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Our Guardian Program

What are the requirements?

  • Live within one hour of Petersburg, Michigan

  • Own your home with a fenced-in yard, keep the dog as an indoor pet, and always leash for outdoor ventures 

  • Provide and pay for all routine and emergency veterinary care (The Breeder pays for any veterinary care pertaining to breeding only)

  • Commit to properly training and socializing the dog

  • Feed the dog a breeder-approved food

  • Maintain regular grooming appointments 

  • Provide the dog with monthly heartworm prevention and flea and tick prevention

  • Do not leave the dog home alone for more than 8 hours a day

  • Know the behaviors associated with intact male and female dogs (AKA recognizing when an unneutered/unspayed dog is coming into heat)

  • Understand that the dog is property of J & J Meadows until their breeding career is completed, and that we will transfer full ownership documentation to you only after they are spayed or neutered 

  • Be willing for us to have visits both in your home with the dog as well as bringing the dog here from time to time to make transitions easier

  • Provide the dog with endless amounts of love and support

  • Communication is key to a successful Guardian relationship. You must maintain an open line of communication with us about the dog's health, development, and condition at all times 

What is a Guardian Family?

Jimmy says I can't have more than four dogs of my own, so I have to find trustworthy and loving families to commit to raising guardian dogs to continue my breeding program. Becoming a Guardian Home means you will be receiving the pick of the litter, chosen by me, at a fraction of the price. The Guardian Home puppy is part of the Guardian Home's Family indefinitely, while the breeding rights are retained by J & J Meadows. Once the Guardian dog is retired from his/her breeding career (3-6 years) or does not pass his/her health testing to our standards, he/she will be spayed or neutered at our expense and the dog will remain a forever pet of their Guardian Family! 

 

For a female dog, she will visit us throughout the year to make sure she is familiar with our family, to be tested, and to breed with a male dog. She will also need to stay with us one week before her litter is due and until the puppies are weaned. Afterwards, she will return to your home and reconnect with the family (and treats) she knows and loves. A guardian female will have no more than five litters over the course of her breeding career, and we will cover all costs associated with breeding, birthing, and raising her puppies. 

 

For a male dog, we will need to take him home with us for approved pairings, sometimes within just a few hours' notice. We will also need to access the Guardian dog at all times for reproductive related veterinary appointments.

 

Upon the dog's retirement, we will cover the cost of having them spayed or neutered. Most females retire near five years old, while males need to be available a bit longer. Then they will remain in your home permanently. 

What are the benefits?

While we stand by the health quality of all our dogs, Guardian families get the very best that J & J Meadows has to offer. All dogs come with their breed-specific genetic health testing completed by 8 weeks old and will have all OFA testing completed when they turn two. Guardian families are gifted with the thrill of being a part of our breeding program, and seeing their dog's offspring be placed with families all over the country. 

Image by Olga Thelavart
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