Guardian Program

What is a Guardian Home?

Simply put, a guardian home welcomes one of our breeding dogs or puppies into their family to give them the individual care, love, and attention that they deserve. The dog remains legally owned by Yellow Dog Farm but lives with the guardian home as their pet. Once the dog is retired from our program, and spayed/neutered at our expense, legal ownership is then signed over to the guardian home. Being a Guardian Home allows you to have one of our top-pick puppies at no upfront cost to you.

Responsibilities of a Guardian Home:

Live within 1 hour of Berthoud, CO
Be willing to transport the dog as needed for breeding and whelping.
Cover the costs for food, routine vet care, and grooming.
To have the dog professionally groomed regularly (generally every 6 to 8 weeks).
To train the dog in basic obedience, including sit, down, stay, come, loose-leash walking, crate training, and housebreaking.
Own your home with a fenced yard. You must plan to stay in this home, or within the same distance, for the duration of the guardian contract.
If the dog is female, she will need to come back to me to whelp and raise her litters for 7-9 weeks, every 6-12 months for a maximum of 4 litters.
If the dog is male, he would need to be available for breeding as needed with an average of 24 to 36 hours of notice.

Responsibilites of the Breeder:

To cover all reproductive-related expenses (health testing, reproductive veterinary care, and spaying/neutering when the dog is retired).
To only breed a female a maximum of 4 times.
To transfer ownership to the guardian home at the end of the contract.

Benefits of Being a Guardian Home:

You will get a high-quality dog at no upfront cost to you.
The dog will be fully health tested at the breeder’s expense.
The breeder pays for the dog’s spay/neuter upon the dog’s retirement and then full legal ownership is transferred to the Guardian.
Knowing your dog is providing amazing puppies to families to all over the country.

What if I decide I don’t want to breed my dog?

Becoming a guardian home is a serious commitment. Remember that we retain full legal ownership of the dog until they are retired from our program and guardians have a legal obligation to follow the contract. Our dogs have been carefully selected to benefit and improve our program further. Becoming a guardian home is not for everyone! Please consider this commitment carefully.