Guardian home or Co-Ownership Opportunities:

We are searching for a couple guardian homes for our planned litters or adult dogs. We are willing to offer a puppy on co-ownership to the right home, we’re happy to discuss. Rules for co-ownership will be much different than for a guardian home. You do not have to be local to be considered for a co-own home. Co-own homes must be interested in dog sports and/or therapy work for titling purposes. Service work would be considered. Full health testing is required. A purchase price will apply for co-ownership but does not apply for guardianship.
For GH keepers & Co-owned studs, the highest quality pup(s) will be added to our program after 2 years of age when clearances are completed. Opportunities for either could be male or female as they are based on litter evaluations. Please reach out if you have any questions & submit an application to be considered.

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What is a Guardian Home?

   A guardian home is a family or person that raises our pick of the litter puppies for the life of the dog. In order for us to continue our program of producing high quality well rounded puppies, we must pick the highest quality prospects from each litter and fully health test them to determine if that puppy will continue their parents lineages or if they would be better as a pet. Retiring a dog from our program is always a heartache when we have to then place that dog into a new home to limit the number of dogs that we have in our home. We created this program as we want our dogs to stay with their permanent forever home with their own family as a pet indefinitely regardless if they are good fit for our program or not. Guardian families give us the opportunity to continue our dog’s lineages and to continue with the highest quality puppy from those lineages. We give our guardian homes the opportunity to own a high quality, pick of the litter, health tested dog and to be apart of what we do while also being compensated for their time. Our guardian program allows for the dogs of our program to have the best individual care and attention possible. This includes while we prepare them as puppies, during their time in our program and after retirement. We are very picky with who we choose to raise our guardian puppies as we are entrusting you with a puppy that is very special to us and important for our program. Please be sure to read through everything down below as we sometimes change things around to allow for a better program!

  • If we do not have availability at the time of your approval then you will be added to our waiting list for upcoming litters and you will be notified when we have a litter planned, a puppy or a dog that is a good fit for you.
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  • Guardian home prospects are available at NO COST to an approved home. Bear State Goldens reserves all breeding rights to the dog and retains primary ownership for the time period of our contract.
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  • Bear State Goldens pays for all breeding expenses, whelps and raises every litter in their home.

  • Bear State Goldens decides whom the breeding dogs are bred to and when.
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  • Once the dog retires from our program.. we pay for the cost of sterilization then primary ownership is transferred to the guardians and the dog continues their life as normal with their forever family. Some prospects may not be up to our standard for breeding and in that case: if the guardian home would like to keep them then no further cost will be necessary .. we only require that they MUST sterilize the female at 18-24 months of age. Once we receive vet’s proof of sterilization for the female, primary ownership will be transferred to the guardian home. Males are not required to be neutered for the long term health of the dog but are NOT to be bred, registration will be on Co-Ownership. If Male is neutered & vet’s proof of sterilization is provided then primary ownership will be transferred to the guardian home.
  • The Guardian Family will need to learn the signs of a heat cycle with our help and be willing to communicate, cooperate and coordinate with us to ensure success. Stud dogs can only mate with females that are approved and coordinated by the breeder, the Guardians are responsible for keeping the male away from intact female dogs. Guardians of intact female or male dogs will need to consider the importance of keeping the dog responsibly contained to prevent unwanted litters. We reserve the right to cancel our guardian program if ever necessary.​
We cherish our Guardian Homes for immensely loving and taking great care of our dogs, so in return of their dedication..
  • ​For our Mama Dogs: Guardian homes will receive up to $500 per successful litter OR a choosing of a puppy from her final litter at no additional cost. Our contract is up to 4 litters. Sterilization is paid for at the end of our contract.
  • For our Stud Dogs: Guardian homes will receive $200 per successfully sired litter OR a choosing of a puppy from his final litter at no additional cost. The age of retirement depends on the dog and we look at several factors before making that decision. Sterilization is paid for at the end of our contract.

