The Guardian Program
What is a Guardian Family?
A Guardian is a person who is fully committed to giving compassionate, lifelong loving care for a dog, for the duration of the dog’s life, on behalf of its owner - Royal Golden Retrievers. Across our small community in Northeast, IA we provide caring families with dogs of their own. This is a win-win for the Guardian Family, the breeder, and especially the dog. We believe that every dog should have a family and every family should have a dog. Since all of our dogs are lifelong members of our family and live in our home, we limit the number of dogs we have in order to ensure each one receives all of the attention they deserve. For this reason, we occasionally place a dog with a trusting, caring Guardian Family. We ask the Guardian Family to partner with us to ensure the dogs are happy, safe, and well taken care of as puppies and throughout the life of the dog.
How does it work?
Guardian Families have an excellent opportunity to obtain a pick of the litter puppy, chosen by the breeder, at 8 weeks of age. Before the dog reaches two years of age, we will complete health testing through the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) and/or PennHip, as well as Animal Genetics or Embark. This ensures the female/male has sound genetics to pass onto puppies. Once the dog has all passed all tests with exceptional results, they are ready to breed.
Guardians with a female will need to contact us at Royal Golden Retrievers at the first sign of every heat cycle. This allows us to schedule progesterone testing to determine the best time for breeding (usually on the females second heat cycle around 1 ½ - 2 years of age). The female will stay at our house for a few days to get bred by a male of our choice.
After the female has been bred, she will return home to her Guardian Family who will pamper her for the duration of her pregnancy (63 days). Roughly a week before her due date, the female will return to the home of Royal Golden Retrievers to allow time for her to get settled in before welcoming her puppies. This ensures a smooth transition and delivery process for both the mom and her puppies. Following the delivery, the mom will remain in our care to whelp, raise, and wean her new puppies for approximately 6-8 weeks. Once the puppies are weaned, the mom is ready to return home to her Guardian Family.
Throughout the process, the Guardian Family is always welcome to visit their loved one and her new puppies following guidelines to ensure safety of the puppies. The Guardian Family must carry out the responsibilities as specified by the contract until the dog has produced a certain number of litters. Once the obligations of the contract have been met, the Guardian Family becomes the dog’s permanent owner.
Benefits of Guardian Family Program
Guardian Families who are selected to raise our special puppies receive several perks. One of the most valuable advantages is acquiring a gorgeous English Golden Retriever and permanent family companion that you can forever spoil with love at no cost to you. Not only that, you become part of a generational family tree that will have a lifelong legacy in producing quality English Golden Retrievers.
You will obtain a top quality, pick of the litter puppy chosen by the breeder. We are always striving to improve the breed and we put a lot of effort into choosing healthy puppies with great temperaments and appealing confirmations.
At the expense of the owner, your dog will be fully registered through the American Kennel Club (AKC), receive their Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) testings for hips, elbows, eyes and heart, and undergo genetic testing to ensure sound genetics. We also cover all expenses associated with any “breeding related” medical costs such as progesterone testing, puppy count x-rays, post delivery check-ups for the puppies and mom, dew-claw removal etc. This allows Guardians to get the opportunity to experience the excitement of puppyhood without the expenses.
Guardians who are going on vacation have the opportunity to board their dog at our home until the obligations of the contract have been met. This allows the dog to familiarize themselves with our family and environment.
Qualifications / Requirements for becoming a Guardian Family
Resides within a 60 mile radius of Arlington, Iowa
Allows the dog to permanently live indoors and keeps the dog well socialized in a family environment
Feeds a diet approved by the breeder and keeps the dog at a proper weight
Watches for and informs the breeder as soon as there is evidence the dog is in heat
Takes the dog to a minimum of 2 obedience classes or boards and trains for at least 3 weeks at a location approved by the breeder, at the expense of the guardian.
WIlling to transport the dog to the breeder when requested for breeding, veterinary visits and whelping
Ensures prompt and appropriate veterinary care if needed
Ensures all immunizations, heartworm prevention and flea and tick medication are given and always up to date
Willingness to contact the breeder for approval if immunizations are due or medications are needed when the dog is pregnant
Willingness to keep the dog on a leash when outdoors unless the dog is in a secured yard
Willingness to provide proper exercise
Ensures not to own an intact male and will not bring the female around any intact males
Ensures frequent and open communication with us about your dog (heat cycles, care, training, schedules, veterinary visits, etc.)
How to Become A Guardian Family
You are more than welcome to contact us for more information. If you are interested in giving one of our puppies a permanent home through our Guardian Family Program please fill out our Guardian Family Application.