Guardian Home Program
Our breeding dogs are family members first. We never kennel-raise a dog: they live with loving guardian families, and most of the dogs on this website are in guardian homes.
A program where everybody wins
A guardian family enjoys the pick of the litter — a top-quality dog of the highest standards of the breed — at no cost. The dog becomes a loving part of your family, while Promise Land keeps exclusive breeding rights with unlimited access. When the dog is retired from the program, paperwork transferring ownership to the guardian family is provided.
It takes commitment and flexibility for the needs of the breeding program, and there is a written agreement that must be followed, which is why we look for just the right home. For you, it costs a little time bringing the dog to us for testing or breeding. For the dogs, it means a loving home from the start. For us, it means never needing kennels.
Requirements for your home
- Live within an hour of Pasadena, Maryland.
- Own your home and have a fenced-in yard.
- Dogs should not be left outside when no one is home.
Guidelines for raising your dog
- Feed one of the Victor dog foods we require, and keep your dog on NuVet vitamins.
- Avoid chemicals unless they are necessary.
- If the dog becomes sick or injured, tell us right away so we are involved in every decision about treatment.
- Practice safe handling: use a leash in public, never let the dog ride loose in an open pickup, and provide basic obedience training.
- Bring the dog to us (or arrange a pickup) for its health certifications, which take place between 1 and 2 years of age, and for breeding.
Common questions
When do you start breeding?
Each breed matures at a different age, so dogs earn their breeding clearances at different times. Males are usually used for breeding after 12–18 months.
How long is my dog with you when she is bred?
Let us know as soon as she comes into heat. We plan to have her with us from about day 5–7 of the cycle, and sometimes keep her a few extra days depending on distance and timing. Males stay about 5–7 days. Whelping is worked out with each family individually.
What happens during pregnancy?
Pregnancy is easy for most dogs. She may be tired or eat less for a few weeks, and hungrier in the last couple of weeks. Keep her walking right up to the end. Normal play is fine in the first half; after that we limit activity to leash walks. No high-calcium foods such as milk, ice cream or yogurt, no chemicals, and vaccinations only when necessary. We are involved in any decision about illness or injury.
What if my dog gets sick or injured?
Illness or injury unrelated to the breeding program is the guardian family’s responsibility, as it would be for any pet, but please consult us so we can take part in decisions about medication and treatment. If a dog is lost or dies through negligence, we ask the family to be responsible for our financial loss; in all our years, we have never had a serious injury or loss in the program.
Who pays for what?
The guardian pays for normal pet care: food, dishes, leashes, beds, routine vaccinations, flea, tick and heartworm prevention, de-worming and toys. We pay for all health certifications, breeding-related testing, and all breeding and litter expenses, and we pay for the spay when the dog retires.
How many litters before retirement?
It depends on each dog. If a mother has a difficult labor or a medical issue, we may retire her early. Retired dogs are spayed about two months after the last litter is weaned, at our cost, and the dog stays with you.
What if my dog does not pass a health test?
Our standards are high, and breeding quality and pet quality are different things. If we release a dog from the program it must be spayed or neutered by the guardian, and you keep a top-quality family pet for only the normal costs of owning a pet.
We make a real commitment, emotionally and financially, to our guardian partners, and ask that families who join make the same commitment to the dog and to us. Guardians sign a legal agreement covering these terms.
Interested in becoming a guardian family?
Tell us about your home and family and we will be in touch.
Prefer email? goldens@mail.promiselandpups.com