.png)
Seileach Guardian Home Program
A Seileach dog to call your own, with the support of our breeding program
At Seileach, we believe our dogs deserve the very best of both worlds: the opportunity to contribute to our carefully planned breeding program and the experience of growing up as a much-loved member of a family.
Our guardian home program allows selected Border Collies and Golden Retrievers to live with dedicated families as their much-loved family pets, while remaining part of the Seileach breeding program until retirement.
We’re always looking for wonderful families who share our commitment to raising healthy, well-adjusted dogs with beautiful temperaments.
What is a guardian home?
A guardian home is a family home where one of our carefully selected breeding dogs lives as a beloved pet. Seileach retains ownership and breeding rights for the duration of the dog's participation in our breeding program. Once the dog retires from the program, full ownership transfers to the guardian family in accordance with their guardian agreement.
Guardian families welcome their dog without paying the usual purchase price. In return, they agree to make their dog available for breeding and any associated health testing, appointments and care as outlined in their individual contract.
This arrangement allows us to maintain a carefully planned breeding program while giving our dogs the benefits of everyday family life, individual attention, socialisation and companionship.
Growing the Seileach Guardian Family
Over the years, we have dedicated our lives and care to developing our Seileach breeding lines, with a strong focus on health, temperament and producing wonderful family companions. We have also been fortunate to work with other breeders who have trusted us with valuable genetics that we are proud to preserve.
As Seileach continues to grow, we are expanding our guardian home network to help protect these carefully developed bloodlines and build a strong, sustainable future for our breeding program.
Our guardian home program is an important part of that future. It allows our dogs to enjoy life as much-loved family members while remaining part of the breeding program, helping us preserve the qualities we value for generations to come.
We are looking for families who share our commitment to responsible breeding, excellent care and giving every dog the opportunity to thrive in a loving home.
By joining the Seileach guardian family, you are not simply welcoming a dog into your home, you are becoming part of the future of our breeding program and family.
The Benefits of Becoming a Guardian Family
Joining the Seileach guardian family offers a range of benefits:
-
Welcome a Seileach dog without the the purchase price. Our guardian dogs are carefully selected as the best from our litters for their suitability, health and place within our breeding program.
-
Ongoing breeder support. We’re here to provide guidance and assistance with your dog's care throughout their time with you.
-
Breeding-related expenses covered. Seileach covers approved expenses directly associated with breeding, including relevant reproductive procedures and testing.
-
Monthly guardian payments. Eligible guardian families receive a monthly payment under our current guardian program arrangements.
-
Be part of our puppies' journey. Where practical and appropriate, you may have opportunities to meet the puppies.
-
A loving family life. Your dog lives with you as a family member.
-
Full ownership after retirement. When your dog retires from our breeding program, ownership transfers to your family in accordance with your contract.
Monthly Guardian Payments
We offer monthly guardian payments to recognise the commitment our families make to participating in the program.
Our current arrangements are:
-
New female guardian dogs: $150 per month for new guardian placements (until completion of breeding career).
-
New male guardian dogs: $100 per month for new guardian placements (until completion of breeding career).
-
Existing guardian families: An additional $50 per month on top of the above rates if homing a new guardian home dog (until original guaridan dog has completed their breeding career).
Families who welcome more than one Seileach guardian dog receive cumulative monthly payments, according to the arrangements applicable to each dog.
The specific terms, responsibilities and payment arrangements for each guardian dog will be confirmed in the individual guardian agreement.
Fur Babies Looking For Guardian Homes
Please note that other guardian homes may be on offer and list dogs may have potential homes lined up. Please contact us directly for up to date availability of guardian homes on offer.
.png)
.png)
What are the responsibilities of a guardian home?
Guardian homes are much like any other loving pet home. Your dog's wellbeing must always come first, and we want every guardian family to enjoy the experience of having a Seileach dog as part of their family.
As a guardian, you are responsible for providing and paying for your dog's everyday care, including:
-
Quality food, fresh water and suitable treats.
