We are currently accepting inquiries for upcoming Fall 2026 Guardian Home opportunities.
Guardian dogs are specially selected dogs that we hope to retain in the Selah Mountain Dogs breeding program while allowing them to live full-time with their own loving forever family.
Opportunities may include both puppies and young adult dogs and can vary based on our future breeding plans.
If you live within our Guardian Home area and would like to be considered for a current or upcoming opportunity, please review the information below and complete our Guardian Home Application.
Selah Mountain Dogs is proudly an in-home breeding program. We believe our breeding dogs deserve to live as beloved members of a family rather than spending their lives in a kennel environment.
Our Guardian Home Program allows us to responsibly preserve and develop our breeding lines while making sure each of our dogs receives the individual attention, companionship, training, and family life they deserve.
A Guardian Family receives one of our specially selected breeding dogs to raise and love as their own. During the dog's breeding career, Selah Mountain Dogs retains legal ownership and breeding rights while the dog lives full-time with the Guardian Family.
When the dog's breeding career is complete and the dog has been spayed or neutered, full ownership is transferred to the Guardian Family.
Guardian Families provide the same loving everyday home they would provide for any family dog. This includes high-quality food, routine veterinary care, vaccinations, grooming, training, exercise, socialization, and lots of love and attention.
Selah Mountain Dogs covers breeding-related expenses, including required OFA and genetic health testing, reproductive veterinary care, and the dog's spay or neuter procedure when their breeding career is complete.
Guardian Families also receive financial compensation for each litter their dog produces, helping offset the normal expenses associated with caring for their dog.
Female Guardian dogs return to Selah Mountain Dogs as needed for breeding, pregnancy, delivery, and raising their puppies. Male Guardian dogs may need to travel to an approved reproductive veterinarian for breeding-related appointments or semen collection.
We provide as much advance notice as possible and work closely with our Guardian Families throughout the dog's breeding career.
Because Guardian Families become an important part of our breeding program, there are several requirements that must be met before a placement can be approved.
- Location: Guardian Families must generally live within a 3–6 hour drive of Pagosa Springs, Colorado, in the Colorado Springs area, or in Albuquerque and surrounding areas when applicable.
- Transportation for Females: Families must be willing and able to transport the dog to Pagosa Springs or Colorado Springs approximately once per year when needed for our breeding program. We provide as much advance notice as possible.
- Transportation for Males: Families must be willing and able to transport the dog to an approved reproductive veterinarian for semen collection or other breeding-related services when needed. Current veterinary locations may include Colorado Springs or Littleton.
- No Intact Dogs: No other intact, unspayed, or unneutered dogs may live on the property unless specifically approved by Selah Mountain Dogs. Guardian dogs must also be protected from contact with intact dogs during heat cycles and breeding timeframes.
- Secure Fenced Yard: Guardian Families must have a fully fenced and secure yard with fencing at least 5 feet tall.
- Breeding Rights: Selah Mountain Dogs retains ownership and all breeding rights during the dog's breeding career. The dog may only be bred through pairings and breeding arrangements approved by Selah Mountain Dogs.
- Excellent Daily Care: Guardian dogs must receive appropriate nutrition, grooming, exercise, training, socialization, preventative veterinary care, and a safe, loving family environment.
- Communication: Guardian Families must maintain reliable communication with Selah Mountain Dogs and keep us informed of significant health, behavioral, reproductive, or lifestyle changes involving the dog.
- Guardian Home Application: Prospective Guardian Families must complete our Guardian Home Application so we can learn more about the home, family, lifestyle, and environment.
- Guardian Program Contract: Approved families must review, understand, sign, and uphold the Selah Mountain Dogs Guardian Program Agreement for the duration of the dog's breeding career.
Guardian homes are a unique partnership. You receive an exceptional dog to love and raise as a member of your family while also playing an important role in the future of the Selah Mountain Dogs breeding program.
The best Guardian Families are flexible, dependable, communicative, committed to excellent care, and comfortable working closely with us throughout the dog's breeding career.
If that sounds like a good fit for your family, we would love to hear from you.
Complete the Guardian Home Application below to be considered for current and upcoming opportunities.
If you have questions before applying, please contact us at selahmountaindogs@gmail.com.