Here at Melrose Mountain Farm, we are always looking for wonderful, loving homes for our breeding parent dogs. To ensure that we are providing the best possible home life while growing and producing the best possible puppies, we like to limit the amount of dogs living in our home. We are now offering a guardian program where qualified families that are selected from applications will receive a FREE puppy/dog while we retain the breeding rights for the contracted time period. 

​

Guardian families are expected to properly care for their puppy/dog financially and physically. We will cover all costs associated with breeding and care for/own all litters provided by him/her in our breeding program. Guardian dogs will remain your forever companion, but will come to us each year per contracted time frame to sire/whelp their litters. Basically, you (the guardian) will be able to add an adorable, sweet dog to your family at no cost, and we get to add the pet to our breeding program!

​

GUARDIAN QUALIFICATIONS:

-Must be able to provide a puppy/dog with proper nutrition at all times including food of our chosen food brand and supplements 

-Must provide sufficient exercise each day (fenced in yard and/or plan of providing exercise)

-Have previous experience owning a dog or have adequate knowledge on caring for a dog

-Properly train and socialize the pet with other animals and children

-Keep up with grooming (both professionally and at home) including regular brushing and bathing per breeders style request

-Must live within 75 miles from Tryon, NC 28782

-Must take pet to regular Veterinarian appointments, aside from health testing and breeding related visits (specified in contract)

-All other dogs in home MUST be fixed if they are the opposite sex

​

OWNING A FEMALE GUARDIAN:

Once your female dog is of age, has passed all of her health testing, and is ready to breed (typically on second heat cycle and not before the age of 1), we will have your dog come stay at our home for a few days during the breeding process and later for the duration of whelping her litter. Guardian families must be able to detect a heat cycle and keep females away from intact male dogs during this time. After your dog has been bred, she will return to your home. You will care for her during her pregnancy with routine and adequate care (any extra medical care due to pregnancy will be provided by Melrose Mountain Farm per contract). She will then come back to us a week  before she is due to whelp her litter. Once her puppies have reached the proper age to wean (6-8 weeks), your pet will be returned to you. Guardian families are welcome to come visit their pet during this time. Females retire around the age of 4-6 (after having 4 litters). After retirement, female dog will be spayed (at Melrose Mountain Farm's expense) and continue to live the remainder of her life with her forever guardian family. 

​

OWNING A MALE GUARDIAN:

Once your male dog is of age, has passed all of his health testing and is ready to breed (matured, typically around the age of 1) male dogs will spend a few days with us at a time when needed during breeding, typically a few times a year. Guardian families must keep male dogs away from all intact females that are in heat while in their care. Male dogs will retire at the age of 5-6. After retirement the male pet will be neutered (at Melrose Mountain Farm's expense) and continue to live the remainder of his live with his forever guardian family. 

​

If interested, please fill out form below.