Our Sweetheart Guardian Program: At Sweetheart German Shepherds, our dogs are the heart and soul of our program & we want for all our dogs to experience the stability and love that a forever home provides. In order for us to give our dogs the best possible home and as much love as possible it is important for us to limit how many dogs we keep in our home at one time. To be a good breeder of quality dogs, however, we need to keep, evaluate, and add quality bloodlines to our breeding program. We do need to keep a few of our “pick of the litter” puppies to see their potential to develop and grow into an adult dog with all the perfect qualities we are hoping to create We also need to continually add new bloodlines with the high qualities we are trying to create. Some of these Pick puppies/dogs will eventually fit into our breeding program while others will not. The best way for us to continue to grow a quality program with consideration to our beloved dogs and the life they deserve, we have implemented a Guardian program. As a guardian, our dog resides with you as your forever pet; however, we retain decision making rights of the dog until his/her breeding career is completed. We are giving the dog to the guardian family to raise and love and keep as a member of their family. This program allows local families an opportunity to own one of our high quality dogs without the cost of paying for it. The family must be approved as guardian parents and agree to abide by our contract of care. As a guardian puppy grows up, we monitor his or her temperament, drive, and health. If the female is exceptional, she will be used in our breeding program. Before any dog is bred we will x-ray her hips (at our expense) to verify that she does not have hip dysplasia, have heart and eyes OFA tested and certified. If the hips are not above average in the breed (good enough to breed), we require the guardian parents to have the dog spayed and ownership is then signed over to the guardian family. When a female has passed health tests, she will come back to our home when she comes into season. After getting bred she will go back to her guardian home. Then 1 - 1 ½ weeks before whelping (determined by breeder), she comes back to our home and has her babies here and stays until one week after she weans the pups (around 7 weeks). Females come into season twice a year. We may not breed each female every season. Timing of the breedings is at the discretion of the breeder. The guardian home program is an excellent deal for the dog, it's a good deal for the guardian parents, and it's a good deal for producing an exceptional Breeding program. It's one of those "win - win" situations for everyone involved. The family receives a quality, top pick dog.  I am able to improve the breed by using only the best for bettering the breed.  . As a guardian, you would be responsible for the day to day care of the puppy/dog, including feeding a high quality dog food, Nuvet Vitamins, grooming, training and socialization, exercise, preventative care, such as heart worm and flea and tick prevention; and routine medical and veterinary care, as you would with any family pet. Who Qualifies for a Guardian Dog? We are very selective of who we choose to become a guardian family. Our primary concern is that our dogs go into safe homes where they will be well taken care and loved as a family member. They must be in a home where they are not able to escape or get bred while in season. We expect the guardian parents to allow the dog to be a part of the family (a house dog). We look for people who are experienced dog owners. Guardian families should live within 2 hours of our home. Everyone in the household should like the guardian arrangement. Guardian families must be willing to have us stop by on occasion. Families that are interested in breeding dogs are not good guardian families. We are placing dogs in their permanent family pet home, not in a breeding home. We do not split litters with Guardian Parents. This is not a program for someone who wants to be a breeder, but a guardian program in order to provide good forever homes for our dogs. What are the Guardian Family's Responsibilities? While the guardian family does not pay for the puppy (or young adult), they must agree to purchase a dog crate, collar, leash, and all necessary items for pet care. They must also agree to feed a high quality food and Nuvet vitamins to keep the dog in the best health. They are also expected to strictly follow feeding instructions during pregnancy. The guardian family must have a secure back yard for regular exercise. The Guardian Home takes care of all the pet type fees as if it were your dog. (food, vet bills and care unless it has to do with vet bills associated with breeding such as all the health certifications which we cover). How long do we share the dog? Females are in guardianship until they turn 5 years of age or after 4 complete litters (less than 5 puppies would not be counted as a complete litter), whichever comes first.  After 5 years of age, Sweetheart German Shepherds will issue a written agreement to have dog fixed and the guardian family will get her spayed and ownership papers will be signed over to guardian family. Males are in guardianship until they turn 5 years of age.  