Guardian Program

Why Guardian?

We started our Schnauzer Guardian Home Program to be able to give our new breeding dogs the benefit of living a normal life with a family, and to ensure the best of our puppies’ genetics are not lost from the genetic pool of the breed.

When our puppies become someone’s treasured pet and are then sterilized, their genes are lost from the Schnauzer genetic pool forever. This has been the fate of some of the very best Miniature Schnauzers this attrition is a loss to the breed and over time weakens its genetic health.

There is clearly a need for us to expand, due the high demand. That way we can increase the puppy supply and more deserving families can have the beautiful puppies that will complete their lives.

However, we are small breeders who only like to keep a handful of dogs. This is because it is important to us that they live as part of our family, and all get the individual attention they crave and deserve. We certainly do not want to go down the road of the alternative, which is to keep more dogs here, and start housing them in kennels as we see that as cruel and selfish.

The Schnauzer Guardian Home Program means all our breeding dogs get to enjoy a loving home environment and get spoilt as all Schnauzers should!

And it also means there will be more friendly, smart, loving pups for other families.

If you’re interested in participating in the program, here is how it works.

Benefits of Guardian Program

Undoubtedly, living in a Guardian home results in a far more enjoyable life for a dog than living in a kennel.

The Guardian Home Program is a good deal for the dog, a good deal for the foster family and a good deal for our breeding program… and all those people patiently waiting for their puppies. In my opinion, it is one of those “win-win” situations for everyone involved.

Naturally it is a big responsibility, so only homes offering a high standard of care and responsibility will qualify as Guardian Homes.

So, let's see how it works.

How does it work?

Selected puppies or dogs are given to a guardian family to raise and love and keep as a member of their family. Rather than buying this puppy you will receive the puppy free of charge from us.

This program allows families local to Waxhaw NC an opportunity to own one of our high-quality schnauzers without the high cost of paying for it.

The family must be approved as guardian parents and agree to follow the terms of our Guardian Program contract.

As a guardian puppy grows up, we monitor his or her temperament, drive, and health. If the puppy is exceptional, he/she will be used in our breeding program. Before any dog is bred, we will have his/her DNA tested and will be performed at the breeder’s expense.

When a female has passed health tests, she will come back to our home when she comes into season, which happens two times a year. After breeding she will go back to her guardian home until 1 - 1 ½ weeks before whelping, she comes back to our home and has her babies here and stays until one week after she weans the pups (around 5 weeks). We may not breed each female every season, and timing of the breeding is at the discretion of the breeder.
Also, as incentive, for every 8 puppies on the litters of the female, the guardian program will have to choose between keep on puppy for them as pet, or to receive part of the selling price of that puppy.

After the female has between 3 to 4 litters, we will pay for the spray and the dog ownership will be transferred to the guardian family in definitive.

Guardian Home Requirements:

Live within 60 minutes of Waxhaw, NC
Have previous dog owner experience.
Have physical fencing.
Raise the dog as an indoor dog. Never to dwell outside.
No intact dogs of the opposite sex living on the property or be in contact with them.
Have reliable transportation and willingness to bring the dog to us when needed throughout the year for breeding purposes.
Maintain open lines of communication with us.
Keep the dog well socialized.
Teach basic commands.
Make sure the dog isn’t left home alone all day, every day.
Provide routine wellness, vaccines, heartworm, flea & tick meds, at guardian’s expense.
Have a pet insurance as their expense.
Provide proper grooming.
Provide lots of love!