What is a Guardian Home?
A guardian home is a local family who is a forever home for one of the dogs in our breeding program. Guardian homes allow our breeding dogs to live with families and not in kennels as our breeding program grows. We are always looking for great guardian homes, so if you are interested, please contact us!
Our breeding program is designed around our ability to utilize guardian homes for our breeding dogs. This program is designed this way to benefit everyone, especially and most importantly the dogs, who are raised in a home with a family instead of a kennel. Think of it as being a foster family with the intention of adopting the dog permanently once their work is finished. Guardian homes are meant to be permanent so that the dog does not need to go through re-homing.
Bokee Farm retains ownership and breeding rights while the dog lives with a family. We want all of our dogs to be in a loving home and it allows us to be kennel free. It is a win, win for everyone, most importantly the dog.
Most of the dogs in our guardian homes will be females but we may have a male from time to time. Depending on the breed, females will have up to 4 litters and males can be in our program for up to 6 years (at the sole discretion of Bokee Farm).
When the guardian dog is of age, we will get all of his/her health clearances done and then if all goes well, we will breed them to a mate of our choosing.
Guardians for Females
If you are the Guardian Family for a female, you will bring your Bokee Farm girl to our home to be bred and then she will return home to your family for the duration of her pregnancy. One week before she is due, she will return to Bokee Farm’s home to get ready for the birth of her puppies. She will stay in our home until her puppies are weaned and placed in their new homes! Then the guardian dog will return back to you, her Guardian Family.
If you choose that you do not want to have your dog leave for 2 months, Guardian Families have the option of raising the litter themselves. If this is something you are interested in, please let us know and we can have a deeper conversation about it. You will have to be at home full time and be willing to be mentored on raising a litter.
Guardian for Males
If you are the Guardian Family for a male, he will just need to come over the week he will be bred and then he can return home. Easy peasy!
What Does Being a Guardian Family Involve?
Guardian families are responsible for normal dog care including but not limited to training, socialization, vet expenses (non-breeding related), food, supplements, grooming and lots of love and affection. Bokee Farm pays for all breeding related expenses. As an added benefit for the guardian family, depending on our schedule, we may provide care for your dog while on vacation if we can accommodate you.
We will ask you to visit our home periodically to ensure the dog is comfortable when he/she comes for breeding and whelping. You will be responsible for sending pictures and updates monthly for our social media and website.
Requirements/Responsibilities
- Within 4 hours of Bokeelia, FL!
- Willing to work with families a bit outside of this range if you are the perfect home
- Feed all guardians Victor Professional Dog Food (or similar quality food)
- Keep female dogs away from intact male dogs
- Not allow intact males to breed intact females
- Training - at least 2 classes and the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test.
- Notify us immediately when the female dog is in season
- Visit our home periodically to ensure the dog is comfortable when they come back for breeding / whelping
- Bring the dog to Bokee Farm as needed for health testing, breedings, whelping and photo shoots
A refundable $500 deposit is needed to become a Guardian Family. You will get that back at the end of your Bokee Farm’s breedings. There is NOT a pet fee that you will have to pay when your Bokee Farm dog is fully released of his/her breedings. Please research this when looking to be in a Guardian Program. Some breeders will make you pay for your dog after she is done with her program. We DO NOT! We believe he/she has earned her right to be a part of your family for no extra charge.
Thank you Guardian Families! We couldn’t do this without you!
