FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are we breeding Poodles and Doodles?

Simply because we know first hand how these breeds are truly wonderful companions to have in the home even around newborn babies, toddlers and children. These breeds are easy to train, low-no shedding, hypoallergenic, and eager to please and snuggle. It is our passion to make these intelligent, healthy puppies accessible to other families.

What about grooming: Is that necessary, and isn’t it expensive? 

It depends on what your preference is. We recommend you groom your poodle or doodle weekly to about once a month, depending on their hair texture, thickness, length, and propensity to matte (develop knots). We love the look of groomed standard poodles and doodles, so we groom ours, but we do it ourselves because of the cost. We knew nothing about dog grooming when we purchased our first puppy, so we went on YouTube and watched how-to videos on grooming standard poodles and doodles (several times). There was also the initial cost of buying good quality clippers, but it was a lot less expensive than paying someone else to do it. The first few times we groomed our dogs, they didn’t cooperate as well as we would have liked. Let’s face it, it was a pain, but then we remembered, our children didn’t like their first haircuts either. After some practice and making the experience as positive as possible, our dogs cooperate well and some even look forward to it. It’s important to take your time, know it’s going to take 60-90 minutes, laugh a lot, make the dog feel relaxed about it, and have fun.

Remember, haircuts are temporary, but the bond you share with your dog is forever. However you choose to groom, on your own, with assistance of another family member or friend, or hiring someone else to do it, you get to prioritize what works best for you and your pup.

What is a “natural” standard poodle & doodle?

In reference to dogs, it means the whole dog is cared for in a healthy, non-toxic way. They are fed a wholesome, healthy diet, they are dewormed with natural medicines rather than harsh chemical dewormers, and they are given natural immunizations. We will not in any way knowingly endanger our puppies or adult dogs. In addition, they also get to keep their natural tails & dewclaws. Fun fact: In Europe, tail docking is illegal. https://www.nwaonline.com/news/2022/oct/31/ask-the-vet-other-nations-ban-tail-docking-of/

When you choose to purchase a puppy from us, you are getting a puppy that we are confident is healthy and has no known genetic anomalies or damage from chemicals or pharmaceuticals. 

We do not X-ray our pregnant dams or expose them to ultrasound radiation. Both of these forms of radiation have been found to epigenetically harm developing embryos.*

How will I know when the puppies are born?

We will post information on this website as well as on Facebook when we have upcoming litters. An announcement will be made on our Facebook page when they are born, and again when they are ready to go to their new homes. Pictures of the puppies will also be posted.

Who picks out the puppy for our family?

As much as possible, you do. There are many ways to do this:

• Watch our Facebook page and website for updated pictures and videos, then choose from those

• Do an online video chat or Facetime so you can see the puppies, and choose

• Give us a list of what you want in color, size and disposition of the puppy, and we will match as close as possible

• Or, come to one of our nurseries on or after their 6th week to see the puppies in-person and choose at that time. This opportunity is reserved for those who have already put down a deposit on a puppy. NOTE: If you choose this option, you will be choosing from puppies still available at this time, and some or most puppies from the litter may already be reserved.

Can we come to see the puppies?

For the health and well-being of the pups, we do not allow visitors before 6 weeks of age.  You can come to one of our nurseries on or after their 6th week to see the puppies in person and choose at that time. This opportunity is reserved for those who have already put down a deposit on a puppy. 

Safe Puppy Visiting Protocol

Please be aware of our policies regarding visits and come prepared to follow them prior to arriving on our property: We will NOT allow anyone to visit our dogs or puppies who has very recently visited any of the following: 

• • • • • another breeder

        • dog shelter or adoption center

        • pet shop

        • farm

        • veterinary clinic or animal hospital

        • any other location(s) that we determine at our discretion is likely to contain germs or contaminants that can harm our dogs or your new puppy

Anyone who has recently (in the last two weeks) been vaccinated and could therefore potentially be shedding pathogens from said vaccination(s) must schedule their visit for 14 days after receiving any shot(s).

We ask that you wash your hands upon entry, before touching any dogs or puppies, and refrain from using hand sanitizers as some of these have harsh chemicals and scents (natural or synthetic) that can be harmful to pets, especially young pets.

