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What is A Guardian Home?
WHAT ARE THE GUIDELINES FOR RAISING A GUARDIAN PUPPY OR DOG? Guardian families must feed your dog food approved by Perfect Companion Puppies. We are proponents of healthy nutrition for puppies and dogs, and for feeding foods that will not cause health issues, such as tumors, allergies, etc. The foods that we ask you to use are easily found but are healthy, holistic, wheat and corn-free, with no by-products or fillers, etc. We require the family to avoid chemicals unless necessary and to not give any supplements or medicines unless approved by us. This includes flea, heartworm, or any other meds. Your Vet will prescribe the heartworm medication. If the dog becomes sick or injured, we need the to be notified immediately so we are involved in all decisions regarding the treatment of the dog. We ask the family to practice safe handling of the dog. Do not leave the dog outside if they are not at home. Don't let the dog sit in the back of an open pickup. Use a leash in public. Provide obedience training so the dog learns manners. All things that a responsible dog owner should do regardless. The guardian is responsible for the transportation of the dog to our home when needed for breeding, whelping, or health testing. This can be an inconvenient part of the guardian's responsibilities. Please think through this carefully. We will not meet families or pick up dogs ourselves.
WHAT EXPENSES AM I RESPONSIBLE FOR? The guardian home pays for any normal care items: Food, dishes, leashes, beds, normal vaccinations or wormings, flea meds, heartworm meds, toys, grooming needs, etc. If the dog needs meds due to worms, illness, infection, or anything unrelated to pregnancy, it is the guardian’s responsibility to pay for those expenses. We pay for all expenses related to health testing for breeding purposes, all breeding expenses, and litter expenses that are not covered by insurance.
IS MOVING THE DOG FROM YOUR HOME TO OURS FOR BREEDING BAD? No, at first there is the, "Where is my family?" when you bring him/her to us, but in every situation, the dog is relaxed, comfortable and doing well within an hour or two. This is often where he or she was born and it is likely that they will remember familiar smells and become quickly acquainted. We work to give them so much attention and love the first couple of days that it is a pleasant and enjoyable experience for them. The less stressed and the more relaxed she is, the better for her and her puppies.
AT WHAT AGE DOES PERFECT COMPANION PUPPIES START BREEDING FEMALES & MALES? We will usually breed females on the second heat following when the dog reaches 12 months of age. If a dog goes into heat at any time beyond 12 months, you must notify us immediately so we can make a decision whether or not we will breed. This will vary based on how many other dams are cycling and having litters, as well as the each dog's age and situation. Please also notify us when your puppy has its first cycle, somewhere around 9-12 month, so we can have a calculated guess on when her next cycle will be. Sires will be bred around their first birthday and are usually only needed for 2-5 days at a time.
HOW LONG ARE FEMALES AT PERFECT COMPANION PUPPIES FOR BREEDING? As soon as our Guardian family is aware the dog is in heat, we will have them bring the dog to us by day 5 - 7 of the heat cycle. She will stay with us for about one week, then they can pick her up and take her home. If you are not able to drop off or pick up the dog within 1-2 days of when needed, you will be required to find someone who can do it for you, or we have one of our dog transporters provide transportation for $100 per trip.
HOW LONG IS THE DAM PREGNANT? Pregnancies average between 58 and 63 days.
HOW LONG IS THE DAM GONE DURING WHELPING? She will come to our home between 7 - 9 days before she whelps her litter. This gives her time to settle into our home, and get used to the whelping box. It is important that she becomes very comfortable with being in our house and being with us all the time. We do not want the mom to feel uncomfortable with us when she is getting ready to whelp. She will go home after the puppies are fully weaned. This will be between 6 and 8 weeks.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING PREGNANCY AND WHAT CHANGES FOR HER CARE? Pregnancy is relatively easy. We will provide a list of what happens each week during the development of puppies, which will be given to our guardian homes at the time we of breeding. The dog may be a little more tired, or not eat normally for a few weeks. In the last couple of weeks of pregnancy, she usually more appetite and sleeps longer as time progresses. Otherwise, normal activity is unchanged and it is important to continue walking the dog throughout the pregnance. This can help during delivery. Being in fit is crucial to a healthy delivery. Normal play and running during the first half of pregnancy is perfect. After that, limit activity to walks on a leash and discontinue ball chasing type of activities. We suggest adding ¼ cup of yogurt or cottage cheese every other day and a raw egg twice a week during the last 2 weeks of pregnancy to provide extra nutrition. No chemicals can be given during pregnancy. Notify us immediately of any illness or injury so we can be involved in determining how she is treated.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BEING A GUARDIAN HOME? A Guardian Family gets the very best that animals Perfect Companion Puppies has to offer. We choose our breeding team based on the best qualities that are outlined in the breed standard with temperament coming first. Another great benefit is that their Guardian dog or puppy will be completely health tested by around 1 year of age at our expense before entering our breeding program at no cost to them. Our Guardian Families get to enjoy the exhileration of being a part of our breeding program, and seeing the offspring of their very own dog being placed with families across the country bringing others the same happiness that they have received from their dog! We compensate our Guardian homes for each succesful litter.
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