(Please scroll to bottom for list of upcoming guardian positions available)
As a reputable and responsible breeder, I care immensely about the well being of my dogs first and foremost. In order for me to give my dogs the best, most fulfilled and happy life while also being apart of a breeding program it is important for me to limit how many dogs I keep physically at my home as I DO NOT believe in running a breeding program where dogs are living in kennels. All my dogs are beloved pets and members of the family and run free wherever they please in my home. On the other hand, to be a good breeder of quality dogs, we also must keep, evaluate, and continuously add quality bloodlines to our breeding program. We like to keep a few of our pick puppies to monitor their growth and development. Some will eventually fit into our breeding program someday, but as we only breed the best, some also will not make the cut. We prefer to place these pick puppies in guardian homes. A golden retriever needs to be a part of the family to develop their full potential. That is why we have a guardian program. The guardian home program is an excellent deal for the dog, it’s a good deal for the guardian parents, and it’s a good deal for producing an exceptional golden retriever breeding program. I’ve been offering guardianships for many years now and it’s one of those rare “win – win” situations for everyone involved. The family receives a quality, health tested and top pick dog at no cost. I am able to improve the breed by using only the best candidates for bettering the breed. And the whole reason we initiated our guardian program – the dog lives in a home as a spoiled pet, gets lots of individual attention and care, and NEVER will experience a traumatic “rehome” once retired after only ever knowing the breeder. They remain with their guardian from puppyhood through their last days. We are giving the dog to the guardian family to raise and love and keep as a member of their family forever. This program allows local families an opportunity to own one of the best golden retrievers available at zero cost and also be a vital part of responsible and ethical breeding practices that preserve the breed and produce healthier goldens for all to enjoy.
As a guardian home puppy grows up, we closely monitor the temperament, drive, and health. If the dog is exceptional and a great ambassador of the breed in all aspects, he/she may be used in our breeding program. We DO NOT take back permanent possession of the dog if they enter our breeding program but instead work closely with our guardians as a team. The dog will continue to live with their guardians full time except for when actively raising a litter which will be done at my home so I can monitor mama and litter closely and provide the full time care, early neonatal stimulation, vet care & essential socialization and early training needed for well rounded, well socialized pups & healthy mama through the process. Before any dog is bred all genetic testing will be performed as well as going to a reproductive specialist vet to be cleared for future reproduction. If the dog does not pass all genetic testing and is not deemed healthy enough to carry/sire litters by the repro vet, he/she will be fixed at the expense of the breeder and all legal ownership paperwork will be transferred to the guardian at that time. If a female passes all testing and is cleared for reproduction her breeding career will begin on or after her second heat. She will be evaluated after every litter by the repro vet and both timing of breedings and length of breeding career will be at the breeder’s discretion upon the professional opinion of repro vet but never to exceed 4 litters maximum. Our average is 3 litters per female. Females are generally in guardianship until her 6th year of age or 4th litter (maximum, average is 2-3 litters with us before retirement). After the 6th year of age or after the completion of last litter (whichever comes first) breeder will pay to have dog fixed and all ownership papers will be signed over to guardian family forever.
Males are in guardianship until they turn 7 years of age. At 7 years of age, breeder will have male neutered and all ownership papers will be signed over to guardian parents forever. Guardianship on a male is very simple. The male will remain with guardian family full time aside from the occasional times I need to borrow him for a “date” with a female that needs bred. I usually only need the male for a few hours at a time and then is returned home after.
General life expectancy of well bred and cared for Golden Retrievers is around 14 years but can live up to 18 years with lots of love and care.
As an added thank you to our wonderful guardians I do allow guardians to reserve one puppy out of their guardian dog’s last litter to keep as beloved pet at half cost.
Please send me a message for our full guardianship overview that goes into greater detail on how exactly the program works!
Mandatory qualifications for guardians
- MUST BE WITHIN 30 MINUTES OF POST FALLS, IDAHO
- MUST BE IN A STABLE LIFE SITUATION (NOT PLANNING TO MOVE OUT OF THE AREA FOR AT LEAST 6 YEARS AND MUST ALWAYS RENT/OWN A PLACE THAT HAS YARD ACCESS AND ACCEPTS ANIMALS)
- YARD MUST BE FULLY FENCED, ESCAPE PROOF AND CLEARED OF POTENTIAL HAZARDS THAT A DOG COULD GET INJURED FROM
- GUARDIAN MUST NOT OWN ANY INTACT MALES/FEMALES OF OPPOSITE SEX OF GUARDIAN DOG OR ANY AGRESSIVE DOGS
- YOU MUST BE ABLE TO CARE FOR THE FINANCIAL DEMANDS OF A DOG. FOOD, VET CARE, PROFESSIONAL TRAINING (IF NECESSARY) AND GROOMING IF NEEDED
- YOU MUST BE READY TO DEDICATE TIME AND ENERGY INTO THE TRAINING OF YOUR DOG. ALL GUARDIANS MUST TEACH THE BASIC COMMANDS OF: SIT, DOWN, STAY, COME, NO, DROP IT, LEAVE IT. KNOWING THESE COMMANDS HELPS KEEP YOUR DOG SAFE.
- MUST BE WILLING TO COMPLETE PUPPY TRAINING CLASSES/CANINE GOOD CITIZEN CLASS (BASIC OBEDIENCE)
- MUST BE ABLE TO GIVE YOUR DOG AMPLE ATTENTION, EXERCISE AND AFFECTION DAILY. GOLDENS ARE DEDICATED FAMILY DOGS AND REQUIRE LOTS OF LOVE
- MUST BE COMPLIANT WITH ALL TERMS OF THE CONTRACT
* Occasionally we do make exceptions to the mandatory requirements for unique situations. If you feel you are a great match overall aside from one of the requirements above, please contact me and explain. We mostly care our dogs are going to excellent, responsible families with lots of love to offer and do sometimes make exceptions on a case by case basis.
Adults available on guardianship:
-None at this time-
Puppies available to go into guardianship:
none currently available at this time, please check future opportunities below. Please be aware that there is often a wait time for guardianship and positions tend to get pre-reserved well in advance.
Future opportunities
- 1 cream male & female out of Nate/Mabel first of August 2026 (confirmed)
- 1 dark gold female out of Pennie/Rhett end of August 2026 (confirmed)
Please contact me to apply for one of these sweethearts! Email [email protected] or 208-304-7371 call or text
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