Genuine Australian

​Waltzing Matilda's Labradoodles

Feel free to give us a call if you have any questions. We love to talk about our doodles : 410-796-1231

Waltzing Matilda's Labradoodles Guardian Program


In an effort to continue to expand our breeding program, and to ensure all of our breeding dogs live a pampered life with their very own forever family, we have implemented a Guardian Home Program.


Benefits of Being a Guardian Home

A Guardian Family gets the very best that Waltzing Matilda’s Labradoodles has to offer in the Australian Labradoodle. This means that we choose our breeding stock based on the best qualities that are outlined in our breed standard with temperament of course coming first. Another wonderful benefit to our Guardian Families is that their Guardian dog or puppy will be completely health tested by 2 years of age (some tests may be done as early as 16 weeks of age) at the expense of Waltzing Matilda’s prior to entering our breeding program at no cost to the Guardian Family. Our Guardian Families get to enjoy the excitement of being a part of our breeding program, and seeing the offspring of their very own Guardian dog be placed with families across the country bringing others the same joy and happiness that they have received from their Guardian Dog. 

  • Guardian families have a “pick of the litter” puppy chosen by the breeder
  • The dog doesn't need to be re-homed as an adult after retiring
  • There is no need for the breeder to ever kennel the dogs
  • The dogs are well socialized and in loving, family environments
  • Guardian families can schedule trips during whelping without paying for kenneling their pet


We do not just give our Guardian dogs or pups away. The cost of a Guardian Home dog/puppy requires a deposit of $1000.00 regardless of the gender, color, or size of the puppy/ dog. When the Guardian puppy/dog has completed its breeding career for us, we will refund 50% of the deposit back to our Guardian Family as a way of saying “thank you” for participating in our Guardian Home Program. The guardian family also has the option of receiving one of their guardian dogs puppies as a pet in lieu of the deposit refund.


Guardian Home Requirements:

To be considered as a Guardian Home for one of our breeding dogs, we require that you live within 50 miles of Baltimore, MD.

  • It is necessary that you have physical fencing to provide a safe and secure environment for the Guardian dog/puppy
  • You must own your own home
  • The primary care giver must have a schedule that will allow for your dog to not be left alone for extended periods of time.
  • All dogs and pups placed in Guardian Families must be indoor dogs, and never be left outside unattended.
  • Guardian Families must have reliable transportation, and a willingness to bring the Guardian dog/pup to us when needed throughout the year.
  • You must be Willing to feed an Ultra Premium Food recommended by Waltzing Matilda’s.
  • No intact male dogs (not neutered) should be residing on the premises to increase a risk of an unwanted mating.
  • Willing to train the dog and obtain a Canine Good Citizen Award.
  • Provide regular exercise and socialization
  • You must have a willingness to accept and follow breeders recommendations for the dogs basic health care and veterinarian care, such as vaccine schedules, the use of certain medications, flea and tick prevention, heartworm prevention etc.
  • A willingness to maintain open lines of communications with Waltzing Matilda’s Labradoodles with any matter related to the dog.
  • A willingness to allow me to visit your home and be able to visit my home so the dog and I are familiar to one another.
  • Most importantly… all the love and care and attention possible!!


Any “breeding related” medical costs for the Guardian Dog are the expense of Waltzing Matilda’s Labradoodles. Our Guardian Homes are responsible for routine maintenance and medical care just as they would if they had their own dog.


We realize guardian families have a tremendous sacrifice to make, given the female breeding dog must be returned to us to be bred, deliver and wean her babies before being returned back to the guardians (approx. 6-7 weeks). Almost all of our dogs/pups available for our Guardian Program will be females, but occasionally we will have a male available.  If you are applying for a young adult, or mature Guardian dog, she will already come to you completely health tested, and may have just a couple more breedings for us (depending on her  age and the number of litters she has had) prior to her being spayed and released solely to you as a forever pet. When the Guardian dog is in season, the Guardian Family is required to contact us immediately. An intact female usually has a heat cycle that will last between 14 and 21 days. During this time, we will need access to her for breeding related appointments. Once she has been bred, she will remain with her Guardian Family until one week before her due date. At that time, the Guardian dog will come back to stay with us throughout her pregnancy, and will be returned once her pups are fully weaned approximately 6-7 weeks later. We do encourage your visitation here with us while your "precious girl" is staying with us. You would be notified when she was in labor so you could be here with her when she is delivering her babies, if you like.


If you are a guardian home for a male, from time to time we will be using the dog for breeding which with close proximity will be about an hour or two in a day - likely every second day for a week with each female he breeds If the male is located out of the immediate area it will mean one week away from home.   If for any reason you will be away, please contact us ahead of time so that we can make alternate arrangements.  If for any reason you must move - please contact us immediately so that we can help to facilitate a solution that will work well for both of us or to receive the dog back into our home. 


If you are applying for a Guardian Home puppy, it will come to you anywhere from 8 to 16 weeks of age. At 1 to 2 years of age, Waltzing Matilda’s Labradoodles will have the health testing completed. Once we receive all of the results from the health testing, we are then able to assess whether or not he/she will enter our breeding program. If for any reason we decide not to breed the Guardian Puppy placed with you (this is a decision solely made by Waltzing Matilda’s Labradoodles) we will then pay to spay/neuter the Guardian puppy at no cost to you, and it will remain a forever family pet with the Guardian Family.


If you are receiving a Guardian Home Puppy, we ask for monthly photos and updates during the first year so that we can watch him/her develop, and update our website. We also will require a visit to our Guardian Family’s home every few months during the first year to assess the Guardian Puppy, as well as build a relationship with her for the future. Occasionally, we will ask our Guardian Families to bring the puppy to us for a visit so that she can get comfortable with our home for when she will be here with us in the future having babies :-).


How Many Litters Will A Guardian Female Produce?

Each dog is individually assessed before determining their required litters. Most of our Guardian dogs will have between 2-4 litters for us (this depends whether you have an adult that has already had litters or a puppy entering our breeding program).  The health and well being of our breeding dogs is a priority to us, and prior to any breeding, Waltzing Matilda’s Labradoodles will receive clearance by both our Reproductive as well as our regular Veterinarian. Occasionally we may decide to have fewer litters if we have accomplished our goals in development of our Guardian dog in a shorter period of time. Again, this is determined by Waltzing Matilda’s Labradoodles.

Finally, it is imperative that Doodle become a member of your family and not a backyard dog.  We are looking for happy, well adjusted mothers and fathers who will pass on their good traits and happy lives to their puppies.  Grooming is an important part, whether you decide to clip her/him yourself or take it to a groomer, it should be consistent and she/he should be free from mats and debris in her/his coat, as much as possible.


Here at Waltzing Matilda’s, our breeding stock lives in our house as our family dogs. In an effort for us to expand our breeding stock we have implemented this Guardian Home Program. This enables us to acquire more breeding stock without raising our dogs in a kennel environment. We believe that all dogs should live a life as someone's beloved family member(s), whether they will be used for breeding or not.


If you are interested in being interviewed and/or wish to learn more about this program please contact us for further details.