Bluevale Meadows — Frequently Asked Questions
About Our Program
1. Where are you located?
Located in mid-western Ontario near Wingham, approximately 2.5 hours west of the greater Toronto area, 1.5 hours north of London and just 45 minutes from Kitchener Waterloo.
2. What makes your program different?
Raising these puppies is personal for us. They’re born in our home, held in our hands from their very first breath, and loved long before they ever meet their new families. We spend every day getting to know their little personalities, supporting their confidence, and giving them the best possible start in life.
Our approach blends health, structure, and temperament with a deep respect for each puppy as an individual. We use integrative care, real food nutrition, and a low‑chemical environment to support strong bodies and resilient immune systems.
But what truly sets us apart is the relationship we build with our families. We walk alongside you from the moment you apply, through the puppy stage, and for the lifetime of your dog. These puppies leave our home — but they never leave our hearts.
3. How many litters do you raise each year?
We keep our program intentionally small. We raise only a limited number of litters each year to ensure that every puppy receives individual attention, structured evaluation, and hands‑on care from birth through go‑home day. This slower pace allows us to focus deeply on each litter and support families with the same level of care.
4. What size are your Australian Labradoodles?
We raise small‑medium to large‑medium Australian Labradoodles. Most puppies mature within this range, offering families a versatile, easy‑to‑live‑with size.
5. What size, coat type, and colors do you typically produce?
We raise small‑medium to large‑medium Australian Labradoodles with soft, allergy‑friendly, non‑to‑ very-low shedding fleece coats. Each pairing is planned with care, and our litters may include cream, caramel, chocolate, and parti variations. While colors vary by pairing, families can expect coats that are beautiful, consistent, and true to the breed.
6. What health testing do your breeding dogs receive?
We are committed to producing healthy, sound Australian Labradoodles and prioritize both genetic and structural health testing in our program. Our breeding dogs undergo OFA hips, elbows, and patellas, CAER eye exams, and a breed specific DNA panel through DDC. This thorough approach helps ensure we are not unknowingly breeding any issues known to the breed. Every puppy is backed by our two‑year genetic health guarantee.
We also take an integrative approach to the overall care of our dogs and puppies. This includes providing a species‑appropriate diet with real food, testing before treating (whether using natural remedies or pharmaceuticals), avoiding over‑vaccination, and maintaining an environment with minimal chemical and pesticide exposure. Our goal is to give our dogs and puppies the healthiest, most robust immune systems possible.
7. What does “integrative care” mean in your program?
Integrative care means we support each puppy’s whole well‑being — physical, emotional, and developmental — using both evidence‑based veterinary practices and gentle, natural supports. We focus on nutrition, early neurological stimulation, low‑stress handling, appropriate social exposure, and a clean, toxin‑aware environment. Our goal is to raise puppies who are resilient, confident, and thriving long before they go home.
Puppy Development & Care
8. What do your puppies eat?
Our puppies are raised on a real‑food, species‑appropriate diet that supports healthy growth, digestion, and immune development. Families receive guidance on continuing this approach at home.
9. What training foundation do puppies receive before going home?
We use a blend of structured early‑development protocols inspired by Empowered Puppy Breeder and Puppy Culture. Before going home, our puppies receive a gentle, age‑appropriate training foundation designed to support confidence, adaptability, and smooth transitions. We introduce early crate comfort, beginning potty routines, sound desensitization, and simple confidence‑building activities that help each puppy feel secure in new situations.
These early experiences aren’t formal training — they’re thoughtful first steps that build emotional resilience and set the stage for continued learning. Our goal is to send home puppies who feel safe, curious, and ready to thrive with their new families.
10. How are your puppies raised in your home?
Our puppies are raised right in our home as part of our daily life — never in a kennel. From the beginning, they’re surrounded by normal household sounds, gentle handling, and consistent human connection. We use an integrative, development‑focused approach, blending early socialization, confidence‑building experiences, and age‑appropriate structure. This foundation helps each puppy grow into a well‑balanced, adaptable companion who transitions smoothly into their new family.
