Frequently Asked Questions

Below you can find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQ) regarding Australian Labradoodles, our puppies, and our adoption process.  If you have additional questions not covered here, please contact us.

How much do High Desert Labradoodle puppies cost?

Our adoption price is $3,000.00. A $500.00 deposit is required once your submitted application is approved to officially join our waiting list. The remaining $2,500.00 balance is due once we have matched you with a puppy when they are 7 weeks old. More on our pricing can be found here. 

Are deposits refundable?

All deposits are non-refundable, but are transferable from litter to litter should something change in your interest or timing.

Where is High Desert Labradoodles located?

We are located in the wonderful town of Bend, Oregon. We are located just off Highway 97.  This is about 1/2 hour drive south of Bend/Redmond Airport. 

 

Can I have my puppy transported to me or must I pick it up?

Note:

Below will be our normal protocol, however, due to Covid restrictions and the possibility for transmission to dogs, at this time we believe the safest way for you to get your puppy is to pick it up directly from us in Bend, OR.  We can possibly provide transportation to Seattle and Bellingham, WA.

 

Normal Pickup / Delivery protocol:

We prefer to have you pick your puppy up at our location in Bend, Oregon, however, we recognize that in some cases this is not possible and you may request to have your puppy transported to you. The following are options we advise: 

1. We also can hand deliver your puppy to your nearest airport, but this option is based on our availability as well as flight options. This option is always our preferred method as it provides the maximum care for your puppy from our team. The typical cost for this option ranges from $750 to $1,500 depending on the location. 
2. You may also fly to our local airport and fly back with your puppy as a carry-on after 8-weeks of age if you choose this option. We are open to meeting at our local airport for pickup if this is the option you prefer.
3. We also have worked with pet couriers who will drive the puppy to you, but this is all negotiated with the company chosen. We do have recommendations on this option.
4. In certain circumstances, we will ship the puppy to you through an airline’s cargo department. This is subject to your location, weather, and airline procedures. We only choose this option in special circumstances

Prices for transport options are dependent on a variety of factors. We encourage you to contact us and we can discuss your specific situation to give you some rough price quotes on the transport option of your choice.

 

Do you allow families to choose their puppy?

While our families have a big part in the matching process, we do all of our puppy matching with each family. We work with each puppy from birth until 7-weeks of age to learn their individual personalities and characteristics. While all of our puppies are similar, every puppy has unique personalities that make them who they are. Our goal is to communicate closely with every family throughout the process to find exactly what they are looking for in a puppy, what their plans are for the puppy (activities, training, etc),  as well as their overall experience with a dog. All throughout the process we will be closely evaluating our puppies. When the puppies are 6-weeks of age we will be sending out a detailed video where we talk about each puppy individually. At this time we also send out a brief questionnaire where we ask additional questions about your hopes for a puppy as well as if there are any puppies that stand out to you or any that you are not interested in. At this stage, we compile all of the information and then make our puppy allocations to each family. Our goal is to match each family with the puppy that will thrive in their home. Our families put a lot of trust in us throughout the process and we have had great success matching each puppy with the best family possible! 

How do you match puppies to families? 

We believe strongly that our care and method for matching is a great way to match you up with a fantastic puppy who enriches your home. While every puppy needs to be trained and taught how to function within what each owner wants, we spend countless hours with each litter every day to learn behaviors, characteristics, and tendencies. With our experience matching Labradoodles with their forever homes we have found that personality fits are far more important than looks or gender interests. We feel this is the best way to match you with a puppy that meets what you would like and that has a temperament best suited for your family. 

We give our puppies the best start possible by daily putting each puppy through early neurological stimulation. The tendencies and characteristics we see daily show us a baseline of their temperaments in how they have acted throughout their first 7-weeks of life during different situations we place them in. On their 7-week birthday, we give them a soothing bath and blow-dry. We watch them and score each puppy based on how they handle water, hand drying, and blow-drying. Once this is done we put them through a full photoshoot. Asking them to stay in certain positions and react to noises while we photograph them. We make notes of all of their tendencies here as well. We then place them through an extensive personality evaluation to find just the right fit for each family! 

