Cornerstone Kennels Guardianship Program

We are currently accepting applications for the following:

Female Golden Retriever Feb 2024- Reserved

Female Labrador Retriever Summer 2024.- Reserved

1 Female Labrador Retriever Jan 2025.-Open

1 Female Golden Retriever Feb 2025- Open

 
Why Guardianship?

We believe that every dog deserves to have a loving, forever home. In order to grow our program, and breed the highest quality dogs, we need to continually add quality bloodlines to our breeding program.  To give each dog in our program the best life, it is important to limit how many dogs we keep in our home. This allows us to expand our program, keeping our breeding dogs out of a kennel environment, in a loving guardian home. 

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Basics and Benefits of Guardian Home Program: 

If you are interested in the program, we would love to discuss our program with you over the phone or in person, and if we feel it would be a good fit, a puppy will be placed in your home at no cost under a guardian home contract. The puppy will be a part of our breeding program, while also living with their guardian home family as their beloved pet.

Once the contract is complete, the dog will get spayed/neutered at no cost to the guardian family, and the guardian family becomes the sole owner of the dog. The benefit for the guardian families is that they get a “pick of the litter” quality pet at no cost, 2 weeks free boarding per year, puppy support, and compensation per litter (Up to 1500 dollars per contract). We love knowing the dogs in our breeding program are in loving, responsible homes and thrive as a beloved family member.

While the dog is in our breeding program, Cornerstone Kennels pays for all breeding-related expenses. Guardian homes are responsible for all “pet” expenses such as grooming by a professional (for doodles about 8 weeks), dog food, vaccinations, parasite prevention, and flea and tick prevention. If you are within distance Hannah can help with occasional groomings/ trims for doodles to help reduce the amount of visits to the groomer. Families are welcome to learn how to groom their dog, as long as the grooming is done per breed standard.

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Once a dog passes its health testing, Cornerstone Kennels decides when each dog will be bred and to whom. Females stay with their Guardian family during pregnancy (Gestation is around 63 days) and return to Cornerstone Kennels before their due date around day 55 to deliver and raise the puppies. Once puppies are around 5/6 weeks old, mama would be picked up by the guardian family. We want this to be a fun, exciting experience. As a Guardian Family, you are welcome to weekly visits to see the puppies and your dog. You are also welcome to come for a portion of the delivery as well.

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 There are many factors to consider. Guardians of females will go through heat cycles, and it is important to keep them protected from unwanted males. Guardians of females will also have to be comfortable with their dog staying with us for a few weeks at a time for whelping. (It is a great time to plan a vacation!) The Guardian Family needs to learn the signs of a heat cycle and be willing to communicate, cooperate, and coordinate with us to ensure successful breeding!

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The Guardians of intact males need to consider the importance of keeping him properly contained to prevent unwanted litters. Male dogs can only mate with approved females.

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Our Guardian program is a win-win! Our Guardian Families receive a “pick of the litter” quality puppy at no cost in return for working with Cornerstone Kennels during the breeding years of the dog, and we have the satisfaction of knowing that our breeding dogs are living life as cherished family members. 

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___________________________________Contract______________________________________

The Details and Expectations for the Guardian Home Program:

1. The puppies that would be a part of our guardian home program will go home to their guardian families at 8 weeks old. 

2. Guardian families must maintain open communication with us during the contract period. We will make sure to clearly communicate and work with you as well. This is very important to the whole process.

3. Guardian families must live within a reasonable distance from us, & and have a home & a fenced yard.

4. Guardian families must be willing to drive to our house or the vet when the dog is needed for breeding purposes.

5. The Guardian must care for the puppy responsibly, making sure the puppy is up to date on all veterinary health needs, vaccinations, deworming, etc, including emergencies. We financially cover all breeding-related vet costs. (Genetic testing, hip and elbow xrays)

6. The guardian family must feed the puppy/dog a well-balanced diet, whether that is premium kibble or a raw diet.)

7. Guardian families must be willing to send quality photos and videos to us, to use on social media, & our website. We love showing off our amazing doggos in their loving homes!!!

​8.No plans of relocating within the next 5 years.

9. A puppy class is required, and an intermediate class is strongly encouraged. We provide 2 weeks of free boarding each year, and we want to ensure each dog is well-mannered when they come to visit! We also want your dog to be a great representation of our program when others meet your dog! 

10. We are providing a pick-of-the-litter puppy at no cost. (5,000 value),  2 weeks of boarding per year, grooming support for doodles, and up to 1,500 dollars (300 dollars per litter, up to 5 litters) in compensation during the contract. It is important that you are willing to communicate, cooperate, and coordinate with us during their time in our program, and be dedicated to providing a safe, loving home for the lifetime of the dog! 
11. We want you to partner with us and be your dogs, and our puppies #1 fan! Please tag us on all social media when you post pictures of your dog, and share our program with your family and friends who might be looking for an amazing dog to add to their family.

Details for our Guardian Homes that have our mommas:

1. Guardian families will help us keep track of heat cycles, & and keep us informed on health-related issues & and status. Also, it is of absolute importance to keep females away from intact males while in heat, & not allow any unapproved mating.

2. When a female goes into heat, and we have a planned breeding (typically around 18-24 months - depending on the number of previous heat cycles, etc), the Guardian family will transport the female to our home, to stay with us for 7-10 days for breeding. Once breeding is done, the Guardian family will pick up the female to return home.

3. If pregnancy takes, the guardian family will change to Dimond Naturals Puppy Formula, and provide 2x the amount of food starting after the mating date to ensure proper nutrition.

4. When momma is close to her due date (63 days after breeding), the Guardian family will transport her to our home 1 week before she is due, to help her settle in and nest in our nursery. Mommas will stay with us for around 6 weeks after giving birth to be with her puppies, then the guardian family can come to pick her up.

5. Your girl may have 3 or 4 heats before she is bred the 1st time, depending on the age she is when those heats begin. That can range, from 18 months to 2 years old.
​6. For doodles, you must keep the dog free of mats and tangles, and have the dog groomed on 6-8 week schedule with a professional groomer. Hannah can assist with grooming in order to reduce the number of professional groomings at no cost.
Other Information:

1. Once your dog is completed with the contract, Cornerstone Kennels will cover the cost of the spay or neuter. (If your dog does not end up having a litter or siring a litter, the spay/neuter would be the guardian family's responsibility.)

2. Cornerstone Kennels appreciates your commitment to our program, therefore we offer 14 days of free boarding per year. (We are excited to welcome our first human baby into our family, therefore we will be on maternity leave around March 1st for 16 weeks.) 
3. If your dog does not pass all health testing required for our program, the contract will be voided, and the dog must be neutered within 3 months of that discussion.

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Guardian Family________________________________ Date_________

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Timeline for the first 2 years of a Guardian Puppy

8 Weeks of Age - Goes to the guardian family's home and brings dog to puppy class!

1 Year of Age - Prelim X-Rays for OFA Hips and Elbows at the vet.

1.5-2 Years of Age  - Possible First Litter would occur. 

2 Years- OFA Hips and Elbow Official X-Rays 

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