Breeding Host Options

There are several different ways that you can volunteer to make an impact with a Leader Dog Mom or Dad dog. Explore the options below to see which option best suits your lifestyle!

• Breeding Mom Host (whelp): Care for an adult female dog in your home, including having her give birth (whelp) at home and caring for her puppies until seven weeks old. Must live within six hours of Leader Dog’s campus. This is the traditional model of hosting a Leader Dog Mom.
• Breeding Mom Host (non-whelp): Care for an adult female dog in your home except when she is giving birth (whelping) in another host’s home and until her puppies are seven weeks old. This option is ideal for volunteers who may not have the time or space for newborn puppies. Must live within six hours of Leader Dog’s campus.
• Whelp & Litter Host: Host a Leader Dog Mom in your home just for the birth (whelp) of her litter and care for the mom and litter until puppies are seven weeks of age. Must live within two hours of Leader Dog’s campus.
• Temporary Host: House a Leader Dog Mom or Dad in your home for no longer than one year. Must live within two hours of Leader Dog’s campus.
• Breeding Dad Host: Care for an adult male dog in your home and bring the dog to Leader Dog as requested for breeding duties. Must live within four hours of Leader Dog’s campus.

All positions except for Temporary Host can adopt the dog in their care upon retirement. If you are a Breeding Mom Host (whelp) or a Whelp & Litter Care Host, you may also be able to adopt a career changed adult dog from a litter born in your home. All veterinary care, until the breeding dog retires, is provided by Leader Dog along with heartworm and flea/tick medications.