INFORMATION FOR PROSPECTIVE GUARDIANS
OF XANADU PUPS / DOGS
I'm never sure if I'll have a Guardian from a particular litter, although there
are Guardians in most of XANADU’S litters. In the litters from which we
HOPE to keep a Guardian puppy, while deposits will be accepted for a
Guardian pup, we will not KNOW if a puppy will be a Guardian puppy
until final vet checks before pups go to new homes. The Guardian Home
program is a Breeding program that allows EVERY XANADU Guardian
Breeding Dog to have his/her own home, family, love and affection,
veterinary care, training, and to be part of a family. While XANADU'S
Guardian Home Program does allow Guardian Partners to have our very best
pup at fraction of the price of other pups in the litter, this advantage is part of
the Guardian "deal." Our purpose is future puppies and not low-cost
Guardian pups; here is what I mean:
The Guardian program is a breeding partnership which (at its best) is a great
deal for everyone involved: XANADU'S breeding program gets to improve
with each litter; the Guardian Human is compensated for participation; the
lovely Guardian pup gets a great home! Win-win-win; I like that!
Sometimes there is disappointment when a GREAT Guardian-selection-pup is
pulled out of our program, because eye color changes, because a competing
pup in the lineage is selected instead, because a scissors bite is less than
perfect at selection time, and this is an eventuality--a gamble--that the
prospective Guardian must be prepared for. If the puppy you wanted as a
Guardian pup is no longer available, you will be offered another pup from a
later litter--or you will be offered a refund.
When considering whether to become a Guardian Partner,
1. Read the document, XANADU Breeding Goals to see if you want the type
of pup XANADU breeds.
2. Read all you can on our website about becoming a XANADU Guardian.
The section, “What Sets Us Apart,” and a sample Breeding Agreement, are
also on our website. Ask yourself if you are enthusiastic about XANADU’S
breeding program and find it valuable.
3. Call me (I do not text.) Ask questions.
3. When you have made a confident decision about a XANADU hybrid or
particular litter, submit a deposit to hold your place for a Guardian--$400,
through PayPal on our website.
4. Let me know what you prefer—male or female--and remember that a
Guardian male is rarely available.
5. Remember that there may not be a Guardian available this season,
especially if your request is made late in our puppy season.
6. Read all of our Pup Alert newsletters (and I think you are a subscriber
already), and call if you see a current or upcoming litter that interests you.
7. Our Goberian Guardians, when available, are sold from each litter.
THE XANADU GUARDIAN HOME PROGRAM
Guardian Home dogs are Breeding Dogs, and in good Guardian
Home Programs, they are the BEST examples of a breeder's dogs. These
puppies / dogs are from sound litters whose parents are known to be friendly,
to have graceful conformation, and to have great ancestral genetic testing
results that prevent inherited problems that can affect the pups' quality and
length of life. XANADU puppies are known for sound health, happy
temperaments, and remarkable beauty. Parent dogs are hardy and
friendly. Guardian puppies selected for their potential to be good breeding
dogs are carefully examined for outstanding health, grace, and beauty; they are
also loving with their Guardian Home families, and they are exceptionally
smart.
I like to say that each new litter is better than the previous litter in
each lineage. Guardian dogs represent characteristics for which XANADU
breeds (“What Sets Us Apart” on the Xanadoodle.com website). Physical
characteristics, including total health, strength, and longevity, as well as—and
especially—the temperament of all Guardians produce the new Doodle and
Husky Cross hybrids and the multigenerational lineages that are the heritage
of the XANADU DOG—the World's Best Family Dog.
The Guardian Home program allows ALL BREEDING DOGS TO
HAVE THEIR OWN FAMILIES, TO HAVE THE LOVE, ATTENTION,
HEALTH CARE, AND TRAINING necessary for healthy, happy lives with
the forever-home Guardian family. Guardian dogs have the characteristics
XANADU wants to see in future litters: personality, conformation—grace and
agility—intelligence / trainability / common sense, low-shed, no-doggie-odor,
beauty, genetic health; longevity, etc.). Please call me to discuss the even more
unusual characteristics of the Guardian pup or dog you are considering as
your forever-home family member. Also ask about this particular Guardian
pup's place and purpose in the XANADU breeding program.
