CHOOSING A
REPUTABLE LABRADOODLE BREEDER

How to Choose a Breeder: Ask your prospective Breeder the following questions:

Do you health test your breeding dogs, especially prcd-PRA?

I would only buy from a breeder if they tested for Prcd-PRA Progressive Retinal Atrophy) via the DNA test, which determines if the sire and dam are clear, carrer or affected. It is an eye disease that eventually causes blindness, with no cure affecting 28 dog breeds. This disease can easily be eliminated via testing and enables the breeder to never produce affected puppies by using the test results and breeding to the correct strategy. I also highly recommend testing for Elbow and Hip Dysphasia. Other considerations are von Willebrand's Disease (VWD) Standards only, Sebaceous Adenitis and Patellar Luxation if Toy Poodles have been used. Labradoodles are no more disposed to health problems than the breeds that they are comprised of. Hybrid Vigor can be a positive outcome when crossbreeding, but is only as disease free as the actual dogs that were bred from.

Ask for and read the health guarantee.

It should at a minimum be for 2 years, preferably full money back for life threatening genetic conditions and should not be contingent upon you returning the dog, no one should be expected to return a puppy/dog that is a part of their family, in order for their health guarantee to be honored. Check the timeframes, sometimes they are so limiting that there is no way you would ever be able to have the health guarantee honored, which means it is not worth the paper it is written on. Ask if they have ever had to honor a guarantee and if so, could you speak with the person that received reimbursement according to terms of their health guarantee.

Why they are breeding labradoodles?

Are they really working to improve the breed and taking risks by producing new unrelated bloodlines to further strengthen the genetic diversity of the developing Australian Labradoodle breed or are they just breeding to produce puppies; from the same old bloodlines. What are the breeders priorities? Is it their dogs, their puppies, selling pet puppies, selling breeding dogs or selling as many puppies as possible. t?.

What is the health schedule for your puppy?
You should be informed of recommended future treatments and timing.
Worming should have been done from 2 weeks, on a regular schedule. Your should receive a veterinary certificate for the puppies initial vaccinations. Your puppies ears should have been cleaned on a regular basis and it should not arrive with an ear infection. Your puppy should not arrive with fleas or flea bites.
Your puppy should arrive in a tidy order, clean bottom, hair between eyes trimmed (so it can see) and with a pleasant puppy odour. Please do allow for accidents to happen during travel to your home.

How many litter do they have from their females?
Exercise of their dogs (How, what and when?)



How much space does each dog have to live in?
Are the dogs kenneled?
Do they have undercover areas to play in?
Do they have shade and insulation?
Do they have toys?
What do they feed their dogs?

Does the breeder provide detailed care information prior to and upon arrival of your new puppy?

You should be informed of recommended future treatments and timing. Worming should have been done from 2 weeks, on a regular schedule with next treatment date listed. You should receive a veterinary certificate for the puppies initial vaccinations and next date due. Your puppies ears should have been cleaned on a regular basis and it should not arrive with an ear infection. Your puppy should not arrive with fleas or flea bites and when flea or tick treatment is due. Will you be given information regarding what the puppy has been eating and suggestions. Do they provide training and dietary information and provide recommendations on beds, toys, grooming products and other items required for the proper care of your dog.. Your puppy should arrive in a tidy order, clean bottom, hair between eyes trimmed (so it can see) and with a pleasant puppy odour, preferably not covered up by heavy shampoo. Please do allow for accidents to happen during travel to your home.

Is De-sexing included in the price?

Young puppies recover much more quickly from this minor surgery. You should receive a veterinarian certificate of de-sexing.

Does the breeder allow visits to their establishment?
Is the breeder proud to show you around and allow access to all areas, other than new born puppies?

Many breeders may schedule open days so they are not overwhelmed with constant visitors and may have rules for being in contact with young puppies. Do not be offended if you are asked to walk through a foot bath, cover your shoes or remove your shoes, as puppies must be protected from disease, which could be transported on the soles of your shoes and the tires of your car. What is the nature of the dogs like? What are the conditions like? Do the dogs look in good condition and happy

Does the breeder offer their  life-time support and re-homing?

Does the breeder offer referrals that you can actually check?
Do you find the breeder is honest and straightforward?

Are you comfortable communicating with the breeder and getting reasonable responses to your questions?

Does the breeder inform you not only of the positives of owning a labradoodle, but the negatives as well.  I constantly emphasize training and exercise and if you do not have time to do these two vital things, then perhaps another breed would be better.  Labradoodles are very smart and will out-smart their owners if not properly trained.  

Are you screened as to your viability of being a responsible pet owner?

My application form is not meant to be intrusive, but hopefully a useful tool in bringing up some issues you might not have considered.

Request an application form