Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ALAA, and why does it matter?

Unlike standard Labradoodle breeders, Australian Labradoodle breeders are governed by a handful of organizations. Integrity Labradoodles has chosen to be a part of the Australian Labradoodle Association of America (ALAA). The ALAA is the premier governing body for Australian Labradoodle breeding in the United States. Member breeders must adhere to a strict code of ethics, complete mandatory health testing on all breeding dogs, and maintain verified, traceable pedigrees. The ALAA also offers the Gold Paw recognition for breeders who go above and beyond minimum health requirements. Integrity Labradoodles is a Gold Paw Breeder with the ALAA. Choosing an ALAA-member breeder means your puppy comes from a program held accountable to real, verifiable standards, resulting in a high-quality, lovable addition to your family.

What does “multigenerational” mean, and why does it matter?

A multigenerational Australian Labradoodle is a puppy whose parents, grandparents, and several preceding generations were all Australian Labradoodles. As generations progress, the breed becomes increasingly consistent in coat type and temperament. They have a distinct, traceable ancestry which is registered with the ALAA. This is what distinguishes a true Australian Labradoodle from an F1, F1B, or other early-generation cross sold under similar names.

What size Australian Labradoodles do you sell?

The ALAA recognizes three size categories, measured at the shoulder (wither):

• Miniature: 14–16 inches, typically 15–25 lbs
• Medium: 17–20 inches, typically 30–45 lbs
• Standard: 21–24 inches, typically 50–65 lbs

At Integrity Labradoodles, we primarily breed Miniature and Medium Australian Labradoodles. These sizes are ideal for Texas families who want a manageable size without sacrificing the full breed personality.

Where are you located?

We are located in Bellville, Texas, in the heart of the Austin County area — easily accessible from Houston, Dallas, Austin, Corpus Christi and San Antonio.

Do you ship puppies?

We prefer all families to visit for pickup so that we can meet you, introduce you to your puppy, answer questions and provide resources in order to prepare you and your new family addition for a joyful life together.

How is my puppy raised?

Your puppy is born and raised inside our home, with our family, not in a kennel setting. We follow Puppy Culture and Early Neurological Stimulation protocols from birth. By 4 weeks, puppies are exploring different surfaces and textures; by 5 weeks, they’re venturing outside. We introduce crate training early, so they arrive home already comfortable being in a crate, not anxious. Potty training starts on trays and transitions to pottying outside. We bring in select visitors to build confidence with new people and at 7 weeks, our trainer, Cats Canine Acdemy, visits to perform temperament testing. By the time your puppy comes home, the groundwork for a healthy, happy life has already been laid.

Do I get to pick my puppy?

Not exactly and here’s why that’s a good thing. When families complete an application, we learn about your home, your family, and what you’re hoping for. At 7 weeks, a Texas A&M-trained animal behavior specialist evaluates each puppy’s temperament. Then we make the match. Temperament to match your family life matters more than a color preference. Once matched, you’ll receive a dedicated photo, plus you will have been watching them grow through our litter updates since birth. When your puppy comes home, you join our exclusive Integrity Labradoodles Owners Group on Facebook.

How does your puppy selection process work?

The process starts with a phone call. Melissa, owner of Integrity Labradoodles personally interviews every applicant. We want to understand your homelife and family, and what you’re looking for. If it’s a great fit, a deposit secures your spot on the waitlist and you’re told your position upfront. When a litter is born, we announce the birth and you’re brought along for the journey with updates nearly every day, and official litter photos at birth, 1, 3, 5, and 7 weeks. At 7 weeks, our Texas A&M-trained behavior specialist performs temperament testing in order for us to match each puppy to the right home.

How do I reserve a puppy?

The first step is completing our puppy application. Once approved, a non-refundable reservation deposit secures your place on the waitlist, in the order received. We’ll keep you updated as litters are planned and born, and work with you to match you with the right puppy based on your family’s needs, lifestyle, and preferences. If any changes occur in the waitlist, we will notify you immediately.

How much do your Australian Labradoodle puppies cost and what is included in the price?

Our puppies are $3,500, plus local sales tax. A non-refundable deposit secures your waitlist spot and is applied toward your total. Every puppy leaves with age-appropriate vaccinations, deworming, a veterinary health certificate, and a health guarantee. Behind every puppy is a program built on fully health-tested parents, Puppy Culture protocols from birth, and a Texas A&M-trained behavior specialist who helps guide puppy placement. You also gain access to our Integrity Labradoodles Owners Group. One price. No surprises.

How do I get on your waitlist?

