A breeding partnership for the right family

The Guardian Program

Guardian families raise one of our breeding-prospect dogs as their own beloved pet — for the dog's whole life. They come back to Tillery only briefly for their role in the breeding program, then retires to your couch forever.

Why we believe in guardian homes

Guardian programs benefit everyone — the guardian family, the breeder, and most of all the dog. Tillery is a home breeding program, not a kennel: our dogs live in loving homes, sleep on couches, and grow up beautifully socialized as somebody's best friend.

When a guardian dog is here with us, their family never has to wonder how they're doing — our puppy cams let you look in on your dog and the litter while they're away from you. Families tell us it helps a lot.

And when their breeding role is complete, there's no re-homing and no goodbye — your dog is spayed or neutered, full ownership passes to your family, and they simply stay the dog they have always been to you.

✓A pick-of-litter breeding prospect, chosen by Billie and placed with your family
✓Your dog never needs re-homing after retiring — they stay with you for life
✓Dogs live in loving homes as family — socialized and adored
✓Puppy cams let you look in on your dog while they're with us

How the program works

1 · Apply and talk with Billie

Start with the application below. Billie screens and interviews every guardian family personally.

2 · Welcome your pick-of-the-litter puppy

Billie selects a breeding-prospect puppy — one of the very best of the litter — and places them with your family as your own pet.

3 · Raise them as your own

Obedience classes, socialization, vet care, and a breeder-approved diet. Billie stays close: photos, updates, and at least two visits in the first year.

4 · Short stays with us

Once your dog is grown and health-tested, they come to Tillery briefly — our girls for breeding and whelping, our boys for short stud visits. While a litter is here, a puppy cam watches the whelping box and then follows the puppies to their play area, so you can look in on your dog and the litter.

5 · Retirement — they never leave your family

When their breeding days are done, your dog is spayed or neutered — that surgery is the guardian family's cost — and full ownership transfers to you. Nothing changes at home: they stay right where they have always been.

Guardian family requirements

  • Keep in touch with Billie during your dog's development — photos, plus at least two visits in the first year for evaluation
  • Own your primary residence, with a fully fenced yard or underground fencing
  • Take your dog to puppy obedience classes and keep them well socialized
  • Cover the cost of the spay or neuter at retirement, when ownership transfers to you
  • Provide routine veterinary care, and feed a breeder-and-vet-approved diet
  • Notify Tillery right away when a female begins her heat cycle — and keep her away from intact males during it
  • Males must not be allowed to breed other females
  • Live within about an hour's drive of Lake Tillery
  • Be screened and interviewed by the breeder

Living their best lives

A few Tillery dogs thriving with their guardian families — and Billie will gladly put you in touch with these families to hear about the program first-hand.

Two chocolate Australian Labradoodles from Tillery guardian homes Parti Australian Labradoodle relaxing on the porch of her guardian home Caramel Australian Labradoodle playing in the yard Tillery Labradoodle at a veterinary visit
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Currently open for guardianship

Availability changes with each litter — call Billie to hear who is currently seeking a guardian home.

Ask about openings

Guardian application

Tell us about your home — Billie reviews every application personally.