We are currently searching for a couple of guardian homes. We’d love to chat with you!
Front Porch Golden’s
Guardian Family Program
To ensure each dog’s well-being, we integrate them fully into either a guardian family or our family.
Our adult dogs live with either a guardian family or our family, where they receive love and socialization. As they mature, we conduct health tests to determine if they will be part of the FPG breeding program. If they pass, we plan potential litters, with females coming to our farm to whelp and males visiting for breeding.
Throughout the dog’s time in our breeding program, our guardian families check in frequently with questions or concerns, they come visit, and we share responsibilities until the dog eventually retires. We retire our dogs early and in accordance with the recommendations of our vet. After, the dogs simply stay in their forever families!
Through this program, all of our dogs live in a family environment and are given daily love and attention. Our guardian families tell us their dogs also love to come to our farm where they can run around, play with (chase) chickens, and bark at the goats!
The Specifics
An FPG moms lives with her family and returns to our home for breeding when in season. The dog returns again to deliver and raise the puppies.
She stays with us for a few days during her heat cycle in order to be bred. If the Guardian Home is close by, the female can come/go during the breeding time rather than staying at our farm.
She again returns to deliver the puppies a week before they are due, staying with us until the puppies are weaned (about 6-7 weeks).
The Guardian Family is paid an amount for each litter during the contract period.
We work with our Guardian Homes using a simple contract, and we provide support and guidance all along the way.
When the dog is retired, FPG pays for the dog to be spayed/fixed and all ownership paperwork is transferred 100% to the Guardian family.
In this program, the Guardian Family has the opportunity to get a wonderful puppy from excellent lines for a reduced amount in exchange for working with us for a certain number of litters.
Guardian Family Qualifications
Previous dog experience
Must have space for the dog to properly run and exercise (fence or closed-in area).
Must be willing to train the dog basic obedience commands to make a well-rounded dog.
Must ensure the puppy is socialized with adults, children, and other animals.
Must provide appropriate veterinary or emergency care when needed.
Must feed the breeders’ choice of food.
Must be able to identify onset of the heat cycle and notify the breeder immediately.
Must not allow female in heat near intact males.
Must not allow dog to breed with any dog.
Must communicate, cooperate and coordinate with the breeder regarding breeding, whelping and all aspects of dog care.
Must live within 1 hour drive of Newell/Storm Lake, IA and be willing to come to our farm or to meet halfway for breeding and whelping arrangements. (We will consider families outside of this radius only if the Guardian Family takes responsibility for driving the dog to within an hour of our farm.)
