Choosing a Breeder -- Give your feedback on this Info Sheet

[Adina P]

I shared this on our DK Facebook page and the only thing anyone objected to was the statement about not having multiple litters at the same time.  The objection was because some breeders have guardian homes.  However, I'm not clear on how the guardian home makes a difference since dams come to the breeder's home for whelping and pups stay with the breeder till they go to new homes.  So how does the guardian home situation make a difference if a breeder has 5 litters to care for at the same time, for example?  Sure the 5 dams are getting individual love and devotion when they are not whelping or raising babies...but is the FIVE (example) litters at one time I have concerns about.  Please talk me through this.  Is there a better number to aim for?  No more than 2 litters at once? No more than 3 litters at once? 

If you have other suggestions for changes, please let me know!  It's also kind of boring without doodle photos, so I may add some.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

The following would also be important to me....

-Experienced breeder

-Willing to provide references (families of previous litters)

-Provides info on parents and why they were selected for breeding...and ability to meet the mother

[Carolyn Shusterman]

ADD: Ask to see the testing done recommended by the ALCA and ALAA for both the male and female. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

That only applies to ALDs, though. I think the "Proof of Health Testing" would cover testing for any type of doodle. 

[Carolyn Shusterman]

The PRA (progressive retinal atrophy), Von Willebrand disease and hip dysplasia I think would apply to both types of doodles.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Von Willebrands testing is not done for Labs, and I don;t think PRA testing is done for either Goldens or Labs. All ALDs have Poodle in them, so the parents need those tests, but with F1 labradoodles and goldendoodles, you have a purebred Lab or Golden involved. 

[Carolyn Shusterman]

Both have poodle relatives or they wouldn't be Doodles. Goldens need to be tested for genetic problems that breed could bring to the table.   

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yes, I agree that all breeding dogs need to be tested, but the tests are different depending on the breed. The genetic testing that is needed for Goldens is different from that for Poodles or for Labs. I'm just saying that the testing that is needed for ALD parents is different from that needed for a purebred Poodle or a Golden parent. .

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

"Lots of different breeds" should be a warning sign, too.         

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

I doubt that any one breeder can have two or three litters at the same time without assistants.I probably could not deal with one litter at a time!  Yikes. 

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

I wouldn't want a breeder to have more than three litters at any given time. What about also including that each dame only has a limited amount of litters (not sure what the right number is) before being retired?

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Just chiming in.  I agree with 1 ideal, 2 ok, but I would add 3 or more who is helping and how are they qualified.

An additional Good Sign might be that the breeder posts standard socialization activities that puppies get everyday one on one with a properly trained person. 

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

I know you're trying to keep this short, easily and quickly read, focusing on the big issues, etc. - and you're doing a great job - but I'm wondering if you might add some "yellow flags". These would be things to consider, but aren't necessarily deal breakers. One that is important to me is the breeder's position on Early Spay and Neuter.

Because of previous experience, in our recent search for a breeder, I automatically ruled out anyone who practices ESN. Others may have strong feelings the other way - but I think it should be something one considers in choosing a breeder.