Becoming a guardian for an intact male?

[sunnysfdoodle]

Hi everyone!

I'm new to the forum so hello all!

I'm considering becoming a guardian home to a male labradoodle stud and was wondering if anyone has any input about what this would be like (perhaps I should post in the breeder forum?). Does anyone have experience with intact male doodles -- aggression, marking, running away? I hope that with doodles' naturally sweet temperament (and this particular pup is a darling), plus proper training, most things could be corrected. However, I do live in a city exploding with dogs and I don't want my pup howling through the night every week after catching the scent of a female in heat, or getting into fights at the dog park...

Also, does anyone know about the liability issues involved? What happens if the dog does run away or gets hit by a car or something equally terrible? My contract says that the guardian *may* be responsible for the full value of the dog (up to $10K)) if it's due to "negligence." I work with lawyers so perhaps I'm overly cautious, and my breeder is a lovely woman, but it seems like anything could be argued as "negligence," even though accidents can happen even with the most diligent care.

I love this pup and want to give it the best home possible, but it's also a big responsibility so I really appreciate any knowledge or advice that other guardian homes or breeders can share!

[KingstonTodd]

There are a lot if myths about intact males and aggression. It may be true in some breeds. Doodles are not agressive by nature so it's not really an issue with them. They can be the target of aggression from other makes do you have to keep a eye out. Marking, mounting, etc can happen in neutered males and females too.

We have a dod going into a guardian home. We are carefull to spell out what types of things a guardian can do with the doodle and not be held liable. It's their pet dog, so they have to be able to do regular dog activities with their new best friend without fear of being out a lot of money. My advice is to spend a lot if time on that section of the contract to spell out what you can do, like hike off leash in the forest for example, if that's something you want to do.

[lindamarie]

Wow! Todd is right......spend a lot of time on that liability section!
..........And I agree with him a the doodle personality. Usually non-aggressive but subject to being a target.
Marking andmounting STILL happens with my Bogart who is a service dog, therapy dog etc etc.
Marking indoors has only happened 3 times in his life between his 9 weeks when we got him and 3 1/2 years old now.
He is so well trained........but he marked indoors at a neighbors house just the other day while he played in the neighbors basement with a female Boxer. OMYGOSH! I was FURIOUS and sooooo embarrassed!
Good luck...........but CYA!!!

[M&Tdoodles]

Good points Tod, we have had intact males here and have found they were not aggressive at all, very playful , sweet, & loving while still being a protective presence, I think mostly to his size..Kozmo stands 24 inches tall, and he has an extremely loud bark...

I would say having a Male in a guardian home would be so much easier than having a female..much less liability and if you have no females living under same room, then NP , because No marking will be done..