Before You Buy

Visiting a Labradoodle Breeder: What to Expect & How to Spot Red Flags Before You Buy

Yes, you should visit a breeder before you buy whenever you can. Meet the mom, see where the puppies are raised, and ask to see both parents' health results. A good breeder will be glad you asked.

Why does a visit matter so much?

A website can show you cute pictures. A visit shows you how the dogs actually live, how the parents act around strangers, and whether the breeder is happy to answer hard questions. In other words, it is the best way to tell a family program from a puppy business.

What should a good breeder show you?

• The mom, and the dad if he lives there
• Where the puppies are raised
• Health results for both parents, ideally ones you can look up yourself
• A written contract and health guarantee
• Registration and pedigree information

What should you ask?

1. Can I see the parents' OFA and genetic results?Hips, elbows, and eyes through OFA, plus a genetic panel, are a good baseline.
2. What does the health guarantee cover, and for how long?Get it in writing and read it before you pay a deposit.
3. How are the puppies raised?Ask about early handling, socialization, sounds, and crate and potty work.
4. What generation are the puppies?For Australian Labradoodles, both parents should be Australian Labradoodles.
5. When do puppies go home?Eight weeks is the standard. Earlier is a red flag.
6. What happens if I cannot keep the dog later?Good breeders want to know, and want to help.

What are the red flags?

• You cannot meet the mom or see where the puppies live
• No health results, or results you cannot verify
• Puppies offered before 8 weeks old
• Several breeds or many litters available at once
• Pressure to pay a deposit right away
• Meeting in a parking lot instead of at home

What does a visit with us look like?

Visits are by appointment, Monday through Saturday, at our home at 2824 N 200 E in Anderson. You can meet the parent dogs who live with us, see where the puppies are raised, and ask anything you want about health testing, Puppy Culture, or our contract and health guarantee. Every parent's results are also on our Meet the Parents page if you want to look before you come.

When is the next litter?

Puppies go home at 8 weeks old. Click here to see when our next litters are due.

Common questions about visiting a breeder

Related reading: what an Australian Labradoodle costs.