What do you think about this breeder- Lakeshore Doodles?

[K Frey]

You guys have been so good about giving me wonderful advice. I have another issue I need some help with. I 've been looking at this breeder in NY called Lakeshore Doodles. Here's their website http://www.fortheloveofdoodles.com/index.html It's a family breeder. I've talked to them several times and they are very responsive with all of my questions. One of the things that has me a little hesitant is that the mom of the litter that we're interested in has not been health tested. I was told that she has had litters before, and all of the pups have been healthy. The dad has had some health testing done and is all clear. They offer a 2 year health guarantee too. What do you think?

[Julie B.]

I understand all about giardia believe me... it does originate in water but once it is prevalent in a kennel it is only through cleanliness that you can get rid of it. That is what I meant. I am informing the breeders that I want a sound potential breeding pup. I may decide not to go that route but I want to have that option. I know there will be a lot to learn but I am working with a great vet, I intend to work with the breeder where I will be getting my pup and I am very motivated to do it right. Thanks for your comments.

[Adina P]

I think you'll be hard pressed to find one under $1200 unless for a very good reason they have been discounted...you are looking at F1's right? Fewer and fewer breeders are breeding F1 Labradoodles as the trend has moved toward the multigens...or at least F1b. They are still out there, but not as many.

Check out our What To Look for In a Breeder piece: http://www.doodlekisses.com/notes/What_To_Look_for_In_a_Breeder

You might consider more than just the hip testing as a requirement as you'll want that health background info if you plan to breed forward. For instance you mentioned elbow testing as a bonus...interestingly the incidence (I heard recently) of elbow dysplasia is growing--so might be worth making that a non-negotiable test too.

[Julie B.]

I really don't want to belabor this discussion on price because there are a lot of other more important reasons to consider a breeder. I will say however that my first F1, Luah was $800 and her breeder is still charging that for her pups and I have found 2 other breeders in Ohio that do hip, elbow and eye testing and their pups are also $800. I really think price is regionally dependent. If you are in a high population area you are going to pay more than in a rural area but the pups will still be essentially the same. There are no guarantees in any of this but price is still quite variable. I am going to get an F1 because I love my first dog and if I go into breeding I want this generation of LB to produce F1Bs or F2s.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I'm not sure if I should put this here as it has no relevance to this discussion except to add to your statement that there are breeders in Ohio who test their dogs. But, here it goes:

When we go to our local dog park there is a beautiful 2 year-old golden retriever who plays with Spud. Clearly, his hips are not right. He can't run and keep up, he hops or slowly limps after just a few minutes of play. The owner never comments on his hips and neither do I, but he did tell me he purchased him at a great breeder in Ohio who also breeds goldendoodles. Well, I looked up the two possible breeders in this city. Both claim all the good stuff, family raised, socialized, guarantee , health checked--------------------- Get my point?

Watching this beautiful golden breaks my heart. Sure he looks good, but is he really?

Not to put down my area or state but please be careful. Visit the kennel, look at and meet former dogs. Take all the advice given to you here.

As my mother would always say, Life has NO Guarantees.

[Julie B.]

I hear you on the "life has no guarentees"! Fortunately the breeder, Riverbend kennels does not breed goldendoodles. Even though the OFA cert. etc do not guarentee anything, they certainly help to reduce the risk. There was another discussion on the forum about blown knees in their doodles and frankly I hear and see a lot more of this than bad hips. What is it with Labs that they seem to have ACL tears? I personally know of 4 labs that have had this and I am wondering if that tendancy is showing up in our LBs? Not much you can do to test for it but it certainly is a concern of mine. I can't imagine having a high energy, athletic dog that has to be contained and rested because of knee problems. Anyway, thanks for your concern. Have a great day!

[K Frey]

Hey everybody. I just wanted to touch base and let you all know that I had an opportunity yesterday to speak with someone who is familiar with Lakeshore and their breeding program. I feel badly that the Lakeshore family has been painted in such a negative light. I don't want people to think that they don't care about their puppies, it just seems as though they didn't have the knowledge to realize how important the health testing really was. I was told that they really are a nice family, very involved in the community and in charity work. They have recently learned the incredible value of health testing their breeders. It sounds as though they are heading in the right direction with the health testing now. They've recently decided to have all of their studs tested, which is evident on their website, and are working toward having all of the dams tested, too. Hopefully in another year or 2 they'll be up to par with all of the testing that should be done. Just thought I should put that out there!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I don't think the Giordanos have been portrayed in a negative light as a family or as individuals; they have been portrayed in a negative light as breeders. I'm sure they are "a nice family, very involved in the community and in charity work"; but that doesn't qualify them to breed dogs any more than it qualifies them to repair your car, replace your furnace, or do brain surgery. I'm glad to hear that they now realize the importance of testing, but it's discouraging that they have already produced many litters from untested parents, and that it will take them "another year or 2" to be "up to par". I wonder if the reason more of the sires are tested than the dams has to do with the fact that perhaps they don't own the sires, and the testing was done by the actual owners.

[Cynthia Meldrum]

You should never buy a dog online. If they won't test the Mom, I would keep looking. Try the shelters and rescues they have everything from puppies to adults.

[Kim]

I purchased Allie from Lakeshore Doodles and some of the answers to this post worries me tremendously. I didn't find doodlekisses until I had already purchased my Allie. I thought I did a lot of research, and I am happy with my decision at this point. However - had I asked your question here first, I never would have purchased from them. I guess you need to decide on your own whether you trust them or not, I can't really help you decide that. I know that in the future when we are ready for another Doodle, I will (again - at this point) purchase another from them. Our Vet is in love with Allie - he says she is "perfect," everytime he sees her. I'm not saying all of their puppies are "perfect," I'm just thankful that I have him to reassure me regarding Allie. I hope you follow your gut, and keep researching. Good luck with finding your Doodle!

[Robin Percival]

I purchased Murphy from Lakeshore Doodles as well.  Both of Murphy's parents were health tested, so it looks like they have gone in the right direction.  The vet tells me Murphy is the picture of health.  Hopefully that will continue.  Murphy is currently 5 months old, he is a beautiful pup, he has a great personality, and is wonderful with my children.  He was super easy to crate train, and potty train.  He sits, and he will not take his food or anything we drop on the floor until we say take it.  So it looks like we got beauty, brains, and hopefully continued health all in one package. LOL.  So, as of right now, I have only wonderful things to report on Lakeshore Doodles. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Robin, this discussion is almost three years old. I'm glad to hear that things seem to have improved with this breeder.