Guardian Program

Our Guardian Program places our breeding dogs with loving families in their forever homes, giving them the chance to live happy, normal lives. Our moms and dads are never raised in kennels—they are spoiled, adored, and part of a family from day one.

Guardian dogs are future Doodle moms and dads, but to their families, they are forever pets. No breeding experience is needed—just a genuine love of dogs and a willingness to partner with McKenzie’s Doodles to maintain the high standards we are known for.

Benefits of being part of the McKenzie’s Doodles Guardian Program include:

  • A guardian dog placed with your family at no purchase cost (Guardian dog selection is based on availability and program needs, see current opportunities below!)
  • Access to one of the only Guardian Programs that compensates families for each breeding
    • Doodle Dads: Family receives $200/litter
    • Doodle Moms: Family receives $100/puppy sold
  • All reproductive veterinary costs covered by McKenzie’s Doodles
  • Full ownership of your dog once their breeding career is complete
  • 24/7 phone and email support to ensure a positive experience
Doodle Dads

Doodle Dads

Guardian families who co-own a Doodle Dad receive a happy, healthy, fully health-tested dog at no cost, along with $200 for every litter he sires. McKenzie’s Doodles offers one of the only Guardian Programs that compensates families for each breeding, giving families both a cherished family pet and ongoing financial rewards throughout his breeding career.

Dads must remain intact (no neutering!) and be available whenever McKenzie’s Doodles requires breeding, which usually happens several times per year. Female heat cycles cannot be predicted exactly, but we always provide Guardian families with the earliest possible notice. When breeding is needed, the Guardian family is responsible for transporting the dad to our farm or arranging transport. He typically stays with us for about one week per breeding.

Ownership and breeding rights are relinquished when the dad reaches around eight years of age or is replaced by a younger stud. Families in Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland are ideal for this program, providing a convenient location for caring for and transporting Doodle Dads while participating in our Guardian Program. (Ideal families will live within 90 minutes of Middletown, Virginia – zip code 22645)

Doodle Moms

Doodle Moms

Guardian families who co-own a Doodle Mom receive a happy, healthy, fully health-tested dog at no cost, along with $100 for every puppy sold from her litters. McKenzie’s Doodles offers one of the only Guardian Programs that compensates families for each breeding, giving families both a cherished family pet and generous financial rewards throughout her breeding career.

Moms must remain intact (not spayed!) and typically come into heat every 6 to 8 months. When she comes into heat, she stays with us for breeding for about 7 to 10 days before returning home for her pregnancy with her family. After approximately 8 weeks at home, she returns to our farm to deliver and raise her puppies. She remains with us for 6 to 7 weeks until the puppies are weaned, then returns home freshly groomed and happy to be with her family.

A Doodle Mom is first bred at her second heat, usually between 1.5 and 2 years old, after completing all required reproductive health testing. She will have up to five litters before retiring, at which point full ownership is transferred to her Guardian family.

Families in Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland are ideal for this program, providing a convenient location for caring for and transporting Doodle Moms while participating in our Guardian Program. (Ideal families will live within 90 minutes of Middletown, Virginia – zip code 22645) 

Current Guardian Opportunities

  • Maple is a 6 month old gorgeous phantom merle standard poodle who is expected to be 40 lbs fully grown. She has a beautiful 100% non-shedding coat, making her a wonderful fit for an allergy-sensitive home. Maple is fully vaccinated, microchipped, potty trained, and crate trained, sleeping quietly through the night in her crate from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Maple has a playful, loving, and sweet personality. She does great in the car and also enjoys being brushed and groomed. She has been intentionally raised with extensive socialization and is wonderful with children, other dogs, and cats.

    Maple will be placed with her Guardian Family at no cost in exchange for partnering with us as a future mama in our program. To learn more about Maple and our Guardian Program, fill out the application below. We’ll start with a phone call to answer your questions, followed by a meet-and-greet. A video of Maple can be found on our Instagram, @mckenziesdoodlesva. If this post is up, Maple is available and looking for her guardian family! Her ideal family will within 90 minutes from Winchester, Virginia, own their home, have another dog (preferred but not required), and have a fence (preferred but not required).

    Maple

    female - Poodle

  • Penny is a 6 month old phantom merle standard poodle who is expected to be 40 lbs fully grown. She has a beautiful 100% non-shedding coat, making her a wonderful fit for an allergy-sensitive home. Penny is fully vaccinated, microchipped, potty trained, and crate trained, sleeping quietly through the night in her crate from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Penny has an exceptionally calm, gentle, and laid-back personality. She loves to snuggle and is content to relax by your side, making her an easy companion to have around the house. She has been intentionally raised with extensive socialization and is wonderful with children, other dogs, and cats.

    Penny will be placed with her Guardian Family at no cost in exchange for partnering with us as a future mama in our program. To learn more about Penny and our Guardian Program, fill out the application below. We’ll start with a phone call to answer your questions, followed by a meet-and-greet. A video of Penny can be found at the top of this page. If this post is up, Penny is available and looking for her guardian family! Her ideal family will within 90 minutes from Winchester, Virginia, own their home, have another dog (preferred but not required), and have a fence (preferred but not required).

    Penny

    female - Poodle

  • Thistle is a beautiful F1 Irish Doodle puppy from our Molly & River litter and a future mama in our program. She is 12 weeks old and is 50% Standard Poodle and 50% Irish Setter. Thistle will have a gorgeous wavy red and white coat. Thistle has a playful, sweet personality and loves spending time with people. She is full of puppy charm and is looking for her perfect Guardian Family!

    Thistle will be placed with her Guardian Family at no cost in exchange for partnering with us as a future mama in our program. To learn more about Thistle and our Guardian Program, fill out the application below. We’ll start with a phone call to answer your questions, followed by a meet-and-greet. If this post is up, Thistle is still available and looking for her guardian family!

