Dreaming of a dog but want to avoid the big upfront cost? Then becoming a guardian home might be something for you. As a guardian, you welcome a puppy into your home and take care of it in everyday life, without paying money. Instead, you “pay” with breeding rights, which means the breeder is allowed to use the dog in their breeding program for a limited period. It’s a cooperation built on trust and, for the right person, a truly lovely way to get a dog.
¶How do breeding rights work?
You and the breeder sign a guardian/placement contract that sets out what applies in your case. The terms differ slightly depending on whether the dog is a female or a male, but the most important thing is that both of you feel confident about the agreement before you sign.
The contract covers things like:
- Females – the breeder has the right to a maximum of two litters, with at least one live puppy in each, over a period of up to five years or until the female turns seven. Note that the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has its own specific regulations.
- Males – the contract regulates the number of litters, but never more than six, with at least one live puppy per litter, over a period of up to five years or until the male turns seven.
- Shows, trials and competitions – if the breeder has checked these rights in the contract, the dog may need to be handed over on more occasions than just for mating and whelping. As a guardian, you also may not enter the dog into events on your own without the breeder’s approval.
- Insurance – the contract must clearly state who takes out and pays for the dog’s insurance.
¶Is being a guardian home right for you?
It’s worth taking the time to think this through properly. In many ways, being a guardian is just like having your own dog: you live with it, train it, and fall in love with it. At the same time, there is another party with influence during the contract period, and that requires an open, trusting relationship with the breeder.
Practical things to consider:
- You need the time and commitment for one of the breeder’s most promising dogs
- A female will leave your home for around ten weeks per litter in connection with whelping
- The dog may also need to be handed over for mating and any shows
- If you have a long-coated breed, extra grooming may be required so the dog can be shown to best advantage
¶When the contract is fulfilled
One of the advantages of a guardian contract is that it has a clear end point. As soon as the dog has had the number of litters specified in the agreement, legal ownership passes to you, even if the contract period has not yet expired. If the breeder, for any reason, chooses not to use their rights within the contract period, the dog becomes yours when the agreement runs out.
Once your obligations are fulfilled, the dog is completely and legally yours, and hopefully you and the breeder have built a relationship that lasts long after the contract has ended.
