The Basics of Guardian Homes

A guardian puppy/dog is placed with a local family at a very reduced cost (typically a 90% discount). They also get a 50% discount when boarding with Steel City Puppies. The Guardian Home also gets compensated $500 for each litter produced (female).

The benefit to Steel City Puppies is we never have to use any sort of kennels/runs or be overcrowded. We prefer to only have an amount of adult dogs that we can give plenty of time and attention to. The guardian puppy/dog benefits by receiving all the attention they could want from their Guardian Home, and they get to experience raising their young.    

Female

Once the guardian female is over a year old, typically on her second or third heat cycle, she will stay with us around a week for progesterone testing and breeding.  She is then returned to her guardian family where she will stay for the duration of her pregnancy, up until the week before her due date.  A week before her due date, she will come back to our home to deliver,  raise, and wean her puppies for 6-8 weeks.  We pay for all pregnancy-related veterinary expenses and genetic health testing. The amount of litters the guardian dog will have is dependent on the female. Maximum 5 litters. Breeding career is usually from 2-5 years old. After we receive a receipt for her spay, we will reimburse the Guardian Home up to $350 and transfer all ownership rights.

Male

A male Guardian Dog is only needed for 2-4 days at a time for breeding purposes, and then he will be returned to his guardian family. If collecting for artificial insemination, he can even be returned the same day. Males are typically retired before 6 years old, and his neuter surgery will be reimbursed up to $350 with proof of receipt.

More Details

Female

When the Guardian dog goes into estrus (heat), the Guardian Family is required to contact us immediately. An intact female has a heat cycle that lasts between 10 and 21 days every 6-8 months on average. We will keep a female for 5-7 days while she is being bred. Once she has been bred, she will be returned to and remain with her Guardian Family during her pregnancy (63 days). A week before her due date, she comes back to stay with us, so that we can help her to deliver her puppies. She will typically wean her puppies around 7 weeks of age.

During the first year, we will have most of their genetic health testing completed. Once we receive the test results, we decide whether or not the guardian dog will enter our breeding program officially.  If a dog does not pass testing or it's decided that he or she will not be added to our program, the guardian family will be offered full ownership of the dog and he or she will be spayed/neutered. 

If you are receiving a Guardian Home Puppy or Young Adult, we may require a visit to our guardian’s home every few months during the first year to assess the puppy, as well as, build a relationship with him or her for the future.  

Guardian Homes Must Have The Following:

• Own their own home (Desired, but not required)

• Live within 90 Minutes of Chelsea, AL

• Not work more than 6 hours/day outside the home (Preference given to people staying/working at home)

• Prior dog ownership experience

• Vet reference preferred

• Have a fully fenced yard

• Provide proper veterinary care, grooming, vaccinations and heartworm preventative

• Feed pawTree Dog Food or BJ’s Raw Dog Food

• Notify breeder when female begins her heat cycle

• Not allow the female to be around intact males during heat cycle

• Not allow a guardian male to breed other females without breeder permission

• Ensure that the puppy is well socialized with people and other dogs

An interview at your home is also required before you can be accepted as a guardian home. 

If you think you would be interested in being a Guardian Home please fill out the form below!