Recommended Goldendoodle breeder in New England?

[Jennifer]

Hello! I'm new to the group and am looking for a goldendoodle in the next 6 months (not labradoodle) in MA, Rhode Island, Southern Maine, Connecticut, Vermont, or NH. I live in Boston area, so MA is ideal-- I haven't seen any recommended breeders listed here for goldendoodles in New England. One breeder I came across in Rhode Island won't let anyone visit due to Parvo Virus issues, even with a deposit. Is it adequate to get references from current owners and their veterinarian's recommendation?

Thanks,

Jennifer

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Hi Jennifer, welcome to DK. Breeder recommendations, referrals, and reviews are not permitted here in the open forums. But people can private message you if you accept a "friend" request from them.

Here is a guide on what to look for in a breeder.

http://www.doodlekisses.com/notes/What_To_Look_for_In_a_Breeder

These are the absolute minimum standards you should require. If anyone can't measure up to these minimal standards, walk away. I personally would also walk away from any breeder who breeds a dog before the age of two years old, (genetic health testing done on a dog younger than 2 is preliminary, and many conditions that cannot be tested for don't show up before that),  lets puppies go before the age of 8 weeks (illegal in many states anyway), whose health warranty is dependent on using a certain brand of food or vitamins, or who does all of her own vetting and does not have vet records for the dogs. I would also not even consider any breeder who does not let you visit the premises and meet the mother if not both parents. 

IMO, personal recommendations don't mean much. Everybody loves their dog and thinks he/she is wonderful, so they often think their breeder is, too. I have seen people recommend known puppy brokers selling puppy mill dogs on-line.  

Good luck in your search. Take your time, this is a 12-16 year commitment, so it's worth getting it right. :)

[Adina P]

Remind me to add in that bit about breeding dogs younger than 2 and too young pups.  Although I think pretty much any breeder that does the rest also doesn't sell pups younger than 8 weeks.  Also the requirement of food/vitamins and an explanation about why that is a bad idea.  And vet records.  All good stuff.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

You'd be surprised. DRC deals with a lot relinquished dogs who originally came from so-called reputable breeders who do health testing. I've personally seen "reputable" doodle breeders let a puppy go at 6.5 weeks because the buyer wanted to surprise her DD for her birthday. I've seen "reputable" doodle breeders whose breeding dogs have never seen a vet, ever. And I've seen lots and lots of so-called "reputable" doodle breeders who bred dogs at one year old, and even younger. You may remember the group of breeding dogs who were part of the " DRC's Great Eight"; some of those dogs were the mothers of dogs belonging to DK members, and they were only a year old when they were bred. yet the breeder had a great reputation and a pretty large following here.  Just recently, a very popular and well-thought-of Goldendoodle breeder was kicked out of GANA for breeding a very young dog. 

I'll be happy to write up a "reminder" for you, lol. 

[Adina P]

Karen do you think talking to past owners would help as far as getting a feel for cleanliness and where dogs are kept, which parent dogs they met.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

IF the past owners were actually on the premises within a recent period of time, maybe. 

What I find not at all helpful is the way so many people here will say "I got my puppy from such-and-so and he's very healthy" and the puppy is 6 months old. Um, hello, unless a puppy came from the worst circumstances on earth, at 6 months they all seem healthy, lol. When someone says "I got my dog from such-and-so, he's 5 years old now and he's never had a health issue", then we'll talk. :) 

[Adina P]

I'll have to go check, but I *think* I tried to emphasize that the usefulness of recommendations was for eye-witness accounts of the premises and parent dogs when you can't travel to visit beforehand.  I'll have to add that to the update or change how I said it.  Because yeah, happiness with the DOG doesn't really mean that the breeder was a quality breeder.  Otherwise that would mean puppy mills were awesome breeders too since many people love the dogs they got from puppy mills...or the shelter.  It's not the shelter's "fault" the dog you got there is awesome in every way ;-)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

You did say something to that effect in the article.

What I find so interesting and also baffling is the way people seem to feel that criticism of the breeding facility is also criticism of the dog. People get so defensive, and I just can't understand why. The first thing said when anyone dares to suggest that maybe the dog didn't come from such a reputable source is "I love my dog." Of course you love your dog, nobody is saying you shouldn't love your dog, or that your dog isn't a wonderful dog who is worthy of love. I love my dog too, more than I can even say. He is absolutely the best dog that ever walked on this earth. But he came from a bad place. He came from a puppy mill. There, how hard is that? 

I guess maybe some people feel they have to defend their choices, I don't know. 

[Adina P]

Yeah I'm sure it's THEIR choice that feels critiqued.  I think people jump to the conclusion that ONLY bad dogs can come from poor breeding practices.  And so then you're criticizing not only their choice but their dog. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Here's a good resource for you. The Goldendoodle Association of North America (GANA) maintains high standards for their breeder members: http://www.goldendoodleassociation.com/home.aspx

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Welcome to doodlekisses.  Karen has given you the best information for your research.  To answer your question about purchasing without visiting, many people do, however I wouldn't.  If everything else was great with the RI breeder, I would be a lookie loo and drive by her place to see what I could see from the outside before I made any decision. I would probably ask to meet her outside if that was the best I could do.  I am really one of those who want to 'see with my own eyes.'

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

I can recommend an excellent breeder up in Maine, but she breeds multi-generational labradoodles.  I have two labradoodles from out of the New England area, and I live in Massachusetts. If you can wait until April, you are welcome to meet them and perhaps become persuaded to consider labradoodles, as well ;o)

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I have one of each and they are both adorable (even though I do say so myself)  When we go out people automatically assume they are related. I would much rather go to the best breeder you can than risk problems (of which there are many) and possible heartbreak. PS Wally and Charlotte are adorable.