Guardian Home Program

At Island Canines, we’re committed to raising well-socialized, healthy dogs in a family environment. As we grow, we’re excited to introduce a new opportunity for local families: our Guardian Home Program.

This program allows us to expand responsibly—without the need for kenneling—while providing our breeding dogs with the love, care, and attention they deserve in a permanent home.

If you live within one hour of Georgefield, Nova Scotia, and are passionate about dogs, we invite you to consider joining us in this new venture.

A guardian home is a family who raises and cares for one of our top-quality breeding dogs as their own, while Island Canines retains breeding rights for a set number of litters (for females) or a set period (for males).

As a guardian, you’ll receive a carefully selected puppy or young dog at no upfront cost. This is not a program for those looking to breed dogs themselves—it’s for those who want to be a valued part of our extended dog family and help us raise the next generation of well-loved companions.

We believe that dogs thrive best in homes—not kennels. As we begin placing our first dogs in guardian homes, our goal is to collaborate with families who are as committed to quality care and ethical breeding as we are.

This is a new step for Island Canines, and we’re looking for guardian families who are open, communicative, and willing to work closely with us as we shape this program together.

As a guardian home, you’ll take care of all the normal day-to-day responsibilities of pet ownership, including:

• Food and treats
• Routine vet care and vaccinations
• Grooming and coat maintenance
• Training, toys, and enrichment

Island Canines will cover all breeding-related expenses, such as:

• Genetic and health testing
• Reproductive veterinary care
• Any travel or boarding required for breeding

We’ll stay in regular contact and support you throughout the process.

To ensure the best possible experience for both you and the dog, we ask that guardian families:

• Live within one hour of Georgefield, NS
• Have experience with dogs and are committed to training and socialization
• Keep the dog indoors as a family member
• Have no unaltered pets in the home (other pets must be spayed or neutered)
• Provide a stable and dog-friendly living environment
• Are not involved in any other breeding programs
• Are willing to maintain communication and coordinate with us as needed

If you rent, we’ll need written permission from your landlord confirming dogs are allowed.

We may have opportunities for both female and male dogs as this program grows.

Female Guardian Dogs:

• Typically remain in the program for up to four successful litters
• Will stay with us for whelping and weaning (about 8–9 weeks per litter)
• Are returned to your care between litters and retired to you fully after their breeding career ends

Male Guardian Dogs:

• Used more frequently but for short visits
• Remain in your care full-time except when needed for breeding
• Ideal for families who live very close and can be flexible with scheduling

Since this is a new program, we’re starting slowly and carefully to ensure the right fit. If you’re interested, please email us with the following:

• A short introduction to your family and lifestyle
• Why you’re interested in being a guardian home
• Your previous experience with dogs

We’ll follow up with a phone or video interview, and if it’s a good match, we’ll walk you through the next steps.

As our first guardian homes, you’ll be part of something new and meaningful at Island Canines. 

We’re excited to work closely with you, share our knowledge, and offer ongoing support as we grow this program with the right people by our side.