Frequently Asked Questions
A lot of your answers will be found on this page.
If you cannot find what you are seeking, please contact me on
northboundlabradoodles@gmail.com or 07711 950825.
I can also refer you to owners who can share their experiences of taking on a puppy from me.
ARE LABRADOODLES ALLERGY FRIENDLY?
Yes and no, is the answer to this regularly asked question. Allergies can be caused by hair, dander and saliva, therefore even with a non/low-shedding dog, allergies can occur. The early generations of Labradoodle Origins (F1, F2…) can be heavy shedders, whilst the Australian Labradoodles have a better success rate with allergy sufferers due to the non-shedding nature of the wool and fleece coats.
WHAT ARE THE GROOMING REQUIREMENTS?
Grooming needs are rather high on the Australian Labradoodle.
The fleece coats require weekly brushing from root to tip as a minimum, then there is ear plucking, trimming of hygiene areas and eyes, paws and beards.
Plus the matts that occur if regular grooming doesn’t occur or if you have a water loving doodle!
Some owners will take their dogs to the groomer around 6 times a year for an all over ‘teddy bear’ cut which is easier to look after, others may only visit the groomer 3 times a year for a short cut and maintain the coat through clipping/scissoring themselves.
It is important for an early socialisation with a recommended groomer as soon as you collect your pup as this will be easier on them in the long run. Grooming costs can be anywhere from £40-60 each visit.
HOW MUCH EXERCISE DO THEY NEED?
For a puppy exercise needs to be limited to protect the joints. This does not mean no exercise, but you should avoid hard road walking, and encourage training, play and off lead exercise.
As puppy grows their exercise needs will increase, and once over 12 months old the adult Labradoodle can take part in Agility and Flyball classes as well as running companions.
Generally the adult Labradoodle should have a healthy mix of on lead and primarily off lead exercise and no less than 1hr a day.
Simply stating ‘I have a large garden and my dog will play there for exercise’ is not good enough for one of my puppies and that type of owner does not interest me.
An extendable lead is also not appropriate exercise by any stretch of the imagination. I loathe these devices and will never promote or approve any of my puppies being walked on them.
For decades we have walked dogs on a simple collar and lead, this is all that is needed plus a healthy commitment to training. There is no need for harnesses or devices, just plain and simple; collar, lead, patience and effort.
WHAT TYPE OF HEALTH ISSUES CAN THEY HAVE?
The reason why I perform so many tests is to try and breed the best and healthiest dogs I can. I do not believe in performing the minimum tests, and I set myself a high standard and see that reflected in my puppies.
However, dogs are living creatures and will suffer from illnesses and infections that I cannot foresee or test for.
The most frequent issue I see in Australian Labradoodles are ear infections. Ears need regular cleaning and maintenance. I will offer advice on ear care for my puppy owners.
Health issues can also be caused by factors such as poor quality foods, weight gain, over vaccinating, too frequent chemical treatments such as unnecessary monthly flea/worming and over / under exercise.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT WITH A NEW PUPPY?
Puppies progress through a variety of developmental stages very quickly.
Every owner will go through toilet training and shorter sleeping hours until the bladder grows stronger at around 5-6 months old.
Then comes the biting/mouthing stages from 11-16weeks old, chewing, digging, teething and jumping up.
All of these stages can be managed with time, training, boundaries and patience. Puppies are hard work!
WHEN CAN I MEET MY PUPPY?
Once the puppies are around 5 weeks old, although I will send regular weekly photographs and videos of the puppies development via my private owners Facebook group. Puppies are chosen in order of deposit, there is no early reservation on sex or colour.
WHEN CAN I COLLECT MY PUPPY?
Puppies should be available to new homes at around 8 weeks old, I do not keep puppies longer than 9 weeks.
Puppies will be wormed, first vaccinated and micro-chipped.
DO YOU HAVE AN APPLICATION FORM?
I do have an application form which asks for details about yourself, your lifestyle and your work situation. I will then arrange to speak to you via Zoom or Teams and we can discuss my dogs and we can cover any questions you may have. I hold Zoom calls on a Tuesday and Thursday.
HOW DO I JOIN YOUR LITTER RESERVATIONS?
Please note, I will not accept enquiries onto my waiting list via random texts or one line emails.
I expect to speak too and meet via Zoom calls all potential puppy owners as you need to vet me just as much as I need to vet you.
I like to have genuine enquiries on my waiting list only, then you are able to follow the progress of pregnancy and your puppies development until they are ready to come home.
HOW DO I PAY FOR MY PUPPY?
Payment of your Northbound puppy is in four stages:
I request a £300 non-refundable deposit to join my waiting list, this is to ensure committed homes only apply.
A further deposit of £600 is required to secure a puppy only once the litter is safely born and I know there are enough puppies for each waiting home.
The third payment must be received before the puppy is handed over.
