Here at Country Chic Mini Goldens, our dogs live in a home environment from day one. This philosophy applies to our puppies, but it also extends to our breeding dogs. Unfortunately, it just isn't possible to maintain a genetically diverse program while keeping all of our dogs in our home - certainly not while still providing the one-on-one attention that all dogs deserve. This is why we have implemented a guardianship program.

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To become part of the Country Chic Guardianship program we ask that you read this entire page of information and common questions. If this is a program that interests you, fill out the Guardian Application. We will contact you to begin discussions and see if any available breeding dogs would be a good fit for your family.

 

​Our Musts

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• Must live in the Calgary Area and own their home, not rent

• Must be willing to carry pet insurance during the duration of guardianship

• Dogs must be comfortable with being in a crate

• At least one adult in the house must be available to attend to the dog during the day (ie: Both parents working full time can not commit the time needed to be involved in this program)

• Guardians must have some previous dog experience, especially for families interested in a male.

• Guardians must NEVER hit the dog with an object or their hand as a form of discipline.

• Guardians must live in a house with a fully fenced yard 

• Guardians agree to raise the dog as an inside dog with plenty of outdoor exercise time

• Guardians must keep the dog on a leash when outside unless the dog is in a fenced area. Off leash at a dog park is not permitted.

• Guardians must train their dog in beginner puppy classes either in person or online.

• Guardians must ensure the puppy is socialized 

• Guardians must provide appropriate veterinary or emergency care when needed, including vaccinations, de-worming, etc. 

• Guardian’s veterinarian must be made aware that the dog is a Guardian Breeding dog and that breeder is to be added to the dog’s chart.

• Guardians must feed the dog approved quality kibble, Purina Pro Plan along with required supplements (supplements and up to 4 40lb bags (per year) of Purina Pro Plan will be provided by breeder), which change when females are pregnant. Guardians must not allow the dog to participate in extended strenuous running on concrete or another hard surface before 18 months of age. Guardians must not allow a female around intact males during her heat cycle.

• Guardians must not allow a male to breed ANY females other than those chosen by the breeder at a time determined by the breeder.

• Guardians must communicate, cooperate and coordinate with the breeder regarding testing, matings, whelping, and other breeding related activities

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To qualify to become a guardian family we do ask that the dog is not left at home for more than 6 hours a day. Our dogs are used to our family being home for the majority of the day and love socializing with their people. If you are interested in finding out more information and becoming a guardian family please contact us and fill out a guardian home application

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Common Guardian Home FAQs

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How does the Country Chic Guardianship Program work?

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The cost of joining the Country Chic Guardianship Program is $500, which will be reimbursed to you once the contract is complete (after 4 litters).

Please note: Country Chic maintains ownership with breeding rights of the dog until the contract is complete. 

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Our Guardianship Program allows Country Chic to enter into a written agreement with a guardian home to place our breeding dogs in a loving, secure environment for the duration of their lives. We believe healthy, happy dogs breed beautiful, healthy companions. We want the best for all our dogs, regardless of their involvement in our breeding program or as a pet. 

 

Once a puppy has been chosen by the breeder we will sign a Guardian Contract with you. The guardian home is responsible for feeding a Purina Pro Plan diet as well as a multivitamin supplement throughout the duration of the guardianship.  Supplements and up to 4 bags of Purina Pro Plan per year will be provided and paid for by breeder.

Guardian families must check with the breeder prior to completing any non-emergency veterinary care including flea/tick prevention, vaccines, etc. This requirement is in place to ensure that any treatment options/medications comply with recommendations provided by our board certified reproductive vet and are not done too close to a heat cycle that may interfere with puppy development.

We ask that guardian families complete basic dog obedience training. Experienced dog owners may want to do this themselves or it can be completed through puppy training classes.

Guardian families must take care to protect their dog's joints during development. Guardian families must not run their puppies excessively on a leash (especially on hard surfaces such as pavement or cement) prior to 16 months of age. 

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We also do sleepovers 2-3 times per year in order to make sure your female feels comfortable in our home prior to breeding. These can be accommodated during vacation times so you won't need to board the dog. 

