There’s plenty of love behind those little faces. As a Cavoodle breeder in Melbourne, we choose our parent dogs carefully, look after their health and raise our puppies for family life.
Where it all began
When we began around 15 years ago, our original breeding mums were chosen through rigorous DNA testing and careful assessment of their behaviour and temperament. There was much more to the decision than a cute face.
The DNA results helped us understand inherited health risks. Watching how the dogs behaved helped us understand their personalities. Both mattered when deciding which dogs would become mums.
That same care guides how we raise our puppies today, from their early health checks to gentle handling and time with people.
Getting to know the health checks
DNA testing is useful, but it is only one part of the story. Veterinary checks and knowing our dogs matter, too. Here are a few of the things we pay attention to.
DNA tests look for particular inherited conditions, including progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), an eye condition, and degenerative myelopathy (DM), which affects the nervous system. The results help inform breeding choices, but they are not a complete picture of a dog’s health.
We have no known cases of hip dysplasia or patellar luxation in our puppies. Patellar luxation is the veterinary term for a kneecap that slips out of place. These concerns need veterinary assessment, not just a DNA test.
We have sought specialist veterinary input for our dogs, alongside their other health checks. If you’re considering a puppy, ask us about the heart assessments carried out for their parents. We’re happy to talk you through the details.
Eye health is an ongoing part of our work. We have not eliminated every inherited eye-health risk from our lines, so we’re open about the testing and what the results mean for a puppy’s parents.
These checks help us make informed breeding choices. They cannot promise that a puppy will never develop a health problem. You are always welcome to ask about the testing and veterinary information for a puppy and their parents.
Before heading home, every puppy has a veterinary check, age-appropriate vaccinations and a microchip. We send their health information home with you, too.
Growing up with us
Our breeding mums live with families across Melbourne, and their puppies grow up around everyday home life. Gentle handling, familiar voices and play are part of their early world. We call it socialisation; to a puppy, it is getting to know the world one small discovery at a time.
New sounds, different surfaces and everyday household activity are all little discoveries for a puppy. We introduce them gently, giving each puppy time to get curious and find their feet.
Gentle handling, play and time with people are part of growing up here. Those small, positive moments help puppies get used to human company, one cuddle and playtime at a time.
There’s still plenty to learn when your puppy comes home. We give them a gentle introduction to family life; you continue the adventure with patience, routines and lots of encouragement.
The next chapter
Going home is a big day for a little puppy. We send them off with familiar comforts, the information you need and someone to turn to when the questions pop up.
Their toy, a comfort blanket with familiar scents and a sample of their current food come along for the ride. A few familiar things can be reassuring when everything else is new.
You’ll receive their vaccination certificate, puppy information and care instructions, along with their microchip and veterinary details. Less guesswork, more time getting to know your new little companion.
Wondering about food, settling in or those first few nights? Ask us before collection and stay in touch afterwards. Our goodbye cuddle doesn’t have to be the end of the conversation.
