New to Doodle Kisses and awaiting our first Doodle!!

[Pam, Jack & Vada]

Hi everyone!   So glad that I found this site!  I am a mom to three wonderful grown children and a Nana to two amazing grandchildren with two grand babies on the way!  I am also Mom to fur babies- Boston Terrier and Yorkie-little girls!  I want a "big" dog.  I thought I wanted another female but now I am undecided.  I have had a hard time finding doodles in Kansas that I feel comfortable purchasing our next baby from.  I have been in touch with a breeder here in Kansas (just 45 minutes from us) who will have MEDIUM F1b boys available in just a few days that are adorable ( 2 to choose from) AND she just emailed me to let me know that she JUST had a STANDARD F1b baby boy come available ready NOW!!!  I have also found a breeder in Missouri who I also feel comfortable with however her next litters are due in September which puts us into November for bringing baby home which concerns me for housebreaking.  Her puppies will have started bell training as well as crate training though-thats a good thing right?  Who uses bell training?  Thoughts?  We would have 3rd choice or 4th choice of puppies depending on which Dam we would choose.  We would have to travel and WAIT.  Which is SO hard!!  So now I must decide if we really want a baby boy-the more research I do I really think that is what I want- and if we want medium or standard.  Advice???  Please??

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I believe in the old adage, "Anything worth having is worth waiting for". I also believe in another old adage "Act in haste, repent in leisure". LOL

Here's some better advice, though. If you haven't already read What to look for in a Breeder, read it now, and take it seriously. This is the bare minimum you should be looking for, and if either or both of these breeders can't measure up, move on. Read the sales agreement, ask to see the health testing results on the parents. 

Go visit both places, have a look around, and meet the parents. This is a 12-15 year commitment to a living being who will be sharing your home and spending time with your grandchildren. It's really worth it to take the time and trouble, even if it means a little extra travelling, to get it right.

Good luck. :)

 

[Pam, Jack & Vada]

I have read the above.  I have been READING and researching like crazy!  Both breeders meet or exceed everything I am looking for.  The breeder who has the little boys is only one of two breeders in Kansas who is listed on the owner recommended site.  The breeder in Missouri has beautiful dogs with excellent references.  All of her golden doodle adults are UABR registered as will her pups. Her standard poodles are beautiful AKC registered that she also shows them.  She does an amazing program for stimulation, puppy kindergarten, introduces bell training and crate training.  She does breed weimaraners and shows those as well.  Both breeders do all of the screenings mentioned.  I don't really thin that we could go wrong with either breeder.  Neither are puppy mills or backyard breeders-no offense to anyone meant.  Just to decide between male or female and medium or standard...

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Pam, I know who the MO breeder is, and that's a bunch of hooey about the championships and the poodles "being shown"; the dogs are not eligible to be shown in any recognized AKC championships, for one thing parti poodles are disqualified from competition in this country. Her dogs are also not in the poodle pedigree database. That doesn't matter as far as you are concerned, but a website full of lies makes me very nervous. What else is she lying about?  Any dog whose parents are both the same breed can be AKC registered, puppy mill dogs have AKC registrations, too. And the APRI is nothing, meaningless. here's one article explaining it: http://www.dachshundranch.com/2010_AKC_vs_pet_registries.htm

I have no idea what UABR is, but I suspect it's similar. Again, means nothing.

Again, doesn't matter for your purposes, but misleading. Not a good sign.

She lists no genetic health testing for any of her breeding dogs. Do not buy any puppy from parents who have not had genetic health testing. Registrations mean nothing in regard to health. You must see proof of testing. 

Her health warranty is not acceptable, either. She only offers a replacement puppy in the event that a genetic defect is so severe it is life threatening or requires euthanasia. No reimbursement for vet costs, and nothing if the illness or defect is treatable. 

I would stay far, far away from this breeder.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

And trust me, nobody is selling Champion-sired puppies of any breed on Next Day Pets, which is what the MO breeder does. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

I have a large medium male and a small standard female. I love them dearly and male, female doesn't really matter I think. They are different in some ways but I don't think it's a gender thing.  I wish Calla was a tad smaller because I worry about if and when I would have to lift her. I really can't and I would have to get someone to help me if she were sick or injured. After caring for my son's standard poodle I vowed to get dogs I could lift....

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm pretty sure I know who the KS breeder is too, and betwwen the two, the one in KS is by far the better choice. 

[Pam, Jack & Vada]

Karen-I messaged you- hope that's ok-

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yep. :)

[a.k.a. Rodney]

Hi Pam, Welcome!! Great place to learn & listen too!! I started looking for a pup a yr ago Sept. We picked DerbyDoodle up in march. We had some false starts, but worked things out. When the vet said she was a sound and impressive pup I knew the wait & research time paid off! All of the breeders will fly a puppy to you for around $300.... And there are some wonderful breeders listed here on DK....what better testimonial would one need than to be a breeder cleared by this website!!??
When the breeders start calling you after you weren't so impressed with them...that was a red flag to me...when they had so many to offer...another red flag!! Unfortunately no state licenseing or regulations helps protect the buyers or the pups....so keep researching...every time you read or talk to someone...more info is learned!! GOOD LUCK!!

[Kris and Sawyer]

Commenting on the bell training... Love it. Our English Goldendoodle picked up on it very quickly. We got him at 10 weeks old and within a week, without much training, he figured it out. We've had him for 4 weeks and now he doesn't just hit the bells, he rings them loud and clear, very persistently!! --- I'm fairly certain we are the ones who are trained. He rings the bells, we come running. :-).

[Judy, Meg & Polly Wolly Doodle]

Hi Pam, my Meg originally came from a Kansas breeder.  (we got her as a rescue but all her paperwork was with her so we were able to find that information)  I have not looked to see if she is on the recommended list but we love her.  Hope you find the doddle of your dreams and looking forward to seeing pictures of the one that steals your heart.

[Sally S Miles]

Since you have two females, I would aim for a male - but it's not written in stone. I think the dog matters more than gender, but I would balance it out. 

I also think that since the variation in size between medium and standard is so wide, it doesn't matter and that is where a good breeder comes in. Someone who can comprehend what you are trying to mesh together, understand 'who' is inside their pups can help you connect to your dogs.     I would aim for the temperament, individual - but I do think I would get a male.

We have always had large and small dogs - German Shepherd's and Yorkies - the little one was always in charge. Even the Maltese that weighed only four pounds bossed around the huge GSD for her short life, but Yorkies take no prisoners. 

 

I have no advice on breeder - it's all here - but pay attention to internal red flags, the ones that have no rhyme or reason.  I looked for well over a year and a half before getting our girl and she just had to be ours, it's taken me eight months to find our new Mauka. Patience and persistence are key.   My vet asked me "Why her?" - ((we have known each other a long time , who fostered for many years, then I show up with a puppy and she is a different sort of dog for me)  - but my response was an immediate "She was the one" made her smile - me too.

Any breeder who tells you all of their pups are good for you, your situation, or that all of their dogs are ...?      well - I'd walk