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Are there financial incentives for Guardians?

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As compensation for the disruptions breeding creates there is a financial incentive. For our females that have litters, the guardian homes receive $100 for each puppy born in a litter that survives to 8 weeks, to a maximum of 7 puppies (max $700/litter). This is in consideration for your time away from your pet and for taking such great care of her. The guardians of our male dogs receive $200 for each litter sired by the males.

 

 

What guidelines do Guardian homes have to follow when raising a Country Chic Mini Golden?

-Dogs must be fed Purina Pro Plan combined with a breeder provided multi-vitamin both are paid for by the Breeder

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-All vaccines, dewormer and grooming need to be current. Country Chic will approve all timelines and vet deworming/tick/flea prevent to insure the products are safe for our breeders. We ask our guardian families to communicate and get approval with us any appointments and deworming/vaccines given before any upcoming breeding times (at least a month in advance in particular for our girls to ensure the safety of our girls and any potential pregnancies).

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-We require the family to avoid all chemicals unless necessary, and to not give supplements or medicines unless approved by us. This includes flea, heart worm, or any other meds. If the dog becomes sick or injured, we need the family to notify us right away so we are involved in all decisions regarding the treatment of the dog PRIOR to medication being given. Please keep any candy, cleaners, or foods harmful to dogs up high and put away since these can cause death in the case of accidental ingestion. We ask the family to practice safe handling of the dog. 

• Do not leave the dog outside if they are at home alone.

• Don't let the dog be transported in the back of an open pickup truck. 

• A leash must be used at all times in public. No running loose at dog parks.

• All things that should be done to protect your dogs physical and mental health. ​

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-Guardian dogs may not attend off leash dog parks while the dog is intact (protects the dog as well as prevents any unplanned and unwanted pregnancies).

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-The guardian home will work with the breeder for sharing  the transportation of the dog to us when needed for breeding, litters, overnight stays or health testing. This is the most inconvenient part of the guardian responsibilities. Please think through this carefully. 

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What age do you begin breeding the dog?

We will usually breed on the first heat after the dog is over 18 months of age. If a dog goes into heat at any time beyond 18 months, you must notify us immediately so we can assess whether or not we will breed. This will depend on how many other girls are cycling and having litters, as well as the individual dogs age and situation. We would also like to be notified when your puppy has its first cycle, somewhere around 7-12 months of age, so we can have a calculated guess on when her next cycle will be. For our males once they have passed their preliminary tests and we are satisfied with any pre-training we can breed them around 12 months of age if they are mature enough.

 

How long is a dog with the breeder for breeding purposes?

As soon as the family is aware their female dog is in heat we will arrange to bring the dog to our vet for progesterone testing around day 7-8 of the heat cycle then keep her for approximately 7-14 until breeding is complete.

For our males they can be dropped off here for 30-45 minutes and picked up the same day or are here for breeding times for a couple of days. Depending on distance the male may be able to go home and be returned when we need to do the next breeding session. Typically we keep them both here to minimize stress and lots of driving for our families.

 

How long is a dog pregnant?

Dogs are pregnant for 63 days and will be in your care until about a week before they are due. 

 

How long is a female dog with the breeder after she gives birth?

She will come to us between 7 - 9 days before she is due with her litter. This gives her time to settle into our house, get used to seeing the whelping box. She must become very comfortable with being in our house and being with us all the time. We do not want the mom to feel threatened by us when she is getting ready to whelp. She will go home after puppies are weaned. This will be around 6-7 weeks of age.

 

Can I be with our female when she gives birth to her puppies?

It is important to us that our females are calm and comfortable during their birthing process.  We allow only one of her "persons" to be present with her during whelping the puppies.  Once puppies are born we ask for no further visitations until puppies are 4 weeks old.  This is to allow mom to focus on her puppies and not be worried that she is being left behind when guardian parents leave. (Don't worry, you'll get lots of pics and videos)

 

Is there any negative impact on the dog to move from their family home to the breeders home?