    Thistle

    female - Irish Doodle

  • Marley is 9.5 months old, weighs 29 lbs, and is expected to reach 35 lbs fully grown. She has a beautiful 100% non-shedding coat, is microchipped, health tested, and up to date on vaccines. She is fully housetrained, sleeps quietly through the night in her crate, goes to the door when she needs to go outside, walks beautifully on a leash, and knows several commands, including sit, kennel, walk, and treat. Marley loves belly rubs, walks, playing in the water, and romping with other dogs. She is wonderful with children, great on car rides, and excellent at the groomer! With her striking white and merle coat, split black face, and one beautiful blue eye, she’s every bit as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside.

    Marley will be placed with her Guardian Family at no cost in exchange for partnering with us as a future mama in our program. To learn more, fill out the application below. We’ll start with a phone call to answer your questions, followed by a meet-and-greet. If this post is up, Marley is still available and looking for her guardian family!

    Marley

    female - Poodle

  • Luna is an AKC Small Standard Poodle and the proud mama of our McKnuggets. With her playful, fun-loving personality, she’s always the life of the party, ready for fun and excitement. But when it’s time to relax, Luna is just as content to unwind and enjoy some quiet time.

    Known for her kind and gentle nature, Luna is fantastic with children, making her a beloved member of her home. She also gets along wonderfully with other pets, showcasing her sweet and social side. Luna is completely house trained, handles long car rides fine, and is equally comfortable in the country as she is in the suburbs.

    She currently has two litters left in our program before she retires.

    Luna

    female - Poodle

Guardian Program Application

Name(Required)
Address(Required)
Do you have intact pets in your home?(Required)
Do you work away from the home?(Required)
Will your family be okay being separated from your dog during the breeding/whelping phases?(Required)
Guardian Homes require their families to live in the area for at least 5 years for a female and 8 years for a male. Will you be staying in the area of the next 5-8 years?(Required)
Does anyone in your home suffer from dog/cat allergies?(Required)
Do you own your home?(Required)

Featured Guardian Families

  • Meet an extraordinary family who have opened their hearts and home to not one, but three Guardian dogs from McKenzie’s Doodles. Their pack includes Poppy, a spirited and affectionate Standard Poodle who is a future mama; Annie, a sweet and nurturing F1 Goldendoodle and a current mama in our program; and Stevie, a retired Standard Poodle mama to a generation of Bernedoodle pups who enjoys the peaceful and loving life she deserves. Together, this family creates a harmonious environment where their Guardian dogs thrive while surrounded by care, love, and endless adventures. This family is truly remarkable in their commitment to raising our Guardian dogs. Their home is filled with warmth, laughter, and activity, making it the perfect setting for dogs to grow and flourish. Whether it’s morning walks, family vacations, or cozy evenings at home, Poppy, Annie, and Stevie are included in every aspect of their lives. The dogs aren’t just pets—they’re cherished family members, involved in everything from playtime to quiet moments of bonding. One of the many things that sets this family apart is their exceptional communication and unwavering dedication to their dogs. They work closely with McKenzie’s Doodles, ensuring that each Guardian dog receives the best care and attention. Their consistency, love, and understanding create an environment where our Guardian dogs can shine as loving companions and incredible mamas. Their passion for raising happy, healthy, and well-loved dogs is evident in every interaction. They exemplify what it means to be a Guardian home, and we are so grateful for the love and devotion they provide to Poppy, Annie, and Stevie!

    Young Family

  • Ruthie, a stunning red Golden Retriever, is the smiling soul of her loving Guardian Family in Warrenton, Virginia! Known for her playful spirit and affectionate nature, Ruthie is more than just a pet—she’s a cherished member of her family. Her Guardians are a wonderful, close-knit troop, including two young daughters who adore her and treat her like a sibling. Together, they create a family-oriented environment where love, laughter, and joy abound. From lazy mornings cuddling on the couch to energetic afternoons chasing balls in the yard, Ruthie is spoiled in the best possible way. She’s included in every family activity, from neighborhood strolls and backyard barbecues to movie nights and storytime with the kids. Her days are filled with companionship, belly rubs, and the kind of care that only comes from a family as dedicated and compassionate as hers! As Ruthie continues to thrive in her nurturing environment, McKenzie’s Doodles is thrilled to announce that Ruthie will have her first litter of F1 Goldendoodles later this year! With her loving temperament and vibrant personality, Ruthie is sure to pass on these wonderful traits to her puppies, making them just as special as she is – stay tuned for the announcement of our next F1 Goldendoodle puppies this summer/fall!

    Redcay Family

  • Loki, our handsome parti-colored Standard Poodle and proud Doodle dad to our Sheepadoodles, Goldendoodles, and Bernedoodles, is thriving thanks to his incredible Guardian Family, the Suchodolskis! This loving home provides the perfect environment for Loki to shine. They include him in their daily routines, shower him with love, and ensure he feels like a cherished member of their family. We could not ask for a better home for him! Loki shares his home with Mila, his fur sister and a Goldendoodle from McKenzie’s Doodles, and together they enjoy endless affection and companionship. Loki’s sweet, gentle, and polite temperament is a direct reflection of the amazing care he receives from his family. Their commitment to providing a nurturing and structured environment allows Loki to truly flourish. It’s from their love and dedication that Loki is the remarkable Doodle dad that he is! We’re so grateful for the Suchodolskis and the loving home they’ve given Loki. They’ve helped him become not just a wonderful companion but an outstanding dad who passes on his kind-hearted spirit to every puppy he sires. Families like theirs make our Guardian program truly special!

    Suchodolski Family