Guardian Angel Program
Guardian Program
A guardian home is a local family who is a forever home for one of the dogs in our breeding program. Guardian homes allow our breeding dogs to live with families and not in kennels as our program grows. We are always looking for great guardian homes, so if you are interested, please contact us!
Our breeding program is designed around our ability to utilize guardian homes for our breeding dogs either from a puppy or as a young adult after training and health checks. This program is designed this way to benefit everyone, especially and most importantly the dogs, who are raised in a home with a family instead of a kennel. Guardian homes are meant to be permanent so that the dog does not need to go through re-homing.
Watercolour Aussies retains ownership and breeding rights while the dog lives with a family. We want all of our dogs to be in a loving home and it allows us to be kennel free. It is a win, win for everyone, most importantly the dog.
Most of the dogs in our guardian homes will be females but we may have a male from time to time. Females will have up to 4 litters(most are required to have 2 litters from two separate males) and males can be in our program for up to 6 years (at the sole discretion of Watercolour Aussies).
When the guardian dog is of age, we will get all of his/her health clearances done and then if all goes well, we will breed them to a mate of our choosing.
If you are the Guardian Family for a female, you will bring your Watercolour Aussies to our home to be bred and then she will return home to your family for the duration of her pregnancy. One week before she is due, she will return to Watercolour Aussies home to get ready for the birth of her puppies. She will stay in our home until her puppies are weaned. Then the guardian dog will return back to you, her Guardian Family. This is one example of our program each contract is built for each home and many things can be adjusted to suit your home.
If you choose that you do not want to have your dog leave for weeks, Guardian Families have the option of making other arrangements with us as long as you have gone through proper training. If this is something you are interested in, please let us know and we can discuss further details. You will have to be willing to be trained on raising a litter and we can work together. We choose our homes very carefully, with priority to homes on an acreage/farm home so future will be socialized to other animals and get early herding exposure. Puppies can go after they are weaned and doing well.
If you are the Guardian Family for a male, he will just need to come over the week he will be bred and then he can return home!
Guardian families are responsible for normal dog care including but not limited to training, socialization, vet expenses (non-breeding related), food, grooming and lots of love and affection.
We may ask you to visit our home to ensure the dog is comfortable when he/she comes for breeding and whelping. You will be responsible for sending pictures and updates.
Requirements/Responsibilities
Location, location, location - within 2 hours of Watercolour Aussies. (250 km)
Willing to work with families a bit outside of this range if you are the perfect home
You feed the food the pup was raised on.
Keep female dogs away from intact male dogs
Not allow intact males to breed intact females
Notify us immediately when the dog is in season
A $500-1000 deposit is needed to become a Guardian Family (depending on the puppy/dog) You will get a portion back at the end of your contract with Watercolours (the incentive of $500 along with the dog being spayed or neutered at our cost upon the end of the contract). We then sign all paperwork over to you as sole owner. There is NOT a pet fee that you will have to pay when your Watercolour Aussie is fully released from her/his program. Some breeders will make you pay for your dog after she/he is done with the program. We DO NOT! We believe she has earned her right to be a part of your family for no extra charge.
For more information please contact us about a guardian program and what might be Ava at this time.