Guardian homes

Guardian Home Information

In order to give every dog the very best life possible,  it is important to us to  limit how many dogs we personally keep. Our main goal is to breed quality Labrador retrievers. We are always looking to add quality bloodlines to our breeding program as well as keeping puppies from our litters that show great promise of maturing to the Labrador's quality standards.  We feel that all of our dogs are pets first, and they deserve to be treated that way. We have decided to venture out in Guardian homes so we can ensure that our dogs are always felt like a part of the family, rather than a job or a mundane task.

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Our Guardian home program is going to allow us to expand our dog breeding program with pride and will help us to breed healthy high quality Labrador retriever puppies the right way.

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Being a Guardian home with us, you start out with purchasing a puppy at a discounted price. 

The puppy stays with the guardian home for his/her entire life. Once they are 18-24 months old, OFA hips, elbows, eyes, and all genetic testing will have been performed and will start their breeding adventure.

Each guardian dog contract is unique and we will go through it  entirely with the new homes when the time comes.

Here is an overlook of what is expected in our guardian homes: 

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• Guardian home is responsible for the dog’s regular health maintenance: annual exams, vaccines, food,  etc. 
• Mahan Labradors will pay for any and all genetic health testing required for breeding, and all breeding related expenses. Once the dog has passed their genetic health testing she/he is added to our breeding program. 
• Males would be available for Mahan Labrador’s purposes for most of his lifetime as an unaltered stud.
• All Females in guardian homes may have up to three litters prior to being spayed, usually by their 6th birthday.
• UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL THE DOG BE USED FOR ANY BREEDINGS UNLESS MAHAN LABRADORS HAS AGREED.

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While this doesn’t sound too complicated, there are many things that Guardian families need to consider before thinking of applying. 

• Guardians of females will have to learn the signs of their female’s heat cycle. They will have to communicate with Mahan Labradors to correctly and punctually document the heat cycles, this will help with a successful breeding. That being said Guardian homes will have to deal with several heat cycles and keep their female protected from unwanted males during these times.
• Because of canine diseases, male guardian dogs can only mate with females that Mahan Labs has agreed to.

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Qualifying to be a Guardian Home:

• Guardians must be willing to train the dog the very basic obedience commands (off, down, sit, back, leave it, crate)
• Guardians must ensure the puppy is socialized to adults, children and other animals
• Guardians must provide appropriate veterinary care including emergency care when needed
• Guardians must have previous dog experience
• Guardians must be able and willing to identify and notify us immediately when a female begins her heat cycle
• Guardians must not allow the female in heat near any other intact males
• Guardians must not allow a male guardian to breed with unapproved females
• Guardians must live within a reasonable driving distance from our farm, Petersburg, KY no more than 2-3 hours.
• Guardians must be willing to communicate and cooperate with the breeder regarding testing, mating, whelping, and other breeding related activities.

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Our Guardian program is very simple, we want the best care for our dogs, and that is why I am very particular who will be allowed to have a Guardian Puppy.  By using a Guardian program, we are also able to breed quality dogs while still giving them the best life possible.  If you think you would fit the criteria for a Guardian home, please reach out. Please do not be upset if we choose not to have a puppy placed with you, we may not need one at the time you requested.