More on how we raise our puppiesAdoption Process
11. How do I reserve a puppy?
Start by submitting our Puppy Application. Once approved, a non‑refundable (but transferable) reservation fee secures your spot on our waitlist.
12. What is your reservation fee and is it refundable?
A non‑refundable but transferable reservation fee secures your place on our waitlist. This fee is applied toward the final purchase price.
13. When do you announce litters or open waitlists?
We don’t run a general open waitlist. Instead, we accept a small number of reservations for each planned pairing. When a reservation list opens, we post the announcement on our website so families can see availability in real time. Once you reserve a spot for a specific pairing, you’ll receive direct updates from us throughout the process. This approach keeps everything personal, transparent, and intentional, ensuring every family knows exactly which litter they’re waiting for.
14. What is your adoption process?
Our adoption process is designed to be clear, welcoming, and enjoyable for families. It begins with an application and reservation fee to secure your spot. Throughout the litter’s development, we share regular updates so you can follow along as your puppy grows. Around six weeks of age, families are invited to our Family Visit Weekend — a special time to meet the puppies in person. After this visit, we guide families through the puppy selection process, using structured evaluations and hands-on observations to help match each puppy with the home where they’ll thrive. Pickup is then scheduled for go‑home day, when your puppy is ready to transition into your family with confidence and care.
15. Can we visit before choosing a puppy?
We do not offer public visits. Puppy visits with families begin at 6 weeks of age. At 7 weeks, we conduct temperament evaluations on the puppies, and this is when the selection process begins. Until the selection process starts, we advise families not to get attached to any specific puppy. Throughout this time, we keep families connected with regular photos, videos, and updates to help them stay involved and informed.
16. How do you match puppies with families?
As a trained puppy evaluator through the Empowered Breeder program, I complete formal temperament evaluations when the puppies are around seven weeks old. These assessments give us a clear picture of each puppy’s confidence, sensitivity, sociability, and overall personality.
From there, I work closely with each family to help select the puppy whose natural temperament best fits their lifestyle, experience level, and hopes for their new companion. This ensures thoughtful, intentional matches where both the puppy and the family can truly thrive.
17. When can puppies go home?
Puppies are ready to join their new families at 9 weeks of age. This extra week allows for additional socialization, confidence‑building, and a smoother transition.
Health & Support
18. Do you offer a health guarantee?
Yes. All puppies come with a 2‑year genetic health guarantee covering hereditary conditions.
19. Do you offer support after puppies go home?
Absolutely. Our relationship with families doesn’t end at pickup — it truly begins there. We offer ongoing support and guidance as your puppy grows, whether you have questions about training, development, grooming, health, or simply want reassurance along the way. Because we raise our puppies with intention and care, we’re committed to being a resource for their families long after they leave our home. You’re never on your own; we’re here for the lifetime of your dog.
Go-Home Prep
20. What is included in the go‑home package?
Each puppy goes home with a well‑stocked tote that includes essentials like a blanket and stuffy carrying mom and littermates’ scent, food, treats, basic grooming tools, training aids, and a few comfort items. You’ll also receive a puppy folder with health records and a Puppy Handbook — a collection of articles and guidance from veterinarians, nutritionists, herbalists, and myself covering common first‑weeks topics and early training tips. The tote also includes links for 30 days of free insurance and 30 days of free online training. Everything is designed to help your puppy settle in smoothly.
21. What supplies do you recommend for new puppy owners?
We provide a curated essentials list to help families feel fully prepared for their puppy’s arrival. It includes our recommended food, grooming tools, training basics, and a few comfort items we’ve found especially helpful during the transition home. This list is shared with families before pickup, so they have plenty of time to gather what they need and create a welcoming, stress‑free setup.