The Dam Partnership Program

A Partnership to Last a Lifetime

At Twisted Clovers Labrador Retrievers, our breeding females are the foundation of our program. Through our Dam Partnership Program, we place select future breeding females into carefully chosen family homes where they are raised as cherished companions first — and thoughtfully contribute to our preservation-based breeding program.

This is not a typical “guardian program.”
This is a collaborative, long-term partnership built on transparency, responsibility, and shared purpose.

We are actively seeking loving, stable families who want to be part of something meaningful — helping us raise exceptional Labrador Retrievers while providing a full, enriched family life for one of our future dams.

Labradors are deeply social animals. They thrive in homes, on couches, on walks, and in everyday family life — not in kennel environments.

We believe our mothers deserve:

  • Individual attention

  • Consistent companionship

  • Structured training

  • Real family integration

By placing our dams in nurturing homes from a young age, we ensure they receive the best start in life while maintaining the highest ethical breeding standards.

This model enhances both quality of life and quality of breeding.

Why We Use the Dam Partnership Model

Our Program & Development Process

All Dam Partnership prospects remain with us initially for foundational development. During this time, we:

  • Show and title them in entry-level AKC dog sports

  • Build handler focus and environmental confidence

  • Evaluate temperament, structure, and stress response

  • Prepare them to become well-balanced family companions

Because our program is centered around producing Working Service Dogs, we must have a hands-on understanding of each dog’s temperament, resilience, and trainability.

During this process, your future dog will:

  • Travel

  • Experience new environments

  • Be exposed to large groups of dogs and people

  • Learn structured obedience and engagement

This makes the transition into her Dam Partnership home smooth and successful.

What the Dam Partnership Means for Families

Families in our Dam Partnership Program receive:

  • A top-quality, health-tested female

  • A dog from carefully selected, preservation-focused lines

  • A significantly reduced upfront cost

  • Ongoing breeder mentorship and support

Twisted Clovers retains breeding rights for a specified and limited number of litters (typically three).

After completing her breeding career, she will be spayed at our expense and becomes the sole property of her Dam Partnership family — permanently.

She is your dog for life.

Dam Partnership Family Qualifications

We carefully select our Dam Partnership families. Ideal families will:

  • Have prior dog ownership or experience

  • Keep the dog securely contained (fenced yard or leashed supervision)

  • Maintain and reinforce basic obedience training

  • Ensure proper socialization with people and other animals

  • Provide routine and emergency veterinary care

  • Feed a high-quality, breeder-recommended diet

  • Be able to recognize (or learn) the signs of a heat cycle

  • Immediately notify us when a heat cycle begins

  • Prevent any contact between the female in heat and intact males

  • Cooperate fully in all breeding-related scheduling and care

Clear communication and mutual respect are non-negotiable in this partnership.

Health & Veterinary Responsibilities

Dam Partnership families are responsible for:

  • Routine vaccinations

  • Monthly heartworm and parasite prevention

  • Annual veterinary exams

  • Maintaining healthy body condition and nutrition

Twisted Clovers covers the cost of all required breeding-related health testing. There are eight essential health clearances completed at age-appropriate intervals. These appointments may occur at Twisted Clovers or at a mutually agreed-upon veterinary clinic.

Proper fencing or structured leash management is required at all times.

Our dams are indoor family companions and are never to be left outdoors unsupervised for extended periods.

Heat Cycles, Breeding & Whelping

When a female enters heat, the Dam Partnership family must notify us immediately.

An intact female typically cycles for 14–21 days. During this time:

  • She will stay with us for approximately 3–10 days for breeding when she has passed all of her appropriate testing.

  • After breeding, she may return home until two weeks before her due date.

  • Two weeks prior to whelping, she returns to Twisted Clovers.

  • She remains with us through delivery and puppy rearing.

  • She returns home once puppies are fully weaned (approximately 7–8 weeks).

Dam Partnership families are welcome to schedule visits during her stay. (yah, puppy snuggles!)

Her comfort, safety, and stress management remain our highest priority throughout the entire process.

Life as a Dam Partnership Dog

From the beginning, your dog is integrated into your family as a true companion.

We encourage:

  • Obedience classes

  • Advanced training

  • Therapy dog work (where appropriate)

  • Active lifestyles

  • Travel and enrichment

She requires exercise, structure, and mental engagement just like any well-loved Labrador.

This is not a kennel dog.
This is your family dog who also plays an important role in preserving exceptional bloodlines.

Contracts & Commitment

We operate under a detailed legal agreement that clearly outlines expectations for both parties.

If, at any point, the Dam Partnership arrangement is not working for the family, the dog must be returned to Twisted Clovers. Under no circumstances may a Dam Partnership dog be rehomed independently.

This protects:

  • The dog

  • The breeding program

  • The integrity of our bloodlines

At the completion of her designated litters and spay procedure, full ownership transfers permanently to the Dam Partnership family.

Our Commitment

At Twisted Clovers, our dams are not inventory — they are the matriarchs of our legacy.

The Dam Partnership Program reflects our dedication to:

  • Ethical preservation breeding

  • Transparent communication

  • Limited, intentional litters

  • Health testing beyond CHIC standards

  • Temperament-driven selection

  • Lifelong responsibility for every dog we produce

We are passionate about doing this the right way.

HEAR FROM OTHER PARTNERS

  • The Wilde Family - Dog: Bliss

    “Being able to be part of the whole process. We got her as a puppy and watching her grow has been amazing. We are looking forward to when she has puppies and visiting them! Being a part of that -that’s what I am looking forward to the most!! When three of us were at your house playing with those little ones-we all were looking forward to the whole experience. You don’t get that with just a dog in the home.”

  • The Vancannon Family - ​Dog: Lyra

    “Being part of the dam partner program has given our family the opportunity to own the dog of our dreams when we may never have gotten that opportunity. We get to give a mama dog that's part of a breeding program the opportunity to be part of a family while not taking care of babies. We got a puppy that already had a great foundation started as far as training goes. The opportunity to work closely with a wonderful reputable breeder is great too.”

  • The Sundberg Family ​- Dog: Cadence

    “We think the dam partnership program is amazing. We really appreciate that Brittany loves her breeding dogs enough to let them live with families, and get love and attention that they deserve. We’re also excited to be a part of the breeding process, and get to see our sweet dog as a mom one day, and also to see the puppies that come from her. We were very impressed with Brittany’s organization, thought and preparation in helping us with the dam partnership program. She’s thought of everything and helped us understand every part of the program. Best of all, we have a beautiful little Black Lab living with us and love her.”

  • The Johnson Family ​- Dog: Angel

    “I first met Brittany through my parents, who had welcomed her into their home for dog training purposes. My first impression of Brittany was that she is gentle, kind and compassionate yet also strong and committed. I had the opportunity to meet and get to know her through the training process at my parents, and that is how I found out about the dam partnership program. I was immediately intrigued.
    ​Brittany is dedicated to breeding quality labs but also committed to ensuring all dogs in the process receive the love and care they deserve. Brittany was extremely informative, and the introduction into the program was seamless - making it an easy decision.”

  • The Demro Family - Dog: Rosie

    “Everywhere we go, everyone falls in love with Rosie. There is nothing better than a well trained dog. Rosie loves to meet everyone and travel in the truck with me. She is great to play fetch with, loves to get attention and belly rubs and is easy to have around. We’re very excited to see how she is as a momma dog!”

For Families Ready to Raise a Legacy.

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