Help finding a mini Labradoodle - worried about red flags

[Elaine Uomini]

Finally, after much reading about Labradoodles, the time has come to choose a breeder and put in a deposit for a Spring puppy.  But I am still hesitant and confused.  I live in Santa Barbara, CA and have yet to find a breeder of mini  Labradoodles very close to us.  Some breeders on my short list live about a day’s drive away, okay for picking up a puppy, but not conducive to many home visits.  However, even some breeders on my short list, in spite of glowing testimonials and photos of puppies that fill my heart with love and joy, seem to have a few red flags.  I need help sorting these out.  Should I eliminate breeders from my short list if they do these things?

1. Spay or neuter at 8 weeks.  Our two rescued kittens, Rosie and Puffin, had this done to them, and they are now 6-year-old healthy cats.  The Rescue cat lady said that the new micro surgical techniques made this possible.   But of course, they are cats, not dogs.
2. I know this is a whole can of worms, but I read a couple of posts from a few years ago on Doodlekisses about Rutland Manor.  If a breeder mentions Rutland Manor as good thing in her “about us” section is that a red flag?   Even though she health tests all current mother and father dogs, is this a problem?
3. Many of the breeders use guardian homes so that every dog gets to have a loving family.  I love this concept.  If a breeder is doing this, and yet still has a few “retired” mother dogs to rehome, is this a red flag?  It seems to me that the guardian homes would still love them, even though retired or am I misunderstanding something?  Certainly the dogs would love their guardian families and want to be with them after bonding with them for 5 or 6 years.

I appreciate  your help in sorting all of this out.  I understand we can’t rate individual breeders here, but if anyone has any suggestions about mini Labradoodles close to Santa Barbara, CA, feel free to write to me personally.  Thank you in advance.  I love coming to Doodlekisses and reading everyone’s stories and seeing all the cute Doodle pictures!

[Christine & Shelby]

I know there are many different views on the issues you have brought up here. I can personally address item #1 based on experience with my breeder. My Shelby came from a breeder who utilized pediatric spay/neuter as part of her breeding program. I know there are a lot of options on the matter. This is what I can tell you, based on my experience. I met/picked Shelby just a day after her surgery.... She was doing very well and bounced back very quickly. She is now 4 years old, happy, healthy and very active and has had no problems as a result of the early spay.

[Moe]

I think everyone goes through this same dilemma. I ended up going with a local breeder because it was important to me to see where the parent dogs were kept. I wanted to make sure that I wasn't supporting a puppy mill or some type of cruelty. It is so easy to fake those websites of lovely farms and dogs frolicking on 20+ acres. Having said that I didn't get the exact dog I wanted because there wasn't a local breeder. Now my pup is perfect and I wouldn't trade her for the world but if I had the entire country open to me then I would have made a different choice on color and coat type. My neighbor had her puppy shipped from the other side of the country to get exactly what she wanted. The shipping didn't seem to effect the dog at all. Next time I wouldn't rule out a reputable breeder from outside my area.

I'm sure others will weigh in on the other stuff.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Any multigenerational ALD has Rutland Manor or Tegan Park in the background. I would not let this deter me, in fact I didn't.

[Adrienne]

I agree!!  It didn't stop me from getting Dougie and I can't imagine not having him.

[Adina P]

Some good breeders use guardian homes.  So maybe see if you can contact any current guardians to see how they are liking working with the breeder.  And yes, if you have an Australian labradoodle then Rutland Manor was involved in its ancestry.  I guess it depends on the particular line and health, etc.  As for early spay/neuter.  It alone doesn't say much about the breeder.  You are welcome to post the names of the breeders on your list here and then people can get in touch with you privately if they have an opinion on the breeder(s) or any experience.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Riley is an early neuter has Rutland Manor in his ancestry and the Breeder was in a different country and chose him for me! I drove and got on a ship and did a 23 hour journey to bring him home. He is gorgeous, smart and very health and will be three next April. I got very good at sifting out the dodgy breeders and I got even better at weeding out the odd ones. I spent several long conversations with my eventual breeder and based all my information on what I learnt here. It was scary but ultimately I went with my gut. I told the breeder all about DK and how I would be blogging about my new puppy so she would know that there was going to be publicity. In the end my breeder chose the perfect puppy for us based on what i told her about my lifestyle and wishes.  Good luck with your choice and new puppy when it comes. 

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

I did not know this, Nicky. Wow, what a journey to get the sweet Riley.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

It was a journey and a half !!!! I crept out of the house at 2 am and was back 23 hours later, hundreds of miles and two ferry journeys later with one chocolate Labradoodle puppy in my arms. He was as good as gold the whole way home in a crate in the back of my car. (I must have been mad LOL) I wrote about it all here at the time and drove everyone mad.

[Bonnie and Kona]

No, you didn't drive any of us mad! You endeared us to you and Riley from the moment you wrote your first post. ;o)

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Your journey to get Riley has always been one of my favorites!  

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

I didn't know about your journey either, Nicky.  A wonderful ending / beginning  for both of you : )

[Pat and Traveler]

I felt like I was right with you all the way, getting Riley.  In fact, what a great title for a book--Getting Riley!  I'm sure this is by far the most difficult and adventure-filled doodle puppy pick-up ever!