fosterfamily

Guardian Family

Our breeding program would not be successful without families who participate in our Guardian Family Program. The following information is designed to inform those who may be interested in being a part of this program.

Anyone who owns or has been owned by a Schnauzer knows that Schnauzers are people dogs. Schnauzers crave human companionship. They do not do well in kennels as their need for people is so strong that a kennel atmosphere can make them destructive, yappy and withdrawn. Those characteristics do not translate into a good pet or parent.

We are NOT a kennel. We carefully and selectively breed a few females each year. Since we have no desire to have dozens of dogs running rampant in our household but we want to breed more than one litter a year, we've chosen the Guardian Family Program, as suggested by our breeder friend Catherine Betts of My Schnauzers in Mission, B.C. The Guardian family program is being implemented by many breeders of today, who choose not to have a kennel.

In order to meet the needs of the Schnauzer temperament and still be able to breed more than one litter a year, the female/male "pick of select litters" is placed in a loving, caring, carefully screened home. The pup lives with this family for it's entire life except during the times when he/she comes to us to be bred and then later to whelp/raise puppies.

Ownership of the dog is signed over to the guardian family subject to the family signing a restrictive breeding contract with us. As the puppy grows, its health, temperament and conformation is monitored to determine if it is suitable for breeding. Once the female is mature enough to breed, she comes back to us for breeding when in season. After being bred, she goes back to her family until a few days before the expected whelp date, at which time she returns to us and stays until the puppies are whelped, weaned and start to leave joining their new families at 8 weeks.

Placing a breeding dogs with a guardian family results in a far better life for a dog than living in a kennel. The guardian family program is a good deal for the dog, a good deal for the family and a good deal for our breeding program. In our opinion, it's a "win-win" situation for everyone involved.

If for some reason we don't like a female/male when they old enough to be bred, we will ask that he/she be sterilized (copy of certificate required!) at which time our breeding contract is null and void.

Who qualifies for a guardian dog?

We are very selective in who we choose to become guardian families. We want to make sure that our dogs go to safe homes where they wil be well cared for and not allowed to escape and get lost or get run over by a car. We expect the dogs to be house dogs. We look for people who have had dogs before. The ideal person is one who has had a dog die of old age. This is a person who knew how to take care of a dog and is willing to make a committment for life to one of our dogs.

We do not place dogs with families that want a watch dog, farm dog or to someone who wants to have them as a kennel dog.

Guardian families will want to visit and chat with us in great detail. References will be contacted during the approval process.

What are the Guardian Families Responsibilities?

* A guardian family will sign over exclusive breeding rights to the dog to us.

* The puppy will come with a name (sometimes the family will be able to select their own name for their puppy)

* A guardian family must agree to spend time training the puppy in basic obedience (sit, down, stay, come) and walk loose leash.

* They must also agree to use a crate for the dog whenever it is not supervised and feed one of the foods we suggest.

* Families must have a single dwelling home. A securely fenced yard is a bonus.

* The guardian family must notify us when the female comes into heat and ensure she is safe/secure during her heat or if she is due to be bred, bring her to us when requested to do so.

* The guardian family must be prepared to either bring their female by if a family is visiting that would like to meet the dog or allow the family to make plans to visit their home.

How often does a female come into heat?

Most often females come into season twice a year. We do not breed before the second season at around a year and a half of age and may not be until the third season. We will evaluate the emotional/ physical development of the female before making this decision. A female will generally be retired around her fifth birthday. If a female is in good health, having a litter keeps her hormones flowing and she stays in excellent condition as a result. How many litters she will have in her lifetime is determined by her health, the quality of her pups, her attitude and temperament as a mother, the ease of labor and delivery for her and how quickly she recovers optimum health after a litter.

Can I be there when puppies are being born?

When a female comes to us to have her puppies, we do not allow visits and involvement from the guardian family. We prefer to deliver the pups alone, as it can a stressful time for the female and we like to keep her as calm and focused as possible, as it is beneficial to her. When puppies are about five weeks old, guardian families can speak with us to make a plan to visit. We will do our best to keep the guardian family updated on how the female is doing post whelp.

What about grooming my Schnauzer?

We'd be happy to recommend a good groomer to our guardian family.

What if I already have a dog in my home?

Depending on the personality and age of the dog already in a home, a dog may or may not be placed where there already is another dog. We will never place a female in a home where there is an intact male. We will also not place a female in a home where there is another larger breed female. Females tend to fight with other females when hormones are raging.

How far away do you place your dogs?

We prefer not to place our guardian dogs in homes that are more than a 30 - 60 minute drive. In some cases, where we have an "ideal" family, we will make an exception.

Do we ever place older dogs in guardian homes?

Some people know how much work it is to raise a puppy and would prefer not to go through the house breaking and chewing stages of a puppy. An older dog is a perfect solution.

Occassionaly we have a young adult (and sometimes an older female) that we want to place with a great family. Sometimes dogs find themselves back in our home due to a divorce, relocation or sudden and severe family illness.

What about Medical Issues and the dog?

The guardian family is required to keep the female/male dog current on CORE vaccinations. We recommend all natural flea/tick/heartworm prevention. Some treatments recommended by veterinarians are not safe for breeding dogs. If a female comes to us for breeding or whelping with fleas, the family will be charged for the cost of treating her and the dogs within our home. Any medical expenses as a result of a breeding or litter, is taken care of by us.

How do I know when a dog should be bred?

We track a female's heat cycles so we can anticipate when she will come in season next. We plan our breedings based on the information that the guardian family provides to us. This is why it is important that the information be accurate and relayed to us in a timely fashion.

We will discuss with the guardian family in detail the signs of an impending season (heat) and what to look for.

What if we decide that we don't want to be a part of the program anymore?

If at any time something changes in a guardian home and they are no longer able to keep a breeding dog, there is NO problem with them returning the dog to us. When this happens, we will either place the dog in a new guardian home or he/she may remain in our home.

Are foster families ever allowed to whelp a litter?

NO! There is too much that can go wrong during a delivery to risk the life of a mother and her puppies in the hands of an inexperienced person.

Do we ever place male dogs with guardian families?

Yes, we do ... we are just as particular about our male dogs being placed with

guardian families.

Under what circumstances do we take a dog out of a guardian home?

There are only a few reasons that we would take a breeding dog from a guardian home:

1. If we find out they are allowing the dog to run loose without supervision2. If the female is accidentally bred3. If the guardian family does not tell us when a female comes into season (even if we don't plan on breeding her that season). We will warn the family once and take it away if it happens again.4. If a member of the guardian family is arrested for a criminal offense.5. If a guardian family moves without informing us.6. If the guardian family allows the dog to become over weight and does not take steps toward weight management ie; proper diet and exercise.

Visiting:

We do not board dogs or train dogs for people. Once a family talks with us and it is determined that they qualify for one of our dogs, they are encouraged to stay in touch with us regularly and we can plan a periodic visit.