The pups are 3 weeks, 5 days old. They eat from a dish twice a day now and feast on their mom besides. All of them eat til they look as if they’ll burst. I’m able to feel just the hint of their milk teeth beginning to peek through, so soon the food will be less liquid and more for chewing. They’re growing round and strong, which is good… but they’re also learning their first lesson. One that will serve them well through their entire lives and help to keep them safe.
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They’ve learned to associate the sound of my voice with food, so are now coming when I call them. I call them out of their house, across the porch, and a few feet into the lawn. I want to teach them that coming when called is a GOOD thing; it brings rewards and positive interaction. Little do they know it’s setting the tone for their first lesson as pets. I try to move around a bit and vary the spot they’re fed at so that they’re learning to come to me rather than to a specific spot. They have to listen for my voice and come to where I am if they want their reward. Later, when they go to their long term homes, they’ll be ready to respond eagerly when called because they’re learning it now. This is puppy kindergarten where they’re mastering their first lesson.

When I tell people I’m a labradoodle breeder I usually get one of 3 reactions.

1. They have no clue what a “Labradoode” is.
2. They know and have a friend, family member or acquaintance who has or wants one.
3. They tell me I’m corrupting purebreds by crossing 2 recognized breeds and have no business in the business.

The first group is fun, because it gives me the chance to share my excitement of these great dogs with people who have no preconcieved notion about them. Some are fascinated, some could care less, but all go away knowing more than they knew.

The second group is generally enthusiastic and tell me stories about how smart, funny, cute and well trained the dog is. I smile and nod my head, enjoying seeing others as enthusiastic about these little treasures as I am.

The third group isn’t a lot of fun, but they’re entitled to their opinion, so I let them state their position, then come home and play with my doodle dozen.

Sure I could have bred my adult dogs to purebreds, and been raising AKC pups for the same cost as I’m doing Labradoodles. But I’d also have concerns about the genetic weaknesses, inbreeding, and glut on the market that’s taken the thrill out of that possibility for me. My heart just sinks when I see how many Lab breeders are advertising in the local classifieds! I know they’re the number 1 dog in new pup registries with AKC each year, but how many get good loving life long homes? And as wonderful as standard poodles are, they have trouble finding acceptance among men because they’re concieved as “fru-fru dogs” which is not the case at all! They’ll keep up with a lab in retrieving ducks, don’t stink your truck up on the ride home and won’t shed laying in front of the fire to dry off!

So whatever your reaction, I’m proud to say “I’m a labradoodle breeder.”

With a litter of 12 to feed, Canada has had a challenge to keep everyone well fed and herself healthy in the process. I’ve been top-dressing her food with Puppy formula, she gets raw liver and eggs. There is ALWAYS food in her dish, even though she’s eating over 30 lbs a week right now. She’s managed to stay a bit on the chubby side, but her coat is starting to show the stress of feeding so many. So yesterday we found this:

Which was a pretty strong hint that the pups are becoming interested in Mamas food. At 19 days of age, it’s a few days earlier than expected, but hey they’re showing me what they want, so who am I to say they’re not ready?
Tonight I found one licking her food even though he has no teeth to chew with yet.

So I decided to mix up some puppy forumla and thicken it with a bit of soft white bread crumbs. I figured they’d at least get a taste for what’s to come. Nothing had prepared me for the frenzy that followed! The first pup I put at the bowl dived in like he hadn’t eaten all day. So we brought out another… who did the same. They were sucking the mix down like they were old pros.

So I ran in, mixed up more, and filled a second pan. We brought out all 12 pups, and let the frenzy begin. Now anyone who hasn’t seen puppies sharing their first few meals has missed some serious cuteness. They climb INTO the food, over each other, and rut around like little pigs. It’s comical and charming at the same time. By the end of the meal they’re a sloppy mess… which I just can’t resist sharing.

ENJOY!

Canada seemed to enjoy watching them eat. I’m sure she enjoyed cleaning them up after too! Between the 12 of them they ate 4 cups of formula with 4 slices worth of bread crumbs. We checked them all carefully before putting them back in for the night and not one looked like it could have swallowed another drop.

So feeding time has taken a sudden turn, and from now on they’ll be getting puppy formula with crushed puppy chow softened in it a couple times each day. Once their teeth come in, there will be less liquid and more puppy chow until they’re ready to eat like big puppies do. They’re growing up so fast!

The pups are 17 days old today. Their eyes are open, they’re hearing the world around them, and they’re eager to respond! The shelter of their home up till now has been dark and quiet. A great place to be safe in, but once they’ve become aware; once they’ve heard life moving by; their curiosity is peaked. They feel compelled to check it out!
Now that they see the sunlight shining, they want to go toward the light!

