UPDATE: Loki is happily settled in his new home on Daniel Island, SC with his three (3) human siblings. If you would like to get notified of future Guardian Home opportunities, please review this earlier blog post and submit an application.

​Lord Reddy (aka "Loki") is a beautiful purebred red Poodle who won Best Puppy in Show in Europe before joining our breeding program. Loki's full adult weight is 13 lbs. and he is about 14 inches tall. He is 1.5 years old and is imported from Europe where his parents hold Championship titles. In Europe he was considered a Dwarf Poodle, but in the US he falls in the Miniature Poodle category. Loki is fully house trained and has an understanding of basic commands. He also walks beautifully on a leash and love to fetch his tennis ball. Loki is registered with the FCI (Federation Cynoloqique International) and is completing his AKC registry. Loki will serve as a stud in our program for Cavapoos. He will also be offered as a stud for local poodle litters.

Loki has been with us for about a month while he had all of his required health testing for breeding and acclimated to the US. We are now ready to find Loki  permanent placement in a Guardian Home where he can be someone's cherished pet. Because Loki has been in our family for a while, we have had the time to identify what type of family he would be suitable for. Here is Loki's wish list for the perfect family: 

• Loki needs to stay in the Charleston area. He will be an important part of our program so he will need to be close enough where we can get him for regular appointments.
• He loves other dogs but would prefer they be about his size (slightly smaller or larger is okay but he does not respond well to large dogs). He is not neutered so he can't join a home with females who have not been spayed. 
• He is indifferent to cats. 
• He really needs an active family - Loki loves to play. He loves to  chase his tennis ball and go on long walks. This is not the dog for someone looking for a couch companion (as a matter of fact, he's trained not to jump on the couch). 
• Like most poodles, Loki is very smart. He would be suitable for a family who has never trained a dog as he already has a good start, but must have a family interested in learning more advanced tricks with him. 
• Loki would love to join a family with kids or teens who might have an interest in agility training or junior show handling. We would be willing to provide some of the training. 

While Loki might be a small package, he is not a lap dog. He wants to play, run and engage much like a Labrador. He does not shed but does need regular (monthly) grooming appointments. Loki is up to date on all vaccinations. Guardian Home applicants must demonstrate the ability to cover regular veterinary costs (we cover all costs related to breeding), proper nutrition and grooming. 

If you are interested in becoming a Guardian Home for Loki, please make sure you have read our post on Guardian Homes and filled out the application. Please include "Loki" in your application. Any suitable applicants will be contacted by phone and/or email for a follow-up interview. 

Consumers have become increasingly aware that the best puppies come from reputable breeders whose dogs are part of the family. Most people are not morally comfortable purchasing a dog from a puppy mill or puppy store, not only because the puppy is not properly socialized before purchase, but also because of the deplorable breedings and health conditions in which the parents are forced to live. Similarly, the idea of dogs left alone in large kennels has become unattractive. This leaves reputable breeders in a predicament as to how to make sure their animals have the best possible lives while also maintaining diversity and high standards for their breeding program. One solution many breeders rely on is the use of Guardian Homes.

Simply put, a Guardian Home is the placement of a male or female dog that will be used to breed in the home of someone other than the breeder. This helps the breeder accomplish several goals:

• Each dog gets the individual love and attention they deserve.
• Dogs are not required to live in kennels and are properly socialized and well loved family pets.
• Dogs that don't pass health testing or are no longer breeding don't have to be moved to a new home.
• Breeders can diversify their breeding lines by allowing more dogs to stay in their program.
• Breeders don't have accidental litters by having males and females in their own home.

For Guardian Families, this is a great way to enjoy a pick of the litter puppy without the price. These programs often offer retirees, those who can't afford the purebred dog of their dreams or families who just love puppies a chance to experience the joys of breeding without all of the costs, liabilities and hassles of puppy sales. Think you might make a good Guardian Home? Here are some requirements most reputable breeders will have:

• You will be required to pay the everyday costs of dog ownership such as routine vet visits and proper nutrition.
• Previous dog experience and the willingness to train in basic commands.
• Willingness and desire to help socialize puppies.
• Any other dogs of the opposite sex in the home must be spayed/neutered.
• Willingness to drop your dog off for days or weeks at a time to be bred or when it's time to whelp puppies.
• Willingness to allow the breeder to visit your home on occasion to check on the dog's wellbeing.
• A basic understanding of the responsibilities of owning a dog who is intact.
• Live within a certain radius of the breeders home (usually 1 hour or less).

Another reminder, if you are in love with hybrids then a Guardian Home program will likely not be an option. Many people forget that to breed F1 hybrids the breeder owns the purebred parents and sells the hybrids. For example, as much as we LOVE LOVE LOVE our Cavachons we don't keep them in our breeding program - only purebred Cavaliers and purebred Bichons are used in our program and therefore those are the types of dogs placed in Guardian Homes.

We hope this post has explained more about the opportunity to serve as a Guardian Home. If you have an interest in learning more about our Charleston based Guardian Home program, please complete the online application.