What is a Guardian Home?

A Guardian Home is a unique opportunity to welcome one of our Pickwick Pugs into your family as a beloved companion, while he or she remains part of our carefully managed show and breeding program.

As a guardian family, you provide a permanent, loving home—handling all day-to-day care including food, grooming, training, and routine veterinary care. In return, you receive a top-quality pug (often a show prospect or champion) without a purchase price, once he or she is retired from our program.
At retirement—at a pre-established time—your pug will be spayed or neutered, and full ownership transfers to you.

Why We Offer a Guardian Program
Our Guardian Home program allows us to responsibly grow and improve our breeding program while ensuring that every pug enjoys the highest quality of life.

While we would love to keep them all, we believe our dogs thrive best with individual attention, companionship, and a true family environment. Guardian homes make that possible.

Ideally, guardian families are located within a few hours of Birmingham, Alabama.

Does It Cost to Become a Guardian?
There is no purchase price for a Guardian Home pug.

A $1,500 deposit is required, which is applied toward the cost of spay/neuter at retirement. This ensures the agreement is honored and the dog remains in the program as intended.

• If the pug is altered without prior agreement, the deposit is forfeited
• Otherwise, the deposit helps cover the spay/neuter procedure at retirement

In essence, you are receiving a high-quality pug—typically valued between $3,000–$6,000—for the cost of normal care.

Guardian Responsibilities
Guardian families are responsible for all routine care, including:

• Food, treats, toys, and supplies
• Routine veterinary care (vaccines, wellness visits, heartworm prevention)
• Basic training and daily exercise
• Grooming and coat maintenance

We provide detailed guidance to ensure your pug remains in optimal health and condition.

Diet & Nutrition
Guardians agree to follow our nutrition program to support long-term health and coat quality.
We recommend and require:

• Raw or freeze-dried raw diets (such as PawTree), or an approved equivalent
• High-quality supplements (fish oil, vitamins, probiotics, etc.)

Lower-quality commercial kibble is not permitted unless specifically approved.

Exercise & Conditioning
Regular walks and light conditioning help maintain your pug’s health and structure. Pugs should be kept fit, not overweight.

Grooming
Proper grooming is essential, especially for show-quality pugs:

• Bathing every 1–2 weeks
• Weekly nail care (Dremel preferred)
• Regular brushing with conditioning spray
• Routine cleaning of wrinkles, ears, and nose folds

Communication
We ask guardian families to stay in touch with us regularly (every few weeks) while the pug is in our program. After retirement, we simply love updates and photos as part of the Pickwick Pugs family.

Breeding & Visits
Males typically visit us for about one week per breeding. We breed selectively, usually 1–3 litters per year.
Females require more involvement:

• 1–2 weeks during heat cycle for testing and breeding
• Pregnancy confirmation (ultrasound around day 30, covered by us)
• Return to Pickwick Pugs 2 weeks before whelping, staying through weaning

Total time away is typically 9–12 weeks per litter.
Females are retired after 1–2 litters.

Important Care During Pregnancy
Guardian homes must follow specific guidelines during pregnancy, including:

• No rough play or dog parks
• Avoid high-risk environments (vet floors, pet stores, etc.)
• Careful monitoring and proper nutrition

We guide you through every step.

Expenses Covered by Pickwick Pugs
We cover all breeding and show-related expenses, including:

• Health testing related to breeding
• Progesterone testing, AI procedures
• Ultrasounds, x-rays
• Whelping-related care
• Show entry fees, handler fees, and travel

Guardians cover only routine pet care.

Dog Shows
Participation in dog shows is not required.
We handle all showing, either personally or through trusted professional handlers. If you’re interested in participating, we’re happy to support you—but it’s completely optional.

Transportation
Guardians handle routine vet visits and daily care.
We coordinate and cover transportation related to:

• Shows
• Breeding procedures
• Whelping stays

A Shared Commitment
The Guardian Home program is a partnership built on trust, communication, and a shared love of this extraordinary breed.
By becoming a guardian, you are helping preserve and improve one of the oldest and most cherished companion dogs—while giving a pug a life filled with love, attention, and family.

✨ We would love to talk with you about becoming part of the Pickwick Pugs family.