The universe has acted:

[Discussing Labradoodles & Goldendoodles]

Ok, so I'm a believer that everything happens for a reason, and this is why...

1) A responsible doodle breeder does not sugar-coat the truth and sell false promises about doodles. 

CHECK

2) A responsible breeder only breeds dogs that have passed rigorous health testing.

She breeds 2 litters a year, she is more into the craft than for the money.  It shows.  

I'm ok with this not being a complete check.

3) A responsible breeder does not breed/sell many different breeds.-->CHECK
She breeds F1's and F1B's only

4) A responsible breeder offers a decent health warranty.--> CHECK

Two years with lifetime support 

5) What are the parents like?-->check
There are videos of her dogs interacting with cats, even a video of the mother nursing abandoned kittens .

6) What is the breeder's home like?--> CHECK
She has taken over 25 videos of her gaining sessions with her dogs, her place is clean.

7) How are puppies raised? --> CHECK
In her home, she also has a small section in her yard devoted to puppies, with pine wood , no stain, no chemicals all natural, with a built in house with a built in puppy playground.

(please see attached pic )

8) Is the breeder asking as many questions as you ask the breeder? ---> CHECK
we've had lengthy picture exchanges and conversations

9) What is the breeders return policy?--->CHECK
She will assist in the rehoming of the animal.

Choose a Breeder who Has High Standards----> CHECK
-check.  she feeds her puppies the same premium food I feed my cat.[taste of the wild]   (green flag)

He's not a mill puppy, a craiglist/ebay/petfinder/facebook puppy. 

I SWEAR last night before bed,I asked for this specific list and by George....this is eeeeerie :

healthy -- yes, he was vet checked and has his record

smart -- his brothers and sisters are therapy dogs

good personality, (must love cats)-- please notice picture:

minimal shedding ,-- to be determined

male-- yes

cuddle monster --- she sent a video of him cuddling with her daughter.

calm  -- as a puppy (mid range)

scoring a 3/4 on the volhard puppy aptitude test (if long distance)

his scores:

Social attraction: 3
Following: 3
Restraint: 3
Social Dominance: 3
Elevation dominance: 4
Retrieving: 4
Touch Sensitivity: 4
Sound Sensitivity: 4
Sight sensitivity: 3
Stability: 3

older so that when i start school in September the pup will be around 5-6 months and not be completely puppy crazed. --> he's 3 and will be around 6 months when I go back (are you serious???)

red colored (would be amazing, I have red hair but they are harder to find), it was meant to be

a sweet honest breeder that passes scrutiny screening and breeder checklist no settling...

I FOUND HIM!!! please meet the real Nimby:

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I am very concerned with your answer to the second question:

2) A responsible breeder only breeds dogs that have passed rigorous health testing.

"She breeds 2 litters a year, she is more into the craft than for the money.  It shows.  

I'm ok with this not being a complete check."

Out of this whole checklist, the health testing is the single most important item. It's great that she only breeds two litters a year, but without the genetic health testing on the breeding dogs, nothing else matters. 

I'm hoping that I'm reading this wrong and the breeder does in fact do health testing on the parents, and that you have received verification of the results. I really don't want to burst your bubble. The pup is adorable, but that doesn't mean anything and isn't going to do you any good if you end up with a dog who has a genetic disease. 

I feel like we have all tried very hard to help you find a responsible breeder, but if it is true that you have chosen another puppy from a breeder who does not do health testing, I feel very frustrated and that our advice has fallen on deaf ears. Please tell me I am wrong. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The health testing is done on the parents, not the puppies. This is not things like vets checking out the puppies' health. There are genetic screenings that are done to be sure the parents are not carrying for certain common genetic diseases, or orthopedic issues like hip dysplasia. Hips, elbows, PRA (eyes), von Willebrands disease, heart... It will almost always say on the website with the parents' information that they have had OFA or Penn Hip hip testing at the very least, and the scores are usually posted. You must be sure this was done on both parents. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

2) A responsible breeder only breeds dogs that have passed rigorous health testing.
This means MORE than yearly vet check-ups. What health testing has been done on the parent dogs? Two dogs may seem perfectly healthy on the outside and may even pass their yearly checkups at the vet with flying colors--but a lot of diseases are not visible to the naked eye. Without rigorous health testing, a number of conditions can be passed down to puppies.

For starters, ask to see PROOF that they have passing OFA or PennHIP hip scores on both parents. Then ask for proof of eye clearance either through CERF or PRA. CERF must be done annually and PRA is a genetic test that need only be done once for clearance. Von Willebrands disease is a bleeding disorder similar to hemophilia...poodles have it more often than retrievers, but it can be found in Goldens too...so ask for genetic clearance for this disease too. Beyond that many do basic genetic testing for all sorts of things and of course annual vet clearances...but just vet clearances aren't enough. Breeders bring new dogs in to the world...if they don't care to do all they can to ensure optimum health...go to someone else who does.

