Selecting a Labradoodle, Goldendoodle, or Australian Labradoodle Puppy

Breed

The first thing you need to ask yourself is: "What is my dogs main purpose going to be?" is it going to be a family pet, a watch dog, a hunter, a competitor, a companion? Based on this question, start researching breeds and characteristics that will suit your lifestyle and the lifestyle you are offering your pet. This is the part in the selection process that many dog owners get wrong. If you want a hunting dog, you would certainly not choose a Chihuahua. If you live in a small apartment and don't plan on lots of trips to the park, you are probably not going to choose a Border Collie. Look for the breeds that best suit you, your children or your activity level. Many behavioral traits have been encoded in a dog's DNA for centuries in order to "bring out" a wanted characteristic. Never forget to ask yourself "What was this breed meant to do?"

Temperament

Now that you've narrowed it down to a few different breeds, lets consider the dog's temperament. Are we looking for a family dog that will be gentle with children or are we looking for a working dog with high energy and drive? If you are able to select from a litter, pay attention to how the dogs behave toward their litter mates. Are they playful and curious? Are they nervous and hiding? Are they rough and bossy? Which of these pups will fit into your household?

Trainability

More often than not, you're going to want a dog that's easily trainable and intelligent. (Although, you don't want them too smart. Wink, wink.) You're life will be made a lot easier if the puppy comes from parents who have excelled in their own training or sports. Just like people, the diet of the mother during pregnancy and the diet of your puppy after its born and inducted into adulthood play a very important role in the development of the brain. Well mannered parents are going to pass off some of those traits to their puppies. See if the pup you're interested in responds to your voice and playful motions.

Pedigree

While pedigree isn't the be all and end all of deciding on the right dog, it does come into play. Naturally, if you want a dog for hunting you're going to want a pedigree rich in hunting titles. The pedigree can also dictate the chances of your pup developing a genetic problem or shortcoming. Your breeder should be able to tell you what lines the parents came from and the highlights or achievements of their ancestors. If you are looking for a Labradoodle, for instance, you'll want both the Poodle and the Labrador to come from excellent lines as those qualities will mingle and compliment each other in the offspring.

Sociability

This is probably the most important. Has the breeder properly socialized your puppy with other dogs and people? More often than not, well socialized pups who have been exposed to different environments will grow up to become stable and confident adults. Very important if you have children in your household. Puppies that have been raised in the home with "people time" have already begun to learn basic house manners and maybe even begun house training.