Become a Breeder Caretaker
Freedom’s Breed dogs have one of the most important jobs within our organization and that is to produce healthy, well tempered, intelligent puppies that will make exceptional guide dogs one day. Without our Breed Dogs, we would not be able to fulfil our mission and provide Freedom to blind and visually impaired individuals.
Freedom’s breeding colony consists of approximately 20 Dams and Sires who were carefully selected by the Breeding Department. These dogs were chosen at a young age and monitored closely to ensure that they have been healthy along the way and also have shown exceptional intelligence and obedience skills to pass off to their offspring. At 2 years of age the dogs selected to become breeders will have medical clearances performed to ensure they would make a great asset to our Breeding Colony.
When Freedom Guide Dog’s needs a new and upcoming Breeder a puppy is carefully selected and placed on “breeder hold” before the puppy reaches 8 weeks of age. This puppy will then be placed with a Puppy Raiser and raised as if the puppy is on track to become a successful working Guide Dog. The Puppy Raiser is asked to follow all rules that a Guide Dog Puppy in training needs to follow.
The biggest difference with raising a puppy on breeder hold compared to a puppy who will be coming into our training program is that the pup will NOT get fixed at 6 months of age, like all the rest of our puppies in our program.
At 2 years of age instead of the puppy being called in for training they will have medical tests run that will clear them as a breed dog.
If the raiser lives somewhat local to Freedom, the puppy raiser does have the option to become the Breeder Caretaker for the puppy.
Requirements of a Breeder Caretaker
- Be able to provide the dog with a calm, safe and loving home
- Help ensure the dog maintains a healthy weight
- Any other dogs in the home must be spayed/neutered
- Have a fenced in yard, dog run or be able to keep your dog on a leash and supervised when outside.
- If you are caring for a dam you will need to notify the Breeding Manager when the dog comes into heat. (Typically every 6 months, twice per year)
- Be able to drop the dog off to Freedom if we are unable to meet you, when the dog is needed for breeding. (Depending on certain circumstances you may only have a 10 day time-frame as to when the dog will need to be here by)
Freedom Guide Dogs will continue to pay for any authorized medical expense that may come up along with all routine vaccinations and yearly Heartworm Tests.
Freedom will also provide you monthly Flea & Tick and Heartworm Prevention that is safe to use in breed dogs.
When it comes time for the dog to retire, Freedom will also pay for the Spay/Neuter for the dog at that time.
Once the dog officially becomes retired, you and your family, as the dog’s Breeder Caretakers have the option to adopt the dog at that point.
There are times that Freedom Guide Dogs will need to find Caretakers for cleared breed dogs once they are 2 years of age due to the puppy not being raised local. If you are interested in becoming a Breeder Caretaker whether from the time they are a young puppy or once they are raised and two years of age, Please fill out the application below.
If you have any questions regarding our Breeding Program, Please email Ashleigh@freedomguidedogs.org or call our office today. (315) 822-5132
Visit Us
1210 Hardscrabble Rd.
Cassville, NY 13318
Tel: 315-822-5132
info@freedomguidedogs.org
WORKING HOURS
Monday – Friday
7:00 am – 3:30 pm
Saturday – Sunday – Closed
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