Guardian home program
Guardian Home Program for Australian Labradoodles in Anderson, IN | Free Puppy Opportunity
A guardian family raises one of our breeding dogs as their own pet, at no cost for the dog. The dog lives with you. It comes back to us for breeding and, for a mom, for her litter. When her breeding career ends, she is spayed at our expense and she is yours for good.
We have been on your side of this
Before we bred Australian Labradoodles, we were a guardian home for nine Goldendoodle litters starting in 2022. So we know what the drop-offs feel like, what questions come up, and what makes the arrangement work for the family. That experience shaped how we run our program.
How it works
- Apply and visitWe meet your family, and we visit your home and yard before placement.
- Your dog lives with youWalks, kids, the couch. It is your family dog.
- Health testingBefore any breeding, the dog gets OFA hip, elbow, and eye testing and an Orivet genetic panel. We pay for all of it.
- Breeding visitsA female comes to us for about a week when she is bred. A male comes for a day or two each time he is used.
- Litter timeA mom comes to us about 52 to 55 days into her pregnancy. She whelps and nurses here, for a stay of about 8 to 9 weeks, then goes home.
- RetirementAfter the contract is complete, we pay for the spay or neuter and ownership transfers to you.
Who pays for what
| Cost | Who pays |
|---|---|
| The dog | Free to the guardian family |
| OFA and genetic testing | Walls Family Doodles |
| Breeding vet care, progesterone tests, ultrasounds | Walls Family Doodles |
| Whelping and puppy care | Walls Family Doodles |
| Spay or neuter at retirement | Walls Family Doodles |
| Food, routine vet visits, vaccines | Guardian family |
| Grooming and flea, tick, and heartworm prevention | Guardian family |
Guardian families also receive $250 per puppy from each litter.
What we ask of guardian families
Location
Live within one hour of Anderson, and plan to stay for the length of the contract.
A fenced yard
An intact dog needs secure containment.
Good food and care
A quality food rated at least 3.5 stars on Dog Food Advisor, routine vet care, and year-round flea, tick, and heartworm prevention.
Time together
The dog is not left alone more than 8 hours a day.
The contract for a female
The contract covers four litters of three or more puppies each. If she stays healthy, there is an option to continue up to six litters. Everything is written down before placement, so you know the terms before you commit.
Reese is one of our guardian dogs. She lives full time with her guardian family and stays with us when it is time for a litter. You can read her story here.
Questions about the guardian program
Do I pay for a guardian dog?
No. You receive the dog at no cost. You pay normal pet costs: food, routine vet visits, vaccines, grooming, and flea, tick, and heartworm prevention. We pay for everything related to breeding.
What are the downsides of being a guardian home?
Your dog will spend some time with us for each litter, which can be hard for kids. You also need to live within an hour of Anderson, have a fenced yard, and keep the dog available on the schedule in the contract.
How long does the program last?
For a female, the contract covers four litters of three or more puppies, with the option to continue up to six litters if she stays healthy. Then she is spayed at our cost and she is yours.
Can I be a guardian home if I work full-time?
Yes, as long as the dog is not left alone more than 8 hours a day.
What if the dog does not pass health testing?
Then the dog does not enter the breeding program. We pay for the spay or neuter and the dog is yours, with no breeding obligations.
Are guardian families paid?
Yes. Guardian families receive $250 per puppy from each litter.
Interested in being a guardian home?
Text Jason at 317-608-9260 to talk through the program and current openings.