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Labradoodle & Goldendoodle Forum

Hi Everyone,

This is my first post. My family and I are now looking for a Labradoodle. I've been doing some research and have some initial questions. First off, is it highly recommended to purchase from a reputable breeder? It seems like these prices for puppies are around $2500-$3000. We are just looking for a healthy puppy and are not too concerned with the parent's pedigree. I see that there are listings for labradoodles for about $750-$1250 or so and was wondering how they compare?

Also, I think we would prefer a smaller to medium sized puppy. I see there are breeders that offer "miniature" puppies and was wondering how they would know how large the puppy would grow. 

We also are looking for a labradoodle that hopefully won't shed much. I understand that this is difficult to know, but can certain breeders somewhat guarantee if a dog will shed or not?

We are located in Maryland, but are up for a mini road trip to pick up a puppy. If the timing worked out in mid-April during school spring break time, that would be great.

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

-Steph

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Since most breeders it seems do not have puppies available and to reserve a puppy you need to put a deposit down. So, how should I base choosing a breeder if I have to lock myself into one with a deposit for puppies that haven't been born yet? I suppose though that most Labradoodles are good for families and that most reputable breeders should be able to match a puppy for a family, but I'm just wondering how to settle on just one breeder....

You don't have to put down a deposit just to talk to them and ask questions, though. Talk to them. Ask questions. Ask to visit. Ask to see health testing results. If they aren't receptive, that's probably not someone you want to buy from anyway. Wait until you feel comfortable with someone before giving a deposit.

The thing is, it simply isn't true that "most labradoodles are good for families." That's marketing hype. If it were true, Doodle Rescue wouldn't have had to rehome thousands of doodles, most of whom were relinquished by families with young kids. Make sure you aren't one of those by carefully researching before you buy a puppy. :)

Thank you. I understand. I'm contacting now the four breeders in Maryland. Some have replied, basically saying they don't have puppies available now, but if I want to put a deposit down, I can. I've now asked if the can recommend a little and/or puppy for me because I don't understand how some upcoming litters can be full and some have spots open. Do some people know more about the parents and put a deposit on that particular litter? 

Should  I be seeking a F2, F1, F1B? It's a bit complicated. The F2 is the most sought after because they don't shed as much?

Most reputable breeders do not breed F2s, which are a breeding of an F1 to another F1. This combination is MOST likely to shed and is not recommended.. An F1B is a breeding of an F1 to a purebred Poodle, and that has the best chance of not shedding. 

But none of that applies or matters if you are looking at ALDs, which you must be if the breeders are listed with the ALAA. Those are multigenerational labradoodles,, far removed from the F1s. F2s, etc which are early generations. ALD breeders are not breedingF1s, F2s, etc. They are way past that. 

I think you need to do a bit more research. :) 
The different upcoming litters will have different sizes & colors of puppies, depending on the parents. That's what people are putting down deposits on: they want a medium chocolate, or a parti color, or perhaps some people are repeat buyers.   
Ask to talk to the breeders. Tell them you are new to the doodle world and would like more information so you can be better informed before choosing a litter. . 

Okay, so I just looked at the 4 MD breeders listed on the ALAA site, and they are definitely ALD breeders, no F1s, F2s, etc. You can forget about that with these breeders. 

If you look at the upcoming litters on the website of the first MD breeder listed, you see that they are all very different. You have a litter of pups expected to mature at 20-30 lbs, in chocolate & cafe colors, you have litters of reds and apricots expected to be 20-25 lbs, you have a litter expected to be 30-35 lbs in various colors including perhaps some partis, you have a litter of standards (45-55 lbs, you have an apricot cream litter in the 30-35 lb range, etc. The due dates and go home dates are all different, too. This is why some litters have openings and some don;t: usually, the further out the pups are expected, the more openings there will be. Which ones "sell out" faster will also depend on how many people are looking for smaller or bigger dogs, red or chocolate dogs, etc. You get the idea. 

I am getting a better understanding of the process. So, when it comes to shedding it would be difficult to tell whether these dogs would shed since they are not F1, F2, F1B etc,

As for size and color, a breeder would take a request or is it more like first come first serve as far as who got their deposit down first? Someone here said that reputable breeders wouldn't let you pick but would rather match you with a puppy that is right for you (i.e temperament). But they can't really do this until the puppies are born and then at that time the reservation lists are already full.

That being said, I see that this MD breeder has some spaces open. What do you think of them?

http://www.waltzingdoodles.com/upcoming-litters.html

 

The whole point of getting an ALD is that there is more consistency in the coats and there is less likelihood of shedding than with earlier generations like F1s, etc. That's part of what you're paying for with an ALD.

 
As for color and size, what I'm trying to explain is that you would put down a deposit for the litter that matches your preferences. If you want a smaller dog, you wouldn;t put down your deposit for a litter of standards, lol. YOU pick the litter, so you know that you will be getting a red or apricot puppy that will be 20-25 lbs, because that's what ALL of the dogs in that particular litter will be. Or a litter of cream colored 30-35 lbs, or whatever. It's not just a general deposit for any puppy from any litter. It's for a specific litter that best matches what you're looking for. 

I can't comment publicly about the breeder you linked, but I do know someone here on DK who has gotten 2 puppies from them. 

ALAA deals only with Australian labradoodle breeders.  The dogs are described as multigen; which means multigeneration.  There is no back breeding to another breed, but only ALD (Australian labradoodle to Australian labradoodle).

Some people are very definite that they want a certain sex or certain type of coat or certain size or certain color, etc. or all of those things.  Basically they want first pick after the breeder's pick.  That accounts for some of the litters not filling with deposits while the next litter has a deposit already. 

If I find a breeder I trust, I would use their judgment heavily in picking a puppy for your family, especially since you have children.  In my opinion, sex, color, etc do not matter as much as temperament.  I personally would choose a medium dog of about 40-55 pounds, some would call that large because I think they do better with children.

Just a follow up to clarify some general questions I have. Are there reputable F1 labradoodle breeders out there? Multigen breeders are just listed on the ALAA website, but is there a listing for reputable F1 labradoodles? Or should I be staying away from them because they will only come from puppy mills?

What are the benefits of a multigen labradoodle vs. F1 (if any)?

Thanks.

Very few reputable breeders are producing F1s, for the simple reason that they are very unpredictable. Which is one of the benefits of multigens, lol. 

There are no organiztions for breeders of F1s. There is a goldendoodle breeders organization, and some of the members may still be breeding F1 litters. I don;t know of any labradoodle breeders associations other than those for the ALDs.  ALDs are by their nature multigenerational. 

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