Frequently Asked Questions

Puppies go home with their new families at 8 weeks old. Each one leaves up to date on age-appropriate vaccines, dewormed at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks, and with a complete health record so your vet has everything they need.

We require a $500 deposit to reserve your spot. Once your deposit and a signed Deposit Agreement are received, your place is secured. Because our litters are in high demand, deposits are non-refundable but can be applied to a different puppy or a future litter. Feel free to call, text, or email to make arrangements.

After your deposit is placed, you're added to our list in the order received. When a litter is ready, we contact families in order — you'll have 8 business hours to choose your puppy or pass. Passing simply preserves your place in line for the next available litter.

Absolutely. Our dogs live right in our home as part of the Bennett family, raised underfoot with our four children. Personality and disposition pass down, so well-balanced parents matter to us. Once a litter arrives we'll share photos and videos and schedule a time for you to meet the puppies and parents in person.

A completed Puppy Application, a signed Deposit Agreement to secure your spot, and a signed Purchase Agreement before your puppy is released. All three are available under our Forms menu.

We recommend a collar, leash, and harness, food and water bowls, a crate or kennel with a divider, a cozy bed, puppy shampoo, a slicker brush and detangling comb, soft toys, and healthy training treats. Probiotics and Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil are also great to have on hand to support digestion and coat during the transition. Our exact favorites are linked on the Shop page.

Every parent dog undergoes comprehensive genetic health testing and OFA evaluations. We use Embark DNA testing, which screens for over 250 genetic health conditions. Breeding for sound genetics and steady temperament always comes first.

Puppies come with age-appropriate vaccines (typically their first round), dewormings at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks, and a complete health record. We ask that all families schedule a vet appointment within 72 hours of bringing their puppy home.

Yes — every Lakeshore puppy comes with a 2-year health guarantee against genetic defects. On top of that, each puppy is started on Early Neurological Stimulation and raised with the Puppy Culture program for the best possible foundation.

No dog is 100% hypoallergenic, but our Goldendoodles and Bernedoodles are low-shedding and allergy-friendly — especially the F1B and F1BB generations. Most families with mild to moderate allergies do beautifully with these breeds. If your allergies are severe, we recommend spending time around the breed before bringing one home.

We start all of our puppies on a high-quality, large-breed puppy formula made with natural ingredients and developed with veterinarians and animal-nutrition experts. Continuing your puppy on this food for the first 12 months is also required to maintain our health guarantee.

Yes — strongly. Most policies have a waiting period before they cover anything, so enrolling before pickup day means coverage is already active for those first vet visits. When comparing carriers, look at the annual deductible, the percentage of the bill reimbursed (the best plans cover 80–90%), whether hereditary and congenital conditions are covered, and how quickly claims are processed. Reach out before pickup and we'll share the carriers our families currently use.

We specialize in Goldendoodles and Bernedoodles. Each is carefully selected and health tested for temperament, coat, and overall health to ensure the best possible puppies for our families.

Goldendoodles blend the gentle, eager-to-please Golden Retriever with the intelligent, low-shedding Poodle. The result is a friendly, highly trainable companion that's wonderful with children and other animals, with a coat that ranges from light- to non-shedding. If you want a trusting, obedient dog you can keep inside without lots of shedding, a Goldendoodle makes an excellent pet.

Bernedoodles pair the calm, affectionate Bernese Mountain Dog with the Poodle's intelligence and low-shedding coat. They're loyal, playful family dogs known for their striking tri-color coats and gentle, people-loving nature — a wonderful fit for families who want a steady, cuddly companion.

These terms describe the generation of a doodle. F1 is a first-generation cross — one purebred parent of each breed. F1B is an F1 bred back to a purebred Poodle, typically producing a curlier, more hypoallergenic coat. F1BB is an F1B bred back again to a Poodle, giving the curliest, most allergy-friendly puppies.

Limited registration means the dog is registered but no litters it produces are eligible for registration, and it cannot be entered in conformation breed shows (it remains eligible for other licensed events). Full registration is sold with breeding rights — puppies produced with another full-registered dog are eligible for registration.

Yes! We can arrange delivery for the price of travel plus a nanny fee that gives your puppy the one-on-one attention it needs for a safe, happy trip — or we can connect you with a trusted, reputable puppy nanny service. We're glad to coordinate arrangements that work with your schedule. All travel expenses are at the buyer's expense.

We accept Cash, Venmo, Zelle, and Cashier's Check for the balance of your puppy's purchase price. Deposits can be sent via Venmo. Any shipping or travel expenses are at the buyer's expense.

If you're unable to pick up your puppy within 7–10 days of placing your deposit (once the puppy is 8 weeks or older), a boarding fee of $45 per day applies for each additional day the puppy stays with us.

Yes! For $75 per day, we can provide additional in-home training from the time of purchase until delivery, focused on crate training, potty training, and basic commands. It gives your puppy a wonderful head start, though you'll continue the training in your own home.

If you're ever unable to care for your puppy or choose to rehome it, Lakeshore Doodles retains the first right to recover the dog. Please notify us immediately of any change in circumstances. Our puppies may never be sold to a pet store, broker, or puppy mill, or surrendered to a shelter.