Unchallenged

LOL! I just saw your message againn... ok IL.

Well.... here are a few that arent too far:

Shauna at Chicago Labradoodles, they breed Multigens:
http://www.chicagolabradoodles.com/

Theresa at Cedar Hill (F1s and F1bs): http://www.cedarhilllabradoodles.com/

Michael at Sunshine Acres (in Indiana, not sure if they do F1bs or Multis... may only do F1s, which arent as allergy friendly): http://www.doodlepuppy.com/

Heather at Cheyenne Valley (in Oklahoma, F1bs and MultiGens): http://www.labradoodlebaby.com

Virgil at OutWest Labradoodles (Kansas): http://outwestdoodles.com/
--not sure if they do F1bs or Multigens--

Hope that helps!

You need to find the breeder that is right for YOU and with whom you feel most comfortable. Its not really serious until you give a deposit... so go ahead and talk to as many as you like until you know who you would like to pruchase from!

I was a NUT about it, ask the others! It took me 6 months before I found my breeder (cheyenne valley) but I also had an extra requirement: champion field trial hunting lines, so that made it trickier.

Call them, ask all the questions you can think of (there are some good lists on this board... do a search, you will find SEVERAL threads with lists of questions) and just see if you 'mesh' with any of them. Again I cannot stress enough the importance of genetic testing and the health wattanty.... any good breeder will have these-- they should be MUST haves. Other than that its about the type of doodle best for your family (agian F1b or Multi-gen for allergies is best... though a little more expensive) and your comfort level with the breeder's personality and techniques. For instance some people really want the puppies raised IN the home, others want them to spend some time outside. Also some people liek breeders who have only a few litters a year, others like the choice that more litters and dogs brings to the mix. Once you're past this point its more about personal choice.

Good luck! and feel free to ask any more questions! I know I found this board VERY helpful in my breeder search process!

Best,
Kelly

Hi Bob,

From my perspective, as a breeder, I would be surprised (and concerned) if the buyers are not looking for the best possible situation.

I suggest that you are upfront with the breeder, say that you are working from an initial list and that now you are more interested in narrowing the list to a few specific breeders.

Ask what is required to purchase a puppy from them. Usually people who have applications will say that they will send you one at that point.

Most breeders only require a deposit (if at all) when you want them to hold a specific puppy for you. If you don't pay a deposit, there is a chance that the pup you are interested in may be sold to another.

A good breeder will NOT be insulted if you are looking at many breeders and if you are considering them as one of your selections. In fact, they will be honored that you appreciate their program and will offer to help you even if you decide not to buy from them.

Don't be shy about telling the breeder that you are narrowing your focus and that you want to know what is required to purchase one of their dogs. If they don't interview you or at least explain that you will be interviewed, then they probably won't. But, most of the breeders I know of want to be sure that their puppies are in good, healthy, loving homes so they will ask questions.

Hope you will let us know when you decide! We always love to welcome new Doods and their families!

I'm with Maureen on the interviewing/application process. I am interviewing the person the second they call/e-mail me. Sometimes I make a decision in the first few minutes as to whether I would even consider letting a person have one of my babies, and other times things are addressed as they manifest themselves in our growing relationship. There is a concrete list of traits I am looking for in my puppy parents, but these things go unspoken unless I need to say that I feel we are not the right match to the prospective client.

As many of you already know, I certainly won't sell to anybody and I am very cautious about placing my babies. All this said, my clients and I develop a relationship in which there is mutual trust and a long lasting friendship held together by the adoption of one of our babies. An application/piece of paper could never insure something like that. When you actually hear or see the reaction when you ask someone a question is when you get the most truthful answers, straight from the gut, without time to think about what they should write according to what they think the breeder wants to hear.

Good luck in your quest and great question!