Guardian Home Family

At Golden Acres, we offer a special opportunity for local families to raise one of our future breeding dogs as a beloved family companion while partnering with us in the continuation of our breeding program. The purpose of a Guardian Family is to provide a loving, stable home for an exceptional dog while ensuring they receive faithful care, affection, and individualized attention in a true family environment. A select portion of our breeding program is thoughtfully structured around our most superior dogs, which are placed in Guardian Homes. This program enables us to continue our legacy of raising high-quality puppies without housing all of our breeding dogs on site. We believe all of our dogs deserve a wonderful life filled with companionship, comfort, and love, and we are honored to work with families who share that same heart. Our goal is for every Guardian dog to live a full, happy, and enriched life in a home, not a kennel.

What is a Guardian Home?

A Guardian Home is a family that raises and loves one of our breeding dogs as their own family pet.

  • The dog lives full-time with the Guardian Family.

  • The dog remains the property of Golden Acres with a co-owner partnership with the Guardian Family, for a set period of time.

  • The dog will participate in our breeding program for a limited number of litters (starting around the age of 2).

  • All puppies produced by the dog belong to Golden Acres.

  • Once the dog’s breeding career is complete, full ownership of the dog transfers to the Guardian Family & the partnership is void.

How the Guardian Home Program Works

Dog Ownership
Golden Acres retains ownership of the dog until the breeding program is completed. The Guardian Family is co-owner.

Health Testing & Breeding Participation
Once the dog has passed all required health testing and clearances, she will enter our breeding program (around the age of 2).
After the final planned litter, the dog will be spayed at Golden Acres’ expense.

Breeding, Whelping & Puppy Raising
All breeding, whelping (delivery), puppy care, and weaning take place at Golden Acres.

Health Care Responsibilities

  • Golden Acres covers all breeding-related veterinary care and health testing.

  • The Guardian Family is responsible for all routine and non-breeding-related veterinary care.

Transfer of Ownership
When the breeding career is complete, ownership is officially transferred to the Guardian family, and the dog becomes their permanent companion.

Guardian Family Responsibilities

Daily Care
Providing a safe, loving home, high-quality nutrition(Life’s Abundance), appropriate daily exercise, and routine veterinary care.

Training
Basic obedience and household manners, including sit, stay, come, crate training, and appropriate behavior in the home.

Heat Cycle Monitoring (females only)
Carefully observing and promptly notifying Golden Acres when the dog enters a heat cycle.

Breeding Coordination
Coordinating with Golden Acres for scheduled breeding or related appointments, with ASAP notice.

Emergency Communication
Contacting Golden Acres immediately if the dog becomes ill, injured, or experiences any health concerns.

Benefits of the Guardian Home Program

  • A hand-selected, top-quality dog chosen by Golden Acres, to remain in our breeding program

  • Signficantly reduced adoption price

  • All breeding-related veterinary costs covered by Golden Acres, including health testing and reproductive care

  • Ongoing support and guidance throughout your dog’s time in the program

  • Permanent ownership of your dog once the breeding program is complete

  • If all goes as planned with breeding, the Guardian family may also have the opportunity to earn back some or even all of the puppy’s original purchase cost through participation in the program.

Important Location Requirement

Guardian families must live within 2–3 hours of Sauk Centre, MN to allow for timely and convenient coordination of breeding-related visits and care.

Why Choose Our Guardian Home Program?

  • Provide a loving, family home for one of our future breeding dogs

  • Help us maintain exceptional breeding standards without large kennel environments

  • Work directly with Golden Acres for guidance, health planning, and support

  • Welcome an outstanding dog into your home, at reduced purchase cost, simply by offering your time, care, and love

  • We believe this partnership is a beautiful gift to both families and dogs, and we are deeply grateful for the families who make this program possible.

How to Apply

If you are interested in becoming a Guardian family, please follow the steps below:

1. Complete the Application
Fill out our Guardian Home Application form.

2. Interview
We will review your application and schedule an interview via phone.

3. Agreement & Placement
If selected, you will sign a Guardian Home Agreement and welcome your new family member.

Current Guardian Home Openings

We are currently interviewing families interested in becoming a Guardian Home in 2026 for a Polly & Lili female puppy.

Get in touch