Guardianship
Being a Guardian Home for a Snug Harbor Cobberdog can be an excellent way to have a top quality dog for a family pet. We are a small breeding program dedicated to producing great companion animals.
Guardian Home Program
At Snug Harbor Cobberdogs we do not kennel our dogs. All dogs live with approved guardian families.
Guardianship has become a wonderful part of our breeding program. Our breeding dogs are placed with families at no cost. The family provides a lifetime of love and care to their pup and we are able to breed these magnificent companions without kennels.
If you are interested in guardianship please contact us.
Guardian Families Must:
Live within a 60 mile radius of Duxbury, MA, and No anticipated job transfers that will remove the dog beyond this 60 miles from Duxbury, MA while the Guardian Agreement is in effect
Own a home with a fenced in yard
Have prior experience owning, raising, and training a dog
Primary caregiver cannot work FULL time outside the home causing the dog to be left home alone for long periods
Attend 2 sessions of obedience classes
Understand the issues involved with caring for an intact male or female and be willing to assume those responsibilities
Be willing to return the dog to us as need throughout the year for various reasons, including veterinary appointments, breeding, giving birth and raising puppies. Female breeders will stay with us for approximately 6-8 weeks following the birth of the litter. Males are needed for shorter periods of time, typically a few days for breedings
Be willing to communicate with us when needed regarding the general health and well being of the dog.
Be willing to accept and follow breeders recommendations for the dogs basic health care and veterinarian care, such as vaccine schedules and the use of various medications.
Responsibilities of the Guardian Family:
The Guardian family is responsible for all of the following pet-related care:
•Vaccinating and overall health of the dog/puppy
•Feeding high-quality pet food as designated by breeder
•Using an approved veterinary service
•Grooming should be done every 6-8 weeks by a trained groomer to our standards
•Training
•Accepting and protecting an intact Guardian dog or puppy into the home.
Outlining the Guardian Family’s Care for a Female Guardian Dog:
When a female breeder is in season, the Guardian families are required to alert us when the Guardian dog is beginning her heat cycle which typically lasts for 21 days. In this period of time, the guardian family will schedule the appropriate breeding-related appointment times. When she is bred, she will stay with the Guardian family until about a week before her scheduled due date. The Guardian dog will then stay with us through the remainder of her pregnancy and returned to the Guardian family when the pups have been completely weaned (usually 5-6 weeks).
The Care Plan for a Guardian Puppy
When Guardian puppies are 8-weeks-old, they are ready for a Guardian family. In the first year of her life, Snug Harbor will complete all health-related testing. We can then determine if the puppy can be placed into the breeding program. In the event that she is not eligible for the program, she will be spayed and can remain with the Guardian family as a forever pet.
When you receive a Guardian puppy into your home, we ask for photos to be taken monthly, as well as regular updates during the first year so we can get updates on her development and you can share these on our site. We expect our guardian dogs to be trained and well socialized, as well as groomed appropriately. We would also encourage a visit so the puppy can learn the home where she will be spending time where she will be having her future puppies as we want her to feel right at home!
If you would like to take part in the Guardian program, please contact us via email and upon receipt, we will determine if your home meets the criteria for placement of one of our Guardian dogs or puppies. We will then contact you about the next steps in placement of these amazing animals into your home! We do ask that if you’re not able to meet the requirements as outlined above that you do not apply as we work to ensure these amazing animals are monitored, raised together and in close proximity to their family and the Guardian family that cares for them.
We are grateful and thankful for the work of our Guardian families and we hope to place one of our beautiful Cobberdogs in a loving family like yours!