The fourth and final part payment is due if the pet dog has not been spayed/neutered by 12months old. Completing the spay/neuter prior to 12months old as contracted will void the final fourth payment. Vets routinely spay/neuter at 6-12months old.
(Price is subject to review and change)
HOW ARE PUPPIES CHOSEN?
Puppies are chosen in the order the family confirms their place on my reservation list via the £300 waiting list deposit and a full conversation with me.
I have two master lists:
* Mini to Small Medium Size c16-19"
* Medium to Standard Size c19-23"
Homes will be placed on one of these master lists according to preference. The sizing of my dogs is listed on their individual page.
I do advise my new families on temperament and potential suitability of each litter, plus my recommendations for particular puppies with the reasons why. The final choice being with the new family unless I see a reason why not due to temperament match or existing dog in the home.
I never reserve puppies on colour and sex, it is the temperament and suitability between puppy and the new home that is my top priority, this includes making sure there is compatibility between an existing dog and the new puppy. I will never promise you will receive a particular colour/sex.
If it ever occurs that a puppy is to be kept back as a breeding potential then the breeder will always have first choice across the litter.
HOW ARE YOUR PUPPIES SOCIALISED?
My puppies are raised in my home via the Puppy Culture programme and are used to the noise of the daily hoovering, radio, doors banging and the general comings and goings of a household.
The puppies are picked up and held in different positions everyday, exposed to different walking surfaces and a rotation of different play toys. When in the garden the puppies will interact with my adult dogs, explore the garden; hear planes, neighbours and general outdoor noises.
Puppies are encouraged in toilet training early on and will be exposed too as much as possible to allow them to cope with the transition to your home and to develop their steady, companionable, resilient temperaments.
Every puppy I have bred has settled into their new surroundings wonderfully due to the daily care and socialisation effort I have put in.
WHAT DO I RECEIVE WITH MY PUPPY?
Firstly, and most importantly my commitment and support for the lifetime of the dog.
In basic terms I will be there at any time of the day or night if there is a worry or a question, I will additionally assist by taking back the puppy, or grown dog at any time in his/her life should there be a change in family circumstance and the dogs needs cannot be met anymore.
Secondly, you will receive a solicitor drawn pet puppy contract, a cuddly toy with mum/siblings scent on it, worming with Drontal at 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks old, and all presented in a useful pack.
I additionally provide a recommended reading list, my pre-puppy information guide, plus grooming and feeding information.ho will look after the puppy and continue with training and key socialisation.
I give you as the new owner approximately 4 months advance notice of when puppy should be collected. Any puppies left with me longer than 9 weeks old will require a small charge to cover food, toilet training, socialisation and training.
WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FROM A POTENTIAL OWNER?
The truth and honesty.
My pups MUST attend training classes, they MUST be socialised properly with people, dogs, animals and the external environment.
You MUST walk them everyday whether it be hail, snow, sleet or rain. You HAVE to put in the effort.
I put in the effort raising the best and healthiest puppies I can and I expect my pups to have the best future.
If you are not going to attend training classes, or you attend a token couple of weeks, if you think it’s raining the dog can exercise in the garden, if you expect a puppy to be obedient and walk to heel because you think they do that automatically without effort, if you want the dream of a nice pretty obedient dog without putting in the effort, then please do not call me.
My pups will bring joy and laughter to your lives, but you have to be honest with yourself first, can you commit and can you put the effort in?
WHAT IF I HAVE A HOLIDAY BOOKED?
Firstly, if you cannot take the puppy with you as the holiday is outside the UK then please check to see if you have a family member who will look after the puppy and continue with training and key socialisation.
I give you as the new owner approximately 4 months advance notice of when puppy should be collected. Any puppies left with me longer than 9 weeks old will require a small charge to cover food, toilet training, socialisation and training.
DOES IT MATTER WHERE WE ARE LOCATED?
Not at all. I have Australian Labradoodle puppies in Kent, Devon, Dorset, London, Somerset, Essex, Sussex, Midlands, Suffolk, Wales, Scotland, North East, Yorkshire, Cheshire and Lancashire, as well as Switzerland, Germany and France.
It is finding the right home that is important to me.
DO YOU SELL THERAPY DOGS?
No, I sell pet dogs only. There is a lot of talk on social media around Australian Labradoodles as Therapy Dogs. I have had requests for therapy dogs to help a child cross the road, or to help a child get ready in the morning. These are the services that you need to use specialist dog organisations for. My dogs will more likely drag a child under a car whilst chasing a squirrel!
Other homes have requested an emotional support dog. When I ask the home what they mean by that they list; a dog that sits quietly with a child, a dog that a child can play with, a dog that can go onto buses and behaves in cafes, and a dog that is sociable, obedient and they can take anywhere. Honestly...that can be any breed as long as the puppy has early socialisation and is well trained, which is all down to the owners effort in attending obedience classes. There isn't anything special or out of the ordinary about the above list.
