Guardian for a Breeder...Any Opinions?

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

I have posted before that I would love to have 2 doodles (a sibling for Bexter) in the near future (around a year from now...).  I was leaning toward getting a second doodle from Bexter's breeder, particularly from his same parents if possible which I think would be very cool.  However, throughout my process of selecting a breeder when I was looking for Bexter I have kept in touch with another breeder who I really respect also.  She just didn't have a pup available this past summer (I am a teacher and REALLY wanted all the summer to bond & train), which is why I didn't go with her, so there aren't any hard feelings. We have kept in touch & I've even sent her pictures of Bexter.  Anyway...I was considering being a guardian for her breeding program.  This means that I would get a "pick of the litter" female from a litter of 2 very healthy & good parents that she has.  It would be next spring (I told her I really couldn't do it earlier because I am still bonding/training Bexter).  It is a great deal (seems like) because I would get the female pup at no cost.  However, obviously I will have to care for this girl from 8 weeks until the time she would get her health testing.  If she passes the health testing, she would be bred up to 4 times at which time she would leave my home for the breeding & then later for the birth & welping process.  After breeding her 4 litters, then she would be spayed at breeder's expense & ownership transferred to me.

 

Do any of you have any experience with being a guardian for a breeder or have any knowledge of this process?  What did you think of it?  I don't take decisions like this lightly.  I need to think of this for SEVERAL MONTHS before I commit.  One of my concerns is if she went into labor while I was teaching during the day.  I want to make sure she's (and pups) are safe.  Also - I don't know if I'll be able to stand leaving her at the breeder's for the whelping process, which would be almost two months for each litter.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

There is a group on DK for Guardian families:

http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/guardianfamilies

Hope this helps!!

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

I don't think that I could stand being separated from her for that long. Don't really know the pros or cons but good luck if you decide to do this!!

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

Laurie - Thanks!  I didn't realize that we had a group for that.  I should have known!  I just now posted there too!

[Adina P]

The best thing would be to ask to see the contract or at least bullet points of your responsibilities.  It's not too likely you'll get to whelp at home.  The main thing is that until your contract is up and the dog is yours...you have to think of this dog as THE BREEDER's PROPERTY and treat it as such (emphasis on breeder's not property) Be willing to notify the breeder if/when you'll be out of town, go to the vet requested by the breeder, feed what the breeder requests, not move anywhere during the contract period.  I have considered this option in the past and for me it came down to simply not wanting the whole female cycle thing while I had young kids.  Not knowing how it would be or how 'icky' her cycles would be probably worried me the most.  That and training and being able to train my dog to my liking without her losing her training when going to someone else's home where standards would inevitably be different.  The breeder's job is NOT to go through a training program that matches mine.

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

Adina - Some of your concerns are the same as mine - about having kids & the cycles.  I just don't know what to expect, which is why I want to get as much input as possible before deciding.  Especially considering also that I already have a boy dog (who will be neutered of course)...but still...not sure about how that might make Bexter's personality change around her cycle times...and if I'd have to separate them??? Yes - also the idea of having the dog here & it not really be MINE YET...not sure how I feel about that.  I'm just playing with the idea right now in my mind.  Thanks for your input!

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

BTW - I DO HAVE a copy of the contact via e-mail & I have read it.  If there would be an accident (let's say...the kids left the front door open for their friends to come in and the dog ran outside & got lost or hit...) I would have to pay the breeder A LARGE SUM of money.  That would make me a nervous wreck (not even counting how emotional I would be anyway with something happening to a dog I love)...  At first, I was really excited about the idea of this, but the more I think it through the more nervous I get...

[Lynda Kamrath]

We considered that last fall when my best doodle died and my goldendoodle was depressed.  We could have been guardians for a breeder (we wanted a male who would not have to leave our house for breeding and whelping) or a home for a dog who was leaving a breeding program.  We also looked at some dogs at the shelter (they turned out not to be doodles) and we finally decided not to go that route because the dog would really belong to someone else and we wanted a puppy we could raise outselves.   My husband argued also that if we would not breed our own dogs, why would we keep a breeding dog for someone else.  We ended up getting an overaged puppy from a breeder and he has been great.  Keep checking out alternatives for you until you find a good fit.  And good luck.  It is worth the time you spend and you get to see a lot of great doodles.

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

Lynda - The breeder who I am considering being the guardian for also does have a retired dog (a little boy mini poodle)...He is sooo adorable & he is not as much money as a puppy goldendoodle (although the guardian pup would be no charge) and I really thought about getting him so Bexter can have a brother, but he's 4 years old and I want a pup.  He's also a mini poodle ...not a doodle.  Even though he's precious & I know I'd love him, I really have my heart set on a doodle.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I have not been a guardian but I did consider it. There are many restrictions and things you need to comply with including grooming. And Adina is right about food and training etc. Too much the breeder's dog and not enough my dog was my thought in the end.

[Christie and Jake]

I seriously considered a Guardian Program from a reputable breeder.  However, I could not afford to be responsible for someone else's "business". The potential liability issues were too great.  It seems like a win win situation at first, but the requirements regarding breeding, etc. were more than I wanted.  

[Ginny Nightingale]

Hmmm-where to start--at the beginning! I have a female in a guardian arrangement and am a retired teacher---my female passed all the health tests and was bred at the age of two. Dogs are VERY predictable as to when they will give birth, so I am sure your female would be at the breeder's well before the due date and you would not have to worry--of course, there are always things that can go wrong, but that is not too likely.

Remember, you will have to deal with heats and feed her special/ extra  food during pregnancy, etc, but it isn't really difficult at all.

Anyway, since I had retired, I kept the female with me for whelping and the breeder came over and we whelped the pups together --then I raised them and kept one. (I had the option of keeping one pup or getting some of the purchase price of the dog back). Then, since I liked doing the whelping, etc, I took on a different female from her program and had her here for the raising of her pups as well. The momma dog was happy here and her owner came to visit her and her puppies a few times. She was anxious to get the dog back, but the time went pretty quickly. I think you would be fine with it once the time came.

The only thing I would disagree with about your description above is the necessity to breed four times. That seems like a lot. My breeder asks for three times and if the female has a particularly easy time and is still young and in good health, they might negotiate a fourth breeding, but it is unlikely. Also, are you getting any of your money back if the dog is successfully bred? My breeder gives back half of what you paid for the dog with the first breeding and the other half back with the second (or a single puppy from one of the breedings).

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

Ginny - The contract does say 4 litters.  I will ask about that.  Also - I would be paying NO money for the puppy at all, so I wouldn't be getting any money or any puppies.  To me, it sounds like a great way to get a goldendoodle (which I want another soo bad) without any cost, but to also be part of something which seems really special.  Thanks for your input!