The Australian Labradoodle Adoption Process: What to Expect
The Australian Labradoodle adoption process typically takes 8 to 12 months from application to pickup, and follows the same general path with most reputable breeders: submit an application, have a phone or video conversation with the breeder, place a non-refundable reservation deposit to secure your spot in an upcoming litter, receive weekly photos and updates once the puppies are born, attend an Open House around 6 weeks for temperament-matched puppy selection, and bring your puppy home at 8 to 9 weeks old. At Bestland Australian Labradoodles in Rome, GA, every family follows the same structured process so puppies end up in the right homes, and you know exactly what to expect at every stage.
Here is each step of the process in detail, along with what to watch for and how to plan your timeline.
Quick Timeline at a Glance
Stage | Typical Timing |
Application and first phone call | Anytime |
Reservation deposit and litter assignment | 0 to 6 months out |
Pregnancy confirmed via ultrasound | 4 weeks before whelp |
Litter born | Day 0 |
Weekly photo and video updates | Weeks 1 to 8 |
Temperament evaluations | 6 to 7 weeks |
Open House #1 and puppy selection | 6 weeks |
Open House #2 | 9 weeks |
Final vet check, vaccinations, microchip | 7 to 9 weeks |
Pickup or domestic delivery | 9 weeks |
Lifetime breeder support | After pickup |
Most families spend 8 to 12 months on a waitlist before bringing a puppy home, depending on the breeder, the size and color you are open to, and how many litters are scheduled in the months ahead.
Step 1: Application and First Conversation
The process begins with a Puppy Application or a detailed questionnaire. Reputable breeders use this step to learn about your family, lifestyle, home setup, dog ownership experience, and what you are looking for in a companion. Expect questions like:
- Who lives in the home, including ages of children?
- Do you have other pets?
- What does a typical weekday look like?
- Does anyone in the household have allergies or asthma?
- Are you looking for a pet, a therapy or service prospect, or a future breeding dog?
- What size, coat type, and energy level are you hoping for?
- Have you owned a dog before?
After the application is reviewed, the breeder will set up a phone call or video chat. This is a two-way conversation. The breeder is deciding if their puppies are the right fit for your home, and you are deciding if this is the right breeder. Ask questions about health testing, parent dogs, lineage, and how the puppies are raised. Our guide on how to choose the right Australian Labradoodle puppy walks through what to ask in detail.
Step 2: Reservation Deposit and Litter Assignment
Once both you and the breeder agree the fit is right, you place a reservation deposit to secure your spot. At Bestland, the deposit is $500 and is non-refundable but applied toward the total puppy cost of $3,000. Most reputable breeders use a similar deposit structure. You can start this step directly through our Puppy Application.
Reservations are usually first-come, first-served by deposit date, with some breeders reserving a spot or two from each litter for breeder picks (puppies they may keep for their breeding program). You will be assigned to a specific upcoming litter or to a general waitlist that places you with the next available litter that matches your preferences.
A few important things to know at this stage:
- Mother Nature dictates timing. Litter sizes range from 1 to 12 puppies, with most around 5 to 8. If a litter is smaller than expected, families may roll forward to the next litter.
- Color and gender are preferences, not guarantees. A reputable breeder will note your preferences but will not guarantee a specific color or gender at this stage.
- You can reserve up to 12 months in advance. This is normal. Quality programs are booked far ahead.
After the deposit is in, you will sign an Adoption Contract, fill out a Puppy Questionnaire, and receive a Welcome Packet with information about your litter, Open House dates, and what to expect in the weeks ahead. For more on what a solid contract should include and why it matters, see the American Kennel Club’s guide to breeder contracts.
Step 3: Weekly Updates Once Puppies Are Born
After ultrasound confirms pregnancy (around 4 weeks before whelp), you will get a heads-up that the litter is on the way. Once the puppies are born, weekly updates begin:
- Week 1 to 2. Birth announcements, photos of the newborn litter, and a confirmation of which puppies match your color and gender preferences.
- Week 3 to 5. Photos and videos of puppies opening their eyes, starting to walk, and beginning weaning.
- Week 6 to 7. Detailed personality observations, temperament test results, and individual puppy profiles.
- Week 8 to 9. Final photos, vaccination records, vet check confirmation, and pickup logistics.
The best breeders use this time to introduce puppies to household sounds, varied surfaces, gentle handling, and structured developmental programs like Puppy Culture and Early Neurological Stimulation. For more on what early environment should look like, see our guide on home-raised vs. kennel-raised puppies.
Step 4: Open House and Temperament Match (6 to 7 Weeks)
Around 6 to 7 weeks of age, the puppies are evaluated using a temperament test, often the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test. The breeder uses these results to recommend specific puppies for specific families.
