GUARDIAN PROGRAM
At McDoodles of Texas all of our breeding dogs live in our home as members of our family OR they live in the homes of some very special families called Guardians. If a small breeder wishes to provide a regular supply of well-loved, well-fed, socialized puppies, the breeder must choose to move their breeding dogs into kennels and sacrifice the homed experience for those dogs or branch out and partner with people who can provide a loving home environment for a breeding dog. Of course, we have chosen to partner with these people, our Guardians, and they allow us to maintain a small, select breeding program without sacrificing the quality of life of any of our dogs. When our breeding dogs have engaged in a healthy quantity of litters, either as dams or sires, they retire to the homes they have lived in all along. Our program is designed so that a dog is never re-homed, but always at home.
How the Guardian Process Works
At McDoodles of Texas, we meticulously select only the highest quality puppies to enhance our breeding program. These puppies are genetically tested for breed specific conditions, come from excellent homes, and exhibit traits indicative of superior socialization and robust health. Our commitment to maintaining our brand and values hinges on these criteria, ensuring that each addition to our bloodline is beautiful, intelligent, and possesses a strong lineage and temperament.
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Our guardians enthusiastically welcome these exceptional dogs into their families, understanding their role in promoting responsible breeding through conscientious and nurturing environments. Guardian dogs integrate seamlessly into their families, much like any cherished pet, with the only distinction being their unaltered status. This necessitates a heightened level of care to safeguard their well-being and ensure their health and happiness.​​​​
Guardian Female Expectations
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​​​In her first heat cycle after her first year, McDoodles will breed her to a stud best suited for a great litter. The “Honeymoon Period” will last anywhere from 7-10 days, potentially involving daily visits to McDoodles or a “Honeymoon Vacation” away from home.
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Bred females then return to their guardian homes during the typical 60-day pregnancy until within a week of the expected due date. Families will closely monitor our new moms during this time, alerting us to changes and updating on progress.
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Approximately on Day 58, the female dog will come to the McDoodles home to prepare for whelping. She will be treated with love and care as one of ours for the 10-11 weeks needed to prepare puppies for adoption. She’ll receive affection, nutritious food, and supplements to support puppy nutrition. After this period, we’ll return the guardian to her family. We have found that guardian visits can be stressful for our new moms, so we ask that families wait until go-home day to see their guardian dog.
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Guardian service can vary, but contracts typically cap around 4-5 litters or until the age of 5. Each mom is evaluated after each litter, working with our vet to determine the safe and appropriate number for her.
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Once the contract is completed, we will spay the guardian dog and retire her from breeding to ensure a long and healthy family life with no further interruptions. Though we’d be thrilled to occasionally visit with our former guardian dogs!
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The dog remains the sole property of McDoodles of Texas until the completion of the contract. After retiring and spaying/neutering the ownership of the dog will be transferred to the Guardian Family.
​Benefits & Expectations
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Being part of McDoodles' small, sustainable breeding program comes with unique benefits and responsibilities that go beyond basic ownership. As a Guardian, your dog will undergo genetic testing at our expense, ensuring they are suitable for breeding and receive optimal care. This testing helps inform breeding decisions and ensures your dog's health is well-managed throughout their life with us. You'll be responsible for feeding premium PawTree food, a nutritionally balanced diet that has never been recalled and is free from fillers and additives. We select the best food blend based on your dog's breed and genetic profile, supporting their overall health and well-being.
In addition to nutrition, obedience, and crate training are required for your Guardian dog. We offer support through Baxter & Bella, an online training program that includes recorded instructions, live group sessions, and personalized training as needed. A well-trained, crate-disciplined dog not only enhances your home life but also ensures they can travel comfortably and confidently when it's time for breeding or whelping puppies.
Guardians must reside within 1.5 hours of McDoodles of Texas and carry discounted Figo Insurance to cover medical expenses related to their Guardian dog's health. McDoodles must be added to your vet records and granted access as needed for health monitoring and breeding purposes. These measures help us maintain the health and welfare of our breeding dogs, ensuring they lead fulfilling lives both as family pets and valued members of our breeding program.
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Guardian Male Expectations
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During our girls' heat cycles, Male Guardians are required to be transported to our home. Depending on the female's location, this may involve visits every other day over a 10-day period or dropping off on day 1 and picking up at the end of the breeding cycle.
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Once the contract is completed, we will neuter the guardian dog and retire him from breeding to ensure a long and healthy family life with no further interruptions. Though we’d be thrilled to occasionally visit with our former guardian dogs!
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Guardian service can vary, but contracts typically end at the age of 5. The dog remains the sole property of McDoodles of Texas until the completion of the contract.