At 5 years of age, after a written agreement is signed by Sweetheart German Shepherds , the guardian family will get him neutered and ownership papers will be signed over to guardian parents. Guardian homes should have the following: • Own their own home • Have their own car to transport the dog. • Prior experience dog ownership is a must • Be willing to crate and house train the puppy. Teach the puppy basic obedience, therapy training. This can be accomplished in 2 – 3 training classes with an accomplished trainer, or at home using the K9 Good Citizen and taking the dog for testing after training. • Afford to provide required high quality food as well as regular vet checks and vaccines. • Be prepared to have their own vet listed as a reference • Fenced backyard to contain the puppy. • Be available to drive dog to and from our home for breeding and whelping. • Keep us updated on the dog’s progress via email. When in heat, we must be notified via phone and email. Pictures via email every 1-2 months for us to follow the puppy’s progress. • Be willing to socialize the puppy by taking it everywhere possible and showing him/her life in general. It is the responsibility of the guardian parents to make sure the dog remains in good health. The guardian parents are required to keep the dog current on routine veterinary care, shots, rabies, and good grooming. We cover health certification expenses. We cover medical expenses incurred during breeding and whelping while at our home. The guardian parents must keep us informed of the female’s cycles. Females come into season 2 times a year. When a female starts to cycle or drip blood we expect to get an email. Repeated attempts to contact us should continue, until confirmation is received from us that we have heard from you. If we plan to breed the female we will inform the guardian parents at this time. Females are usually bred between the 9th and 13th day of their season. We take them into our home about the 7th day. What If I Have Another Dog Already In My Home? We will not place a female puppy in a home where there is an intact male or female. We would need to meet all other pets as part of the application process. Guardian family agrees to not have unaltered animals in the home during the Sweetheart German Shepherds ownership period of the guardian dog. Who Owns The Dog: Sweetheart German Shepherds owns the dog until breeding obligations are met. We sign a contract with the guardian family clearly identifying that we have full breeding rights and can breed the dog when we choose. The dog remains registered in our name until breeding obligations are complete. The guardian family will assume all liability for the dog at time of guardian agreement and are responsible for the dog for her entire life.  Once the breeding obligations are met and a written consent is given by Sweetheart German Shepherds, the guardian family agrees to neuter/spay the dog at their expense.  Guardian must provide a letter from the vet confirming the spay/neuter was complete.  At this point we will transfer ownership of the dog to the guardian. If at anytime the guardian family can no longer care for the dog, they agree to return her/him to Sweetheart German Shepherds.  The dog may not be sold or given to any other party without prior written permission from Sweetheart German Shepherds and registration transferred to guardian family’s name. Do You Ever Have Older Dogs, Rather Than Puppies To Be Placed In Guardian Homes? Some people know how much work it is to raise a puppy and would rather not go through the house breaking and chewing stages of a puppy. An older dog is a good solution for these people. At times we have young adults (and sometimes older females) that we would like to place in a home. These older females are all very nice dogs. Training Requirement for Guardian Families: We REQUIRE that our guardian puppies be taught basic obedience and taken to at least one set of obedience classes and successfully pass the CGC.  This is NOT difficult to accomplish and will give your guardian the good behavior skills needed to be an asset to your family and the community for a lifetime. We do not require guardian families to title their dog but encourage and support any activity that provides you bonding time with your dog. Under What Circumstances Do We Remove a Dog from a Guardian Home? There are very few reasons that we would ever take a puppy out of a guardian home unless one of the follow occur: The dog to allowed to run loose when there is no supervision, the dog gets bred by accident, the guardian parents do not tell us when a female comes in season, the dog is neglected or abused (according to our discretion), the guardian family moves before informing us personally, the dog must be rescued from an Animal Control facility.    These reasons will be discussed in detail before any puppy is placed in a Guardian Home. The Guardian Parents must agree to all terms with the kennel and sign a contract with the breeder. If the puppy dies from careless accident or neglect on the part of the Guardian Family, they agree to pay Sweetheart German Shepherds the current worth of the dog as assessed by Sweetheart German Shepherds. The breeder will not be held liable for any reason by the guardian. Should it be necessary for the dog to be spayed during whelp due to complications, the spay shall be paid for by the guardian and registration shall be transferred to the guardian. Guardian Home Application Form