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September 19th
Labradoodles combine all of the best traits of Labs and Poodles, making them one of the most popular new dogs in America.
This popularity, however, has led to a huge increase in the number of puppy mills and backyard breeders. With no regard for their dogs’ healthy, these breeders are simply trying to make as much money as possible.
If you’re considering making a Labradoodle the next addition to your family, you should take extra precautions when picking out a breeder. Many puppy mills will try to rope you in with offers that are too good to be true.
We’ll discuss how you can find a reputable breeder for Labradoodles. It can take some work, but choosing a good breeder is well worth it. Here are some questions you should ask any Labradoodle breeder.
This is one of the most important questions to ask when getting a Labradoodle. Ask a breeder or company where they get their dogs, and what the ancestry of all of their puppies is.
You should be able to learn more about how the puppy has been raised since birth, as well as any health problems their parents have had.
Breeder licensing is a bit of a mixed bag, and doesn’t guarantee that the puppies were raised well. That said, any licenses from the USDA are a good sign that the breeder is committed to at least a minimum standard of cleanliness.
Before you bring a Labradoodle home, you should learn more about their immunization records. If they are missing any vaccines, speak to your vet and have them done as soon as possible.
When bringing home a puppy, you need to make sure that their health is in order. Ask the breeder if the puppy has been seen by a vet. If they have not, you should ask for a vet report.
Labradoodles are naturally friendly and social dogs. But they still need plenty of exposure to other dogs and people so that they learn proper manners.
Dogs that don’t get socialized when they’re young tend to be a bit more hostile to strangers, and they may not get along well with other animals.
Ask the breeder how much time the Labradoodle has spent around other animals. Also ask about any behavioral problems they’ve noticed.
Some breeders offer health guarantees for their puppies. If anything goes wrong, they’ll offer to reimburse you.
Not all breeders will offer health guarantees, and many of them are limited. They may only cover specific genetic conditions, so make sure to read the fine print.
You should only work with breeders who are honest and upfront about their dogs. Ask to see pictures of the Labradoodles you are interested in, as well as the conditions where they’re raised.
If the breeder is not willing to provide photos, this should be a red flag. They are likely trying to hide the conditions where the dog is raised, or are trying to sell you a different dog than the one that’s advertised on their website.
Not all puppies will be registered by the breeder. If they have not, ask the breeder about any paperwork that needs to be filled out before you bring your Labradoodle home.
You can also ask the breeder to provide genetic testing results that show the ancestry of the dog. Not all Labradoodles are true crosses of Labs and Poodles, so genetic testing is the best way of making sure that the breeder is honeset.
It’s important to find out as much as you can about a breeder before getting a dog. Ask them about their experience and how long they’ve been in the business. You should also ask if they are members of any breeding organizations.
Don’t forget to ask them why they choose to raise Labradoodles. If they can’t offer a good answer to such a simple question, they may not be trustworthy.
Your relationship with the breeder shouldn’t stop the moment you leave with your Labradoodle. Speak to the breeder about how you can contact them about any issues you may have with your dog.
Many breeders will force you to sign a contract when you get a Labradoodle. This contract will often require you to get your dog spayed or neutered so that you cannot breed them yourself, protecting the breeders business.
Just make sure that any contract requirements are clear from the beginning, so that there are no hurdles down the road.
Looking for your next canine companion? Head over to our puppy finder. At Uptown Puppies, we connect you with some of the best Labradoodle breeders and companies around.
We only work with breeders who follow strict ethical standards when raising their dogs. That means you’ll never get a Labradoodle from a puppy mill or backyard breeder.
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