Most reputable breeders host an Open House visit at this stage, where families on the waitlist:
- Meet the puppies in person along with the parent dogs
- Watch the puppies play together to observe individual personalities
- Hear the breeder’s recommendations on which puppy fits which home
- Provide their top 2 or 3 puppy choices
- Meet the other families adopting from the litter
At Bestland, the first Open House happens at 6 weeks and lasts a minimum of 2 hours. The whole family is welcome. Bring your signed Adoption Contract with you. Families who live too far away to visit join us by video call. Final puppy assignments are made shortly after, and you will know exactly which puppy is coming home with you.
The puppy a breeder recommends is almost always a better long-term fit than the one you would pick on looks alone. They have spent 6 to 7 weeks living with the litter and know each puppy’s personality.
Step 5: Final Preparations Before Pickup
In the weeks between puppy selection and pickup, you will do most of the practical preparation:
Around the house:
- Buy a wire crate (medium 36″ or large 42″ depending on size)
- Set up a quiet sleeping area
- Puppy-proof rooms the puppy will have access to
- Stock up on the puppy’s current food brand
- Buy a collar, leash, ID tag, and food and water bowls
Other planning:
- Identify a veterinarian and book a wellness visit for week 1
- Research a positive-reinforcement trainer for puppy classes
- Identify a groomer in your area
- Plan how the puppy will travel home (most breeders provide guidance)
Documents from the breeder:
- Adoption contract, signed by both parties
- Health guarantee terms (typically 2-year written genetic guarantee)
- Vaccination and worming records
- Microchip registration
- DNA panel results from the parents
- ALCA pedigree paperwork
- Spay or neuter contract (most breeders require this by 6 to 12 months)
The breeder will also confirm pickup logistics, whether you are coming in person or arranging domestic delivery. Bestland offers domestic delivery to major U.S. airports for $500, which includes a flight crate and health certificate.
Step 6: Open House #2 and Pickup at 9 Weeks
Most reputable breeders host a second Open House at 9 weeks before pickup, and Bestland is one of them. This is a chance to spend final time with the litter before each puppy heads home with their family.
What you typically receive at pickup:
- Your puppy with collar, leash, and ID tag
- Microchip already implanted and registered
- Up-to-date vaccinations and deworming
- A starter bag of food the puppy is currently eating
- A blanket or toy that smells like mom and littermates (a comfort item for the transition)
- A puppy packet with vaccination records, vet documents, contracts, and care instructions
- ALCA pedigree paperwork
- The breeder’s contact information for questions in the first weeks
- Access to a private Facebook group with other Bestland families and ongoing breeder support
Plan for an extended visit at the breeder’s home for paperwork, instructions, and questions. The breeder will walk you through everything you need to know. Final balance of the puppy fee is typically due at pickup.
Step 7: After You Bring Your Puppy Home
The first 72 hours are the biggest adjustment period. Stick to the breeder’s feeding schedule, expect some whining the first night, and keep visitors limited until the puppy has settled in. Schedule the first vet check within the first week.
A reputable breeder offers lifetime support after pickup. You can call, text, email, or post in the private Facebook group with questions about feeding, training, grooming, or health concerns. The 2-year written genetic health guarantee covers hereditary conditions that should have been caught through parent testing. Our overview of Australian Labradoodle health testing explains exactly what the guarantee covers and why testing matters.
What to Watch For During the Process
A trustworthy adoption process feels organized, transparent, and patient. Be cautious if you encounter:
- Pressure to put down a deposit before any conversation has happened
- Unwillingness to share parent health testing documents
- No application or screening process; anyone with money can buy a puppy
- Vague or shifting timelines and prices
- Refusal to allow visits or video calls
- “Pick a puppy from a photo” before 6 weeks
- Multiple large litters available year-round (a sign of high-volume breeding)
- No written contract or health guarantee
- Cash-only or unusual payment requests
Strong breeders are selective about who adopts their puppies, and that is a good sign for you. The questions they ask are part of how they protect long-term outcomes for the puppy and your family.
How Bestland's Adoption Process Works
At Bestland, you start by completing our online Puppy Application, then we set up a phone or video conversation to talk through your home, family, and what you are looking for. Approved families place a $500 non-refundable deposit (applied to the $3,000 puppy total) to secure a spot in an upcoming litter. You receive a Welcome Packet, weekly photos and videos once the puppies are born, and invitations to our two Open House visits at 6 and 9 weeks at our farm in Rome, GA. Puppies go home at 9 weeks with a microchip, vaccinations, deworming, ALCA paperwork, a 2-year written genetic health guarantee, and lifetime breeder support.
Domestic delivery is available to major U.S. airports for $500, which includes flight crate and health certificate.
You can browse our current and upcoming litters, visit our adoption process page to begin your application, or check our FAQ page for quick answers to common questions.
Start Your Adoption Process With Bestland
📞 Call or text 770-709-8497 to ask any question about the process, the waitlist, or our upcoming litters. With 15 years of breeding experience and ALCA-aligned standards, we serve families across Georgia, Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and nearby areas. Domestic delivery is available to major U.S. airports for families farther out.