Responsibilities & Ideal Applicant Criteria

  • We prefer for you to have experience with Goldens or with a higher energy large breed dog but knowledge of the breed & a willingness to learn is sufficient.
  • Have some experience of basic dog training OR be willing to learn and take the dog to training classes.
  • Be prepared for a meet & greet(s) and potentially a home-visit. You may be asked to provide a vet reference prior to the dog being placed into your care.
  • ​​Live within 1 1/2 hours from Orangevale, CA.
  • No plans of relocating further away within the next 5 years. If Guardian Home does decide that they need to relocate while the dog is enrolled in our program, they must return the dog back to the primary owner(Bear state Goldens). Moving with the dog may be permissible depending on the distance & the arrangements made.. family is to notify the primary owner if they are deciding to move.
  • Be willing to provide basic training that is standard for dog ownership such as: potty training, leash training, crate training, basic training and socializing. Group classes are highly recommended! Must be willing to meet/drop off dog to breeder for training OR complete Canine Good Citizen classes for AKC CGC titles. This is a training class for a test of temperament, obedience and basic dog training. This training benefits the dog, the breeder & the guardian home. Experience or an interest in completing titles is a plus, any plans to title are welcomed. Show, Therapy or Performance Titling is compensated when agreed upon, we pay the GH a flat rate per title they receive plus the total titling cost.
  • The Guardian home is responsible for pet costs including: annual pet vet exams, rabies vaccination, Bravecto or Nexguard flea/tick meds, heartworm meds, high quality dog food and any other pet expenses when the dog is in their care. Emergencies vet visits when in the GH’s care is their responsibility, Trupanion pet insurance is recommended. If the guardian home is unable to afford an emergency visit, we must be informed immediately. The guardian must be able to send a copy of all vet visits and vaccinations to the breeder for filing.
  • We cover all breeding related vet costs, all health testings, stud fees, puppy raising expenses, titling expenses, registration expenses, traveling expenses, handling expenses, training classes for titling, health supplements, DHPP & Bordatella boosters for as long as the dog is enrolled in our program. Dog food & grooming are covered when they are in our care. Dog must be brought to us for booster vaccinations for free. GH may seek to vaccinate the dog at their regular vet however compensation will be the cost of what we pay. When pregnant.. vaccinations and certain medications are typically avoided unless medically necessary & deemed safe for pregnant dams as well as unborn puppies.
  • Must contact the breeder in any emergency situation such as a serious injury, illness, accident, etc.
  • Be able to contain an intact dog when in heat and not allow him or her to mate to unapproved dogs. Any opposite sex dog living in the home MUST be Spayed/Neutered.
  • Have good communication and attention to detail. Female will come into heat and guardian family must notify us as soon as possible. Experience with a female in heat is a plus! ​*
  • *Understand that Bear State Goldens is waiving the purchase price of the dog in exchange for a service - you must be willing to communicate, cooperate and coordinate with us during their time in our program, and be dedicated to providing a safe, loving home for the lifetime of the dog.
  • Keep the dog safe and contained at all times (fenced in backyard). Dog is to be a primarily indoor dog and never left outdoors unattended for long periods of time.
  • Diet: Must also be willing to keep the dog at a healthy weight and not allow them to become under or overweight. Kept on a breeder approved high quality dog food and supplements that we may recommend. Supplements for show/breeding are paid for by the breeder.
  • Mamas: Breeder will usually pick up the dog from the guardian home however a willingness to meet or drop off mama dog at breeders home and bring to vet is required. This would be for breeding vet exams, health tests, showing, titling, sport trials, handling, training, breeding, the last week of pregnancy and at least 6 weeks of puppy rearing. Guardian Family will be allowed to visit mama & puppies by appointment. Breeder will send regular updates. Pregnancy care includes prenatal supplements(covered by breeder), walks and normal playtime. In the third trimester the mama dog is not to run hard, hike, walk for long distances, fetch balls repetitively or play roughly with other dogs to protect the mama dog & puppies. Short walks & normal play are safe.
  • Studs: Breeder will usually pick up the dog from the guardian home however a willingness to meet or drop off stud dog at breeders home and bring to vet is required. This would be for breeding vet exams, health tests, showing, titling, sport trials, handling, training and breedings. ​​Depending on the circumstances.. a Stud dog could be with us starting from a few hours up until 14 days at a time. More time is needed in the beginning to allow for experience but typically the length of time will be broken up.
  • Be willing to send photo/video updates. Be willing to bring the dog to the breeder for visits including play dates, grooming & boarding every so often. Creating an IG account is a big plus but not required.
  • Must take preventative care to not overwork or over exercise the puppy and provide floor traction for grip(under the age of 24 months), example: rugs,mats,carpet,grass,etc. Trimming nails frequently & trimming paw pad hair in between grooming appointments helps improve paw grip.
  • Grooming: Be willing to keep up with regular grooming.. including baths, teeth brushing, ear cleanings & nail trims. Breeder will show GH how to keep up with basic grooming OR Guardian home can opt for taking the dog to a professional groomer frequently. Dogs enrolled in our guardian program receive full service grooms from us when available at no charge.​ Guardian homes must be willing to preserve the dog’s natural coat & natural outline of the dog which means that GH is to avoid hair shaving in visible areas, hair cutting of featherings and hair dying when dog is being shown or competing. No hair cutting will be permitted by anyone other than the breeder or an approved groomer at minimum 4 months before a dog show.
  • Boarding: Free Boarding when available and as space allows.
  • Training: Free Handling Training sessions when available and as space allows. Handling classes are compensated.
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