We have so many compliments on this process!

Once your puppy has been born, we will email you an extensive planning document (or you may request it while on the waitlist if you want to plan even sooner).

You will get to watch your puppy grow with weekly updates on our social media pages.

You will have connection to other Journeycreek families in our private FB page.

I am always looking to answer your questions and respond promptly during this exciting time.

We send home starter food, a scent blanket and scent toy and plenty of information for the best care!

Thanks to all our wonderful homes that make this a rewarding experience! We are always happy to answer more about what we do, from prices to quality to testing to pretty much anything doodle. If we can help we will! It's a unique small business we don't take lightly.

We are often asked what's the difference between the American Labradoodle and the Australian labradoodle. There is no Australian shepard in the Australian labradoodle ;). They are a mix of a few more breeds than the Lab and Poodle, but that cross is far back to the 1980's. See below more of the Australian details.

After researching the development of this new Australian "breed" I discovered that the Australians had been selectively breeding Labradoodles since the late 80’s as hypoallergenic service dogs hence running 29+ generations deep in their lines. They carry a consistency in body type, coat, and temperament that many beginning generations of American Labradoodles cannot . In the beginning when you cross two separate breeds, the gene pool is very random, and the pups do not come out genetically consistent as an exact mix of the two different parent breeds. In the development of the early stages of a new breed (the Labradoodle for instance) the first litter will contain pups in which some will resemble labs, some may be more poodle like in form and some will be in between. Some will shed heavily, some will shed lightly and some may not shed at all! ! Many early generational lab-poodle crosses throw out quite a varied gene pool of characteristics. They often have quite a “Benji” shaggy dog appearance to them, they may or may not shed, they may have a more poodlie personality or a more labby personality…and similarly for the body type as well. They may look more like a lab with fringes or may be very poodle like in appearance! The right coat for a labradoodle is possible but it take careful planning.

- The two main research and development centers in Australia, Rutland Manor and Tegan Park, have been working on developing consistency in the pups with regards to these four main characteristics:

1. The dogs should be non shedding

2. They should be low to non allergenic

3. They should be bred for temperament

4. Only the dogs with the highest health standards should be bred

The Australians were looking to fill a special need for a hypo allergenic dog with a service dog quality temperament. They have done this, selectively breeding only the dogs with the exact characteristics desired. Through many generations of selectively breeding the desired coat type, temperament and health standards, Tegan Park and Rutland Manor Research centers have developed the standard that we now know and love. Our main boy Jars, Joey, Sojo, and Harry throw a more velvet coat is one key thing our ALD families will notice.

For our family, because of asthma and allergies and a commitment to our future puppy families, we felt that the Australian Labradoodle and the carefully bred American Multigen Labradoodle, with it’s long line of selective breeding, is the only way to go. We are pleased that since working with the American labradoodle cross since 2008, our American line doodles will be very very similar to the ALD lines! We run enough testing that we have carefully selected the best breeding doodles for wavy and curly non shedding coats, health, and temperament. It's very very exciting to see the sweet nature and disposition come down through the generations and know we can offer our families the same joy we have had at our home since 2008. Watch Silas rock his new puppies with just as amazing coat and body and temperament as the Australian Labradoodles. All our puppies are just amazing!

In falling in love with labradoodles, we have come to realize the true value of working to improve labradoodle lines through selective genetic research and testing. I often hear comments from families making assumptions based only on the term f1, f1b, f1bb, multigenerational... but the true key is the genetics. For starters, F1 = 50/50 cross, F1b= 75/25 cross, F1bb is yet another backcross 87.5/12.5 cross, F2 interpretation can vary F1xF1, F1 x F1b, F3 interpretation can also vary F2 x F2. The “b” singles the back cross to the poodle. Improper coat genetics for example can be carried many generations in if a breeder is not looking to improve their doodle lines. Labradoodles now being coined f1bb are almost entirely poodle and can still carry improper coat genetics. Poodles are good dogs. Find a poodle if you are looking at this much poodle in a puppy. The difference here is that we test and clear our dogs of all possible health dna tests we can before ever keeping a new breeding mom or dad. We also are using dna tests (these are non painful noninvasive tests) to bring you only wavy and curly fleece non shedding coats and a myriad of recessive gene cool colors! It's very exciting to have found something we love so much!

