Guardian Home Program
At Sleeping Bear Kennels, we take a unique approach to our breeding program by utilizing Guardian Homes for our mom dogs. Many breeders rehome their dogs after they retire from breeding, but we could never give away our adult dogs because they are no longer “of use”. We ensure that our moms find their future forever homes as puppies.
Once you join the Guardian Home Program, we stay closely connected with you, monitoring your dogs health, development, and training. We regularly take them for health testing and visits to the reproductive vet. If they have the right temperament, meet all health requirements, and are ready, they’ll be bred once they come of age.
By using Guardian Homes, we’re able to provide each parent dog with individualized attention, care, and the loving environment they deserve, while also supporting the health and stability of our breeding program.
Many of our guardian home families cite wanting to support ethical breeding, or to learn about the breeding process before starting their own program in the future as reasons for joining the guardian home program. Think of it as a partnership in the health and wellbeing of your dog.
How It Works
Your puppy becomes a cherished member of your family and we hope you will be her forever home when she retires. We stay in contact to monitor her health, temperament, and development. As she grows, she undergoes regular health testing and reproductive evaluations. Only dogs who meet our strict standards are considered for breeding. You are responsible for all regular dog care, including training and socialization, vaccinations, pet insurnce, and flea, tick, and heartworm medications. Our responsibility is all transportation and breeding related costs.
If selected, your dog will stay with us at the end of pregnancy and for 8 weeks to care for her puppies, then return home to you. Once her breeding career is complete, or if she is no longer suitable for breeding, we will cover the cost of her spaying, and she will remain with you as your beloved pet, with the breeding agreement concluded.
This process ensures your dog enjoys a happy, fulfilling life in a loving home, while still contributing to our responsible breeding program.
What You’ll Want To Know
How much does it cost?
Becoming a Guardian Home is a unique and rewarding opportunity. The cost is the same as all other puppies at $4,000. If your dog has a litter (though not guaranteed), you will receive a $200 per healthy puppy produced as a thank you for maintaining the health and well being of mom dog.
As a Guardian Home, you’ll cover regular pet expenses, while we take care of all breeding related costs, appointments, and travel.
Regular vaccination, flea, tick, and heartworm medication, training, and pet insurance must be maintained from go home until conclusion of the breeding contract.
How does it work?
For the first 2 years, your dog will live as a regular pet, with occasional appointments for OFA certification and reproductive care. During this time, she will receive regular health evaluations to ensure she is in optimal condition. Once she reaches 18-24 months of age, we will assess whether she is a good candidate to continue in our breeding program.
If your dog successfully becomes pregnant, she will stay with us for 9 weeks to care for her puppies and ensure they get the best start in life. After this period, she will return to you, where she will continue to be a cherished member of your family. Once her breeding career is complete we will cover the cost of her spaying, and the breeding contract will be concluded. She will then live with you as your beloved pet, with no further breeding obligations.
What are the requirements?
As a Guardian Home, you will be responsible for maintaining Trupanion health insurance, providing training for a CGC title by 18 months old, and covering regular pet expenses, including Royal Canin food, grooming, toys, and veterinary care. We take care of all breeding-related expenses, including transportation for breeding appointments and spaying at the end of the breeding contract.
To qualify, you must live within 4 hours of Kalamazoo, Michigan, and maintain open communication with us regarding heat cycles, vet visits, and any health or behavioral concerns that may impact breeding eligibility.
What are the benefits?
to On top of the financial incentive, often our guardian homes are families who want to be part of the amazing expereinces of welcoming and raising puppies, but don’t want to put the time and resources into their own breeding program.
Our guardian families enjoying watching mom dogs raise their puppies, and visit often, providing lots of socialization for the puppies. Many families also take advantage of our discount and keep a puppy back for themselves from one of their dogs litters.
We also ofter free board and train, training, socialization, and boarding for all of our mom dogs if our schedules allow. Many come to visit while their families are on vacation.
Do I own the dog? What if it's hard without the dog home for 10 weeks?
Our guardian home dogs are placed as if you are a puppy raiser. While I still own the dog as part of my breeding program, you are the dogs family, and the only we would take a mom dog back is the same reasons we would take any of our previous puppies back – in cases of neglect or if they are no longer wanted, or if you fail to follow the requirements for breeding as outlined in the contract – for example if you purposely fail to notify us of heat cycles.
We have had great success with all of our guardian homes it’s one of the highlights of my job.
It’s completely normal to miss your dog during the time they are gone. Many families choose to visit every few weeks. Many families take that time for home renovations and vacation.
Will I have to drive my dog all over or raise puppies?
Those things are not required! We raise all of the puppies in our homes. The only extra time required is making sure your dog is available for us to pick up for appointments.
There is usually lots of advanced notice, and we are very flexible – picking mom dog up on your schedule, even if that means a few days before the appointment. The only time lots of advanced notice can’t be given is when a mom dog goes into her heat cycle – that’s not always easy to predict – but we don’t usually need her for an appointment until day 7 of her heat cycle.