Yesterday and today I’ve heard the pups outside for the first time. They’ve discovered their voices, and must try them out. They crawl toward the light, out of the house, across the grass, and only when they get tired from dragging their fine round bellies through the soft green grass and need to nap do they realize they’re alone. They want to cuddle in the puppy pile, but it’s not out there! So they go in circles… rooting in the cool grass for another warm body to sprawl across.

When they can’t find it, they begin to sing. “Wooo Woooooo Woooooooo!” they cry. Noses to the light, mouths in perfect little circles the “Wooo Woooooo Woooooooo!” sounds so sad I can’t resist.

I put my shoes on, trudge outside, and lovingly carry them back to their nest. On the way they roughly nudge at my neck hoping for milk. I can’t begrudge them needing a little help. While out there, I see several others wearing themselves out in the grass and decide to put them back as well.

I go back to the house; take my shoes off again; still smiling at how cute they are. Just as I start to get deep in concentration on my current project, the serenade begins again.

“Wooo Woooooo Woooooooo!” is the mournful cry. I drop what I’m doing and grab my shoes. I might as well take a soda along and take a break with them. As long as the sun is shining some one of them is going to want to go toward the light.

With new pups to care for, I find myself spending a lot of time just watching, checking, and observing the litter. I make sure they’re being well fed and kept clean, and that they seem content, which tells me their needs are being met.

At 11 days of age, I’m seeing just the beginning of their eyes opening. They have grown round and much stronger. They move more every day, stretching and exercising those young bodies in preparation for getting up off those bellies and standing on their legs to take their fist steps. I take time to hold and cuddle each one. I study their colors, how they react to being rolled on their backs and moved around. I want to see which ones are most easily disturbed by my handling and which seem willing to just go with the flow. Much of their temperament is inborn, and in helping people choose the right pup for their family I will need to get to know these pups intimately over the next few weeks.

With a dozen pups, you might think I’d tire of this daily routine, but even after each has been handled, I find myself sitting with a big silly grin just watching them. They aren’t just a litter. They are 12 individuals; each with different qualities. Some favor their Lab ancestors, some the Poodle. Most are a blend of the 2 that is unique. Their head shapes are different. Their noses are turning from newborn pink to black like their parents. Their cute little toes are growing nails, and the hair on their chins is filling in. Some have a ridge that runs across their muzzle just under their eyes. A couple have multiple ridges and much wider heads. Some already show waves in their short soft baby coats that tell me they will have a different coat type than their slick lab Mama. The large apricot male has a thin light stripe the runs over the top of his head down his spine. 2 of the blacks have tiny spots of white hair poking out on the front of their chins and a few white hairs between their toes. A couple are so light I wonder if they might be white.

This is a labor of love. It’s akin to counting the fingers and toes on a new human baby. These babies change and grow so quickly that I’m constantly fascinated by the subtle differences I see day to day. I wake up each morning eager to check on them. They never fail to surprise me with something I hadn’t noticed before or some new development as they mature. I feel so blessed to be able to experience this and to know that in time there will be families who will love and enjoy them as much as I do now for many years to come.

I have friends and family waiting eagerly for the pups to be ready to recieve visitors. They will have many loving hands to teach them about how precious they are and how nice it is to be pet and played with. While I do look forward to showing them off, I have to say it’s been nice to have this time alone with them as well. When they turn 3 weeks old, a select few visitors will be invited in to help socialize the pups. I want them to know there are many who will love them and that they are safe in those hands. The trust built in these early sessions will be the basis of how they will view the human race for the rest of their lives. What an awesome responsiblity we are given! What a unique treasure they are.

Labradoodles are bred to meet a specific need. Our goal in breeding them is to blend the best qualities of the Poodle with those of the Labrador Retriever to develop a better all-around pet.

The ideal is to create non-shedding, non-aggressive, highly intelligent dogs with fewer genetic health issues and a longer life span than either of the breeds have individually.

These 2 breeds compliment each other very nicely. Of course no one can guarantee that every pup will have every quality you’re trying to get in them, but then neither do purebreds. Genetics simply don’t work that way. Yet with carefully choosing dams and studs that are strong in the areas you’re focussing on, the odds are improved greatly. The parents must be purebreds that meet their breed standards plus have the very best temperaments and strengths in specific areas that we’re looking to reproduce.

Labs are a very poplular pet breed because they’re loyal, affectionate, intelligent, easy going and friendly. Most are excellent with children, and love to play.

Poodles are non-shedding, even more intelligent, gentle, laid back, and form strong bonds with their entire family rather than singling out one person as many breeds tend to do.