After months of searching, our bernedoodles started with the amazing Wren (read more about her here) and thus we have found them to carry the same easy going, please pleasing, loving personalities. Our only key difference we note is the working dog temperament of the Bernese Mountain Dog can be more stubborn than the average labradoodle. As with the labradoodle, the F1 (first generation cross) can offer some shedding. We now raise the F1B and the Australian Bernedoodles, which are more likely to be 100% nonshedding. If you struggle with allergies, we ask you to alert us to this before choosing a puppy because NEVER will a litter of anyone F1B bernedoodles be all nonshedding and ideal for allergies - it’s a matter of DNA testing and genetics.

The Havenese is our very favorite small framed already nonshedding dog. They are in general more easy going and free of major health issues. As typical with small dogs, they can be harder to potty train and figure training out, but with the addition of the incredibly smart poodle, we feel these are the best puppy for those wanting a small dog. We do not see them as “yappy”. We see them as a great nonshedding allergy friendly for those wanting the 10-12 pound travel and lap companion. (We have often been asked to get our labradoodles that small, and with enough small breeding, we can but we feel it can be done too many times with the poodle to compromise the integrity of the mix and thus have settled on a more true miniature mix as the best option from a breeding quality choice.)

We sincerely hope this is one of your first questions when searching for a puppy!

Our parent dogs almost all live in guardian homes: a forever family to love and care for them and to partner with us during the times they are breeding.

The average female has only 4 litters during the time of 18 monhts to 4 years: thus creating a healthy active life for her and reducing the risk of genetic anomolies happening in puppies due to aging eggs.

The average male will breed until 6-7 years and live very much the same as the female guaridans or live much the same in our home. I am more likely to keep some of the males here with me because partnering with us for twice as long can be a long commitment to ask of a family.

Parent dogs will be DNA cleared for the diseases the genetic vets deem neccesary for testing. Dogs over fifty pounds have the greatest concern for hip issues, therefore will be OFA certified. Most of our dogs have such a legacy of breeding lines with since 2008, that do not spend all the money on extra (unessary) tests only to have to uncharge them to you. We have not had eye issues warranting the opthamolic yearly tests. All the new lines that come in have extensive testing on DNA (Ive often been known to pay for DNA testing on a puppy in another breeder’s litter before placing a deposit - it is that important to keep our lines strong), OFA hips/patella/cardiac.

Temperaments and training are part of what make Journeycreek puppies so wonderful! We firmly believe personalities are most often genetic and we've been so blessed with wonderful doodles through our breeding and through very strict choosing when adding new lines.

We have knowledge in several key methods; puppy culture, early neurological stimulation, and the temperament scale. We do utilize key components of these methods, but also watch as research grows and changes, and thus use our own first hand rearing of each litter to provide the best components of method to selectively suit each litter.

We strive to know our puppies and offer many many common household experiences and exposures during their first 8 weeks of life here at our home. In any given litter, we will have a range of personalities and we are able to love and snuggle them, but also offer extra exposure if we find a shy puppy, helping him or her warm up and feel more comfortable with the world When looking at the Vohlard Temperament scale, most of our dogs will test in the 3-4 range both naturally and with the proper exposure and training in the first 8 weeks.

Your puppy is cared for by our family with expertise dating back to 2008, in conjuction with our board certified local health care veterinarian, our board certified out of town reproductive breeding specialist, and our board certified out of state genetic testing veterinarian.

Dewclaws are removed by our local veterinarian at 2-3 days old

Standard worming protocol is given in the comfort of home with medications bough and backed by our local clinic.

6 week vaccines are given during the veterinarian appointment, where each puppy is thoroughly examined for good health. Vaccines are veterinary purchased and guaranteed through this best practice puppy care.

Puppies come home with a one year guarantee or a two year guarantee if you feed our quality food (eliminating one risk factor for poor health); Life’s Abundance.

New Puppy Home expectations include a spay/nueter contract (unless pricing for a breeding home) and the same preventative health care we maintain! A signed copy will be required prior to your forever puppy coming home.

