Because goldendoodles, labradoodles and many other -oodles are so popular, it's important to know what to look for when trying to choose a responsible doodle breeder. This is both for your sake--so you have a healthy doodle with a stable temperament--and for the sake of the dogs being bred. It's not enough to simply go with a breeder a friend said is "good." You need to have concrete facts to go on. In this episode, I discuss what those important facts are so you can ask the right questions to find the right breeder for you and make sure you're not shelling out thousands of dollars to a breeder who is not meeting high standards.

Correction: In the episode I incorrectly stated the term "puppy lemon laws" when I was referring to state laws concerning minimum age for sale of puppies. Puppy lemon laws have to do with not selling a puppy that's "defective" for lack of a better term and each state has different rules. According to the AKC, "In New Jersey, for instance, the buyer has 14 days to return a puppy deemed “unfit for purchase” by a veterinarian, and six months to return a dog with a hereditary or genetic defect."

Links:

• What to Look for in a Breeder (DK article)
• Health issues in doodles and appropriate testing — Know the most common health issues for the doodle mix you're interested in so you can best screen breeders to increase the chances you'll get a healthy puppy that turns into a healthy dog. Most diseases don't show up until a dog is past the two year mark. So testing is important.
• Orthopedic Foundation for Animals — A great place to look up a prospective breeder's dogs to see what testing they've had done. Doodle breeders often don't report their results so you'll find a lot of missing data, but worth looking into. This website also lists important tests for each breed. An invaluable resource!
• PennHIP website — Learn all about PennHIP testing
• An example of impeccable testing (golden retriever) — Want to see what a fully health tested dog's OFA listing looks like? You can't get much better than this for a golden retriever! Notice how often his eyes have been tested. As far as health clearances, this breeder is on top of things!
• Health issues in Poodles — If you've got a doodle, at least half of its health issues will be passed on from that poodle parent. So it is VITAL to know what the poodle could, potentially, contribute to your dog's health issues. Be informed and ask your breeder about their poodle line and what testing (when testing is an option) they've done to ensure they are not passing on these conditions.
• Breeder comparison chart — A fabulous chart from the German Shepherd Club of America detailing what distinguishes various types of breeders from one another. Doodle breeders, by default, won't fit all the highest standards because they don't show in conformation or participate in breed sports, but this is still very informative and can help you better distinguish between who to support with your money and who not to support with your money.
• Australian Labradoodle Association of America — One of three Australian Labradoodle clubs. Each one has their own ideals. For example the ALAA does not require that pups are spayed/neutered before they are sold. Doodle Kisses doesn't endorse any individual club. Looking at the breeder lists in a doodle club is a helpful place to start, but do your due diligence and don't accept club membership as proof a breeder is right for you.
• Worldwide Australian Labradoodle Association — One of three Australian Labradoodle breed clubs. WALA also does not require mandatory spay/neuter on pups before they are sold. Doodle Kisses doesn't endorse any individual club. Looking at the breeder lists in a doodle club is a helpful place to start, but do your due diligence and don't accept club membership as proof a breeder is right for you.
• Goldendoodle Association of North America — The only goldendoodle breed club in North America -- has a set of standards. Looking at the breeder lists in a doodle club is a helpful place to start, but do your due diligence and don't accept club membership as proof a breeder is right for you.
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• Which states have a minimum age for the sale of puppies?