Read this article for more information on the potential health problems in doodles and why choosing a breeder carefully is critical: Health Problems in Doodles

Read more here: http://www.doodlekisses.com/notes/What_To_Look_for_In_a_Breeder#ixz...

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Puppy mill dogs sold in pet stores come with registration papers, microchips, shots, etc. I understand that you have been researching, but I don't think you have been researching the right things in the right places. 

Genetic health testing on the parents is the number one priority. Without that, nothing else matters. 

All I can say is good luck. I sincerely hope that your puppy is very healthy and stays that way, but it's a good idea to get health insurance for all dogs. 

[Stephanie and Ragley]

I am not trying to offend at all, but saying you have done over 100 hours of research to those of us who practically live on this forum, and especially to Karen, is pretty much meaningless. We have all- Karen most of all- done all that and more throughout the months or, in my case years, leading up to us adding to our family and then after bringing the puppy or dog home. The research never stops- vet decisions, nutrition, training, etc.
I believe that you have put a lot of thought into this, but don't think that 100 hours will sound like a huge number to any of us.
PS just as an FYI- TOTW is owned by Diamond and is thus no longer on the DK recommended list. Just as something to consider when deciding if you would keep this puppy on that food or not :)

[Stephanie and Ragley]

I think it is fabulous that you have shared your downfalls and mistakes in order for others to learn!
I think where the issues arise (and where they always do with every discussion of similar substance) is when people make mistakes (we all do) or have issues and seek help, but then go against the advice that everyone works so hard on here to collect and make available. You are not the first to have a situation like this. You presented with an issue; asked for assistance; people worked diligently to provide you with advice, links, lists of essential qualities, and resources you could use; you came up with a new (and fabulous) game plan; and now you present to all those who worked to help you with yet another puppy from a breeder that lists her dogs on Next Day Pets- one of the exact places you were directed NOT to go.
THAT is where the frustration originates from. It is totally up to you where you purchase your puppy. You seem like a very educated person- did you not think people might get frustrated on your behalf when you had two heartbreaks and then went straight back to the same place for a third time?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Well, I found your breeder, and I hate to tell you this, but once again, you have selected a puppy from a BYB who does not do health testing on her breeding dogs. Not only that, but the purchase contract makes no provision whatsoever for refund or reimbursement if the puppy should have a genetic disease. Sigh.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

This is not a reputable breeder: http://www.doodledawgs.com/index.htm

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

No matter what kind of breed you look for, the very first thing that any article on finding or purchasing a puppy will tell you is to only buy from a breeder who does health testing on the parents. That is the very first bit of advice or information from reliable sources that anyone who is looking for a puppy of any kind will see when they start researching. Google "choosing a breeder", and that's all you see in every article. But somehow you seem to have missed that, and even after all the advice here in your last discussion on what to look for in a breeder, you still somehow have missed it. This is what has me confused and frustrated, and also very worried. for you. It doesn;t take much searching here to find all kinds of people whose dogs have had horrendous health issues, even as puppies. Health issues that cost thousands of dollars to treat and may affect the dog for his entire life. We are not trying to make you feel bad, we just don;t want it to happen to you. Unlike some of these others, you found us before you made a mistake. Take advantage of that. 

I feel like you have this timetable in your head telling you that you have to get a puppy who will be a certain age by the time you go back to school, and that is why you are in such a frenzy to find a puppy right now. But as far as the puppy being 6 months old when you go back to school, puppies between the ages of 6 and 12 months are hell on wheels. Much more difficult in many ways than 2 or 3 month olds. The teenage period is anything BUT calm. I don't know where you got the idea that the puppy crazies are over then. That's when the dog starts testing the limits, and when you need to kick your training program into high gear. So forget the time table. You are going to be sharing your home and your life with this dog for hopefully the next 12-15 years at least. Please, please, take your time. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Apparently, we're talking to ourselves here. Looks like Loveadoodle is gone. :(

I sure hope things work out okay for her and whatever puppy she ends up with. 

[Stephanie and Ragley]

What a shame...I was honestly just trying to inform her of the reason why she may have been meeting some criticism. I truly hope that her puppy endeavors work out for the best. We all make poor decisions at some point or another- I just hate that she was so firm in her standard and then went against herself (seemingly to get the "right" colored doodle).

[karen gallant]

If you're still here Lovadoodle, Nimby is a cutie.  Enjoy.