WE ARE OFTEN ASKED, “WHAT SHOULD I FEED MY PUPPY? WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND?” We actively research types of dog food and always keep our eyes open to new or improved nutritious foods that are available. We had been feeding Taste of the Wild Dog Food for several years, but in 2019 we were introduced to Life’s Abundance Nutritional System. We were so impressed by the quality and high standards and the amazing testimonials from customers and field representatives of this company, that we decided to switch our doodles to the Life’s Abundance Nutritional System. As you have read, we focus on high standards when it comes to breeding and we want the best in the longevity and quality of life. We know that nutrition is an integral part of that equation. The Life’s Abundance line of products was formulated by Dr. Jane Bicks, DVM, a vet for over 20 years. She has served as President of the American Veterinarian Association of New York City, earned three Presidential Citations, was appointed by Mayor Rudolph Giuliani to help establish one of the largest animal shelters in the world, is the author of three books on responsible care and treatment of pets, and has appeared on 48 Hours, Good Morning America, CNN, Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, and more. She has also created a non-profit foundation where a percentage of her product line is contributed toward rescue and care for pets.

Many of the ingredients in commercial pet food today can actually cause our pets to have a shorter life span due to sub-par ingredients. Ingredients that cause stress on kidney and liver function, allergies, obesity, or overall poor health include; wheat, corn, and soy. By-products such as chicken heads, duck bills, fish heads, chicken and turkey feet, bones can also be included in our pet foods! Chemical additives such as BHA and BHT are known carcinogens, and Ethoxyquin is used to stabilize rubber, and these can be found in our dog’s food! These chemicals are added to provide a longer shelf life. Food can be stored on a shelf or in a warehouse for months, or even years. Life’s Abundance does not leave factors that impact safety and quality to chance. Their commitment to providing customers with premium products goes well beyond the formulas and the individual ingredients. To ensure the safety and quality of the final product, they exercise strict control, from preparation to packaging to storage. Immediately after each product is prepared, it’s shipped directly to one of their three climate-controlled warehouses. Their shipping departments take pride in the speedy yet careful handling of products, ensuring that all orders arrive in great condition so that valued customers will enjoy the products exactly as intended. Fresher food is more nutrient-rich. While leading brands stockpile tons of food for months on end, Life’s Abundance dog food is made weekly in small-batches so it’s only 4-to-6 weeks when it’s delivered. Life’s Abundance Dog Food is holistically balanced and provides the nutritional harmony that’s important to help your canine achieve and maintain optimal health. Key ingredients include:

- A proprietary blend of vitamins and minerals

- High-quality protein from chicken meal for strong muscles

- An antioxidant system including vitamins C & E

- Prebiotic fiber & guaranteed probiotics

- A selection of nutritious vegetables

- Omega-3 fatty acids for healthy skin & a shiny coat

- Calcium & phosphorus for healthy teeth and strong bones

- Dietary fiber to help maintain a healthy digestive tract

- No artificial flavors or colors

- No corn, wheat or corn/wheat glutens

Our puppies that will average 50lbs or greater start life on the Large Breed Puppy food (the purple bag). Certain key ingredients make it a best choice for a limit the puppies from growing to fast - leading to later joint issues. Large breed puppies should stay on this 18 months before going to All Life Stages Dog Food.

Our puppies that will be under 50lbs start out on the Small to Medium Puppy food (teal bag). The formula is geared perfectly for them with a higher protein and smaller size kibble (but large enough to promote good oral hygiene). Small to Medium size puppies should eat this kibble 12 months before going to All Life Stages Dog Food.

We are also proud to be a Life’s Abundance Independent Field Representative, and invite you to visit our Life’s Abundance Website to explore the variety of products offered for your Dog or Cat, and even for you! A company that sells quality human products has a strict standard to adhere too. We are fortunate the pet industry overlaps these standards in this company. They pledge to provide the best possible products for customers, to help them live longer, healthier and happier lives. They provide an array of superior quality, safe and effective products that are inspired by nature, informed by science and born of a commitment to improving the health of people, pets and the planet. Check out the vitamins, protein, cleaning products, as well as the best pet treats and supplemnets! We use them all daily and know you will love them too (and the super fast 2-3 day shipping).