Partnering with Purpose: Inside the Happy Top Doodles Guardian Program
- Kirk Prather
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
I’m Kirk from Happy Top Doodles, and I’d like to share something close to my heart: our Guardian Program. If you live within about an hour of Calhoun, GA, love doodles, and want to be part of something truly meaningful, this program might be the perfect opportunity for your family.
It’s more than just owning a dog. It’s about being part of a team that raises healthy, happy, and well-socialized doodles while enjoying the love and companionship of a wonderful pet in your own home.
What Is a Guardian Program?
The Guardian Program allows select families to partner with us in raising one of our breeding dogs. You welcome a puppy or young adult doodle into your home, raise them as your own, and provide them with love, training, and socialization.
We remain responsible for the breeding side of things—health testing, breeding arrangements, and whelping when the time comes. You, as the guardian, are responsible for daily care, a stable home environment, and transporting your dog to and from our home in Calhoun when needed.
At the end of their breeding career, your doodle is spayed or neutered, retired from the program, and remains with you forever.
How It Works for Females
Guardian females usually join their families as puppies. Around one year of age, we begin routine health testing and prepare for her first breeding.
Heat cycles: Guardians monitor heat cycles and communicate with us.
Breeding: She comes to us briefly during her heat for breeding.
Pregnancy: She spends most of her pregnancy with you, continuing her normal routine.
Whelping: About a week before delivery, she comes to our home to whelp and raise her puppies. Once the puppies are weaned at around 5–6 weeks, she returns home to you.
Each female typically has up to four litters before retirement. After that, she’s spayed and lives out the rest of her life as your cherished companion.
How It Works for Males
Guardian males also live full-time with their families. They simply come to us for short breeding appointments as needed, usually starting around one year old.
Their guardian families enjoy all the love, play, and companionship of a doodle without the time commitment that comes with whelping and litters. Once their breeding career ends, they’re neutered and remain with their guardian family forever.
What We Expect from Guardian Families
Being a guardian is a wonderful experience, but it comes with responsibilities. Here’s what we ask of our guardians:
Location: Live within one hour of Calhoun, GA. This proximity makes it possible to manage breeding and whelping logistics smoothly.
Transportation: Guardians are fully responsible for bringing their dog to and from our home for any program needs.
Loving home: Your doodle must live indoors as part of the family—not in a kennel or isolated environment.
Daily care: Provide quality food, exercise, grooming, training, and veterinary care.
Communication: Keep us updated on heat cycles (for females), health concerns, or behavioral issues.
Commitment: Understand that your doodle will occasionally need to be away from home for breeding or whelping.
What You Gain as a Guardian
In exchange for your commitment, guardian families receive:
A top-quality doodle with no purchase cost.
All breeding-related expenses covered (health testing, genetic screening, etc.).
Ongoing support—we’re always available to guide, answer questions, and help you succeed.
Lifetime companionship. Once breeding is complete, your doodle is retired and remains with your family permanently.
The joy of contributing to raising the next generation of healthy, well-socialized doodles that bring happiness to families across the country.
Common Questions About the Guardian Program
“Will my dog live with me full-time?”
Yes! Your doodle lives with you as your family pet. The only times they’re with us are during breeding and whelping (for females) or short breeding visits (for males).
“How long is my dog in the program?”
Most females are in the program until they’ve had around four litters, usually by age 3 or 4. Males may remain in the program a bit longer, depending on health and breeding needs.
“Do I pay for vet care?”
You’re responsible for routine care (vaccines, grooming, wellness visits). We cover all breeding-related health testing and procedures.
“What if we want to travel?”
Guardians should have reliable care arranged if they’re away. The dog must always be safe and cared for, just like any family pet.
Why Become a Guardian Family?
Being a guardian isn’t for everyone—but for the right family, it’s incredibly rewarding. You’ll:
Welcome a doodle into your home without the initial purchase cost.
Experience the pride of helping raise healthy, ethical, and family-ready puppies.
Build a lasting relationship with us at Happy Top Doodles—we see our guardians as extended family.
Know that you’re making a positive impact in ensuring the future of healthy, well-loved doodles.
Next Steps
If this sounds like something your family would love, here’s how to get started:
Fill out our Application on our website to let us know you are interested in becoming a guardian.
We’ll review your application, schedule a call, and possibly a home visit.
Once approved, we’ll match you with the right doodle for your family and guide you every step of the way.
Final Thoughts
Our Guardian Program is about more than raising doodles—it’s about creating lifelong partnerships with families who share our values of love, care, and responsibility.
If you’re within one hour of Calhoun, GA, and think this could be the right fit, we’d love to hear from you. Together, we can raise healthy, happy doodles and bring joy to families everywhere.
Kirk
Happy Top Doodles
Where every puppy is family, and every family is supported for life.