| Why Be on a Waiting List? If you have recently begun your search for a Labradoodle puppy or Goldendoodle puppy you have likely discovered that there are plenty out there! So I am sometimes asked the question, "Why should I get on a waiting list for a certain breeder? Can't I just wait until we are ready for a puppy and then shop around to find the right one?" The answer depends on what type of Doodle you are seeking, and how specific your requirements are. If you are flexible about size, color, and generation, you will likely be able to find a reputable breeder with something available. This is similar to shopping for a car that most dealerships have available on the lot! It is relatively easy to find earlier generation doodes (F1, F2, F1B) in a standard size from a reputable breeder. However, there are several reasons why you might want to consider getting on a waiting list. If the kind of doodle you prefer is of a specific size, color and generation, or you want to be certain to get a puppy from a certain pairing and from a particular breeder, reserving a puppy before it is born, or shortly thereafter, is a good idea. In a similar vein, if the car you desire is a very specific one, you may have to order it and wait for it! The best breeders, the ones who test and provide good warranties and customer service, often have people lined up to get puppies because people are willing to wait for a puppy from someone they know they want to work with. Now, occasionally even those breeders will have puppies available, due to larger than expected litter size or possibly puppies whose coats or size did not meet the requirements of the folks on their lists. But your choices will be more limited, and a great deal more is left to chance! If you are seeking a doodle of a specific size, especially a miniature doodle, or an Australian Labradoodle, it is really a very good idea to develop a relationship with a breeder and get on their waiting list. These doodles are less common, more expensive to breed (due to the necessity, in many cases, of artificial insemination), and their litters tend to be smaller. Again, good breeders will sometimes have puppies of these types available on the spur of the moment, but it is much less common. If you have these or other specific requirements you may end up searching for a long time for the right puppy, time that ends up extending past the few months you would have been waiting while on a waiting list! Below are some puppies that went to families that waited for them from before their birth! |
