Guardianship Programme

What is Guardianship

Guardianship is a special arrangement we offer to ensure that our breeding dogs live the best possible life, without the stress of kennel living. We are committed to providing our dogs with a loving, family-oriented environment, and guardianship allows us to do just that while also helping our breeding program thrive.

In a guardian home arrangement, we place one of our "pick of the litter" puppies with a carefully selected family, based on their temperament and structure, as these puppies are chosen to carry on the qualities we’re breeding for. This puppy will become your family pet, at no cost to you. The guardian family is responsible for raising the puppy in their home, showering it with love, care, and attention, and ensuring it lives a full and happy life.

The guardian family is expected to follow a few guidelines—primarily related to the dog’s breeding and care—but the dog will live with the family as a cherished companion. When the dog reaches the appropriate age, and ready to start their breeding career, the guardian family will be asked to bring the dog to us for the breeding process. Afterward, the dog returns home to its family, where it continues to live a normal, happy life.

We believe this is the best way to ensure our dogs are well-loved, well-socialized, and part of a family, while still allowing us to continue our breeding program in a responsible and ethical way. Guardianship ensures that our breeding dogs experience a fulfilling life with their family, never feeling like they’re being kept in a kennel or outside of a home.

How does it work?

Our guardianship program is designed to ensure that our breeding dogs live in loving homes while still contributing to our breeding program. Here's how the process works:

Placement of Puppies

We are happy to place our puppys in guardian homes from 8 weeks of age. These puppies are chosen based on their temperament and structure, and we believe they are the perfect candidates to carry on the legacy of our breeding program. From the moment they arrive in their guardian homes, these puppies become family pets at no cost to the guardian family. Guardians are required to follow our rules in order to maintan a healthy growing puppy.

Female Breeding Dogs

For female breeding dogs, we generally allow a maximum of 4 litters in their lifetime. Their breeding career typically begins around their second heat cycle, which is usually about 18 months old. By the time the dog reaches 5 years of age, her breeding career will be complete. When the female comes into heat, we need to be notified immediately so we can make plans for her mating.

During the mating process, she will stay with us for a couple of days. Afterwards, she will return to her guardian family, where she will continue living life as usual for the next 8 weeks under our guidance. Once she has delivered her puppies, she will stay with us for about 7 weeks whilst she cares for the puppies. During this time, we will welcome guardian families to visit their dog and interact with her.

Male Breeding Dogs

For male breeding dogs, their breeding career typically starts around 9 months old and lasts until they are about 6 years old. Male dogs may be used for breeding 2-3 times a year, but it’s not always guaranteed. They do not need to stay with us full-time and will only visit for mating days if required but males are better off suited to mate in thier own homes which is carried outside in the garden.

End of Breeding Career

Once a dog’s breeding career comes to an end, whether male or female, we take great care in ensuring they are well-cared for. We will spay or neuter the dog, and then the dog will be signed over to the guardian family permanently. This is the final step, and the dog will live the rest of their life as a beloved family pet.

Our Commitment

We make a significant commitment, both financially and emotionally, to our breeding dogs. In return, we expect the same level of commitment from our guardian families. We want to make sure our dogs have the best possible life, and we know that having them live in a home environment, surrounded by love and care, is key to their happiness and well-being.

We are dedicated to ensuring that all of our dogs—whether they are active in the breeding program or retired—live out their lives in the best possible conditions, and we work closely with our guardian families to make that happen.

Requirements and Benefits

Guardian Home Requirements

Becoming a Guardian Home is a wonderful opportunity to welcome one of our exceptional Labradoodles into your family while playing an important role in the future of the Darling Doodles breeding programme. Our guardian dogs live as much-loved family pets, and we are committed to supporting you every step of the way.

To be considered as a Guardian Home, you should:

Live within a 45-minute drive of ME10.
Provide a safe, loving and secure home environment, including a fully enclosed garden.
Be able to bring your dog to us when required for breeding-related appointments.
Ensure any other dogs in the household are well-socialised and friendly. Any resident dogs should be neutered unless they are also part of the Darling Doodles Guardian Programme.
Understand that breeding rights remain with Darling Doodles. Female dogs must be carefully managed throughout their seasons, and male dogs must not have access to entire females.
Be committed to crate training, toilet training and raising a well-mannered family companion.
Arrange appropriate pet insurance for your puppy and provide a copy of the policy to Darling Doodles.
Prioritise socialisation, enrichment and positive training to help your puppy develop into a confident, happy adult dog.
Feed a high-quality diet, with a raw diet preferred where suitable.
Be willing to follow Darling Doodles' recommendations regarding your dog's care, including veterinary guidance, vaccination schedules and any breeding-related health requirements outlined within the contract. You are welcome to use your own veterinary practice for routine day-to-day care.
Keep your Labradoodle's coat in excellent condition and maintained to the Darling Doodles grooming standard.
Ensure regular flea, worm and tick prevention is maintained throughout your dog's life.
Provide a home where your dog is a cherished member of the family and included in everyday life.

Guardian Home Benefits

As a Guardian Home, you will enjoy all the rewards of owning a carefully selected Darling Doodles dog, with the support of an experienced breeder throughout their life.

Guardian homes for male dogs receive a financial contribution following each successful mating.
Guardian homes for female dogs receive a financial contribution after each litter.
On occasion, our stud dogs may be required for approved matings with other reputable breeding programmes. We ask that guardian families make their dog available for these planned appointments when required.

Most importantly, we are looking for families who will love, cherish and enjoy their dog as a valued companion while sharing in the rewarding experience of being part of the Darling Doodles Guardian Programme. 🐾

Get in touch

If you feel that you would like to become a guardian family for one of our puppies, we would love to hear from you!

To be considered, you must live in Kent.

Send an email to: claire@darlingdoodles.co.uk and we’ll be in touch to discuss the next steps.

Being a guardian family is a special opportunity to welcome a loving, high-quality dog into your home while supporting our responsible breeding program.