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Frequently Asked Questions

We’re committed to providing you with the best possible experience as you choose your new puppy from us. Below are several common questions and answers that should help you make an informed decision. Our mission is to ensure that each of our puppies finds a loving, forever home where they can bring years of joy and companionship.

If you have any additional questions or need further information, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

What is the cost of a puppy?

Fall 2025 Pricing:

  • $1900 per AKC Labrador Retriever

  • $2400 per AKC Golden Retriever

  • $2000 (+$400 for merle) per F1B "Doodle"

A $400 deposit is required via PayPal, which will be applied to the final puppy cost. We cover PayPal fees and taxes for your convenience. If PayPal is not an option, please contact us to discuss alternative payment arrangements. Please see the Application Process for more information about our Deposit Guidelines. ​​

What is the deposit for?

Please review our Application Process page for more details regarding your deposit and payment. To secure your " Pick-Order " privilege, we require a non-refundable $400 deposit (applied to the total cost of your puppy). The remaining balance can be paid in person (cash) or online (PayPal) before picking up your puppy.

What is a "pick-order" privilege?

Once your application is approved and your deposit is received, you will be assigned the next available pick for a puppy from the litter. Your name and gender preference will be added to the publicly posted picklist.
Please note: If your preferred puppy gender is unavailable at your designated "Pick", you will have the option to either: 1) Receive a full deposit refund, or 2) Choose a puppy of the other gender.

What is the application process?

Review the Application Process tab for a detailed explanation of our FREE application submission process:

  1. Announcements & Communications

  2. Puppy Deposit Contract

  3. Puppy Sales Contract

  4. Online Application

What dogs do you breed?

All dogs we own and breed are female AKC Retrievers and ICA-certified Doodles. We partner exclusively with trusted AKC sire owners to ensure each pairing promotes strong DNA and excellent health genetics.

Our AKC-registered retriever females include:

  • Kopper (Red Labrador Retriever)

  • Kipper (Black Labrador Retriever)

  • Koffee (Golden Retriever)

Our ICA-registered doodle females include:

  • Kita (F1 Labradoodle)

  • Koda (F1 Goldendoodle)

You can learn more about our females on the Breeding Females page.

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We are dedicated to keeping our subscribers and applicants informed throughout every stage of our breeding program. By pairing our females only with AKC purebred males, we maintain strong bloodlines and uphold exceptional genetic quality, proudly offering families healthy, high-quality retrievers and doodles. For more information on upcoming litters, please see our Puppy News.

What sizes and styles may be anticipated?

While a puppy’s final size can be estimated based on the parents, the exact adult size cannot be guaranteed.
•    AKC Retrievers will be standard size, typically 75+ pounds.
•    Doodles will fall within one of three weight categories:

  1. Mini (<24 lbs.)

  2. Moyen (24-55 lbs.)

  3. Standard (55+ lbs.)

New breeding trends and terminology are constantly evolving. The term ‘moyen’ refers to a breed size that falls between a large miniature and a small standard, making it a perfect medium-sized option. Coat colors and patterns pictured may change as the puppy grows, particularly between 6 to 12 months of age, and cannot be guaranteed.

Can you send my puppy to me?

We do not crate-ship our puppies. Instead, we offer the option to arrange a travel companion service for an additional charge.

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AIR DELIVERY
We offer domestic air delivery at an additional cost based on flight and travel expenses. This service is provided through a Travel Puppy Companion, accompanying the puppy throughout the journey. The companion will hand-deliver your puppy to the closest airport to you, ensuring safe and personal delivery directly to you. We never use crate shipping for our puppies. Alternatively, you can fly to Harrisburg-MDT (our local airport) to pick up your puppy and personally fly them to your home.

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CAR DELIVERY
We are centrally situated in Lebanon, PA, for easy access from many northeastern states. If necessary, we can arrange for a Travel Puppy Companion to transport your puppy safely from our home to yours. This service incurs an additional cost based on the distance traveled.

How do you raise your puppies?

Every puppy we breed is unique and receives daily family interaction along with bio-sensory training, providing numerous benefits for their development. Some of these benefits include:

  • Improved cardiovascular performance

  • Stronger heartbeats

  • More efficient adrenal glands

  • Greater resistance to stress

  • Enhanced resistance to disease

Our puppies receive bio-sensory training based on three key phases:

  • Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS)

  • Socialization

  • Enrichment

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We follow Baxter & Bella's Online Puppy School Breeder Program, which introduces key concepts such as potty training and socialization. Regular interaction with each puppy ensures they receive a strong foundation, helping them thrive in their new home. We recommend continuing with the Baxter & Bella program after finalizing your purchase to ensure your puppy's continued development. Through our partnership, we're pleased to offer you a 25% discount using the code: ROBERTSON. For more information, please visit our Training page.

What health guarantee do you offer?

We offer a health guarantee on all our puppies, including coverage for hip dysplasia that may require surgical intervention. You can read more about our Puppy Health Guarantee on the Application Process page.

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In addition to our health guarantee, we’ve partnered with Trupanion to provide immediate medical coverage for your puppy. Through this partnership, your puppy is eligible for a Trupanion policy that offers:
•    30 days of coverage with no upfront payments
•    Immediate coverage with waiting periods waived
•    $250 deductible, 90% coverage, and no payout limits
•    Coverage for new, unexpected injuries or illnesses

*Terms and conditions apply. See the policy at Trupanion.com/pet-insurance

Is health testing done on the puppies/mothers?

Mothers: Each of our retrievers holds an AKC Certified Pedigree, while our Doodles have an ICA Certified Pedigree. Our females undergo genetic health testing through Embark to ensure strong and reliable genetic health. For more details, please visit our Retriever Females tab. Additionally, our females receive OFA evaluations for hips and elbows, helping us maintain a strong, healthy lineage for every puppy.

 

Puppies: We do not conduct health testing (such as OFA or DNA) on our puppies, as we believe each family makes these decisions best. However, we follow a strict deworming schedule starting at two weeks old. At six weeks, each puppy receives a thorough vet check and their first round of vaccinations. By eight weeks, our puppies are happy, healthy, and ready to join their forever families!​

Is grooming essential for doodles?

We have preferred local groomers to whom we can refer if you'd like to use their services.
We also recommend that you identify a respected groomer for future grooming needs. Every person has their preferences when it comes to grooming styles and timing. For maintenance, we suggest daily brushing between grooming sessions, with professional grooming potentially scheduled every 4-8 weeks.

What is a hypoallergenic dog?

No dog is entirely hypoallergenic. However, Labradoodles and Goldendoodles tend to shed less due to their purebred Poodle ancestry, making them a more hypoallergenic alternative many people with allergies can tolerate. An F1B "Doodle" is bred by crossing an F1 (50/50) Doodle with a purebred Poodle, resulting in about 75% Poodle and 25% Retriever. This makes them more likely to have a hypoallergenic, low-shedding coat.

What should I feed my puppy?

We provide you with your puppy's current food to take home. You can continue using the same brand or gradually transition to a different one. As with any dietary change, we recommend consulting with your vet. The key to a successful transition is carefully monitoring your puppy's response. We suggest following the gradual process outlined by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in their guide, "How to Transition Dog Food."

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