XANADU breeding dogs are selected for the above characteristics
and other XANADU luxury features that everyone appreciates. These
characteristics are exhibited only in some lineages at this time, and not all
lineages, e.g., eye color variety, low-barkiness, homing ability, a soft plush
coat, coat pattern symmetry, bright coat colors and tri-colors, agility, etc.
We do not breed guard dogs. Our pups are not natively shy or
suspicious. The Guardian Home program is how XANADU develops
bloodlines that include dominant characteristics noted above--and several
characteristics that have surprised us—like the strong homing ability in some
lineages and what we call a "party tail" that looks like a cheerleader's pompom (note Ashoka and Chase’s tails, for example).
Objectives of XANADU’S Breeding Agreement includes knowing
what is contractually expected of persons who are Guardians and what
Guardian humans can expect of XANADU. Our purpose is PUPPIES! We
are supportive of the other in that endeavor.
A breeding puppy that is introduced to a breeding kennel usually costs
the kennel owner a minimum of $3,500 plus valuable breeding concessions.
Maximum prices could be as high as $20,000 plus. As the dog matures and
passes genetic tests, that price easily doubles. And if s/he proves to be a great
breeder and companion to you, the Guardian dog is invaluable. Your original
payment for the Guardian Home Pup is the largest financial concession to
XANADU Guardians; however, Guardians of females are compensated for
pup care, based on the amount paid for the Guardian pup. Guardians of
males are compensated for gas expenditures in trips they might need to make
to a more distant destination—like the Colorado State University’s Veterinary
Teaching Hospital in Ft. Collins, CO. Dr. Wheeler, a veterinary reproductive
specialist manages XANADU'S unusual or difficult breedings. ALL breeding
expenses are XANADU'S responsibility.
Guardian Home Character &Enthusiasm for XANADU'S Goals Means
Communication, Consensus, Cooperation
These standard features—observed by other breeders as well—make my
business possible; I could not be a responsible breeder / business person
without communication and harmony. Without these features, my work
wouldn’t be any fun.
Do let me know if you have any questions or concerns that could
impact our mutual understanding of our formal Agreement and our
responsibilities to each other. I am convinced that good will, clear
communication, integrity and responsibility work well, are enjoyable personal
characteristics, and are good attitudes and actions to promote in enjoyable
business relationships. The world is our relationship with one another, not
something separate from you and me. Solutions to problems are to be found
in honest dialog with those who are affected by problems. And so, open and
relaxed information-seeking characterizes my business relationships.
Sometimes, there are misunderstandings when using any language, but clarity
is always my intention. As XANADU’S owner and primary representative, I
am “workable” and cooperative with unusual Guardian Home circumstances
that might delay a breeding plan (like the health of the Guardian dog, the
health of the Guardian family, vacation timing and accessibility of the
Guardian dog, whelping and pup rearing at XANADU, etc.). You are my
partner; I am your partner. As supporters of our formal Agreement, we also
support each other’s human best interests and welfare, as well as the interests
of XANADU Guardian dogs. I cannot emphasize the value of our
communication quite enough.
Your accord with the Guardian Agreement (which is a separate
document), the appropriateness of your home for a XANADU Guardian dog,
agreement to recommended vet care, securely fenced yard and safe indoor /
outdoor environment, obedience training, quality diet, quarterly new photos
of the Guardian dog, etc. are some of the requisites for our cooperation and
the planning of litters.
If you feel as though you are a good candidate for a XANADU
Guardian dog, please contact Dr. Sheron Mariah Steele. There is a Guardian
Home pup available from many litters produced by XANADU—and these are
always the first pups about which purchasers inquire.
Sheron at 970 626-9747
Cell—only used when traveling, and I DO NOT TEXT: 970 708-8030
Sheron Mariah Steele, PhD
XANADU of the Rockies, LLC
615 Canyon Dr., Log Hill Village
Ridgway, CO 81432