guardian home program

In order to give our breeding dogs the very best life possible, it is important to limit how many dogs we personally keep at our home. But in order to breed the highest quality dogs possible, we need to continuously evaluate and add quality blood-lines to our breeding program. So, how is this possible?  For us, and many breeders like us, the answer is a Guardian Home Program. Our Guardian Home Program allows us to expand our dog breeding program by keeping our breeding dogs out of a kennels environment and in a loving Guardian Home, where each dog is a cherished family members to live out their lives. 

In order to be considered as a Guardian Home, you must live within 90 minutes of Whitwell, TN and be flexible to drop off and pick up the dog for health testing, vet visits, breeding, and whelping puppies.


As a Guardian Home, you get a high quality, pick of the litter pup free of charge and you become that puppy’s forever home. RockADal retains breeding rights of the dog. For females, this starts at sexual maturity & ends once the female has whelped (given birth) to 4 litters. Male dogs contracts tend to be longer and they are bred on an “as needed” basis.

While the dog is in our breeding program, RockADal pays for all routine vet expenses, breeding-related expenses, and health testing expenses.  Guardian Homes are responsible for all typical “pet” expenses. Refer to the bullet list below.)

Once dog is sexually mature RockADal decides when each dog will be bred & to whom. Females stay with their Guardian Family during pregnancy  (gestation is 63 days) and then she is returned to us one week before her due date to deliver (whelp) and raise her puppies. Once the puppies are weaned, the female can be picked up by her Guardian Family and meet her puppies! When the dog has completed his/her breeding obligations, we pay for the spay/neuter and release ownership of the dog to you so that he/she can return home to enjoy the wonderful life that you have provided for him/her since puppyhood.

There are many things that Guardian Families need to consider. Guardians of females have to deal with several heat cycles and keeping their girl protected from unwanted males. Guardians of females will also have to be comfortable being away from their dog for an extended period of time (about 2 months each litter). The Guardian Family will need to learn the signs of a heat cycle and be willing to communicate, cooperate and coordinate with us to ensure a successful breeding. Male dogs can only mate with approved females, so the Guardian Home is responsible for keeping the male away from intact female dogs. Guardians of intact males will need to consider the importance of keeping him properly contained to prevent unwanted litters.

We view our Guardian Home Program as a true “win-win” situation. Our Guardian Families receive a pick of the litter quality puppy chosen by us for free of charge in return for working with RockADal during the breeding years of the dog, and we have the satisfaction of knowing that our breeding dogs are living life as cherished family members.

TO QUALIFY FOR OUR GUARDIAN HOME PROGRAM, YOU MUST:

    • Live within 90 minutes of Whitwell, TN and be flexible for dropping off and picking up the dog for vet visits, breeding, and whelping.
    • Keep the dog safe and contained at all times (fenced in backyard/leashed on walks).
    • Take the dog to a vet we approve of for vet care. RockADal pays for health testing, routine vet care, and breeding-related expenses while the dog is in our program. The guardian is in charge of a, pet-related (food, flea/tick/training/etc),  just like you would with any typical pet dog.
    • Provide basic training that is standard for dog ownership (house, leash, and crate training, and basic obedience puppy training + socialization).
    • Feed our recommended diet as many foods are not quality food to support reproductive health. 
    • No plans of relocating within the next 5 years.
    • Understand that we are waiving the purchase price of the dog in exchange for a service- you must be willing to communicate, cooperate and coordinate with us during their time in our program, and be dedicated to providing a safe, loving home for the lifetime of the dog.
*If you are interested in becoming a guardian home for RockADal and meet all of the above qualifications, please fill out an application and state you are a Guardian Home Applicant.*