Become a Guardian

Becoming a guardian with Columbia Basin English Cream Golden Retrievers

At CBEC Golden Retrievers, we believe every dog should be raised in a loving home and being a Guardian Family is an excellent way to welcome a beautiful English Cream Golden Retriever into your forever family! Since we do not kennel dogs, to continue our breeding program we rely on trustworthy, caring individuals who are selected to participate in our Guardian Program. This ensures that all of our future breeding dogs will be raised as a family member in a loving home environment.

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The majority of our Guardian Homes acquire their puppies at 8 weeks of age; however sometimes we have an older female or male available.  The adoption fee is waived. Your puppy will be the first or second “pick of the litter” and in exchange we retain breeding rights for the life of the Guardian Contract, which is on average 4 breedings. The guardian is responsible for safe transportation to and from each breeding and whelping. 

For the birth of each litter, females return to Columbia Basin English Cream Golden Retrievers for 7 weeks. Guardian Families are welcome to come visit a few times while puppies are growing. For each litter, you will receive a financial gift from us in appreciation for allowing your female to participate in our Guardian Program.

Prospective Guardian Families fill out an application and are generally required to live within a 3 hour drive of Ephrata, Washington. As a Guardian Family, you will be responsible for the dog’s well being including: vet care, immunizations, socialization, proper diet, exercise... and most importantly, lots of love! Any costs related to health testing and breeding will be the responsibility of CBECGR. If the dog does not pass her health clearances, she will be spayed at the Guardian’s expense and retired from our breeding program. After the dog is finished with their breeding career, she will be spayed and she will continue living out the rest of her life with her Guardian Family.

Below are the guidelines for becoming a guardian:

• Guardians must have previous dog experience.

• Guardians must own and live in a home with a fully fenced yard.

• Guardians must keep the dog on a leash or in a fenced area, especially during heat cycles!

• Guardians must be willing to train the dog the very basic obedience commands (off, down, sit, back, leave it, crate), and preferably more.

• Guardians must ensure the puppy is socialized to adults, children and other animals – this is very important.

• Guardians must provide appropriate veterinary or emergency care when needed.

• Guardians must feed the dog a diet specified by the breeder.

• Guardians must be able and willing to identify and notify us immediately when a female begins her heat cycle.

• Guardians must not allow a female in heat near intact males.

• Guardians must live within a reasonable driving distance from Moses Lake, WA, and be willing to drive to our area.

• Guardians must communicate, cooperate and coordinate with the breeder regarding testing, mating, whelping, and other breeding related activities.

If becoming a guardian home sounds like something you and your family want to get involved in, please contact us!