The Guardian Home Program

In order to give our breeding dogs the best life possible, full of love and individual attention, we believe it’s important to limit how many adult dogs reside in our home full-time. We also know that in order to breed the highest quality dogs, we need to regularly add high-quality, diverse bloodlines to our breeding program. How is this possible? For Harris Havanese and for many quality in-home breeders like us, the answer is a Guardian Home Program.

Our Guardian Home Program allows us to expand our breeding program the right way, keeping our dogs out of kennels and in homes where they live as cherished family members. A Havanese needs to be a part of the family to develop its full potential, and this is why we have the Guardian Home Program. We want the best for our dogs and they deserve forever families to love and spoil them. Essentially guardian dogs are our dogs to breed and yours to love. This is a very unique program that allows our breeding dogs to live as loved family members with select local families while participating in our breeding program. We can’t thank our guardian families enough for the important role they play in the future of the Havanese.

We have found that people tend to value things more when there is an investment involved. We do take a deposit when placing a puppy in a Guardian Home. This helps ensure that the family follows our care and safety protocols so that there isn’t an illness or injury that would prevent us from breeding the dog.

After each successful litter of three or more pups, 1/3 of the deposit is returned to the guardian home. At the completion of the female’s fourth and final litter, the guardian family is gifted with a cash bonus as a thank you for their dedication to the program.  Essentially guardian families receive a “pick of the litter” puppy for free and even receive a financial bonus after the fourth litter.

We view our Guardian Home Program as a true "win-win" situation. Our guardian families receive a "pick of the litter" quality puppy for free and even receive a financial bonus after the fourth litter. Our breeding dogs have the benefit of being cherished family members throughout their lives.

• The most important aspect of being a guardian home is to provide love, care, and attention to the guardian puppy. You are his/her family and forever home and will accept the financial responsibilities for routine maintenance and medical care just as you would for any other pet you may own. This means regular veterinary care for vaccines, deworming, accidents/injuries/illnesses, grooming, flea/tick prevention, regular exercise, and training. 

• Guardian families must own their own home with a fully fenced yard and are subject to a home visit prior to placement.

• Guardian families are required to feed the same food that we feed at Harris Havanese. We are committed to feeding foods that will not cause health issues such as cancers, autoimmune issues, allergies, etc. This ensures not only good health during the breeding years, but far beyond. We want all Harris Havanese dogs to live long, happy lives.

• Harris Havanese requires the guardian family to avoid harmful household chemicals and refrain from giving the dog supplements or medications unless approved by Harris Havanese.  This includes flea, tick and heartworm preventions as well as all other medications. We use Seresto for flea prevention.

• If the guardian dog becomes sick or injured while under the care of the guardian family, they must notify Harris Havanese immediately so we are involved in all decisions regarding the care and treatment of the ill or injured dog.

• Guardian families must practice the safe care and handling of their dog, some examples of safe handling practices include, but are not limited to: -Never leaving unattended dog outside -Always keeping the dog on a leash if not in a fenced area -Never allowing the dog to jump down from a high surface. -Providing basic obedience training so the dog is well behaved and confident. 

• Guardian families must reside in Southern California and be willing to transport dog to and from Harris Havanese for reproduction related health testing, breeding, and whelping puppies. The Guardian Family is responsible for the transportation of the dog to us when needed for breeding, whelping, and health testing. Please think through this carefully as this is the most inconvenient part of the guardian's responsibilities.  We are not able to meet guardian families or pick up dogs ourselves. Transportation is the guardian's responsibility and one of the primary ways that they earn their dog through the program.

• All breeding related medical costs and health testing will be the sole responsibility of Harris Havanese. All of our dogs are fully tested before beginning our breeding program.  If it is determined that, for any reason, one of our dogs is unsuitable for breeding, Harris Havanese will pay to have the dog spayed/neutered. The guardian contract will be complete, and full ownership will be signed over to the guardian family.

• Guardian homes must never have an "in-tact" male on the premises for the duration of the contract.

• The guardian family of a female will need to learn to spot the signs of a heat cycle and be willing to communicate, cooperate and coordinate with us to ensure successful breeding. When the female comes into her first heat cycle, Harris Havanese must be notified immediately. She will be in heat for approximately 3 weeks and will need constant supervision so that intact males do not breed with her. It is imperative she is closely watched or secured within an approved dog crate.

