Labradoodle Breeders who do NOT early neuter/spay

[Karen, Riley & Cooper]

We're looking for a new member of our family and are determined to do our due diligence this time around.  What's so frustrating is that so many (most???) of the recommended breeders do early spay and/or neuter and we will not purchase or adopt a puppy who has been.

 

Has anyone compiled a list of breeders who do NOT do this?  I'm finding that an enormous of amount of time is spent researching breeders and then finding out they do - I'd rather not even look into them (recommendations, website, etc.).  

 

I'm sure I'll hear a lot from people who are in favor of the practice - please understand that I believe everyone is free to have their own opinion, and I don't judge anyone for having one that's different than mine.  

 

Thanks!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I have found it to be mostly the ALD breeders who practice ESN, so should we assume that you are looking for an ALD? 

I don't blame you at all for not purchasing a dog who has been spayed/neutered so young. I wouldn't either. 

[Karen, Riley & Cooper]

Yes Karen, an ALD.  Actually, I'm finding that many Labradoodle breeders use "ALD"  - even when breeding dogs that aren't. This is especially the case when looking for a multi-generational puppy.  It adds to the confusion.  I would be perfectly fine getting one that is not an ALD - as long as he/she is multi generational. We're trying to alleviate (I know, no  guarantee) any allergy concerns. 

The ESN is a deal breaker for us.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It would be for me, too. There is now enough fact-based evidence on the negative health effects of ESN that breeders should not be doing it. There are a LOT of wonderful breeders who have spay/neuter clauses in their purchase agreements and they manage to monitor things just fine. (In fact, there are some wonderful purebred breeders who specify that their dogs, especially larger males, cannot be neutered before a certain age.) If someone is breeding so many puppies that they can't keep track or follow up, perhaps that speaks of other issues about that breeder in general. 

If you love everything else about a breeder, perhaps you could talk to her about it and get her to consider allowing you to do the spay/neuter yourself at the appropriate time. You could give her your vet's contact information for follow-up. 

[Jennifer & Truffle]

Hi, Karen. We got our ALD from a breeder who does not do early spay neuter. Her contract has a stipulation that the owners spay/neuter between 9-14 months - not sooner and not later than that. If you're interested in learning more about our breeder, I'd be happy to talk to you about her offline!

[Julie and Charlie]

I've seen some ALD breeders changing their tune on this to spay and neuter contracts. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

That's very good to hear. 

[Karen, Riley & Cooper]

This is exactly what should happen and bravo to those that do!

I've been putting breeders I was interested in contacting, into the "no" file for this - but asking first sounds sensible.

[Tara]

Asking is a great idea.  Our ALD breeder generally does ESN--although I think she's moving away from it--but was willing not to do it on request.  There was an addition to the contract stipulating neuter be done by 7 months.

[Karen and Bridget]

ESN was also a deal breaker for us when we were getting our ALD.  I am happy to share our breeder info with you, just message me.   

[Leslie J]

I think you're wise to avoid ESN- I think there's plenty of evidence that it's not a good idea. I wonder if you contact a breeder and express your concerns if they'll be willing to allow you to wait. I think ALD breeders do ESN because it's the only way to ensure buyers won't breed them. With purebred dogs they can withhold the AKC papers, but ALDs don't have papers. So, ESN protects the interests of the breeder but isn't healthy for the puppies.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

ESN was a deal breaker for me too and I spent a lot of time trying to find a breeder that didn't do it. That was six years ago. Tara's breeder does not do ESN but does require in her contract that it be done by 6 months.However, she worked with me as I wanted to have Tara spayed a bit later. Tara was spayed at 13 months.  At the time of Tara's adoption her breeder was in the midst of breaking ties with the ALAA because they instituted a policy requiring member breeders to do ESN. At least that was what we were told. I don't know what their policy may be now, but at that time if a breeder wanted to be a member of ALLA and to post "Member of ALAA" on their website, they had to adhere to such policy.  Tara's breeder only produces mini and small medium doodles, no standards.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The smaller the adult size of the dog, the earlier they reach full bone growth, too, so spay/neuter can be done earlier than with the larger breeds that take longer to physically mature.