Hi Rookie

I havent any experience of this particular breeder, but I would be very wary if a breeder will not let you visit.

I chose my puppy last May when he was 4 weeks old, I had several phone conversations with the breeder prior to visiting and subsequently choosing the pup. We visited her once more before picking him up in June. I rang her a few times to check up on him and to bombard her with questions (I'm a first time dog owner ). She was happy to answer any questions and was welcome to visit any time - in fact I am still in touch if I have any concerns or questions.

Its a very big decision choosing a puppy and you have to feel happy with your choice. I would be tempted to look around and see if you can get any recommendations for breeders near to you.

Also £2000 for a puppy seems very expensive - although as we all know our doodles are priceless but that seems over the top,

Good luck in your search.

Carmel & Henry

I know nothing about ASDs other than that they are a lot more expensive than the UK labradoodles and they look gorgeous, and I've not had any dealing with the breeders you are talking about, but personally I wouldn't put a deposit down for anything that I haven't seen

Hi

If you want an ASD that yes the price tag is between £1500-2000 normally.
This usually includes injections and early neutering.
With the ASD's you can usually and I stress usually, understand what the coat and size of dog will be like.

The UK labradoodles, cost from £500-900 ish dependant on whether they are F1/F1b/F2 etc.....

The lower the F, ie F1 the cheaper they are, although they may have flat coats, scruffy or curly and are extremely likely to shed and cause allergies.

If anyone wants to correct me, thats fine, but that is based on my own experience of my F1 and my ASD.
I didnt speak to them when I got my baby. Please look to see if they have a links page to other ASD breeders they work with.

I'm a bit doodle ignorant here!
What's a ASD? and why do they cost so much?
(Apart for Olga I'm not very clued up, would love to know)
Thanks!

Sue

This site explains all about what they are ... http://www.alaeu.org/

Ben whats this about early neutering?if you like to would you please explain .Thanks Freda

I can't comment on any individual breeder but in general terms think you will find that a responsible breeder will often invite interested individuals to complete a questionnaire to ensure as far as possible that they are selling their puppies to people with the resources to care for them. As for the price, to some extent all breeders of all kinds of dogs charge what they think the market will bear and, as breeds go in and out of popularity, prices go up and down. I have never been asked to pay a deposit before choosing a puppy although I have always been happy to do so when it has been agreed which puppy is to be mine......

The ASDs are quite different in many respects from labradoodles being an infusion of several different breeds of dog; have you met any socially so to speak ? I don't know where you are in the country but quite a few people on here have an ASD and I am sure they would invite you to meet their dogs at one of the regular walks. You could then have a chat about breeders,etc.

In my opinion the most important consideration when buying a puppy is to make sure the parents are health tested with good temperaments and that the puppies have been reared with good food and socialisation. A good guide is on the LT site although the health testing info relates to labradoodles not ASD -

http://www.labradoodletrust.com/puppies.html

Finally, just to add to Ben's point re allergies and the F's.... Obviously many people who have reactions to dogs can't cope with any kind of dog coat or are allergic to saliva, etc. And to look at the different coats a litter of labradoodles can produce do have a look at the "Snuggles" thread on here.

Katherine

I have been told that neutering before a bitch has had two seasons can lead to incontinence in later life. I have had two dogs that were spayed after their first season, both began having 'accidents' from about 10 years onward. My dad's dogs have never been spayed until they were 2 or 3 years after vast amounts of badgering from me but none of his dogs have suffered from incontinence.

I don't know if anyone else has any thoughts on this but personally I would not neuter a puppy at a very young age. Being cynical I can only think it is done to prevent you using the breeders bloodlines!

I have a 7 month old puppy which we got from Rai at Rai's doodles. His mum is an F1 and dad is Australian, so he is known as a 50/50.
We had an unlucky experience with a previous dog, a terrier which turned out to have aggressive tendencies and sadly had to rehome him with a friend (with no kids). When we decided to look for a labradoodle, I did lots of research and spoke to many breeders. Rai was absolutely fantastic and put up with my constant questions and anxieties. She even matched us to the puppy she thought would be best for us.
Seven months later I couldnt have wished for a better dog .He has a sweet loving temperament and looks stunning. As for the price tag - he is worth every penny. Rai and Julie at Manorborn are always on the end of the phone to answer questions and are keen to keep in touch . I would recommend them to anyone.

