Guardianship Program

Guardianship Program

What is Guardianship?

From time to time we look for a responsible family who can provide a loving home for a puppy that we select to become one of our breeding dogs. These wonderful families welcome a top quality Misty Mountain Australian Labradoodle to become a much loved family pet - and we can relax knowing that our breeding girls (and boys) are being loved and cared for every day. It's a win-win!


How does Misty Mountain Guardianship work?

From most litters, we choose a puppy  to become a Misty Mountain breeding dog. Whilst most of our breeding dogs are females, we do on occasional keep males for our breeding program.  As a guardian, you  receive our chosen puppy to become your family pet - and we retain  legal ownership of the dog (and in particular the breeding rights) for up to five years. This usually (for a girl) means a couple of litters, potentially (but rarely) up to 3 litters. The health and wellbeing of our breeding dogs is paramount and they get the very best of care from us and their guardian family and at the end of the 5 year contract (and sometimes well before) we desex the dog and transfer ownership to you.


What does Misty Mountain Guardianship cost?


We ask for a $500 non-refundable deposit which will secure you a place on the guardianship program. Before collection of the puppy, we ask for a further $500 holding fee. If for some reason the dog is returned to us, we will refund the $500 to you (unless grooming or training fees are required). If you keep the dog for the duration of the guardianship program, the $500 becomes the cost of the dog.


When the dog is around 6 months old, we will require him/her to go to a vet for health testing. If the dog does not pass these health tests, then we do not breed and he/she is desexed,  becomes the guardian family’s dog and the contract comes to an end. If she passes all of her health tests, then at the right time for the dog and ourselves, we will start the breeding process. 

How long will the dog be away from us?


At approximately 6 months of age the dog will be tested (at our expense). This is pain free and done at the vet. We can use various vets around the Gold Coast and Brisbane. It is also at this time that we will require the dog for about 2 hours so that we can take photos for our website BEFORE you have the dog groomed. We can arrange this closer to the time.


If you have a female, the dog will come into season at some point. Each dog has a different cycle length, usually between 6-12 months. We do not breed any females under the age of 12 months.  When we are ready to breed, we will ask you to take the dog to one of our preferred vets to have a simple and quick blood test to monitor progesterone levels. This may happen two or three times and gives us a very accurate way to time the breeding.  The breeding then happens with another vet visit to one of the specialist reproductive vets that we work with in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast. Again, this is usually a simple appointment at a time that works best for the dog.


Once a dog is pregnant, she stays with you in your home for most of the 63 day gestation period. We provide you with specific food and give you advice per her care, but generally she will be fit and active for most of that time, only slowing down a bit in the last week or two. 8-10 days before due date she will  come to stay with us to birth the puppies and until they are weaned at around 5 weeks of age. You are welcome to come visit her and of course see the puppies. 


If you have a male guardian dog, then he is required on an 'on need' basis. We will try to give you as much notice as possible.  A male dog may be used by us or at times by another breeder with our  permission. All enquiries for male studs must be managed through us and generally we only require a male a few times each year, usually this is just you delivering the dog to chosen vet for a very quick appointment.


Guardian Responsibilities:


  • Feeding the dog (a premium dog food suggested by the breeder)
  • Regularly worming and providing flea and tick prevention (suggested by the breeder)
  • Regularly brushing of the dog and 2-3 times per year having the dog clipped. (we do ask that the dog not be clipped by you or anyone in the first 6 months as this is when we need to take photos of its full coat)
  • Exercising the dog regularly
  • Making sure that it is in a secure, fenced area when she comes on heat. Somewhere, where no male dog can get at her or where she can’t get out and roam.
  • Participating in puppy school at your local vet and after that one on one sessions with a trainer or our choosing.  Formal training is most important and a non negotiable! We will pay for two training sessions with our trainer. The first session being a "puppy start up lesson" (if needed) and one when the puppy is 6 months old. The guardian is responsible for paying for two training sessions, one at 10-12 weeks of age and another at 16 weeks of age, or more if required.
  • Socialising the dog within the first 12 months of its life giving it lots of safe but new experiences.
  • Providing adequate care and love and attention
  • Any vet bills that are not associated with breeding or whelping.
  • Getting the dog to us and to selected vets when required. We work with some of Australia's leading reproductive vet specialists  in Brisbane and the Gold Coast
  • If the dog has not been brushed and arrives here with lots of mats or arrive with fleas and we need to get in a groomer, you would need to pay for the grooming costs.


We are responsible for:


  • Paying for all expenses associated with breeding and whelping
  • The cost of desexing at the end of breeding life.
  • All puppies and costs associated with them.
  • Feeding, worming and tick and flea protection whilst the dog is with us.



Next Steps


We do like to meet our guardian families at some point, so if you are interested, please complete the Guardianship Application Form below and we will be in contact with you. We do welcome guardian families who live in Brisbane, Gold Coast and just across the border into northern NSW.


Ready to take the next step? Just complete our Guardianship form below and we'll be in touch asap!


Guardianship Enquiry Form
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