Guardian Program

Burkhart Family Puppies

In order to give our breeding dogs the very best life possible, it is important to limit how many dogs we personally keep at our home. Part of being an ethical breeder is knowing how to expand our breeding program the right way by keeping our breeding dogs out of a kennel-like environment and in a Guardian Home, where each dog is a cherished family member from a young age. In order to be considered as a Guardian Home, you must live within 2 hours of Smithland, Iowa (zip-code 51056) and be flexible to drop off and pick up the dog for health testing, vet visits*, breeding, and whelping puppies.

As a Guardian Home, you become a unique member of the Burkhart Family Puppies family. You get a high quality pick of the litter pup free of charge and you become that puppy’s forever home. Burkhart Family Puppies will retain breeding rights of the dog for a varying length of time. For females, this starts at sexual maturity and ends once the female has whelped (given birth) to up to 4 litters depending on the health of the female. Male dogs’ contracts tend to be longer and they are bred on an “as needed” basis. We assure all of our Guardian Home Families that we make decisions regarding each dog based on their well-being and what is best for their overall health and livelihood. While the dog is in our breeding program, Burkhart Family Puppies pays for all breeding-related expenses. Guardian Homes are responsible for all typical “pet” expenses and maintenance, including grooming by a professional, high quality food of our choosing, pet-related vet visits (annual vaccinations, parasite prevention-following Burkhart Family Puppies guidelines), training, etc.

Once a dog passes its health testing, Burkhart Family Puppies decides when each dog will be bred and to whom. Females stay with their Guardian Family during pregnancy (normal gestation is about 63 days) and then she is returned to us a few days before her due date (normally around day 55) to deliver (whelp) and raise her puppies. Once the puppies are weaned, which is typically when pups are around 6-8 weeks of age, the female can be picked up by her Guardian Family. When the dog has completed his/her breeding obligations, we pay for the spay/neuter and release ownership of the dog to you so that he/she can return home to enjoy the wonderful life that you have provided for him/her since puppyhood.

There are many things that Guardian Families need to consider. Guardians of females have to deal with several heat cycles and keeping their girl protected from unwanted males. Guardians of females will also have to be comfortable being away from their dog for an extended period of time (normally around 2 months total each litter). The Guardian Family will need to learn the signs of a heat cycle and be willing to communicate, cooperate and coordinate with us to ensure a successful breeding. Male dogs can only mate with approved females, so the Guardian Home is responsible for keeping the male away from intact female dogs. Guardians of intact males will need to consider the importance of keeping him properly contained to prevent unwanted litters.

TO QUALIFY FOR OUR GUARDIAN HOME PROGRAM, YOU MUST:

Live within 2 hours of Smithland, Iowa and be flexible for dropping off and picking up the dog for health testing, vet visits*, breeding, and whelping.
Non-smoking home.
Be prepared for a home-visit and potentially provide references prior to the dog/puppy being placed in your care.
Keep the dog safe and contained at all times (fenced in backyard preferred) or on leash at all times outside.
Take the dog to our vet, or an approved vet in your area, for vet care. Burkhart Family Puppies pays for health testing and breeding-related vet expenses while the dog is in our program. The guardian is in charge of all routine, pet-related vet expenses, just like you would with any typical pet.
Provide basic training that is standard for dog ownership (house, leash, and crate training, and basic obedience). For families who complete formal training and earn Canine Good Citizen credentials, we will reimburse them for the cost of the classes as well as a $300 bonus upon proof of certificate.
Keep the dog free of mats and tangles, and have the dog groomed on 8-10 week (doodles) schedule with a professional groomer or here at Burkhart Family Puppies.
Feed our recommended diet.
No plans of relocating within the next 5 years.
Understand that we are waiving the purchase price of the dog in exchange for a serviceyou must be willing to communicate, cooperate and coordinate with us during their time in our program, and be dedicated to providing a safe, loving home for the lifetime of the dog.