Guardian

In order to give our breeding dogs the best life possible full of love and personal attention we need to limit how many adult dogs reside in our home full-time. We also know that in order to breed the highest quality dogs we need to continually add quality bloodlines to our breeding program. How is this possible? For Windsong Doodles and for many quality in-home breeders like us, the answer is a Guardian Home Program.

Our Guardian Home Program allows us to expand our breeding program the right way, by keeping our dogs out of kennels and in homes where they live as cherished family members. A Goldendoodle needs to be a part of the family to develop its full potential, and this is why we have the guardian program. We want the best for our dogs and they deserve forever families to love and spoil them. Essentially Guardian Dogs are our dogs to breed and yours to love!

We give our guardians the pick of the litter puppy FREE of charge with the agreement that he/she will be a part of the Windsong Breeding Program. At the succession of the female’s final litters (4th & 5th), the guardian family is gifted with their choice of a cash bonus as a thank you for their dedication to our program.

We view our Guardian Home Program as a true "win-win" situation. Our Guardian Families receive a "pick of the litter" quality puppy for free and we have the satisfaction of knowing that our breeding dogs are living life as cherished family members.

The most important aspect of being a Guardian Home is to provide love, care, and attention for the guardian puppy. You are his/her family and forever home and accept the financial responsibilities for routine maintenance and medical care just as you would for any other pet you may own. This means general veterinary care for vaccines, deworming, accidents/injuries/illnesses, grooming, flea/tick prevention, regular exercise, and training.

Guardian families must reside in a home with a fully fenced yard and are subject to a home visit prior to placement.

Guardian families must feed the same food we feed at Windsong and agree to give NuVet Plus, a once-daily multivitamin. We are advocates of holistic nutrition and are passionate about feeding foods that will not cause health issues such as cancers, autoimmune issues, allergies, etc. This ensures not only good health during the breeding years, but far beyond. I want all Windsong dogs to live long, happy lives.

Windsong requires the Guardian Family to avoid all chemicals unless necessary and to not give supplements or medicines unless approved by us. This includes flea, heartworm, or any other medication. We use Seresto for the flea medications and heartworm will be discussed on a case-by-case basis.

If the dog becomes sick or injured, we need the family to notify us right away so we are involved in all decisions regarding the treatment of the dog.

Guardian Families must practice the safe handling of their dog. Some examples of safe handling practices are but are not limited to: -Not leaving the unattended dog outside -Not allowing the dog to sit in the back of an open pickup -Always keeping the dog on a leash if not in a fenced area -Providing basic obedience training so the dog has good manners.

Guardian Homes must reside in Southern California or Western Arizona and be flexible for dropping off and picking up the dog for health testing, breeding, and whelping puppies. The Guardian Family is responsible for the transportation of the dog to us when needed for breeding, litter, or health testing.

All breeding-related medical costs and health testing will be Windsong’s responsibility. All of our dogs are fully tested before entering our program and producing puppies.

Guardian Homes must not have an "in-tact" male dog in their home for the duration of the contract.

The Guardian Family of a female will need to learn the signs of a heat cycle and be willing to communicate, cooperate and coordinate with us to ensure successful breeding. When the female comes into her first heat cycle we need to be notified immediately. She will be in heat for approx. 4 weeks and will need constant supervision so that other males do not breed her. It is imperative she is closely watched or secured within an approved dog crate.

The health and happiness of our dogs is always our priority! We typically contract 5 litters for females. This will always be Windsong’s decision and on a case-by-case basis. We are concerned for the well-being of our program dogs. If it is determined at the dog has problems with deliveries or it would be unhealthy for them to breed again, we will stop the breeding program with her and she will be yours. Once we have decided to retire the dog, the dog will be spayed and full ownership will be signed over to the Guardian Family.

Keep anything beyond 3 litter is financially compensated.

Pregnancy is actually very easy. Once the “magic happens'“ the dog returns to her Guardian Family for her pregnancy. She will go home with “Pregnant Momma Notes” to help ease your initial concerns. The dog may act a little more tired, or not eat normally for a few weeks. The last couple weeks of pregnancy she is usually becoming more hungry and sleeps more as time progresses. Otherwise, normal activity is typical and it is important to continue walking the dog right up to the end. This helps during delivery. Being in shape is always best. Normal play and romping and running during the first half of pregnancy are great. After that, we limit activity to walks on a leash and no ball chasing type of activities. We do ask that no chemicals are given during pregnancy. We have to be notified immediately of any illness or injury so we can be involved in determining how she is treated.

As soon as the family is aware the dog is in heat we will have them arrange to bring the dog to us by day 5 - 7 of the heat cycle. She will remain with us for about one week, and then they can pick her up and take her back home.

Dogs are pregnant for 63 days.

She will come to us about a week before she is due with her litter. This gives her time to settle into our house and get used to seeing the whelping box before the babies arrive. She will go home after the puppies are weaned. This will be between 6 and 7 weeks of age.

No. We are the dog’s second family and they enjoy being spoiled with us. They sleep in our bed before the babies arrive, get lots of special food and treats, and tons of attention. Many of our Guardian dogs were born in our home and are happy and comfortable here.

While the dog is in the guardian's care and home, any illness or injury that happens is their financial responsibility. We must be involved in treatment plans and know what is going on and determining medications, but the family is responsible for those expenses. Health insurance is recommended during the breeding years/contract period. This insurance is for your protection because these dogs are extremely valuable as breeders.

We ask that Guardian Families keep the dog in a breed-appropriate cut (Goldendoodle, Poodle, Golden Retriever). We require that the dog be kept groomed and matt free. If you are unable to keep the coat in good shape yourself, you are required to use a groomer to do so. If the dog is brought to us with a matted coat or a coat that is in bad shape, we have the right to take them to our own groomer and have them shaved down or worked on, but you will be responsible to reimburse us for that expense before the dog returns to you. Guardian dogs are ambassadors for our program. It is important that they are kept in pristine condition.

I need my boys close. If you live in Ventura County and would like to be considered for a male Guardian puppy please send us an email. Please keep in mind that the travel is a bit more intense with a male and sometimes there is not a lot of notice (when a female is ovulating, we need the male). Sometimes it takes weeks into a heat cycle for a female to ovulate, other times it happens in days and catches us all off guard.

This is the best question anyone has ever asked me. The answer is communication and trust! Communication is the key to this relationship being happy and harmonious for all parties involved. Good communication lays the foundation for a relationship built on trust.

Please reach out to info@windsongdoodles.com to let us know you are interested and to set up a time to conduct a phone interview. We will let you know what puppies we have coming into our program and discuss your home and lifestyle.