Live within a few hours of the Dallas-Fort Worth Texas area? Love dogs and have experience in their care? Want a high-quality, beautiful pomsky for free? You may be the right fit for one of our Guardian Homes!
Since we want all of our dogs to have wonderful lives, sometimes it’s in their best interest to have them in a Guardian Home. So what is a Guardian Home? When we have a puppy/dog that would do best in another family-type situation instead of kept with the other breeding dogs in our program, we find a family who would love a new puppy/dog in their family. We would pick out and pay for the pup (or provide one from our litter) and provide it to the Guardian Family (GF) for free. In exchange, the GF will care for the animal as a family member, provide all its needs, keep it protected and safe. The GF would also understand that the pup is intended for our breeding program, so would have rules in place and also would need to be willing for us to use the pup as needed for our program. While in our program, the ownership of the pup is still ours. Once the pup is retired from the program, ownership will be fully transferred to the GF.
In this situation, we work with the GF so that it’s a mutually beneficial situation. Here are several details to note when considering if you’d be a good fit for a GF:
- Pomskies are expected to live about 11-15 years, so GF must recognize this is a long-term commitment to the pup
- Must love dogs and have experience with them
- Must have fully fenced yard that is safe and secure for dog to be outside, and not left alone outside for long amounts of time without supervision. Dogs can squeeze under fences and do tend to dig, so must make sure that does not happen. Fence must be high enough, full, no gaps or chain link big enough for dogs to get out. Also no chain fences that a dog can climb or a dog’s collar may get stuck on
- If you have a pool, must watch closely and help ensure pup would be safe swimming. If it is not fenced in, must not have dog in yard unsupervised at any time
- Dog is to be an indoor dog
- GF will give adequate attention and exercise to pup
- Must not have any other intact dogs (male or female)
- Must not allow our dog near any other intact dogs – whether a visiting friend or at the dog park
- GF will provide the dog with quality food (what type must be agreed upon between the GF and the breeder)
- GF will provide the dog with all vaccines, rabies shots, heartworm/flea/tick medicine, regular check-ups.
- Vet to be agreed upon between GF and Breeder
- All medical care/needs are to be paid for by the GF with the exception of items that are solely for the program, such as genetic testing or if females need an extra vitamin for pregnancy – those will be paid for by the breeder
- GF agrees to bring the dog to us (or arrange us to get pup, if agreed upon) for any testing, breeding, whelping, etc. as needed for the breeding program
- GF agrees not to leave dog with anyone not approved by Breeder, and only with those strongly trusted and with experience
- We know accidents can happen, as is life, but if harm comes to the pup that results in him/her not being able to be in the breeding program anymore due to negligence of the GF or someone the GF let around the dog, then the GF will reimburse the breeder the cost of the pup. For example, if the GF leaves the pup in a hot car, or if they let the pup walk outside the home/fenced yard without a leash and it gets lost. If it is something not due to negligence of the GF, then no reimbursement is expected. Note: these pups typically cost us between $5k-$7k as we pick the very best we can.
- Our females typically retire between age 4-6, and our males about 6-7 years old on average. Then the GF will pay to have them spayed/neutered and ownership is given fully to the GF.
- Males typically start breeding after they reach 8 months of age, the females are ready for breeding after1 year old or their 2nd cycle.
- GF will make sure the pup is well socialized (with people and other dogs), and obedience training is done – such as potty-trained, sit, stay, no major jumping up on others, drop it, etc.
- GF needs to regularly share updates and photos with the breeder, who has rights to share the photos as they choose for their program.
- Any medications, surgeries, or other things that may come up must be approved by the breeder.
- Must keep dog in home/fenced yard or on a leash at all times
- If taking pup in a vehicle, proper harness buckle is to be used for the pup
- Since these dogs are smaller, strong and constant supervision is required if around small children
- Please note that pomskies are a mix of husky and pomeranian – meaning their coat is not meant to be cut/shaved. They will shed, with a heavy shed about twice a year. Brushing is great, but shaving or cutting their hair too much will actually be harmful to the dog as it exposes more of their skin, and the hair may not grow back normal afterwards. We can help you know how/when any hair grooming beyond brushing is needed, and how to handle that.
- For a male dog, you must be willing to drop him off for 3-5 days for breedings unless arrangements are made ahead of time for us to pick him up, if agreed upon.
- For a female dog, you must be willing to drop her off for 7-14 days for breedings unless arrangements are made ahead of time for us to pick him up, if agreed upon. They will also come to us about a week or so before their due date, and stay until whelping is complete which is roughly 4-6 weeks from when the puppies are born.
- If the GF needs to travel, the breeder will help find a trusted place for the dog to be boarded while they’re away, or the breeder may be able to have the dog while the GF is away.
- Must contact the breeder immediately in the event of a serious illness or accident
While in our program, the dog is still owned by the breeder and can be taken back if the agreement is not followed, especially if the breeder feels the dog isn’t being well cared for. We will always be available for questions, helping you to learn more of the pomsky breed and dog care/training in general. This is definitely a team effort, with everyone striving for what is best for the families and dogs.
If you’re interested in applying to be one of our Guardian Homes, please read the above details carefully to ensure you can meet all the requirements and expectations. If you strongly believe you can, email us at info@playfulpomskies.com with the subject ‘Guardian Home’ and include the following:
- Why you want to be a Guardian Home
- About your family
- About any other pets
- Who will be around the dog regularly
- How you will regulate who (people and other animals) are around the dog
- What your home and yard is like
- Your experience with dogs/pets
- Do you have a vet already in mind
- Do you work from home, or is someone home at least a big part of the day to ensure the pup is properly cared for
- Any other details or information that may help us in our selection of a Guardian Home
