What is a guardian home?

Being a guardian family is a great opportunity for local families, to own a quality WALA Australian labradoodle with a superior bloodline at a very low expense. A guardian family is the forever family, while Ohio Valley Labradoodles retain breeding rights for a set amount of time. Once the guardian dog has completed his/her breeding career the ownership is transferred to the guardian family. Guardian homes are meant to be permanent so the dog does not go through a re-homing. Please read this page thoroughly to see if our guardian program would be a good fit for your lifestyle.

How many litters does a female produce?

Up to four litters. The amount of litters are at the sole discretion of Ohio Valley Labradoodles. A female will have no more than four litters throughout her career. This does require that she will be in our home for two months each time she has a litter. Guardian homes act as "foster homes" until the terms of agreement are satisfied and then full ownership will be transferred to the guardian.

How do I apply?

If you meet all the requirements, and feel you would be a good candidate for our program, please fill out our Adoption Application, and indicate that you are interested in the guardian program. We will then contact you, once we have a puppy available.

What are the benefits to you?

• Get a top quality, pick of the litter, fully health and temperament tested Australian labradoodle puppy for a fraction of the going pet price.

• Discount Boarding rates with us

• Compensation for obtaining CGC and therapy certification

• Compensation for each litter produced (females only)

What is the cost involved to be a guardian family?

You will be responsible for the cost of general veterinary care of the dog. High quality food, heart worm preventative, flea/tick medications, grooming, and yearly vaccinations. Regular exercise, socialization and training are also required of the guardian family.

All breeding related costs are solely the responsibility of Ohio Valley Labradoodles. We also provide a bonus for families who complete their canine good citizen certificate or therapy dog certification as well as each litter produced.

What are the requirements?

• Guardian families must live no more than 2 hours for females and 1 hour for males from Conover, Ohio and have no plan of relocating further away in the next 3-4 years.

• Attend puppy obedience and socialization class, and provide proper socialization with adults, children, and other animals. 

• Crate train your puppy. We use crates here so your dog must be accustomed to a crate

• Willing to provide transportation to Ohio Valley Labradoodles or Troy Animal Hospital for scheduled breedings, vet appointments, health testing, and photo shoots.

• Agree to keep the dog away from all intact dogs to prevent unwanted pregnancies

• Feed a well rounded diet (we feed Acana wholesome grains)

• Must be indoor dog

• Notify us immediately when the dog is in season. This requires daily checking when cycle is getting close.

• Keep the dog well-groomed every 6-8 weeks with the Australian labradoodle standard cut

• Communicate regularly with Ohio Valley Labradoodles about the well-being and health of the dog
  

• Provide the dog with regular exercise, socialization, and most importantly your love and time.
  

• Willing to be in a partnership with Ohio Valley Labradoodles throughout the dogs breeding career.

1-6 Months

We usually retain females, although occasionally will have a male. The puppy will be ready for her new home around 8-12 weeks of age. You will come to Ohio Valley Labradoodles to pick up your puppy. Training, socialization, bonding and loving your puppy are our main concern at this time. We ask during the first year that the guardian family provide us with photos and updates.

6-12 months

We require occasional home visits in our home with the puppy. This ensures the puppy is comfortable with us and in our home. Around 9-14 months of age, girls will have their first heat cycle. Once the cycle has started, you will be required to notify us. We will not breed on the first heat cycle. However the start of first cycle is very important for our records. A season will typically last about 3 weeks and their next season will occur in 4-8 months.

12-14 Months

Our breeding assessment and health testing will be completed by 14 months of age. Once the puppy has completed all health testing, her results will determine whether she will be entered into our breeding program. If the puppy does not make it into our breeding program she will be spayed at our cost, and the ownership rights will be transferred to the guardian family and your contract will be fulfilled. 

Breeding

We will breed on her 2nd heat cycle. The guardian family is required to bring the female to us for progesterone testing, and mating. Her stay is generally around one week. Once mating is complete, she will go back home with you during her gestation, and we will give you details as to proper feeding, care, and when she will need to return to us to have her litter.

Gestation

You will receive detailed instructions on care during this time. A high quality diet and supplements are very important. The average canine gestation period is usually 63 days. The dog will need to come to us a week before her due date, to ensure she has time to settle in and start nesting in preparation for the birth of her puppies. Usually about 7-8 weeks later.

Birth

She will return to us one week prior to her due date. Once the puppies are weaned, sometime between 6-7 weeks of age, the mother is then ready to go back home with her family. By this time, Mom is usually more than ready to have puppies weaned, and to go back home to her family.