-
Routine vaccinations and preventative parasite treatments.
-
General veterinary care and treatment for illnesses or injuries unrelated to breeding.
-
Training, socialisation and appropriate exercise.
-
Grooming, toys, bedding and a safe, comfortable home environment.
-
Plenty of companionship, affection and opportunities to be part of family life.
Seileach will cover and perform all related breeding activities with specialist vets, which may include progesterone testing, stud fees, reproductive procedures, pregnancy ultrasounds, X-rays, relevant genetic and breeding health testing, hip and elbow assessments, and the care of the mother and puppies during the breeding and litter-raising period.
Seileach is responsible for breeding related expenses and the guardian home is responsible for the everyday expenses.
How long will my dog be away from home?
The amount of time a guardian dog spends with us varies depending on their role in the breeding program, their health, the timing of breeding and their individual needs. We understand how important it is for your dog to remain a part of your family, and we aim to plan arrangements with this in mind.
Female guardian dogs
Once a female reaches the appropriate breeding age and is ready to participate in our program, she will generally come into our care around her heat cycle for approximately one to two weeks for breeding arrangements. If she becomes pregnant, she will return to her guardian family during pregnancy before coming back into our care approximately one to two weeks before her expected due date.
She will then remain with us while she gives birth and raises her puppies, until the puppies are around eight weeks old and ready to leave for their new homes. She will then return to her guardian family. Future litters depend on her health, wellbeing, breeding suitability and our breeding plans. Rest periods between litters will be determined in accordance with her needs and our veterinary guidance.
Male guardian dogs
Male guardian dogs generally spend most of their time living with their guardian families. When a suitable breeding opportunity arises, they may come into our care for approximately one week, although the timing and duration can vary.
Depending on the dog's role, genetics, age and suitability for our program, the frequency varies drastically between each boy. We will discuss the expected breeding frequency with prospective guardian families before placement.
What do we look for in a guardian family?
Finding the right match is important to us. We want our dogs to thrive in their homes, and we want our guardian families to feel confident and supported throughout the experience.
We look for families who can provide:
-
A safe, loving and stable home.
-
Time for training, exercise, socialisation and companionship.
-
A genuine commitment to the dog's lifelong wellbeing.
-
Good communication with Seileach.
-
The ability to accommodate planned breeding visits, health assessments and, where applicable, time away during pregnancy and puppy raising.
-
A suitable household environment for the individual dog.
Most guardian placements require that there are no other entire (undesexed) dogs in the household. Our male guardian dogs are placed in homes where they will be the only dog or with other desexed dogs. Some female dogs may be suitable for living together, while others will need an individual placement. These requirements depend on the dog's needs and will be discussed before a placement is agreed.
Where do our guardian families need to live?
We are based in O'Connell, NSW 2795, in the Central West.
Families within approximately three hours of O'Connell are preferred, as this makes breeding visits, health testing and other appointments easier to coordinate.
We also welcome applications from families further afield, including Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong and other areas. For families located further away, we may arrange to meet at an agreed location to make travel more manageable. Any travel and meeting arrangements will be discussed in advance and documented in the guardian agreement.
Which guardian opportunities are available?
We periodically have opportunities for both puppies and adult dogs, depending on our breeding plans and the individual dogs available.
Not every dog will suit every household, and availability changes as our program develops. We take the time to consider each dog's temperament, needs and suitability before making a placement.
How do I apply?
If you think a Seileach guardian dog could be the right addition to your family, we would love to hear from you.
To get started:
-
Complete our puppy questionnaire.
-
Contact us and let us know you are interested in a guardian home, including whether you are interested in a puppy or an adult dog.
-
We will review your application, discuss your household and location, and talk through the available opportunities.
-
If we believe there may be a suitable match, we will discuss the individual dog's needs, program arrangements and guardian agreement with you.
Completing a questionnaire does not guarantee a placement. Our priority is to find the right match for both the dog and the family.
We look forward to meeting families who share our commitment to healthy, happy dogs and beautiful temperaments.