Some families are looking for therapy dogs. If we have a family that is looking for this, during this point in the process candidates for therapy quality dogs are weeded out. All of our dogs have great personalities, but it takes a special personality to be a therapy dog. We work with the remaining candidates to see how they do with the following things we feel are essential in choosing a perfect candidate for a therapy dog:

1. Retrieving – The puppy needs to retrieve simple items when thrown or dropped near them.
2. Recovery – We need to be able to get the dogs attention quickly following a startling experience for them. 
3. Greeting – We want a puppy that does not run to us immediately. We want a puppy that pauses, evaluates the scene, and then approaches with intention and caution. 
4. Submission – When we flip the puppy over on its back on the ground and keep our hand on its chest we want to see submission, not an attempt to wiggle out. 
5. Following – We want a puppy who will follow us with their eyes while watching us and also follow us through the yard if set down off-leash. 
6. Forgiveness –  We pinch the puppy between its paws, pull its legs, grab its tail, pinch ears, etc. None of this is malicious but mildly uncomfortable for the dog. Once we stop are we getting a dirty look from the dog or a complete redirect of attention and acting as if it didn’t bother them. Quick forgiveness is essential. 

There are many other little things we look for in this matching process, but this is a snapshot to give you insight into how detailed we are in choosing our puppies for our customers. We feel confident we will find you a great choice in our litters. 

After we have matched each puppy with their future family we will send an email out with their final photoshoot as well as information about this puppy. Due to the safety of our puppies, we do not accept visitors during this matching process (see below for the reasons for not visiting our facility before puppy pick-up day). We stay in communication with each family on our reservations lists and try to verify every characteristic, color, and gender requests you may have. The process from birth to matching is an opportunity for us to understand you a bit more as a customer and aiming to match you with not just any puppy, but one of the best!

 

What if I don’t like the puppy I am matched with?

We want to make sure you get the perfect puppy that will enrich your home. If you don’t get matched with a puppy that meets your criteria (gender, color, temperament, etc) from the current litter, we will move you to a waitlist for the next litter that will match your criteria. Applications are filled in the order received once approved and the deposit is paid.

 

Can we visit your home and see your puppies and breeding dogs?

No, and this is a policy we feel very strongly about. We are very concerned about the health and well-being of our puppies so we have decided it is in their best interest for overall health and wellness not to have visitors prior to a scheduled meet and greet when the puppies are 6-weeks of age. This is for families on the specific reservation list only. The reason for our caution is for the overall safety of our puppies. Parvovirus is deadly to puppies and can be unknowingly tracked in by car tires and/or tennis shoes. It is also not fair to a new mama to expect her to tolerate visitors while she is doing her best to care for and protect her babies. Due to this we only accept visitors on the day of the scheduled meet and greet as well as puppy pick up day. If you have a dog allergy and are needing to discuss if you are allergic prior to applying please contact us to discuss further. If this is the only reason you are hesitant to work with us, we would love the opportunity to chat about what you’re looking for and discuss our program more in-depth to make you feel comfortable. 

As to the parent dogs; all of our breeding dogs live in guardian homes so that they live a normal family dog life and the only time they are here with us is either when they are breeding or delivering a litter of puppies and raising them. This is a fabulous way for our breeding dogs to be able to live a normal life and not in kennels. All of our puppies are whelped at our home under our loving care and experience.

We try to do our very best to provide quality portraits of all of our breeding dogs and constant updates of our puppies through our blog and social media. This way you can still see and connect with the litter while helping us keep them safe!

Is my puppy spayed/neutered prior to my adopting him/her?

We sell our puppies on a strict spay/neuter contract that requires you have your puppy altered no later than 8 months of age. This allows you the option of having it done earlier if you choose to, but it is done before your puppy reaches sexual maturity. After countless years of personal study and consultation with multiple vets and breeders both locally and nationally we feel this is in the best health interest of your puppy and will prevent any unplanned, unwanted litters of puppies. This is a non-negotiable policy and we will enforce our contract. We believe this policy allows you the option of choosing when works best for your family and puppy during those first 8-months. Please understand this policy prior to submitting an application. We encourage you to book a spay/neuter appointment when you have your first puppy appointment to ensure you get it on the books with the vet of your choosing. This ensures you don’t have to scramble when you get our reminder email. 

 

Can I choose to wait longer than 8 months to spay/neuter my puppy? 

We have strict policies that require you to show proof of the spay/neuter by the puppies 8 month birthday. Many different vets have differing opinions about the ideal time to spay/neuter a dog but after consulting with both local and national vets and fellow breeders we feel very strongly that’s it’s important to have the female dog spayed prior to her first heat as this helps protect against mammary cancer. We are committed to not having any of our dogs contribute to the unwanted dogs of the world and therefore want all of ours spayed prior to heat to avoid any “accidental” litters of puppies. We have had many dogs go into heat in the 9-10 months and it’s not healthy for them to be getting spayed at that time when they are engorged with blood. As for the males, they can sexually mature and sire a litter of (unwanted) puppies as early as 7 months of age. Neutering them prior to 8 months can also prevent them from developing some of those unwanted male traits of lifting their leg to potty, humping objects, and being overly interested in the girls while also ensuring they are not accidentally siring any litters. 

