More questions from newbie

[charfarr]

I am about burned out from looking at seemingly thousands of websites. So many don't test or are breeding way to many pups. I started looking into standard poodles and found the same problems plus even more health issues. 

At what age is it okay to breed a goldendoodle? I'm seeing dogs (even at DK recommended sites) who are having pups before or right at one year old. I thought these dogs aren't fully grown until 2.

I see some breeders say that they start crate training early and show pics of 15 tiny little pups just 5 weeks old each in their own tiny crate, or 15 pups all piled on top of each other in one big crate. Is this practice ok? I thought pups should all be together and with mom til 6 weeks, I get a bad feeling when I see all those "cages"

These questions will have to be answered by private message:

Does anyone have experience with Beverly Dix- Hope Springs Doodles in AL? Doesn't show parents or health info on site. 

Does anyone know of a breeder in the VA,SC,NC,GA,AL,TN, KY area who breed 6 or fewer litters per year?

Thanks so much, I'm spending far too much time reading on this site but I am learning so much and so appreciate all the information.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I don't know where you were looking for Standard Poodle breeders, but I can give you dozens who do every kind of health testing there is, give 5 year health warranties, never breed a dog younger than 3 years old, put championship titles on every dog before breeding it, rarely have more than one or two litters per year, and the list goes on. You find those breeders through the regional AKC breed clubs. If you are still interested in a Standard Poodle, let me know. 

[charfarr]

I was looking online of course! I would love some recommendations. I'm not looking to breed or show we just want a healthy pup with a great temperment.

Thanks!

[Adina P]

Yes, definitely don't use Google to find a poodle breeder.  Use Google to help you find individual AKC breed clubs: VA,SC,NC,GA,AL,TN, KY.  For example:  http://www.tidelandspoodleclub.org/  
For pure breeds you want a breeder that actually competes with their dogs in obedience or something useful.  Not just makes pups for families--then you know they are a true breed connoisseur.

[Stella]

I find it hard to believe that any of the breeders in the DK Recommended Breeders group are breeding dogs at one year old. If this is the case, they should be reported to the group moderator for verification.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Stella, unfortunately, there are several. The problem is that the group moderators are not participating or overseeing the groups, or updating them. Not just the Owner Recommended Breeders group, but the "For Sale" groups, too. 

[Adina P]

The other thing to consider is that it is not realistic for DK to 'approve' (or not) of breeders.  I don't want the liability.  And I'm not talking merely legal liability but simply I don't want DK to be responsible for a bad recommendation.  I'm not a breeder evaluator and don't want to be except for my personal doodle purchases.  It would be a full time job to check up on every breeder and confirm details about their breeding programs. 
So we have the 'What to look for in a breeder' article as guidance, and rules about not posting public recommendations, and the owner recommended breeder group requires recommendations to include answers about specific questions, but that is really all we can do right now.  It is all 'buyer beware' beyond that.  I would never take any breeder recommendation as ultimate truth.  Even if a breeder was reported as doing everything right in the owner recommended breeder group, I would still double check all the facts.  Everyone here is a grown up (mostly) and it is up to them to do their research.

[charfarr]

Oh my goodness, I am so sorry, I did not mean to stir up a big mess. I did not mean to blame or disparage DK in any way what so ever. This site has been so helpful and encouraging. I was speaking out of frustration and concern. We are in complete agreement- It is nice to have recommendations as a starting point but one must do their own research. I drive my family crazy b/c they think I research EVERYthing too much ;)

I was and am frustrated over not being able to find a breeder and concerned for all the pups and families who suffer due to bad breeding practices. Because Max died earlier than he "should" have, I've been questioning how well I researched his breeder to begin with and that is making me perhaps overly cautious.

To clarify, these are the concerns I was referring to:

Breeders on the list and breeders recommended by other members, (obviously, because they had a positive experience), are not necessarily behaving in a reputable manner, perhaps some have changed their practices over the years.

Breeders show the dam’s DOB making it easy to figure out they are breeding too young. Some breeders say they do testing but when you read the info or email for more info it turns out they are not doing testing because they already tested the parents. (A breeder told me this in an email). Well, that may be ok for certain genetic diseases but it is not ok for hips and elbows. And if they aren’t testing why the heck are they asking over $2000 for a pup?

I so appreciate Doodlekisses and all of the advice available and I truly enjoy reading about how much everyone enjoys their doodles.

[Jennifer and Jack]

Stella, unfortunately, I have learned that is true ... They do breed at one or one and a half, some keep their sires in kennels and have never lived in a home. ... I know this for a very sad fact. Highly recommended breeder on here.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

There is a breeder on the Owner Recommended list who bred one of her females at 11 months old. (Maybe there's more than one, but this one, I know about). I think part of the problem is that they don't post the dogs' ages on their websites, and people don't think to ask, or they don;t know that's not a good thing. 

Many, many "reputable" doodle breeders use studs who are only a year old. 

[Adina P]

There is no such thing as a "DK Recommended Breeder" -- DK does not endorse individual breeders, only breeding practices.  Yes there are links in our "What To Look for In a Breeder" article to breeder listings from organizations that list health testing, because going that route is more likely to help you find the right breeder.  There is also an "Owner Recommended Breeders" group--those are individual recommendations, not DK endorsements.

Also ONLY questions about specific breeders have to be by private message, we can discuss general breeding practices all day long ;-)

[Adina P]

Have you looked at each of the breeders on this list?  http://goldendoodleassociation.com/dogtrack/guest/memberbreeders.aspx -- I see GA, NC, and SC represented. I can't vouche for these myself as I have not bought any dogs from them and am nowhere near the East Coast, but just curious if you've already ruled these out.

[charfarr]

Yes I've check out every breeder on the list within a 10 hr dirve! I am specifically looking for a standard sized F1b goldendoodle, labradoodle (Not Aussie Labradoodle), or Aussiedoodle-(Aus Shep/poodle). Many are only breeding multigen now. There is one breeder on the list that meets all of my criteria, and is also highly regarded by DK members :) Abounding Grace, I'll be talking to her more this week. Thanks! I appreciate the way you and the other members continue to offer help, you guys are great!