Our Guardianship Program

What Is A Guardian Home?

All dogs should live a life as someone’s family member, whether they will be used for breeding or not.  In order for us to continue to expand our breeding program, we have chosen to use a Guardian Home model, since we never want our dogs in a kennel. We don’t believe kenneling dogs is a humane way to breed.  Our Guardian Program allows for local families to have a top notch, truly high quality puppy, adolescent/adult breeding dog for just a fraction of the price. The Guardian Home puppy or dog is part of the Guardian Home’s family forever, while the breeding rights are retained by Jorge and Amy Saavedra, the breeders. Once the Guardian Dog has completed their breeding, they will be spayed or neutered, and your Guardian deposit will be returned in full, and the dog will remain a forever pet of the Guardian Family! We do not just give our Guardian dogs or pups away. 

The cost of a Guardian Home dog/puppy requires a deposit.This deposit is negotiable and is refunded following the first litter for females and after the males have completed their contract. 

This Guardian Home Responsibilities:

To be considered as a Guardian Home for one of our breeding dogs, we require that you live within one hour of Kissimmee , Florida, or that you be willing to transport the guardian dog to the breeder whenever necessary for breeding related visits.

• You must have a safe and secure residence and play area for exercise.
• All dogs and pups placed in Guardian Families must be indoor dogs, and never be left outside unattended.
• You must be willing to feed high quality kibble approved by Breeder.
• No intact male dogs (not neutered) should be residing on the premises to increase a risk of an unwanted mating (for females only).
• You must agree to provide regular exercise and socialization.
• You must enforce basic obedience either though formal class training or qualified experience and must provide breeder proof of payment for services.
• You must have a willingness to accept and follow breeders recommendations for the dogs basic health care and veterinarian care, such as vaccine schedules, the use of certain medications, flea and tick prevention, heartworm prevention, and need for profession training etc.
• You must commit to maintain an open line of communication with Breeders with any matter related to the dog.
• You must agree to allow Breeder to visit your home on occasion and must be willing to visit mine.
• The primary care giver must have a schedule that will allow for your dog to not be left alone for extended periods of time.
• Must be willing to notify Jorge and Amy Saavedra of any planned vacations or plans to leave town for more than 72hrs or anytime you intend to board the Guardian dog.
• Must be willing to provide grooming with a professional at least quarterly as this breed is at great risk for matting.
• Must have dog microchipped and BREEDER listed as owner.
• Must make Breeder the co-owner with veterinarian.

*Any “breeding related” medical costs for the Guardian Dog are the expense of the Breeders. The breeding related expenses are as follows: DNA and all imaging tests performed. All reproductive health veterinary visits. Our Guardian Homes are responsible for routine maintenance and medical care just as they would if they had their own dog, including providing for all nutrition needs including the extra calories required in pregnancy. Female Puppies placed in Guardian Homes would have a maximum of 4-5 litters. 

What is the female breeding process?

When the Guardian dog is in season, the Guardian Family is required to contact us immediately. An intact female usually has a heat cycle that will last between 14 and 28 days. During this time, we will need access to her for breeding related appointments and the Guardian is responsible to transport the female to the breeder and collect her following the appointments. Once she has been bred, she will remain with her Guardian Family until one week before her due date. At that time, the Guardian dog will come back to stay with us throughout the remainder of her pregnancy, and will be returned once her pups are fully weaned approximately 6-7 weeks later. The Guardian family will not be permitted to visit the Dog or litter because of the health and safety risk to the infant puppies.

What is the male breeding process?

If you are a guardian home for a male, we will be using the dog for breeding which will require about two hours each day the female requiring his service. This is typically every second day for a week with each female he breeds. At times, although this will be rare, we may need to keep the male guardian dog for a few days and even up to a week. The Guardian family is responsible to transport the Dog to the Breeder for all Breeding related appointments and is responsible to collect him following appointments. 

If you are receiving a Guardian Home Puppy, we ask for monthly photos and updates during the first two years so that we can watch him/her develop, and update our website. We also will require a visit to our Guardian Family’s home every few months during the first year to assess the Guardian Puppy, as well as build a relationship with her for the future. Occasionally, we will ask our Guardian Families to bring the puppy to us for a visit so that she can get comfortable with our home.

If you are interested in being considered for our Guardian Home Program, please contact us for an interview.

How does the program work?

After you have been approved as a guardian for the program, the breeders will choose the puppy you will be Guardian of. 

 Male guardian dogs will have a semen analysis between 8-10 months of age to ensure quality is sufficient for breeding. If male requires supplements for semen production, breeders will provide and guardians will follow instructions for daily dosage. Breeder will make every effort to give timely notice of need for guardian dog stud services and Guardian will provide dog to Breeder.  After age 8, the males will be retired and will be neutered at the breeders expense.

Female guardian dogs may require multiple trips to the breeders veterinarian for exams and lab work when in heat  to ensure good timing for breeding. Typically, these visits start on days 8-9 and May also have a visit to the vet at week 4, following breeding, to confirm pregnancy. On day 54, guardian will have female groomed to ensure she has a short cut to avoid unnecessary matting. The female will return to the breeders on day 55 of her pregnancy to ensure she is safe and fully prepared for delivery. When the female has weaned her litter, she will be returned to the guardian. We breed no more than 5 litters and will spay Female following last litter.