No. There is an initial "Where is my family going?" when you bring her to us, but in every situation the dog is settled and comfortable and doing very well within an hour or two. We try very hard to give them so much attention and love the first couple days that it is a pleasant and enjoyable experience for them. This is also important as everything the mother feels causes things to happen inside her body that can affect the babies. The less stress and the more relaxed she is, the better it is for babies. So, it is very important that the guardian home not make the transition difficult for the dog. If they act upset or nervous or sad about leaving her, she will feel that even more greatly and we need to make sure that doesn't happen. This is why we also schedule sleep overs during non hormonal times to have a safe and secure mama and dad in our home.

 

What happens during pregnancy and what do we need to do differently during our dogs pregnancy? 

Pregnancy is very easy. Following her breeding you will be supplied with prenatal vitamins for your girl that she will take daily throughout her pregnancy. The dog may act a little more tired, or not eat normally for a few weeks. The last couple weeks of pregnancy she is usually becoming more hungry and sleeps more as time progresses. Otherwise, normal activity is typical and it is important to continue with walking the dog right up to the end. This helps during delivery. Being in shape is always best. Normal play and romping and running during the first half of pregnancy is great. After that, we limit activity to walks on a leash and no ball chasing type of activities. No chemicals may be given during pregnancy. We have to be notified immediately of any illness or injury so we can be involved in determining how she is treated.

 

What if the dog gets sick or injured while with the guardian home?

While the dog is in guardian's care and home, any non-genetic illness or injury that happens is the financial responsibility of the guardians. This is why we require proof of pet insurance throughout your time as guardian. We must be involved in treatment plans and know what is going on and determining medications, but the family is responsible for those expenses. 

 

What expenses are covered by the guardian home and what is covered by Country Chic?

 

Guardians are responsible for normal care items; treats, dishes, leashes, beds, normal vaccinations and wormings, flea meds, heartworm meds, toys, grooming needs etc. If the dog needs meds due to worms, illness, infection or anything unrelated to pregnancy, it is the guardian’s responsibility to pay for those expenses. We pay for up to 4 bags per year of Purina Pro Plan, Multivitamins, Pre and Post Natal Vitamins plus all expenses related to health testing for breeding purposes, all breeding expenses and litter expenses. Country Chic will cover the cost of spay/neuter after the completion of the contract.

 

How many litters does a female dog have before they are retired?

We contract for four litters. We may only breed three or two, or one, but we have the option of four. We are concerned for the well-being of our program dogs. If we find that the girl has problems with deliveries or it would be unhealthy for them to breed again, we will stop the breeding program with her. After the contract has been fulfilled, Country Chic will work with the guardian home to spay the dog at the expense of Country Chic. Once proof of the spay is provided to us legal ownership is transferred to the guardian family. For our males dogs they will go through their testing and once passed have to be available to Country Chic during certain times of the year. He will either visit us for one day or we can keep him here for a few days depending on timing for breeding. Our males will stay in our program until they are 5 years of age at which time they will be neutered at the expense of Country Chic and once proof is provided of the neuter ownership will be transferred over to the guardian family.

 

Who pays for the spay or neuter surgery?

Country Chic pays for the spay surgery after the girl has had time to recover from the last litter and have her hormone levels return to normal. This is usually about 2 months after puppies are weaned. We also cover the cost of neutering our males, usually around 5-6 years of age.

 

What if the dog fails its health test and physical to become a breeding dog once fully grown?

If the puppy fails to meet the high testing standards we have set for our breeding dogs we have two options.

One is the guardian contract would revert to a pet contract with additional charge of full pet price if we decide to go that direction.

The other option is to return our dog/puppy and try again with another potential breeder puppy or passed breeder. Our health warranty is the same for any dog raised at Country Chic Mini Goldens, whether it is in a guardian home or a pet home.  If we decide a potential breeding quality dog does not pass health standards or if the temperament we are looking for with training does not meet our standards we can choose to spay/neuter the dog and the guardian family will agree to paying current pet price as signed in the contract.

 

Are there any grooming requirements for the dogs?

We require a full groom at least once per year with regular nail trims and ear cleaning. 

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