5 Tips To Find The Perfect Breeder
Find the Perfect Breeder
You’ve done your research and you know the differences between a Labradoodle, other doodle crosses, and an Australian Labradoodle. Now you’re looking for the right breeder to get your puppy from. How do you spot a good one?
Finding the perfect breeder can feel overwhelming, so here are five things to keep in mind when choosing an Australian Labradoodle breeder, or really, any breeder. These points are based on what we do as a professional breeder and what we offer our own families, so everything here comes from firsthand experience.
1. A Contract with a Health Warranty
Your breeder should offer a contract that includes a health warranty. At Bestland, we offer a 2-year health and genetic warranty, so you can bring your puppy home with peace of mind. If something happens to your puppy due to genetics within those 2 years, we will replace your puppy.
2. The Ability to Talk to and Visit Your Breeder
We’ve heard from many families who looked at other breeders but only ever interacted online, breeders who wouldn’t take calls and simply asked them to “fill out the application.” At Bestland, we welcome calls and questions, and we encourage you to visit our farm for one of our designated Open Houses to meet us, meet our dogs, and meet your puppy. Not ready to commit to a visit yet? Take a look at our virtual farm tour first.
3. No Full Payment Before You Meet Your Puppy
Your breeder shouldn’t ask for full payment before you meet your puppy. At Bestland, we only require a $500 deposit after a phone consultation, after you’ve reviewed our contract, and once you’re confident we’re the right breeder for you. After your deposit, you’re invited to a designated Open House to meet your puppy before paying in full. If you’re out of state, you’ll receive plenty of videos and pictures before making your decision. If you meet your puppy and decide it isn’t the right fit, we can move your deposit to another litter or refund it.
4. Health and DNA Testing for Breeding Dogs, No Exceptions
A health warranty isn’t valid without proper health and DNA testing of the parent dogs. At Bestland, we’ve health and DNA tested our dogs for generations, in line with Australian Labradoodle Club of America (ALCA) breeding standards, and we’ve been personally breeding Australian Labradoodles for 14 years. With all the science available today to test health and genetic markers, it isn’t responsible to breed a dog before testing it. Over the years, we’ve met too many families devastated by poor health outcomes and early loss due to weak genetics. We take this seriously and hope you’ll make it a priority too, which is why we only offer puppies with strong, tested health and genetics. You can see the full details of our testing and standards on our program page.
5. Ongoing Support Throughout Your Puppy’s Life
Your breeder should support you well beyond pickup day. At Bestland, we offer a private Facebook group you’re added to after your deposit, an active community where you can share updates, ask questions, get recommendations, and arrange playdates. We also provide grooming videos so you can maintain your dog’s coat at home and save money, plus boarding services for when you travel. And you can always call, text, or email us with any question about your dog, for life.
It takes real effort to be a good breeder. At Bestland, we work hard every day to be the best of the best (pun intended), and we want you to have a great experience owning one of our dogs from the very beginning through every stage of their life. We value health, relationships, and community, and we hope you do too.