Guardian Home Program
What Is a Guardian Home?
Because we are committed to raising happy, healthy, and well-adjusted companions, we will never house large numbers of breeding dogs in kennels. Instead, we place select puppies or young adults into carefully chosen Guardian Homes.
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A Guardian Home provides a safe, loving, and permanent home for one of our breeding-prospect dogs. While the dog lives as your cherished pet, we retain breeding rights for a set period of time. We cover all breeding-related health testing and expenses, and once the dog completes their role in our program, we arrange for spay or neuter and officially transfer full ownership to you.
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This program ensures that our dogs grow up with the individual love and attention they deserve while allowing us to continue improving our lines with strong genetics, excellent temperaments, and breed standard conformation.
How It Works
The process is simple, but it’s also a partnership built on trust. It begins with an application and interview, where we learn more about your lifestyle, location, and experience with dogs. Once we’ve found the right match, a Guardian puppy—or in some cases, a carefully selected young adult—joins your home as a full-time member of your family. Between 18 and 28 months of age, we’ll coordinate all of the dog’s health testing. This includes a full genetic panel, OFA evaluations for hips, elbows, as well as cardiac and CAER eye exams. These screenings are essential to maintaining the high standards of health and quality that define our breeding program.
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When the dog is cleared for breeding, the “guardian window” begins. For females, this typically means no more than four litters over the course of her breeding career. She will return to us about a week before her due date and stay through whelping and puppy-raising, which usually lasts six to eight weeks. After that, she returns home to resume life with her Guardian family until her next cycle. Girls come into heat every 6-10 months. We aim to have our first litter with a girl after she is 2 and typically breed 2 cycles in a row, skip a cycle [a year or so off], and then breed 1 or 2 more cycles before retiring. This can of course vary depending on her individual needs, but this gives you a general idea of what to expect.
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For males, the commitment is lighter—he may be called in occasionally for live cover or semen collection. Sometimes the notice is short, so Guardians need to be flexible and available when needed. Once the breeding career is complete, we arrange for spay or neuter at our expense. At that point, we transfer permanent ownership, and the dog continues life with you as a beloved companion—no different than any other family pet.
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What Makes a Great Guardian Family?
Because our Guardian dogs are the foundation of our program, we are very selective in choosing the right homes. Families should live within about 60 minutes of Charlotte, North Carolina, and be prepared to provide a stable environment with reliable transportation and consistent communication. Guardians must be comfortable caring for and responsibly managing an intact dog, including the ability to track heat cycles for females or prevent accidental breeding's for males. A strong commitment to grooming is especially important with Poodles Guardians should also believe in balanced training methods—and provide safe opportunities for exercise and potty breaks, whether that’s a fenced yard or a consistent leash plan. We also ask for regular updates, photos, weight checks, and copies of veterinary records so that we can monitor the dog’s progress.
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What We Cover and What You Cover
As the breeder, we take care of everything related to reproduction. This includes veterinary testing, progesterone tracking, semen collection, artificial insemination, pregnancy ultrasounds or X-rays, whelping supplies, and any emergency costs related to breeding such as a C-section. We also cover the cost of spay or neuter once the dog retires from the program. Guardian families are responsible for the everyday care. That means food, treats, toys, routine vaccinations, parasite prevention, annual wellness visits, grooming, and training.
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Benefits of Being a Guardian
Guardians receive a top-quality, fully health-tested dog from sound lines without the typical purchase price. More importantly, they gain a lifelong partner and the full support of The Klepper Homestead for training, grooming, and health questions. Depending on the program structure, placement fees may be significantly reduced or waived. At retirement, full legal ownership is transferred to you, and the dog you’ve raised as your own remains your forever companion. For many families, the most rewarding benefit is knowing they play an important role in raising the next generation of therapy dogs, companions, and family pets.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Will my dog be away from home a lot?
Not at all. Females only stay with us for breeding, whelping, and puppy-raising, usually a few days around her heat cycle and about a week before delivery until the puppies are weaned at about eight weeks. Males come for short appointments when needed for collections or stud services.
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How many litters will a female have?
We place a strict limit of four litters maximum, though often fewer. The exact number depends on her health, temperament, and veterinary guidance.
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Who pays for what?
You’ll handle the routine, everyday expenses. We handle all reproductive and breeding-related costs.
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Can we visit our dog while she’s with you for whelping?
For the safety of our puppies and to maintain biosecurity, our home is closed during whelping and raising.
What if there’s an emergency?
Call us right away. If the emergency is related to breeding, we cover the costs. If it’s a routine matter, the expenses remain your responsibility.
How do we apply?
It’s simple—just complete the Puppy application form - add a note anywhere you're considering a guardian home. We’ll review it and reach out to schedule a conversation.
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Closing Note
Our Guardian Home Program isn’t designed for everyone, but for the right families it offers a deeply rewarding opportunity. Together, we ensure our breeding dogs thrive as beloved companions while also raising the next generation of healthy, happy puppies.