What is a Guardian Program?
Â
A guardian arrangement is a contract between yourself and Burrinjuck Labradoodles.  The cost of the guardian program is $700. Â
What does the Guardian Program entail?
Under a guardian arrangement, the care and responsibilities of pet ownership would belong to you over the lifetime of the dog. Burrinjuck retain the exclusive breeding rights for the guardian dog for 3 litters (females) and for 5 years (males). All money from puppies belong to Burrinjuck. After the completion of your contract we would have your dog spayed/neutered at our expense.Â
We have a strong preference for families to be located within our local region of North East Victoria.  We do have some flexibility to accomodate families located in Melbourne or surrounding areas, provided families are willing to commit to our breeding program.  It would be necessary for potential Guardian owners to to be flexible with travel or making arrangements for the dog to return to Burrinjuck when necessary.
Female Dogs
We do not usually begin breeding from girls until around  18 months to 2 years. Typically, we would aim to have a litter per year over a 3 year period.
 Girls would need to return to Burrinjuck, while we join her with the stud of choice.  Sometimes the new mums stay with us at Burrinjuck for 6 wks, or so while raising her puppies. Other families actually request for their dog to remain in their family home to give birth. Where this is feasible, we do encourage this option. It is less stressful for the new Mumma if she is able to remain in a familiar environment to give birth. We are also open to Guardian Families having the puppies stay with them for a period of time (up to 6 weeks after birth). At 6 weeks, we separate Mum from her puppies to complete the weaning process and puppies  return to Burrinjuck to commence training and  receive their veterinary health check.Â
A female dog will generally begin to cycle between 6 months and 9 months of age. Each season will likely last two weeks. Most females will repeat a season every 6 to 9 months. Larger dogs may only cycle every 9 months. Smaller dogs tend to cycle every 6 months
Male Dogs
For boys, we consider maturity to be from 12 months onwards. Studs are contracted to Burrinjuck Labradoodles for a period of 5 years. Generally, we use boys a couple of times per year however there is not a set number of stud duties per year.  It really depends on our breeding needs at the time. To complete a successful mating cycle involves 3 visits by the female over a period of about a week. We may need to house the boy at our property for between one to two weeks each time a girl comes into season. It may be possible to bring the girl to your property, if you are local. This is one of the reasons that we do prefer our Guardians to live in the vicinity of North East Victoria.  Sometimes it is necessary to take the stud to the vets to collect semen if we are experiencing difficulty achieving a natural mating.
Advantages of the Guardianship Program
There are many advantages to becoming a part of our fabulous Burrinjuck Guardian Community. We select and retain the very best dogs for our Guardian Program. We assess for the best temperaments and retain puppies that have the most appealing colours and markings. Â You can be reassured that our most valuable lines are the dogs that we offer through a Guardian arrangement.Â
Our pet puppies range in price between $3300 and $3850. The cost of adopting a Burrinjuck puppy through our Guardian Program is only $700. It is a wonderful opportunity to adopt a premium puppy at such an affordable price.
Another highlight often mentioned by our Guardian families is the sense of community. Guardians experience a lot of pleasure from connecting with other Guardian families. Guardians may keep in touch with those families that have purchased a puppy from their dog. Â Facebook community groups and Group Messenger are two common modes of staying in touch.Â
And last but not least, who can resist the joy of puppies. It is so rewarding to be a part of bringing so much happiness into people’s lives. Our dogs make a  positive impact on the quality of lives for so many people.Â
Current Guardian Opportunities
SERENITY
Gender: Female
Dam: Rose Tattoo
Stud: Le Cadeau
Size: Miniature Range
Colour: Choc Merle
D.O.B: 19th October, 2024
Take Home: 14th December
SOLD
YO-YO
Gender: Female
Dam: Uno
Stud: Arthur
Size: Medium Range
Colour: Chocolate
D.O.B: 18th October 2024
Take Home: 13th December
SOLD
NIGELLA
Gender: Female
Dam: Ginger Spice
Stud: Cruiser
Size: Medium
Colour: Red
D.O.B: 3rd October 2024
Take Home: 28th November
ADOPT
Click the link to find out more.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
I don’t think we could be without our dog for that length of time. What are the options?
I don’t really want to go through the puppy stage. Do you ever Guardian older dogs?
We are looking to travel over the next few years. Do you offer boarding for your Guardian Dogs?
TESTIMONY
"My husband and I have been privileged to be a part of Burrinjuck's guardian program. After losing both of our fur babies in 2021, we approached Katrina and Hamish to be guardians of a Burrinjuck Labradoodle Puppy. Lulu, (Burrinjuck Cluedo) came to us on November 10th 2021.
Both we and Katrina are in constant contact about Lulu’s progress. My husband and I are so impressed with the care, information provided to us when supporting, training and breeding Lulu.
Burrinjuck have been wonderful. Nothing is too much trouble. Katrina is an ethical breeder who takes extreme care when deciding the well-being of each dog.
If you are like us and want a fur baby without the expense of buying a pup outright, I would highly recommend considering a guardianship pup! "
"My husband and I have been privileged to be a part of Burrinjuck's guardian program. After losing both of our fur babies in 2021, we approached Katrina and Hamish to be guardians of a Burrinjuck Labradoodle Puppy. Lulu, (Burrinjuck Cluedo) came to us on November 10th 2021. Both we and Katrina are in constant contact about Lulu’s progress. My husband and I are so impressed with the care, information provided to us when supporting, training and breeding Lulu. Burrinjuck have been wonderful. Nothing is too much trouble. Katrina is an ethical breeder who takes extreme care when deciding the well-being of each dog. If you are like us and want a fur baby without the expense of buying a pup outright, I would highly recommend considering a guardianship pup! "
QUESTIONS?
Whether you’re curious about the Guardian Program in general or would like to discuss the Guardian Care Arrangement in greater detail, we’re here to answer any questions.
Hi Katrina,
We are interested in your guardianship program. We saw Burrinjuck Ikigai on your Facebook page and are interested. Can you please provide more details? We currently have a almost 10yo border collie & a almost 5yo daughter who is dog crazy.
Hi Katrina,
We would be interested in knowing more about the Guardianship program.
We currently live in Glenlyon near Daylesford, but my mum lives in Benalla so we frequently visit the North-East Region.
We are family with two young girls who are 10 and 6.5years old. We have a beautiful old Moodle who is 12years old and heading into old age. He is beautifully natured and we put in the work to train him well when he was a pup. He is very friendly with other mixed poodles – a little less tolerant of other breeds haha (we don’t know how he knows 🤣).
We own a good sized block of land and our home is nestled close to the Wombat Forrest where we go for walks.
We are very much into having a dog who is part of our family and have tactfully thought this would be a good age for Alfie to adjust and the girls to transition as Alfie nears the end of his years.
If you would like to know more about us please reach out.
Thanks,
Willow
Hi Willow, I have sent through an email with more information regarding our Guardian Program. Looking forward to hearing back from you.
Good evening. I’m very interested in your adorable wee Ariel.. who do I speak with regarding this adoption of her ?.. thank you in advance , cheers Libby
Hi Libby, Ariel now has a guardian family to love. We do still have Scrabble available to the right home.