We feel this is in the best interest of the both the male and female dog and a very healthy option. Your vet may disagree with this stance and we encourage you to find a vet that will honor this policy prior to even receiving your puppy. For all of these reasons, we have adopted the policy to set the timing for the spay/neuter at or before 8 months of age. This policy is non-negotiable and something we will enforce. We have had many puppies over the years (over 1,500 over the time of High Desert Labradoodles) and we work with countless breeders with similar experiences. We have not seen any negative consequences to having our dogs spayed/neutered by this age and believe it truly is in the best interest of the dog and owner. This is a non-negotiable part of our contract and we will not alter our stance based on a vet’s opinion that is treating your puppy.

 

How big will my Australian Labradoodle get?

Sizing is based on height, but the weight range is below for reference.

 

Miniature/Small:	20-35 lbs		Height: 14-16″
Medium:	30-50 lbs		Height: 17-19″
Standard:	45-65 lbs		Height: 20-25″
Life Expectancy:	Labradoodles may live for approximately 12-15 years

 

How do I choose the right color for me?

Colors can be deceiving and making the right choice is not an easy task. Depending on the genetics there are typically three options for coloring. 1.) Stay the same color, 2.) Get lighter over time, 3.) Get darker over time. Depending on each dog’s genetics will determine their color transition. Some dogs may appear very dark at birth (chocolate, black, red) and over time will get lighter within their color shade. Other dogs may get darker over time or remain the same shade as they were with a puppy. Our best advice is to head into your color selection with the thought that your dog may change its shade. Focus more on the color pallet you’re after and not a specific look (ie. Red/Apricot, Chocolate/Cafe, Black/Grey, Cream/White). If you are looking for unique coloring, be open to a variety of options as unique coloring genetics is never something that is perfectly predicted. If you’re open to a variety of options it will allow us to find just the right puppy for you within a specific litter. While we know certain looks and colors are desired, make sure you know what to expect with the litter you’re choosing so there is no misunderstanding.

 

What size dog is best for me? 

The best way to answer this question is to evaluate your lifestyle and what activities you’re wanting the dog for. Many older families pursue a smaller dog so the dog is lighter to pick up, but many times a larger dog can get in and out of the car themselves. Many younger families want a larger dog so they can withstand playing with children, but many times a smaller dog has great endurance. Many families want a small compact size but don’t realize there is only a slight difference between small to medium and medium to standard. With only a few inches and slight weight scales differentiating each Labradoodle size, we encourage you to consider your options of sizing before settling in on a litter of choice. We are here to help and are happy to talk through what you’re looking for and find just the right litter for you. 

 

What gender of dog is best for me?

In our puppies, we notice very little accuracy to “traits” that people assume are only for one gender. We have males and females show more alpha personality and we have males and females show more reserved personality as well as everything in between. Because gender is something we cannot control, we encourage every family to be open to both genders. While we understand that there may be a preference for a certain gender, we do not guarantee any family a certain gender. While we do our best to honor all interests in a dog, the matching process is much more successful when we can openly evaluate every puppy and find the best fit for you as opposed to limiting it to only a couple of dogs based on gender or color. The families that have the best success with our process are the ones who go into it with an open mind, trust in us throughout the process, and stay in communication to share their plans for the puppy, thoughts on the puppies in the litter, and do not zero in on any specific puppies from the litter.

 

Are the puppies vaccinated and microchipped?

All of our puppies receive the initial puppy vaccine and worming and they will have a wellness exam with our veterinarian. We believe that microchipping your puppy should be your decision as many of our buyers choose not to have this done and others want to wait until they are full-grown to do so. We recommend if you choose to microchip that you wait until your puppy is older (perhaps during the time of the spay/neuter by 8 months of age).

 

Are the puppy dewclaws removed or tail bobbed?

No! We take a holistic approach to our dog care and believe in not removing dewclaws or bobbing a tail. If dewclaws being removed are a desire for you then you can always have them removed when the dog is spayed/neutered as this is a natural time to do this. We encourage you to talk with us about any questions you may have regarding the dog’s appearance. All of our breeding dogs have their dewclaws still intact. 

 

Do you sell older dogs or “retired” breeding dogs?

