Guardian Family
At the Tipsy Rabbit, we are dedicated to raising exceptional German Shorthaired Pointers in a loving home environment. Our Guardian Family Program offers select families the opportunity to partner with us in developing the next generation of quality GSPs while providing a dog with a permanent, caring home. What is a Guardian Family? Guardian families play a vital role in our breeding program by offering a forever home to one of our top-quality GSPs, ensuring their health, training, and development while they remain part of our program. This unique arrangement allows our dogs to thrive in a family setting while contributing to the future of the breed. Our carefully chosen Guardian Homes provide love, adventure, and stability to a pick-of-the-litter GSP, helping shape the next generation while enjoying the companionship of an extraordinary dog.
Boys vs. Girls: Roles in the Breeding Program
Girls: Female GSPs typically have on average four litters, starting around their second birthday and retiring by age six-seven. During her breeding career, she’ll attend veterinary appointments, visits to our kennel and return home until one week before delivery. After whelping, she stays with us to care for her puppies until they’re weaned (around six-seven weeks old). Boys: Male GSPs begin breeding around 24 months and can remain active until approximately age seven. Their breeding responsibilities are lighter, but still require veterinary appointments for health testing, and short visits to our kennel.
Why Become a Guardian Family?
Our program ensures that the dogs in our breeding program enjoy fulfilling lives in loving family homes, where they receive the care and attention they deserve. For Guardian Families, this is an opportunity to welcome an exceptional GSP into your home while playing a meaningful role in the future of the breed. Being part of the dog’s breeding journey creates cherished memories and offers the unique and rewarding experience of seeing your beloved dog become a parent. As a Guardian Family, you’ll become an integral part of the Tipsy Rabbit family, sharing in our passion for preserving and enhancing the GSP lineage while forming lasting connections within our community. One of the unique experiences is staying connected to the Tipsy Rabbit community as you watch the puppies grow and develop. You’ll likely notice similarities in both appearance and personality in your dog’s offspring—like their shared love for collecting rocks—making the journey even more special! A true testament to this is Moxy (Maverick’s Dam) and her grandson, “Baby Goose.” Just like his Grand Dam, Goose proudly carries on the quirky tradition of gathering and hoarding rocks, proving that some traits really do run in the family! Guardian Families are responsible for normal pet care costs, including: Routine veterinary care Premium dog food Preventive treatments (heartworm, flea etc) Grooming and pet supplies Training for basic commands and behavior The Tipsy Rabbit will cover all breeding-related expenses, including: Comprehensive health testing to meet breeding standards Veterinary care specific to breeding Reproductive appointments Spay/neuter surgery after the breeding career If you’re ready to embark on this rewarding journey as a Guardian Family, we’d love to hear from you! Let’s work together to uphold and advance the excellence of the German Shorthaired Pointer.
Guardian Home Requirements & Responsibilities
At Tipsy Rabbit, our Guardian Homes receive the best of the best—exceptional dogs selected for their outstanding temperament, health, and structure. Becoming a Guardian means becoming a key part of our breeding program and family. To ensure the well-being and success of our dogs, Guardian applicants must meet the following criteria:
Location: You must reside within 40 miles of Conroe, TX.
Home Ownership: Guardian families must own their home and have a securely fenced backyard.
Time Commitment: The dog’s primary caregiver should have a schedule that allows for regular companionship—dogs should not be left alone for long periods on a daily basis.
Indoor Living: All Guardian dogs are to be kept as indoor family members and provided with consistent exercise, play, and enrichment.
Transportation: Guardians must have reliable transportation and be willing to bring the dog to us as needed for health evaluations, breeding appointments, and other scheduled care in the Houston area.
Training: Basic obedience is a must. Guardians are responsible for ensuring their dog is well-mannered and socialized. We offer a financial incentive to Guardians whose active breeding dogs earn an AKC-recognized title or NAVHDA testing milestone -including achievements such as Canine Good Citizen (CGC), Junior Hunter (JH), Dock Diving (NADD), Trick Dog, Rally, FAST CAT, and NAVHDA’s Natural Ability Test, Therapy Dog Certification. These accomplishments reflect the intelligence, drive, and versatility we strive to cultivate in every TopDog we breed.
Guardian families must plan to stay in the area for at least five years and most importanly provide a stable, loving home for the duration of the agreement.
Meet the Sadlers,
The First TR Guardian Family
Robert and Kelly Sadler have been married for nearly 21 years and have raised their three children in Conroe, Texas, where they have lived for the past 15 years. For the longest time, their home was filled with Labrador Retrievers, and after their last Lab passed, the loss was profound. She was irreplaceable, and for a while, they weren’t ready to welcome another dog. That changed when Robert took a work trip and sent Kelly a photo of himself riding in a side-by-side next to a German Shorthaired Pointer, calling it “the coolest dog ever.” Though they weren’t quite ready to bring another dog into their lives, the moment sparked curiosity. Kelly began researching the breed and was immediately drawn to their striking looks, intelligence, and energy, despite never having met one in person. A chance encounter with a couple who had just moved to the area with two GSPs sealed the deal. Seeing them in action and hearing stories about their versatility and drive, Kelly quickly realized this breed wasn’t just special—it was extraordinary. A year and a half after that first photo, the Sadler family met Remi, and it was love at first sight. Their oldest daughter was immediately smitten, knowing how much Kelly had dreamed of having a GSP. The timing was finally right, and Remi officially became part of their family. Within just two days, she had mastered sit, stay, come, down, and bed, proving herself to be not only incredibly intelligent but also loyal, eager to please, and affectionate. As time passed, Remi became an irreplaceable part of their home, solidifying what the Sadlers had come to realize—German Shorthaired Pointers would forever have a place in their hearts. Fast forward to the summer of 2024, the Sadlers opened their hearts once again when they welcomed Roxi, a rescued GSP, into their home. Roxi's journey hadn't been easy, but with patience, consistency, and love, she began to blossom. Watching her gain confidence and settle into her new life alongside Remi has been deeply rewarding. For the Sadlers, giving Roxi a second chance wasn’t just about saving a dog—it was about continuing the legacy of love and loyalty they’ve always shared with their animals.