Breeder Keepers

Breeder Keeper Families

Breeding is a key element of our mission, so our breeder keepers are extremely important. All breeders need to be kept in top physical condition, with plenty of exercise, as well as the mental stimulation of maintaining or extending their obedience training. Since our organization is primarily focused on developing a high quality line of labradoodles for our program as well as for donation to other credible service dog organizations, we need people who are willing to keep a dog that has completed its puppy raising phase. While these dogs live with your family much like a pet dog, our breeder keepers are responsible for maintaining the health and training of these dogs, as well as ensuring that an unintended breeding does not occur.

Genesis Service Dogs, a Boise-based not for profit organization, is seeking volunteers to house and love several dogs in our breeding family. Breeder Keepers make our breeders part of their family, returning the dogs to us when they are needed for breeding/whelping. Upon retirement, Breeder Keepers have first option to adopt the dog they’ve cared for.

Responsibilities of Breeder Keepers:

  • Keep our dogs safe, healthy, loved and exercised, in accordance with Genesis Service Dogs (GSD) guidelines.

  • Dogs sleep and generally live indoors with plenty of access to the family.

  • Dogs must be sheltered from unintended breeding. A fenced yard and on-leash management are required. An approved outdoor kennel is a great idea.

  • Breeder Keepers may not have another dog less than 2 years of age in the home, and pet dogs must be non-aggressive, spayed or neutered and current on all vaccinations. Some breeders require homes where they are the only dog.

  • Breeder keepers must bring dogs to monthly training meetings and send dogs for occasional week-long visits with GSD staff members to ensure the dogs remain comfortable in their breeding and whelping environments.

  • All Genesis dogs are trained and handled only with approved, humane methods. Our dogs love positive reinforcement training, and we’ll teach you the techniques needed to maintain a healthy, happy relationship with your GSD breeder.

Genesis Service Dogs specializes in breeding and raising dogs for people with special needs. By cross-breeding Labrador Retrievers with Standard Poodles, we are developing a family of dogs –“Labradoodles” — with the lab’s affable willingness to assist people with disabilities and low-allergen properties of the poodle. Our dogs are offered to non-profit service dog agencies and children with special needs that may benefit from the companionship of these loving, sensitive animals.

Breeder Keepers for Females: Female breeders need to be carefully watched for signs of estrus (heat cycle) and may be moved to other locations during this period. When it’s time to breed a female, immediate and simple access to the dog is vital. Puppies are whelped at a Genesis approved whelping home and the dog will be returned to her breeder keeper family after the puppies are approximately seven to eight weeks old. These dogs do best in homes without other female dogs and will not be placed in homes without secure fencing or with an intact male dog.

Breeder Keepers for Male Dogs: Male breeders are best kept in homes where they are the only dog. Intact males may “mark” their territory inside and out and can be difficult to handle when other intact or dominant male dogs are present. As with the females, these dogs must be kept in excellent health and physical condition, with plenty of daily exercise. They must be carefully contained so as not to escape and cause unwanted breedings. They must be made available for breeding at any given time. This usually only involves a “play day” away from your home. Breedings will take place at an approved Genesis home, kennel or vet.

For more detailed information click here: Breeder Keeper FAQs.

Since much of the information we need is the same, you can start by filling out the Puppy Raising Application.