The Briar House & Mountain Pass Guardian Collective


An Opportunity to Welcome an Exceptional Dog Into Your Home


Our Guardian Collective is designed for families within one hour of Roanoke who want a truly exceptional dog without paying full purchase price. Guardian families receive one of our top‑quality dogs — carefully selected for temperament, health, and structure — at a greatly reduced cost. Your dog lives with you full‑time as your companion, and after a small number of litters, they retire and remain with you permanently.


This is a simple, family‑friendly arrangement with clear expectations and long‑term benefits.




What Guardian Families Receive



A truly exceptional dog


Guardian dogs are the ones we would normally keep for ourselves — chosen for their temperament, health, and overall quality. Families appreciate knowing they’re getting a dog selected with intention and care.


A reduced placement cost


Guardian families receive a dog at a greatly reduced cost compared to purchasing outright. This makes it possible for families to welcome a top‑quality dog without the full financial commitment.


Support whenever you need it


You’ll have direct access to us for questions, guidance, and help throughout your dog’s life. Families love knowing they have a breeder who stays involved and supportive.


A dog who becomes your permanent companion


After completing their small breeding commitment, your dog is spayed/neutered and remains with you forever. No rehoming, no transfers — they stay with the family they love.




What Guardian Families Do



Daily Care


Your role is exactly what you would do with any pet:


  • Feed
  • Provide routine vet care and safe preventatives
  • Offer love, stability, and enrichment


Grooming or Hygiene


  • Shih Tzu: Regular line brushing, combing and wiping face, teeth brushing, and professional grooming monthly
  • Dalmatian: Basic tooth brushing, 4 baths a year, weekly nail grinding, weekly brushing with soft or dandy brush or mitt


Transportation


Guardian families bring the dog to us or allow us to pick up the dog for:


  • Health testing
  • Breeding
  • Whelping


Communication


Reliability and communication are essential. Just send us a picture every month of their full profile so we can continue to evaluate their development. We’ll coordinate all scheduling and keep everything simple and clear.




Why Families Love This Program


Guardian homes enjoy raising a wonderful dog without the full purchase price, while being part of a small, ethical breeding program that stays involved and supportive. It’s a straightforward arrangement that gives families access to a dog they might not otherwise be able to afford — with lifelong support and a permanent companion at the end.


Placement Options

Some of our dogs are placed under special agreements. If applicable, one of the following addenda will accompany your purchase agreement.

Addendum A

Guardian Home

What is a Guardian Home?

In a guardian home placement, the Buyer provides daily care and the dog lives as a beloved family companion — while the Breeder retains full breeding rights until the dog is retired.

Ownership

The Breeder remains the legal owner until all breeding obligations are complete. After retirement (including spay/neuter), full ownership transfers to the Buyer.

Care

The dog must be kept as an indoor family companion with proper grooming, training, safe housing, routine vet care, and prompt communication of any health concerns.

Breeder Covers

  • Health testing
  • Reproductive care
  • Whelping costs
  • Stud fees (if applicable)

Buyer Agrees To

  • Make the dog available for health testing
  • Transport the dog for breeding or whelping
  • Follow Breeder's instructions prior to and during breeding periods

Female dogs return to the Breeder for whelping and remain until puppies are weaned. Up to 4 litters of 4+ pups per litter are required.

Male dogs must be made available for scheduled breedings. Up to 20 matings resulting in 4+ pups per litter are required.

If Health Testing Fails

At the Breeders discretion as to what constitutes failing across multiple tests breeding rights end and full ownership transfers to the Buyer immediately.

Restrictions

The dog may not be bred, sold, transferred, or rehomed without the Breeder's written consent.

Addendum B

Show Dog

What is a Show Placement?

Show-placed dogs are expected to be actively exhibited in sport or conformation events in AKC or UKC. The dog must remain intact until all show and breeding requirements are met.

Show Requirements

Buyer agrees to show the dog to champion level (e.g., AKC Champion), maintain proper conditioning, grooming, and training, and attend shows as reasonably scheduled.

Breeding

The dog may not be bred until health testing is complete, the Breeder approves, and show requirements are met.

Breeder's Limited Breeding Rights

Females: 2 litters of 4+ pups per litter

Males: 10 matings resulting in 4+ pups per litter

Handling

Buyers may use a professional handler at their discretion. The Breeder may request professional handling for major shows.

Ownership

The dog is the Breeders property until requirements have been met then is transferred to the Buyer.

Restrictions

The dog may not be sold, transferred, or rehomed without the Breeder's written consent.

Addendum C

Co-Ownership

What is Co-Ownership?

Co-own begins as the Breeders property and when health testing is completed by the Buyer and the breeding obligations are met I will transfer to a co-own. Co-ownership is for fellow established breeders in the breed only. If a novice in the breed is interested in breeding and would like the opportunity to breed at a later time the show placement is a better fit. Under a co-ownership arrangement, the Breeder and Buyer share legal ownership, the Breeder should get required breedings before other breedings are initiated by the co-owner. Ideally this co-breeding will continue in the future thus expanding both of our kennels potential.

Co-owner / Buyer Responsiblilties

  • Health testing AKC full DNA panel with traits and breed specific OFA tests with official results given to breeder.
  • Required titles are earned
  • Breeding obligations are fulfilled

Breeder's Breeding Rights

Females: 2 litters resulting in 4+ puppies per litter

Males: 10 breedings resulting in 4+ puppies per litter

Expenses

Buyers cover routine care and covers all breeding-related expenses.

Buyer Responsibilities

  • Maintain the dog in good health
  • Provide grooming, training, and safe housing
  • Make the dog available for health testing and breeding

Restrictions

The dog may not be sold, transferred, or rehomed without the Breeder's written consent.

Repossession Notice

Please note: The Breeder reserves the right to reclaim any dog without refund if the terms of any applicable addendum are violated.

Questions?

For questions about our policies or placement options, please reach out before placing your deposit.

email boss@mountainpassbarn.com

© Briar House / Mountain Pass Barn — Shannon Taylor Wood — All Rights Reserved 2026