Guardian Program
Raise One of My Gorgeous Groodles, From the Comfort of Home
Leanne's Groodles offers a Guardian Program for families in Melbourne, South East Melbourne and across Victoria, providing selected breeding dogs with loving forever homes while supporting my ethical Groodle breeding program.
What Is It?
A Loving Home for One of My Future Breeding Dogs
I carefully select one of my exceptional puppies, often the pick of the litter, to join my breeding program. Every Guardian Groodle puppy has been selected from parents that have undergone comprehensive genetic DNA testing, hip and elbow scoring, temperament assessment, and evaluation of sound structure. That groodle is placed with a loving local guardian family, where they're raised as a cherished member of the household and enjoy a permanent, family-focused lifestyle. I believe this is the most ethical approach to responsible breeding, it lets my breeding dogs grow up in a dedicated forever home while remaining part of a carefully managed breeding program.
Your guardian groodle lives full-time with your family and only returns to me temporarily for breeding, whelping and raising a litter, you're always welcome to visit during these stays. After completing a planned number of litters (typically three to four), your dog is desexed and full ownership transfers to you at no additional cost.
Register Your Interest
The Process
How the Guardian Program Works
01
Apply & Chat
Send through an enquiry and I will have a relaxed chat about your home, lifestyle, and what to expect.
02
Meet & Match
I will introduce you to a puppy or young dog I feel would be a wonderful match for your family.
03
Welcome Them Home
Your guardian groodle moves in and becomes a much-loved member of your family, just like any other pet.
04
Forever Yours
After their breeding role is complete, they're desexed and ownership transfers fully to you, for keeps.
Working Together
What's Involved, for You and Me
I Take Care Of
- All reproductive veterinary care & health testing
- All costs & care relating to whelping litters, including extra nutrition during pregnancy and motherhood
- Welcome visits with your dog during breeding stays
- Ongoing guidance, advice & support
- Transferring full ownership to you, at no extra cost
You Provide
- A loving, secure home and family environment
- Regular exercise, general dog obedience & everyday care
- Bringing your guardian groodle to me for breeding visits
- Keeping me updated with photos & check-ins
- A whole lot of love (that's the easy part!)
Common Questions
Guardian Program FAQs
A small upfront fee applies when joining the Guardian Program. I cover all reproductive vet care and breeding related expenses for the life of the program, and that upfront fee is fully refunded once your dog retires from breeding.
It varies by dog, but breeding typically starts around 18 months to 2 years old, and dogs are desexed and retired by 5 years old at the latest, usually after three to four litters. Once their role is complete, your dog is desexed and ownership transfers to you completely, and your dog continues living in your forever home.
I plan all breeding timing carefully around your dog's health and my overall breeding program, and will always keep you fully in the loop. I am more than happy to talk through timing and what to expect at every stage.
Mum and pups stay at Leanne's Groodles for whelping and the first weeks of the puppies' lives, where I can keep a close eye on their health and development. Your Guardian Groodle returns home once the puppies are fully weaned, settled, and thriving.
A Guardian Home is a permanent, loving home for one of my future breeding dogs. Instead of keeping all of my breeding dogs at home, I place them with carefully selected local families where they can enjoy life as much loved pets. Guardian Dogs live with their families full time and only return to me for health testing, breeding, and, for female dogs, whelping and raising their puppies.
Ideally, Guardian Families live within about an hour of Berwick, Victoria, as this makes health testing, breeding visits, and other planned appointments easier. Families who live further away are still welcome to apply, provided they are happy to transport their Guardian Dog to and from Berwick whenever required. If you're unsure whether your location is suitable, feel free to get in touch and have a chat with me.
Absolutely. Your Guardian Dog lives with you as a normal family pet and is part of your everyday life. During their breeding career, they only return to me for planned health testing, breeding, and, for female dogs, whelping and raising their puppies. Outside of those times, they're home with you.
If you have a secure, loving home, are happy to be part of my extended Groodle family, and would love the experience of raising a dog without the full upfront cost, it could be a wonderful fit. Get in touch and I'll happily chat about whether the Guardian Program suits your lifestyle.
Interested in Becoming a Guardian Family?
Have a Friendly Chat About Whether It's Right for You
There's no pressure and no silly questions, just send through an enquiry and mention the Guardian Program, and I will take it from there.