Guardian Family

At Rooster Valley Labradors, in an effort to expand our breeding program, but ensure that our breeding dogs get the maximum amount of interaction with their families, we implemented our Guardian Home Program.  For several years we had struggled with wanting to expand our breeding program without having too many dogs that would get too little of our time and attention. We believe that this is a good solution that not only benefits us, but the family that gets to raise one of our breeding Labrador retrievers.

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What does it mean to be a Guardian Family?

 

A Guardian Family is a family that receives a top quality breeding puppy to become a member of their family.  At eight weeks of age, a top-quality puppy will be sent home to an approved guardian family. There is no charge for the puppy. In exchange, the family agrees to follow the conditions as written in our Guardian Home Contract while the dog is in our reeding program. When the dog is retired from breeding the dog would be spayed/neutered and remain with the guardian family to continue his/her life with them. 

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Some things required of a Guardian Family

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• Live within reasonable driving distance to Modesto, California (transportation to and from Rooster Valley Labradors is the responsibility of the Guardian Family)

• The dog must live in the house a majority of his/her time

• Have a fully secured and fenced yard

• Feed Life's Abundance All Life Stage Dog Food (or a dog food pre-approved by Rooster Valley Labradors)

• Give NuVet and NuJoint vitamin supplements daily

• Have NO other intact dogs of the opposite sex in the home

• Provide socialization and basic obedience training either at home in from a dog trainer

• Understand the issues and responsibilities of caring for an intact breeding dog, and if in doubt, call

• Have a willingness to return the dog to our home for health testing, breeding and whelping the puppies at the necessary timing

• Agree to provide regular health and veterinary care and keep vaccinations current

• Communicate freely with us about the health and well being of the dog

• Provide frequent photographs and updates of the dog

• Agree to the following until the puppy reaches its full bone growth (usually around one year old) so that we can insure that the health of the joints are not compromised due to environment:

  • Provide regular exercise for the dog and don't overfeed to maintain a healthy weight (not overweight)​

  • Limit the intensity of running, for example; running long distances, playing intense or long games of fetch

  • Limit the jumping in/out of vehicles which put stress on the elbow joints

  • Keep the dog on the first floor of the home so that the dog is not going up and down stairs which put a strain on growing joints.

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Benefits of being a Guardian Family

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• You will receive the best quality AKC Labrador retriever puppy chosen by the breeder.

• You will receive a best friend for life. There is no better companion than a Labrador.

• Discounts to Guardian Families wanting an additional puppy from Rooster Valley Labradors

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Rooster Valley Labradors plans on the guardian dog having at least one litter of puppies between the age of fifteen months and eight years old, after the completion and passing of health testing that will be paid for by Rooster Valley Labradors. Each dog is individually assessed after each litter to determine future breeding with Rooster Valley Labradors reserving the rights to four litters for each female guardian dog.

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Rooster Valley Labradors is currently only placing females into the Guardian Home Program.

 

The choice of a Guardian Family is entirely the decision of Rooster Valley Labradors and will be determined after discussion and an in-person interview.  If you are interested in the possibility of becoming a Guardian Family, we encourage you to read over our Guardian Home Contract and email or call to set up a meeting.  We typically place several dogs in Guardian Homes each year.