New doodle - what questions should I ask the breeder ?

[Kim kennedy]

We will pick our golden-doodle puppy up Christmas week. We are meeting withe the breeder on Sunday - what types of questions should I ask?

[Kim kennedy]

Great article and the breeder has told me she makes no promises on "no shedding" and that the pups are raised in her home with her children. She is also open to us visiting and will return our deposit if we change our mind. The pups are Fb1 and I have a question because there is so much written and confusing!
The mom is a golden doodle, so she should not be an off spring of the sire poodle correct?

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Correct

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Correct and there will obviously, be no AKC papers for Mom.

[Ginny Nightingale]

Good advice Joanne!

I would not spend too much time on what to do when you get the puppy home--you can save that for later. Some questions for now: What do you need to buy beforehand, what type of food should you get (you want to keep the pup on the same food for a while and if you switch, do it VERY gradually--you can get excellent food advice from our FOOD GROUP!

Also, what type of socializing have the pups had and will they be paper trained at all--and will they have had any time outside by the end of December? This will make a difference when you are housebreaking the puppy as far as what it is used to. 

One thing that shocks me a bit is that you are seeing the pups so soon--but actually you just said that you are meeting with the breeder--so maybe not seeing the pups? Usually they do not let you visit them that early.

[Kim kennedy]

We are only seeing the parents, not the puppy's. The breeder has updated us with pictures of the litter, however we want to visit the parents. Thank you for all the advice

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Find out if your breeder sends pictures of the pup's development.  Some do and it is way cool.

[Kim kennedy]

She has sent pictures - thanks

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Where are the puppies? Outside or inside?  If they are in a barn~ run

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Kim, I see you are somewhere in PA. I'm in Ohio. You and I both have the 1st and 2nd largest States for puppy mills. It's sad, but true. You and I also have the largest Amish Population. Nice people, sure, but their puppies are absolutely horrible and riddled with health issues. God love the Amish, but they should stick to building barns and making quilts, and never breeding puppies. The Amish are the largest breeder of Doodles and other puppies in the US.  They also supply almost every online puppy broker.    Some families make more than a $1/2 million a year on just barns full  of puppies.   You can see this on the TV show 20/20 if you just do a search.

Please make sure you actually see where the parents are. If someone brings the dogs to you, ask to see where they live. Arrive early so they are not prepared for your visit. Anyone can bring a dog up from a kennel or a barn that is located who knows where, to show you dogs and you think they actually live in the house.  We have had that on DK many times. 

Also, do a search on the internet and see if you can find any reports or complaints to the address or the family name

[Kim kennedy]

Joanne - I am close to Pittsburgh and the breeder is only 45mins from me so I am planning to visit as much as I can and your right about the puppy mills in PA and Ohio. We purchase Elroy from a breeder that actually bred them in her home with her family. I think the doodles are the same- I will find out Sunday. I just don't want my excitement to cloud what I should be looking for . Thanks so much for all your advice!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Cool!  Maybe we could meet up one day. You are two hours away

[Kim kennedy]

Great - I hoping for the best when we visit Sunday. I am so thankful for the advice.
Spud is adorable, is he a f1b?