This adorable 5 month old black and tan Cavalier came to us last week all the way from Peaceful Garden Cavaliers in Minnesota as part of a breeder exchange. We initially had a Guardian Home in place, but after meeting this pup and chatting with the prospective Guardian, we've decided a single retired condo dweller is not the best fit because this little girl LOVES to run. We've actually named her Mustang Sally b/c she really really loves to run and therefore we need a family for her that has a large fenced in yard and some energy. 

Sally's ideal family would have: 
1) At least one person working from home or home most of the day as she LOVES people. 
2) A large fenced in yard or easy access to a large fenced space (other than a dog park). 
3)  Perhaps another dog in the family that still wants to play. She loves other dogs!
4) Residence in the Charleston, Dorchester or Berkeley County area. 

Sally is a great choice for someone who would love a young dog, but wants to skip over the tiny puppy stage. She's already well on her way to full potty training, loves her crate and enjoys snuggles on the couch or hanging out on your lap while you work. Sally's breeder lives on a farm, so she's currently adjusting to indoor life but has quickly learned how to beg for food, be lazy and sleep on the pillows. 

If you would like to learn more about our Guardian Home program, please check out this BLOG post. If you are interested in Sally, or future placements, please fill out the application here!

If you answered yes to all of these questions, please read on as we are opening up applications for spring and summer guardian home placements for Cavalier females. If you've never heard of a Guardian Home, please learn more about them in our post here. In short, Guardian Families have the opportunity to help us expand our program by loving one of our breeding dogs as their cherished pet. The Guardian Family receives a puppy, and we reserve the right to breed that puppy in the future (after we've paid for all the genetic testing and health testing that goes in to producing top quality Cavaliers). We have over 25 families currently hosting our dogs that can serve as references for this program. This year, we will have between 4-6 females for placement to qualified homes. 

​Applications will be reviewed and families interviewed in the order in which they are received, so please consider applying now if you have a genuine interest. ​There is no cost and no obligation to apply and learn more!

Most people don't feel comfortable buying a dog from a puppy mill or puppy store because of the parents' horrendous living conditions, forced breeding practices, and the fact that the puppy is not properly socialized before being purchased. The thought of breeders leaving theirs dogs in huge kennels has also lost its appeal to the majority of consumers. So, how do reputable breeders provide their breeding dogs with the best possible lives,  while also maintaining diversity and high standards for their breeding programs? One solution is the use of Guardian Homes. This post will explain more about what it means to be a Guardian Home and contains a link to apply to participate in our program. 
 
How do Guardian Homes work? A male or female dog that will be used for breeding is simply placed in a home owned by someone other than the breeder. This aids the breeder in achieving numerous objectives:

• Every dog receives the love they deserve.
• Dogs do not need to live in kennels & are well-socialized and adored family pets.
• Dogs that fail health screenings or are no longer breeding are not required to be relocated or retired to a new home. 
• Breeders can expand their breeding lines by allowing more dogs to stay in their program.
• Breeders avoid creating unintentional litters by keeping males and females in their separate homes.

 
What's in it for the Guardian Home? Guardian Families get a pick of the litter puppy without paying a dime. These programs frequently give retirees, those who can't afford the purebred pet of their dreams, or families who simply like puppies and are interested in breeding the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of breeding without the expenses, risks, and inconveniences associated with owning a kennel.

To be a Guardian Home, there are certain standards that most reputable breeders will expect you to meet, such as:

• You'll be responsible for covering regular dog ownership expenses like regular veterinary checkups, vaccinations and a healthy diet.
• Prior dog ownership is a plus, but the desire to train the dog is equally important. We want our breeding dogs to be on good behavior!
• A desire and willingness to assist with socializing puppies.
• Any other pets in the house (which are the opposite sex) must be spayed or neutered.
• Readiness to leave your dog with the breeder for several days or weeks at a time when it's time to whelp puppies.
• A willingness to let the breeder occasionally visit your home to check on the dog's health.
• Fundamental knowledge of the obligations associated with having an intact dog. 
• Reside within a specific distance of the breeder's residence (usually 1 hour or less).

 
We hope this blog post has provided more information about the use of Guardian Homes in breeding programs. If you live in the Charleston area and would like to be considered for our program, please fill out the online application here or send any questions you may have to [email protected].