We also ask that you refrain from wearing cologne or perfume as these can also contain natural or synthetic ingredients that can be harmful to pets, especially young pets.

We really want to keep our fur babies and yours safe and healthy and limit germs being spread that can kill or seriously injure puppies and dogs.

We reserve the right to refuse entry to anyone (even if they come to our door) if they might put our dogs or your new puppy at risk. 

If you have any questions about whether this policy applies to your situation, please contact us directly. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in this matter!

How will I get my puppy if I am long distance?

We will arrange to meet you at a convenient place if within our driving radius, or if you are a great distance away, we can discuss the best option for transporting your puppy to you, using either a puppy nanny or meeting you at our local airport where you will fly back home with your puppy. 

I understand you sometimes have older puppies available for adoption. Please tell me more! 

Sometimes when a family puts a deposit on one of our puppies, plans change. This doesn’t happen very often, but when it does, while we still have the puppy with us, we use this opportunity to start basic obedience training.

In addition to house and crate training, these puppies learn simple commands and continue to be socialized by us.

When we have one of these older puppies for adoption, because of the training we have done, they will cost more than if they are just 8-10 weeks old. These puppies are often desirable for busy families who have trouble balancing basic training with their busy lifestyle. They are often preferred by older people who no longer feel they have the energy, or maybe the desire, to train through the early puppy stages.

If you are interested in adopting one of these puppies, your first step is to fill out our adoption application. If you are accepted, the second step is to put down the deposit. The wait time for these puppies, assuming we have one available at the time, is generally 4-6 weeks. This allows for basic training to be done and the puppy to get ready to go to his or her new home. During this time, adoptive families will receive photos and videos of their puppy. This also supports the bonding process for the new family even before the puppy arrives home.

When are payments due and what forms of payment do you take?

The deposit is due when your name is placed on the waiting list for a particular litter and the remaining balance is due when you take custody of your new puppy, or before it is shipped to you, whichever you choose.  The deposit is non-refundable, so please be thoughtful and prayerful about your decision to get a puppy before you commit to a deposit. The deposit can be made with cash or through Venmo. 

Final payment is necessary on or before you pick up your puppy and can also be made by cash or Venmo.

Do you charge sales tax?

Yes.  We are required to charge IA sales tax.

Can I send in a deposit now?

We accept adoption deposits when you are ready to pick out your puppy. Deposits are necessary to reserve a puppy.

Where are we located?  

Council Bluffs, IA.

Are your pups sold with a limited or a full AKC registration? 

Doodle breeds are not registrable as the AKC and CKC do not recognize hybrid breeds at this time. We are very strenuous in our screening process and only use companion dogs that meet the standards of Ethical Breeding.

What puppy food should I feed my puppy?

We feed our dogs and puppies a premium kibble food along with organic, raw meat and eggs. We are very careful about the kibble we choose, and look for a flawless history, one in which has never had a recall, has healthy recognizable ingredients, and is specially formulated by the best in the industry to meet your puppy/dogs nutritional needs. More importantly, it tests healthy for my dogs to eat when tested with biokinesiology. Additionally, my dogs like it. When my dogs reached 3 months of age, along with (though separate from) their dry dog food, this is the time I started feeding them raw, organic eggs, and organic, raw meat. We do not however, feed my dogs pork at any time, cooked or raw, for the purpose of avoiding the worms.

What can I do about heartworms?

There are many things you can do to avoid heartworm infestation, such as taking supplements that support the dogs body in the elimination of these types of worms. Quality nutrition for the overall health and normal function of the heart can make a less hospitable environment for parasites, as well. There is also the option of using homeopathic medicine to support your dog’s immune system in either eliminating the parasites that cause heartworm, or in making antibodies to the parasites ahead of time.  

We at Doodles and Poodles Naturally think less is more when it comes to giving our dogs chemicals, not because we don’t care, but because we do, and we have read the side-effects of the these products. We choose to use safer, healthier alternatives with positive results.

*For more information on the dangers of using X-ray and ultrasound radiation on pregnant dams, see videos at www.PoodleDynasty.com