A different way to own a Wattleview dog – for life. Our Guardian Program is a cornerstone of our ethical breeding philosophy.
A Guardian Program is an alternative to keeping breeding dogs in kennels or large-scale facilities. Under our program, selected puppies who meet our breeding goals are placed into carefully chosen Guardian families.
These dogs live as beloved family pets while contributing, in a limited and carefully managed way, to our breeding program. This approach allows us to:
Australian Cobberdogs are exceptionally people-focused dogs. They seek human connection, thrive on companionship, and do best when fully integrated into family life. We believe breeding dogs should:
Guardianship allows this to happen while still supporting the careful development of the breed.
As a Wattleview Guardian Family, you receive a highly valued Australian Cobberdog to raise as your own family pet, at a significantly reduced purchase price. You’ll have full support from us throughout the dog’s life, with all breeding-related costs covered by Wattleview.
To ensure the very best outcome for our dogs (and for you), all Guardian Families must meet the following requirements. Please read carefully before applying.
At least one adult in the household has owned and trained a dog before (preferably from puppyhood). First-time owners may still apply, however a strong willingness to learn and commitment to ongoing formal training is required.
A willingness to attend regular training to a minimum level of obedience, ensuring your dog develops the excellent manners and skills this breed is known for.
Our dogs must live indoors as family members. No outdoor-only or kennel living.
Fully fenced yard with no gaps, and fencing a minimum of 1.8 metres in height.
Someone home most of the day (work-from-home, retired, or flexible schedules preferred). Puppies cannot be left alone for more than four hours on a regular basis.
Male Guardian dogs must live within a 90-minute drive of our property (Canberra, Goulburn, and surrounding regions preferred). Female Guardian dogs may be considered further afield (including Sydney) on a case-by-case basis following discussion. You must remain within the agreed vicinity for the duration of the contract.
Willingness and ability to travel to us when required – sometimes at short notice, particularly for male Guardian dogs.
Willingness to feed a predominantly fresh food diet and follow our expectations around raising a dog in a safe, structured, and optimal environment to support healthy development.
Children must be well-behaved and dog-savvy. Families with very young children (under five) are considered only where there is strong supervision and prior dog experience. We offer training programs to support families with young children.
Existing dogs must be friendly, vaccinated, and desexed.
You must plan to keep the dog for life – including after breeding retirement.
Open, honest, and regular communication is essential to maintaining a positive working relationship.
A formal Guardian contract must be reviewed, discussed, and agreed to. A clear understanding of – and commitment to – our requirements is essential.
Guardianship is a partnership. It requires clear communication, flexibility, and a shared commitment to the dog’s wellbeing. We work closely with our Guardian families throughout the process and remain actively involved in supporting both the dog and the family.
Express your interest through our application form and select “Guardian Home” as your application type.