My gorgeous labradoodle came from Manoborn and I cannot recommend them highly enough. I find it very strange that you say that you cannot visit. They always welcome people to come on a particular viewing date to see Mum and pups, which causes the least distress than having people coming whenever. You will find with any reputable breeder that you have to fill in a questionaire first, they care so much about where there puppies go they want to check you are suitable. I think you will be hard pressed to find another breeder that health tests and cares as much about their dogs as Julie and Rai. 3 years on and I still ring and email about Scruffy regulary and they are always so pleased to hear from us and offer any advice needed.
My labradoodle is in tip top condition and she never visits the vets apart from yearly vacinations. When I visited Manorborn I saw their ASDs and they are just amazing, I think anyone who has a ASD from Manorborn would not be disappointed.

Rookie I know Julie and Rachael from Manorborn very well, they breed beautiful dogs and they are raised to the highest standard, there are quite a few people on this forum who have dogs from them, like me and they will tell you the same. They also have a home life with a young child to care for, if we were to open our homes to everyone interested in meeting our dogs we would never have a day to ourselves. I have had people wishing to visit me all over the christmas period and in some cases I have accomadated these 'potential puppy owners' putting my own personal life aside for them, however I have decided myself to now put my family life first.
My world fell apart last Friday and Julie and Rachael immediately offered to help me, they are good honest people!!

hi Rookie,
Rest assured, Manorborn are fabulous, caring breeders.

How do I know?

I got two puppies from them, Toby an F1 and Bertie an ASD. Pictures below.

I too 'shopped around' looking for a pup and eventually decided on Toby. I saw both parents, got copies of relevant health testings not only for parents but grandparents etc as well. When the vet saw my Toby he commented on the fact that he was a fabulous doodle and a credit to his breeders, he bought one from there too!

I loved Toby so much, I decided to get an ASD- Bertie, he's wonderful too. Same thing, I met both parents, got the relevant health testings. He's a delight to have and I love them both to bits. They are happy, well adjusted dogs and everyone who meets them loves them. (Bertie is a bit of a thief though)

Rai and Julie have been there for me all the time in the past two years whenever and whatever my queries, my mother and I have never met such caring breeders of any of our dogs. To be honest I don't have any problems but I keep in touch with news of my two and they are always delighted to hear about them and see photos.

They do carefully vet who they sell to and I was quite happy for this as they want their puppies to go to loving, forever homes. As Katherine says, a responsible breeder often asks for a completed questionnaire. The puppies are well socialised too, they were fed Royal Canin as puppies and they give you a bag of this puppy information and a lot of other information to help you with your puppy and settling them in.

I can thoroughly recommend them as breeders. Incidentally I travelled from the North of England to Herefordshire as I felt they were the breeders I wanted to buy from.

If you want to pm me or ask any more info I'm happy to help.

Hi Rookie
I am pleased to see that you are learning that Manorborn and Rais Doodles are amazing breeders. I saw a dog they bred last year at a show and I fell in love with the Labradoodle breed on the spot. I eventually plucked up the courage to ring Rai and ask if I could be put down on her waiting list for an ASD puppy. I had loads of questions at the time but Rai was incredibly helpful and kind and patient with me and was very professional. She asked me many questions too (because you don't want a puppy to go to an unsuitable home and I fully respected that). I had every faith that her dogs are all amazing because I had seen one for myself and the person who bought that dog had nothing but praise for Julie and Rai.
To have such a recommendation was all I needed. I can understand that they don't want just anyone coming to their home. Some people can be very nosey and intrusive and it IS their home after all. Their dogs are all beautifully cared for, health tested to the max and their ASD puppies are vaccinated and neutered early so that they don't get in the wrong hands and the breed is preserved. I fully support this and am surprised at peoples lack of understanding on this subject.
Their home really is a home and not a shop window for 'browsers'. My beautiful little Rosie is the most adorable dog, sweet natured, gorgeous coat and she is everything and more besides that I could ever want. I keep in touch with Rai as we got on extremely well and I would like to be able to think that she is a friend I can always count on for advice and help if I needed it. She is always interested in Rosie and has offered a life time of support for us. As regards the price, you get what you pay for!
Rookie - I am pleased to have the opportunity to give my opinion and high regard for Manorborn and Rais Doodles.

Thank you everybody for taking the time to write - I am seriously impressed with the level of information offered and the kindness everyone has shown.

You have all given me plenty to think about and I am very grateful.

Rookie