Owning a female guardian dog:

Once your dog is of age, has passed all of her health testing, and is ready to breed (typically on the second heat cycle) we will have your dog over for a few days during the breeding process and later, for the duration of whelping her litter. After your dog has been bred she will return to her guardian family who will care for her during her pregnancy. She will then come back to us a week before she is due to whelp her litter. Once old enough, female dogs will spend at least 6-8 weeks per year in our care to whelp, raise, and wean their puppies (guardian families are always welcome to visit). Guardians must be able to detect a heat cycle and keep females away from intact male dogs during this time. Females retire at around the age of 4-6 (typically after having 3-4 litters), after retirement the female will be spayed and continue to live the remainder of her life with her guardian family. 

 

Owning a male guardian dog:

Once your dog is of age, has passed all of his health testing, and is ready to breed (whenever he has matured) our male dogs will spend a few days with us at a time when needed during breeding, typically a few times a year. Guardians must be able to keep male dogs away from intact female dogs in heat. Males retire at around the age of 5-7, after retirement the male will be neutered and continue to live the remainder of his life with his guardian family.