assuring a well rounded dog
The breeder keeps breeding rights for an agreed period, with a clearly written contract outlining the responsibilities of each. They remain involved for breeding-related planning, completing health testing, and pursuing a conformation Championship title on the dog.
The purpose is not to place a dog and step away. The purpose is to build a trusted partnership focused on the dog’s wellbeing AND ensure a beautiful and worthy dog's genetics are caried forward into future generations.
Once the dog’s role in the breeding programme is complete, the dog is fully signed over to the guardian family where they live out the rest of their lives.
What our guardian families tell us:
The best way to understand a Pureheart Guardian Home arrangement is to hear from families already experiencing it. These comments were shared as feedback from current Pureheart guardian families, with personal details kept private.
From Charlie's Family...
3 years ago we entered into a guardianship agreement with Christie at Purehearts Spaniels and brought home Charlie.
She was a 10 week old European style English Springer Spaniel and as cute as can be. Smart from the get go. Very eager to please (until she became a slightly more willful teenager) and has ultimately matured into a wonderful, fairly well mannered and unbelievably affectionate member of our family.
Charlie also spends time with Christie and her family. On a few occasions when we have been travelling Charlie stayed with Christie.
This was helpful for Charlie and Christie to stay well connected. Charlie always has a fantastic time and is so well cared for. Plus she loves spending the time with other dogs in the house.
Christie wanted to be able to breed Charlie in the future. This also meant she would want to show her as well so she could get her champion designation. We needed to agree to not spay her, keep her in fit and trim and healthy shape and care for her coat so it would meet show dog expectations. Christie gave us tips for various training and grooming issues.
Together with Christie and Charlie’s brother Max we did two scent tracking courses which were great training and mental stimulation. Christie groomed Charlie for shows, although we tried to bring her clean and well kept so Christie just had to do touch ups. This required some learning for us, especially around her paws.
Having a dog in heat was much less of an issue than we had expected.
The hardest part of the guardianship for us has just been the driving. We live on the west side of Vancouver and getting her back and forth to Surrey and Langley for shows, vets and grooming has taken up some time.
Charlie has been through a few heats now. This was new to us as our previous dogs had all been spayed. Having a dog in heat was much less of an issue than we had expected. We needed to pay attention and notice when she would start to bleed. Christie sent doggie diapers, but to be honest we didn’t use them. Charlie was quite fastidious about keeping herself clean and we have wood floors in our house so the odd drop of blood we did notice we just wiped up. Of course she also needed to be kept on leash and away from in tact males but that was pretty easy and she enjoyed romps at my friends garden with her neutered male friend.
When we leave her with Christie for a weekend (a show), a week or so (if we are away) or up to 9 weeks (birth and nursing weening) we are 100 percent confident she is having the time of her life.
We just sometimes worry that we won’t seem as much fun. Yet at that she always seems happy to be back and slips right in where we left off. Really we are just amazed at her flexibility and resilience. Plus those puppies are so darned cute.
Charlie has now been bred once. I let Christie know when she was in heat. Then I took her to our vet to get her hormones checked. Christie took her to the stud for breeding and she was completely fine through the whole pregnancy. Just very very hungry! We followed Christie’s instructions on feeding and supplements, and carried on as usual. Unfortunately she was pregnant with only one puppy. But he is a beauty! Christie has kept Charlie from about a week before the puppy was born through the time she was nursing and weening the pup. We have been out to visit a few times. She is always happy to see us but also completely fine to stay when we leave.
From Bonzo's Family...
I can honestly say that being a Guardian Home for our boy has been a very positive experience.
I’ve really enjoyed getting an insight into the show world and learning what goes into training, conditioning and maintaining a show dog. I’m also very grateful that Christie has allowed us to be involved in the process and has always encouraged our involvement.
I really appreciate that Christie gives Guardian Home owners the choice of how much or how little they want to be involved.
We’re able to get on with everyday life without constant check-ins or demands, while knowing that you’re always available whenever we have questions or need advice.
At the same time, outside of his show commitments, he is simply our family pet.
For us, it has been a really nice balance, and the experience has been much easier and more relaxed than I might have imagined before becoming a Guardian Home.
This is the balance a good guardian arrangement aims for. The dog should never feel like a visitor. They should be part of home life from the beginning.
“It feels special to know our dog may contribute to future Pureheart puppies. We feel proud to be part of that.”
Many families enjoy the wider purpose. They are not only raising a companion. They are helping support careful breeding practices and the continuation of a much-loved line.
“The agreement was clear, and that made everything easier. We knew what to expect and who was responsible for what.”
Clarity matters. A guardian home should be built on a joint interest in the breed, clearly written agreement, fairness to both parties, honest conversations, and shared expectations. That protects the dog and gives both family and breeder confidence.
For the right home, the rewards can be lasting:
A guardian family gets the love of a wonderful English springer spaniel. The dog gets the warmth and security of a family home.
Pureheart can continue breeding with care and conscience. The breed gains from thoughtful breeding choices made with the future in mind.
That is why guardian homes matter.
This special arrangement shows that responsible breeding can be personal, kind, and built around real relationships. They keep dogs at the centre of the plan. They remind us that the best breeding programmes are not only measured in puppies, but in the quality of life given to every dog involved.
For anyone who has ever wanted to welcome a Pureheart Spaniel into their life while also playing a meaningful role in the breed’s future, this could be a beautiful place to start.
Comments