Shih Tzu dog relaxing in a loving family home

Noble Shih Tzu · Guardian Program

Guardian Home Program

Partner with Noble Shih Tzu to raise one of our beloved breeding dogs in your home — and give a puppy the family life they deserve.

What Is a Guardian Home?

A Guardian Home is a carefully selected family or individual who raises one of our breeding dogs as their own beloved pet. The dog lives with you full-time, enjoys the love and stability of a real home, and returns to us only for planned breeding — typically just a week per cycle for males (1-3 times per year), and one week for mating as well as one 8 week stay (whelping and weaning) once a year for females.

This arrangement is at the heart of our program. We believe breeding dogs belong in house and thrive when they live as cherished family members, not in a kennel. Because we are a small, in-home program and do not want to put our adults into a kennel as we expand, we are always in need of Guardian Homes to help us grow in a way that matters a great deal to us. Guardian families receive a world-class Shih Tzu at NO COST in exchange for their partnership.

Benefits for Guardian Families

Free Puppy or Young Adult

Guardian dogs are placed at no cost in exchange for your commitment to the program.

Breeding Health Costs Covered

Noble Shih Tzu covers all breeding-related veterinary expenses, health testing, and reproductive care for the duration of the guardian agreement.

A Lifelong Companion

Once the dog has completed her breeding career (typically 2–4 litters), she is fully yours — spayed and retired into your permanent care. Males typically retire at 5 years old or sooner. All spays and neuters are done at our expense.

Ongoing Support

You will always have direct access to us for any questions about health, grooming, training, or behavior throughout the dog's life with you.

What We Expect from Guardian Families

Live within a reasonable driving distance of our location in Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, Arkansas, or Kansas (typically within 2–3 hours).
Provide a safe, loving, indoor home environment. Guardian dogs are family pets — not outdoor or kennel dogs.
Keep the dog current on vaccinations, grooming, preventatives like flea, tick, and heartworm, and routine veterinary care (non-breeding costs are the guardian's responsibility).
Make the dog available for planned breeding visits and whelping.
Sign and honor the Guardian Home Agreement, which outlines all responsibilities in detail.
No other intact dogs in the home during the guardian dog's breeding years.
Own your own home (can be single family, townhouse, or condo but you must not be renting and have proof that HOA or building rules allow dogs).
Allow breeder to visit your home or do a live video call of your home before placement if deemed necessary.
Keep the dog properly groomed, with care given to matting, ears, teeth, and nails. and feed a quality diet.

Common Questions

Apply to Become a Guardian Family

We select guardian families with great care. Please complete the form below and we'll be in touch within a few business days.

Full Name *

Email Address *

Phone Number *

City & State *

Preferred Method of Contact *

Home Type *

Do you rent or own your home? *

Children in home? *

Other pets? *

Please list information for all children (ages) and other animals (species, breed, age, intact or spayed/neutered) *

Previous dog ownership experience *

Why are you interested in the Guardian Home Program? *

Do you have experience with this breed? If not, why are you interested in this breed? *

Please describe your typical schedule (do you work outside the home, how many hours per day will your dog typically be left alone, where will your dog stay during the day and where will they sleep at night, how often do you travel, etc.) *

Do you understand that the breeder retains breeding rights during the term of the guardian agreement? *

Do you have a fenced yard? If not, how do you plan to exercise your dog and let them have bathroom breaks? Do you have a swimming pool? If so, how do you plan to protect your dog (Shih Tzu in full coat have an especially high risk of drowning because their fur gets too heavy)? Will your dog primarily live indoors? *

What qualities are you looking for in a dog (preference in sex, temperament, size, color, etc.)? *

Have questions before applying? We'd love to chat. Reach out through our waitlist page or scroll up to apply.

Apply Now