Guardian Home Program/Junior Handler Program
As a responsible, ethical and caring breeder of Pomeranians I want to provide my breeding dogs with the best lives possible, including allowing them to be part of a loving family where they can get the attention they deserve. On rare occasions this means placing a breeding dog with a guardian family to become a treasured family member. Puppies are only selected for the Guardian Home Program under specific circumstances and will only rarely be available. I’ve modeled my program after other successful Guardian Home Programs.
A puppy that’s part of this program gets all the benefits of living in a forever home where it’s raised as part of the family and can still contribute to the CRK breeding program. The guardian family gets all the benefits of having a wonderful and well-bred dog at no cost in exchange for working with CRK Pomeranians for a limited number of litters, and the guardian family is paid $500 for each litter during the contract period. Please see the Guardian Home contract for specifics.
A breeding female will grow up and live with her forever family except for the 10 – 14 days of the heat cycle when she’ll stay at Chosen Road Keep for breeding. She’ll come back to the Keep a week before her due date and stay until the puppies are weaned (up to 8 weeks). Once she’s ready to leave the puppies, she’ll return to her forever home. I’ll provide guidance and support throughout the life of each of these lucky dogs, and look forward to developing a strong and lasting relationship with guardian home families.
A breeding male will grow up and live with his forever family throughout his lifetime except for 30 – 60 days surrounding the expected heat period of a selected mate. He’ll come back to the Keep during that time and stay until 3 successful ties occur or it is deemed that no successful ties will happen.
Puppies may be available on a co-own to a Junior Handler who has a good support system in the dog show world. These dogs may or may not also be available in the Guardian Home Program but intent to breed is a separate part of the decision to place dogs with Junior Handlers. A Junior Handler can be eligible for a co-owned puppy without being required to make the dog available for breeding.
I’m very picky about guardian homes and will review each application carefully to ensure we can maintain a healthy partnership throughout the life of the dog. Successful applicants will be asked to complete a telephone interview and I will do a home visit.
Applicants must:
- Provide veterinarian and groomer references
- Live within 3 hours of Asheboro NC and must be willing to meet halfway for exchanges during mating and whelping periods
- Have previous dog experience, specifically with double-coated breeds
- Live in a home with a fully fenced yard and (if necessary) provide documentation that landlord approves dog ownership
- Keep the dog on a leash or in a fenced area under direct supervision at all times
- Train the dog basic obedience (sit, stay, down,off)
- Ensure that the dog is socialized with both humans and animals
- Provide appropriate veterinary care as per the contract and in the cases of emergencies
- Ensure that DNA, orthopedic, heart and eye tests are completed under guidance from the breeder
- Feed the dog a high-end quality dog food as specified by the breeder
- Have the ability/experience to identify the onset of the heat cycle and notify the breeder
- Prevent contact with intact males during the heat cycle or prevent contact with unapproved females that are in heat
- Prevent breeding with any dog outside of the contract requirements
- Communicate, cooperate and coordinate with the breeder regarding breeding, whelping and all elements of care for the dog