All of our breeding dogs live in guardian homes from 8-weeks of age and throughout the rest of their lives. Due to this we never have a retired breeding dog looking for a new home. We do sometimes help our past families find a new home for their Doodle if they have a life-altering event that comes up, but this is a very rare occurrence. If you are not interested in a puppy, then we are probably not the right fit for you.

 

Are your puppies F1, F2, F1b, etc?

In our early years of breeding, we produced many litters of F1, F2, and F1b’s. These are the early crosses of the Labrador Retriever and Poodle.  All of our breeding dogs are now well past this generation stage and are many lines into the “multi-generational” stage. In addition, all of our breeding dogs have an infusion down their line of Cocker Spaniel which is what makes them an Australian Labradoodle as opposed to an English Labradoodle or Labradoodle. If you would like more specifics on our past practices or current pedigree lines please do not hesitate to ask. You can be assured that our Australian Labradoodles are of the highest quality and we are very proud of the litters produced through our strong pedigree lines. 

 

What is the difference between a Labradoodle, Australian Labradoodle, and Aussie Doodle?

These three are very different but are commonly mistaken for each other. A Labradoodle is a cross between a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle. They can range from F1 (first cross) to a multi-gen. An Australian Labradoodle is a breed in and of itself. They contain an infusion which is explained in the question above. An Aussie Doodle is commonly used inaccurately for an Australian Labradoodle. An Aussie Doodle is an Australian Shepherd bred to a Poodle. These dogs are very different and is completely a different breed to our dogs. All of our puppies are Australian Labradoodles. 

 

Are Australian Labradoodles good family pets?

We believe they are one of the best family pets you will find! They are very friendly and have a gentle disposition. They are curious, quick learners and take well to training. They love people and their people become their “pack”. They want to be where their “pack” is whenever possible which makes for plenty of companionships. Australian Labradoodles are playful and adventurous, but can also be very calm. That balance makes them ideal family pets!

 

Why is High Desert not a part of ALAA or WALA?

We have the utmost respect for both the ALAA and the WALA organizations. As newer breeders we are currently in the process of establishing an association with both ALAA and WALA. We hold true to these organization's high standards of testing, breeding practices, and efforts to further the Australian Labradoodle breed.

 

With so many varieties, is there a food you recommend?

With many years producing the highest quality of Australian Labradoodles, food is of the utmost importance. It can alter coats, change personalities, cause their health to thrive or struggle, and ultimately affect everything! One thing to consider when choosing a food is to see the number of recalls a food has had. The next thing to consider is quality ingredients that don’t include trouble items for Australian Labradoodles. After extensive research, we have found that nothing comes close to comparing to the high quality and rich ingredients of PawTree. We use this on all of our puppies as well as breeding dogs. When your puppy comes home this is the food your pup will be on. They have countless recipes, seasonings, and treats that the dogs thrive on! We can’t say enough and encourage you to explore their offerings by clicking here.

For those not interested in PawTree, another product we fully support is Life’s Abundance. Their commitment to a quality product, incredible ingredients, and impeccable reputation makes them the food of choice for us, our breeding dogs, and our puppies. We can’t recommend their products enough and we strongly recommend you order this food today. You can find their products by clicking here. 

 

Both products can auto-ship to your home and makes all of your dog needs seamless! For those of you uninterested in having a food shipped to you then please contact us & we’d be happy to discuss further. 

 

Is there a training program you believe in?

Signing your puppy up for a puppy class is an essential part of their training experience. It provides needed socialization 

 and early training to your puppy to set them up for success. Any puppy class at your local pet store or trainer is advised. Past this, we can’t speak highly enough of one of our partners Baxter & Bella. They provide lifetime membership to a quality online training program that provides countless resources as well as one-on-one training sessions when needed. The quality you will find here is second to none! We recommend every one of our families have this lifetime membership. In fact, we are members as well! You can find out more information by clicking here. Make sure to enter MTVIEW at checkout for a 25% discount. 

 

Is there a supplement to regular dog food that you suggest for happy and healthy Labradoodles?

We want you to enjoy the longest and healthiest life with your Labradoodle. That’s why we use and highly recommend NuVet Plus wellness wafers.  Protect your pet by boosting immunity, reducing cell damage, and providing vital nutrients missing in most diets.  We have seen incredible results with this product, feed it to all of our breeding dogs, and suggest to every one of our High Desert families for when their dogs are puppies and throughout their entire life! To order visit: www.nuvet.com/31060 or for more information regarding this incredible product click here.