What is the difference between a guardian and a co-owner?

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

BC (Before Children) I use to breed, raise and show English Setters. I was co-owner of a few Canadian/American champions. I did this because at the time I could not afford to personally travel the Canadian show circuit and out-right price of these beauties was a bit out of range of a 20 to 30-something with college loan debt. As a bene, I also gained a wealth of knowledge from the breeder/co-owner. I had equal input/decisions on what shows to attend, what traits I/we wanted to breed for and most importantly when to breed and to whom. As co-owner, I was an active participant on choosing the stud or accepting to stand a stud. I attended the breeding, my girls stayed with me during gestation and whelping. Stud fee for the boys were split equally. As far as picks, the breeder/co-owner and I would split the top. Typically the breeder would get first pick, I would get second, and breeder would get third and so on.

I still sit ring side at dog shows; co-ownership is alive and well. Is a guardian similar or different?

[F, Calla & Luca]

I think it's very different from what I've read. You can look at some of the websites e.g. Ocean States Labradoodles where they clearly spell out guardianship. For a reduced price, which may eventually be refunded, you keep the dog as your pet. However, the breeder can visit the dog and may require you to bring the dog for visits. The breeder has requirements re: grooming, feeding, fencing etc. The dog has to be available to be bred and females usually have the pups at the breeders. You as guardian have no say in any decision making re: breeding etc. I looked into guardianship and eventually decided it would be very cumbersome and intrusive.

[Adina P]

I think that 'guardian homes' are more or less more of a labradoodle/goldendoodle breeder's phenomenon. I've heard the term 'co-ownership' more from the pure breed community. I also know some doodle breeders who DO participate in co-ownership of a breeding dog with another breeder, but not with 'just' an owner.

As far as guardian home it is typically the breeder that makes the decisions. The 'owner' is the breeder until the breeding career of the dog is complete. The non-breeder is more like a foster home essentially until the breeding dog retires. They don't typically participate in breeding decisions. It's mutually beneficial (usually) way for owners to have a doodle without the cost and for breeders to breed at much lower cost too. I don't think I could do it as I couldn't handle someone else making the decisions for my dog, even if only for 2-3 years. But what I DO like about it is that when the dog retires it is not rehomed...it gets to stay with the family who brought it up and that just seems like an ideal situation for the dog's sake.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I agree that for the dog it's a better situation than being rehomed after a breeding career but I think it's just not worth the hassle for the guardian.

[Adina P]

It would not be for me either, but I think it works well for others.... You'd get a long vacation at every breeding and know your dog is in good hands =)