The health and well-being of our dogs is our first priority. We typically contract four litters for females. The total number of litters a single female will have will remain the discretion of Harris Havanese until the contract is complete and is based on the reproductive fitness of each individual breeding female. If it is observed that the female experiences whelping complications or determined that future litters would be detrimental to her health, we will end the breeding program and the guardian contract will be complete. Once we decide to retire the dog, the dog will be spayed/neutered at the sole expense of Harris Havanese. Full ownership will then be signed over to the guardian family.

Keep in mind three litters repay the initial deposit and subsequent litters result in a cash bonus.

Pregnancy is actually fairly carefree for guardian families. Once the “magic happens”, the dog returns to her guardian family for her pregnancy. She will go home with “Pregnant Momma Notes” so you will know what to expect. Your pregnant mom may act a bit tired and not eat normally for a few weeks. The final few weeks of pregnancy her appetite will increase and she’ll need extra rest. Otherwise, she will enjoy normal activities. It is important to continue walking her right up to her due date. Consistent daily exercise will help her have a safe and comfortable delivery. Normal play, romping and running are great for most of the pregnancy.  You will want to illuminate strenuous exercise, such as intense running or hiking during the final 3 weeks. It is important that no vaccines or other medications be given during pregnancy. Harris Havanese must be notified immediately of any illness or injury so we can be involved in determining the best treatment options.

As soon as the guardian family is aware the dog is in heat, they will plan to bring the dog to Harris Havanese between days 5-7 of her heat cycle. She will remain with us throughout her fertile phase, which will last approximately one week.. After mating has occurred, guardian families pick their dog up so she can enjoy her pregnancy in her forever home. 

Dogs are pregnant for approximately 63 days.

You will bring her to Harris Havanese about a week before her due date. This gives her time to settle into our home and get acquainted with the whelping box before the puppies arrive. She will return to your home once she chooses to wean her puppies.  This typically occurs between 7-9 weeks of age. We never remove our moms from their puppies.  We let our moms decide when they are done.

No. We are the guardian dog’s second family and she will enjoy being spoiled by us. Your pregnant mother will sleep in our bedroom before her puppies arrive. Our bedroom is also where the whelping box will remain for the first 3 weeks of the puppies’ lives. This way we can keep an eye on her pups and her 24/7.  She and her puppies will receive around-the-clock care to ensure that everyone is healthy and well cared for. Our mommas get lots of special food, treats, and attention while under our care. Many of our guardian dogs were born in our home and are very happy and comfortable here.

Surprisingly not.  By the time the momma weans her pups, she is ready to return to her forever family and once again be the center of attention.  Her pups will have our experienced Harris Havanese moms with them throughout their time with us to continue to mentor them to be happy, well-adjusted and well-trained youngsters getting ready to join their forever homes.

While the dog is in the guardian's care and home, any care needed to treat an illness or injury not related to breeding is the guardian’s financial responsibility. Harris Havanese must be included in treatment plans and medication decisions, but the guardian family is solely responsible for all expenses unrelated to breeding. Guardian families are required to carry pet insurance during the breeding years/contract period. This insurance is for your financial protection and is typically quite affordable during these young, healthy years. If a guardian dog is no longer able to participate in the breeding program due to injury or death resulting from the negligence of a guardian family, the guardian family will reimburse Harris Havanese $8800 to cover the reproductive testing and/or medical expenses and pay the full market puppy price.

We ask that guardian families keep their dog in a breed-appropriate cut or well-groomed long coat. Guardian dogs must be kept freshly groomed and matt free. If guardian families are unable to keep their dog’s coat in good condition, they are required to use a professional groomer to do so. If a dog is brought to us with a matted coat or a coat that is otherwise in bad condition, Harris Havanese reserves the right to have the guardian dog professionally groomed and shaved if necessary, at the expense of the guardian family. Guardian families must reimburse grooming costs before the dog will be returned to them. Guardian dogs are the best of the best and serve as ambassadors for our program. It is important that they are kept in pristine condition.

We need our boys close. If you live in the Los Angeles area, preferably the south bay, and would like to be considered for a male guardian puppy, please send us an email. Keep in mind that the travel is a bit more intense with a male. The most successful mating require 3 ties over 5 days, so the guardian male will need to be brought to Harris Havanese on days 1, 3 & 5. While we do our best to schedule the male’s service, there is a great deal of variability. Sometimes it takes weeks into a heat cycle for a female to ovulate, other times it happens in a matter of days and catches us all off guard.  Our guardian males need to be flexible with their scheduling.

Please reach out to harrishavanese@gmail.com to let us know you are interested in our Guardian Home Program so we can set up a time to conduct a phone interview. We will discuss your home and lifestyle to determine if the program will be a good fit.  If so, we will let you know what puppies we expect to have coming into our program.