On the downside, labs can be hyper, pushy, rough, roamers, and shed like there’s no end to it. Poodles can be aloof and have high maintenance coats that require a lot of grooming and since their hair grows like a persons does, it has to be cut or will become a matted mess.

By combining the 2 breeds, we aim for a low to non-shedding coat that’s much lower maintenance. We see a mellow, highly intelligent dog that devotes itself to the family and craves human interaction above all. They are easily trained and eager to please. We eliminate genetic diseases that take both parents to pass on disease. We see the friendly playfullness of the lab, and the mellow, gentle spirit of the poodle.

For many, this is the ideal pet.

It’s believed that up to 90% of pups sold in pet stores come from “puppy mills”. Most of us have heard the term “puppy mill” but few really understand what they are or the risk you take in bringing a pup into your home from one. Those who know would never be able to do it.

In a puppy mill, the dogs are only there to be bred until they can’t be bred anymore, then are disposed of. They get minimal if any vetrinary care, as little food as possible and still keep them able to reproduce, they live in cages, or boxes, and often are never let out to even learn to walk or feel the ground beneath their feet. They get no love, no training, and many slowly lose their minds.

When you buy a pup out of a pet store, you’re likely to be paying a premium price for a pup that’s already sick, has no idea what it means to be part of a family, and often will have to be put down at a young age due to medical or behavioral problems. It’s not the pups fault… they never had a chance. All the love in the world can’t make up for what they were denied, but in the end they will pay the price over and over again.

Although puppy mills are illegal, there are many and the only way to stop the practice is to quit giving them a reason to continue. If no one would buy their pups, they’d close their doors once and for all. They are only in it for the money, so hit them in the pocketbook to let your opinion of them be known.

If you love dogs, and seriously want to buy one, please buy from a reputable breeder or shelter. Search out someone who truly cares about their dogs and is willing to let you see the conditions they live under. Meet the parent dogs to get a feel for their personality and temperament. Ask questions until you’re convinced you’re getting exactly what you want, and that the breeder knows what they’re talking about. If you have any reservations or concerns, move on to a different one. Ask for a vet reference. Ask for proof of puppy shots, health exams, and don’t worry that you might offend. Anyone on the up and up will be glad that you care enough to find out and will give that same consideration to the puppy once you take it home.

If you see puppies in a pet store, say a prayer for them as you keep walking away. Buying here only gives the puppy mill another reason to breed again.

Breeding dogs sounds simple.
You put a male with a female when the time is right, let them do their thing and then rake in the cash when the pups come. Simple, right?

WRONG
First of all, you don’t breed “just any” male or female. They have to be good quality dogs that fit the standards of their breed(s). They have to be healthy, fit, and able to reproduce.
They have to have the right kind of temperament and personality because in breeding them, you’re hopefully making more like them. If they’re shy, aggressive, fearful, or psycho, there’s a good chance at least some of their offspring will be too.
So you spend time learning what to look for.
Then you spend time (and money) looking, researching, and finally buying dogs that fit the criteria.
Naturally the best dogs don’t come cheap, but are the ones you need to do it right.$$
So you buy pups and you raise them for a year or 2 hoping you’ve got the ones you need and others will want.
In the meantime you have to feed them, groom them, give them shots, heartworm preventative, worming, and regular vet care.$$
If something goes wrong, you have to afford emergency vet care. $$
You have to train them to be obedient, gentle, loving and well mannered dogs.
They must not only become part of your family and accept all your friends and family, they must trust you to be with them when they whelp. They must allow you to hold their pups, and carry away any sick pup that needs special care without wanting to take your face off. In order to accomplish this, you must spend countless hours with them.

Once they are expecting, you must be even more vigilant of them.
Their food needs increase. $$
They need a safe, warm, dry place to give birth, so you must buy, build or have one built for you. Again with the $$
They need a pen to keep the pups in and other animals out. More $$

When the pups finally arrive, you have to take them to your vet for a checkup and to have their dew claws removed on the 3rd day. $$
Mom is likely eating twice her usual amount of food right now to keep up with nursing the litter and gets beef liver to keep her own strength up. $$
The pups need to be wormed every other week and to have their 1st round of shots before they ever sell. $$
The pups need to be handled, socialized, and fed well once they start to be weaned from their mom. You spend hours and many dollars just doing what needs to be done.

You’ve spent a couple of years preparing the parents.
By the time the first one is able to be sold, you’ve invested 4 months in just this one litter.
If you got even $1 an hr, no one would be able to afford your pups.
If you break even you feel it was a success!

What was the question again?