The Gemstone Bulldogges Guardian Home Program

What Is a Guardian Home?

At Gemstone Bulldogges, our Guardian Home Program allows exceptional dogs to live as cherished family members while still contributing to the future of our breeding program.

Rather than keeping multiple breeding dogs in a kennel environment, we believe they deserve couches, family vacations, bedtime snuggles, children to grow up with, and a home of their own.

Guardian homes help us preserve and improve the Olde English Bulldogge while ensuring each dog receives the individual love and attention they deserve.

Not every dog placed in a guardian home will ultimately be used in our breeding program. While we carefully select puppies with excellent health, structure, temperament, and pedigrees, we also recognize that every dog is an individual. As they mature, we evaluate not only their physical traits but also their confidence, personality, and overall desire to participate in our program.

Our commitment will always be to the well-being of the dog first.

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What We Look For In A Guardian Family

We are searching for families who:

View the dog as a lifelong family member

Have the time and commitment to provide training, socialization, and daily interaction

Maintain the dog's health, fitness, and proper nutrition

Communicate openly and honestly with us

Are willing to follow breeding-related guidelines

Appreciate being part of a team dedicated to preserving and improving the breed

Most importantly, we are looking for families who want to become part of the Gemstone Bulldogges family.

Many of our guardian families have become close friends. We celebrate milestones together, support one another, and work as a team to give these dogs the very best life possible.

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Ownership & Financial Responsibilities

Guardian Family Responsibilities

Guardian families provide:

• Daily care and companionship

• Food and routine veterinary care

• Training and socialization

• Exercise and enrichment

• Grooming and general maintenance

Gemstone Bulldogges Responsibilities

We cover:

• Genetic health testing

• PennHIP evaluations

• Breeding-related veterinary expenses

• Progesterone testing

• Artificial insemination or stud expenses

• Pregnancy-related care

• Whelping and puppy-related expenses

A detailed Guardian Home Agreement outlines all responsibilities, expectations, and timelines.

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Male Guardian Dogs

Breeding Eligibility

Males typically become eligible for our breeding program after:

• Completing all health testing

• Receiving passing PennHIP and genetic evaluations

• Demonstrating excellent temperament and structure

This usually occurs between 12–24 months of age.

Breeding Participation

When a breeding opportunity arises, the male may:

• Visit us for collection appointments

• Stay briefly with us when necessary

• Participate in natural breedings when appropriate

The guardian family must keep the male intact and prevent unauthorized breedings.

Retirement

Most males retire from our breeding program around 4–5 years of age.

Once retired:

• Ownership transfers fully to the guardian family

• Neutering may be completed if desired

• The dog remains exactly where he belongs—with the family who loves him

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Female Guardian Dogs

Breeding Eligibility

Females enter our breeding program only after:

• Passing health testing

• Completing PennHIP evaluations

• Receiving genetic testing clearance

• Reaching physical and emotional maturity

Most females are bred after at least two heat cycles and typically between 18–24 months of age.

Breeding & Pregnancy

During breeding:

• The female may stay with us briefly for breeding arrangements.

• She then returns home to her guardian family for most of her pregnancy.

As whelping approaches:

• She returns to Gemstone Bulldogges approximately 1–2 weeks before her due date.

• She remains with us for delivery, recovery, and early puppy raising.

Because our puppies stay with us until 12 weeks of age, our mothers receive extensive support during the most demanding stages of motherhood while puppies receive the socialization, training, and developmental experiences that are central to our program.

Retirement

Most females retire after producing up to three carefully planned litters.

Retirement decisions are based on:

• The individual dog

• Overall health

• Emotional well-being

• Recovery between litters

• What's best for the dog

After retirement:

• Ownership transfers fully to the guardian family

• Spaying is completed

• She continues living the life she already knows and loves

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Distance & Location

While many of our guardian families are located in South Dakota and surrounding states, we are often willing to work with families farther away.

Our current and past guardian homes have ranged from local families to families several states away.

If you feel like you would be a great fit but are concerned about distance, please reach out.

We've learned that when the right family and the right dog come together, teamwork makes the dream work.

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A Privilege, Not Just A Program

Being selected as a Gemstone Bulldogges Guardian Home is truly a privilege.

We are incredibly intentional about the dogs we place and the families we choose. Not every dog enters our Guardian Program, and not every family is the right fit. The success of the program depends on trust, communication, shared values, and a genuine love for the breed.

When a family joins our Guardian Program, they aren't simply receiving a puppy.

They're becoming part of something much bigger.

They're becoming part of a legacy.

Together, we are helping preserve, protect, and improve the Olde English Bulldogge for future generations. Every health test completed, every training milestone achieved, every carefully planned breeding, and every puppy raised with purpose contributes to that mission.

The process is truly beautiful to watch unfold.

Many of our guardian families begin as applicants and quickly become lifelong friends. We celebrate accomplishments together, support one another through challenges, and share in the joy of watching these incredible dogs grow and thrive.

For the right families, being part of the Guardian Program is an experience unlike any other—one built on trust, teamwork, and a shared commitment to pursuing excellence in the breed we all love.

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Why We Love Guardian Homes

The Guardian Home Program allows us to maintain a small, intentional breeding program focused on:

Health

Temperament

Structure

Longevity

Family Companionship

Most importantly, it allows our dogs to spend their lives exactly where they belong—being loved by their own families.

At Gemstone Bulldogges, we aren't simply raising dogs.

We're building relationships.

We're preserving bloodlines responsibly.

We're creating future generations with purpose.

And we're building a community of families who love these dogs as much as we do.

Because preserving a breed isn't something we do alone. It's something we do together.