The first step is completing our puppy application. Following the completion of the application, Integrity Labradoodles’ owner will call and interview you. Once approved, a non-refundable reservation deposit secures your place on the waitlist in the order received. We’ll keep you updated as litters are planned and born, and work with you to match you with the right puppy based on your family’s needs, lifestyle, and preferences.

At what age do puppies go home?

Puppies go home at 8 weeks of age. Each Integrity Labradoodles puppy goes home with a puppy pack (food they’ve been eating, a scent item from mom and littermates, and care information), our health guarantee and a copy of the signed puppy contract. Each puppy receives their first age-appropriate vaccinations, deworming on a schedule beginning at two weeks, and a full wellness exam by a licensed veterinarian before leaving us. You’ll receive a complete health record to hand off to your own vet at the first appointment.

Do you have a Guardian Home program?

Yes. Our guardian home program allows exceptional breeding-quality puppies to be placed in loving local homes at a reduced purchase price. In exchange, Guardian families provide a loving home, high-quality food and appropriate home and veterinary care. The dog participates in our breeding program for a limited number of litters before being fully retired to the guardian family. Guardian families are required to assist with transportation of the dog for appropriate veterinary appointments and breeding opportunities.

Guardian homes must be local to the Houston, Texas area and meet specific lifestyle requirements. If you’re interested, mention it in your application or contact us directly.

What is an Australian Labradoodles?

The Australian Labradoodle (ALD) was developed shortly after Wally Conron of Australia’s Royal Guide Dogs Association bred the first labradoodles, a lab/poodle mix, to address the need for an allergy friendly guide dog. Australian breeders Beverly Manners of Rutland Manor and Angela Cunningham of Tegan Park saw the need for improvement to original, incredible effort. By adding an infusion of cocker spaniel to the Labrador Retriever and Poodle mix, the Australian Labradoodle was born. The addition of cocker spaniel to the line provided a better physical structure and softer fleece coat. Today, with genetics and health testing traceable back to the early 1990’s, multigenerational Australian Labradoodles coat, temperament and health are well established, consistent and predictable. Our Integrity Labradoodle Families frequently comment on their puppy’s huggable, soft, fleece coat, love for people and family-friendly temperaments with great affection. Exceptional dogs bred with purpose.

What is the difference between an Australian Labradoodle and a regular labradoodle?

A standard Labradoodle is cross between a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle. The results can be unpredictable as US breeders can self-start with a labrador retriever and poodle, delivering F1 labradoodle puppies, or an existing labradoodle with a poodle, delivering F1B labradoodle puppies (and so on). With no governing body or traceable genetics, interested families face a lot of ambiguity about what they may end up with.

A multigenerational Australian Labradoodle has been bred Australian Labradoodle to Australian Labradoodle across multiple generations. This consistency means more predictable qualities, including low to no shed, allergy-friendly fleece coats, stable temperaments, and healthier, traceable genetics. Better breed by design.

Are Australian Labradoodles hypoallergenic?

No dog is 100% hypoallergenic. All dogs produce some dander and saliva proteins that can trigger allergies. However, multigenerational Australian Labradoodles are widely considered one of the most allergy-friendly breeds available. Their fleece coats shed minimally to not at all, dramatically reducing the airborne allergens that cause reactions in most allergy sufferers. Exceptional dogs bred with purpose.

What is the temperament of an Australian Labradoodle?

Australian Labradoodles are known for being intelligent, intuitive, joyful, and deeply people oriented. They tend to be gentle and patient with children, sociable with other animals, and highly trainable. Their intuitive nature, almost a “human-like” sensitivity, makes them exceptional candidates for therapy and emotional support dogs. Of course, they thrive as beloved family pets.

At Integrity Labradoodles, we health test and temperament-evaluate our parent dogs towards the goal of exceptional puppies and temperament test our puppies in our efforts to match the right puppy with their forever family.

Are Australian Labradoodles good for families with children?

Our trainer says if you have kids in your home, this is the right breed. Yes, Australian Labradoodles are consistently ranked among the best family dogs. They are patient, playful, and gentle, and they thrive on connection with people of all ages. Their high intelligence means they pick up on household dynamics quickly, and their low- to no-shed, allergy-friendly coats are a practical bonus for busy households.

Can Australian Labradoodles be used as service or therapy dogs?

Yes. The breed began in the efforts to create an allergy-friendly guide dog. That heritage still shows. Australian Labradoodles are excellent candidates for service dogs, therapy dogs, and emotional support animals thanks to their intelligence, intuition, and low-allergen coats. If you’re pursuing a service dog placement, let us know early in the process. We’d love to help. Temperament and training potential are factors we consider when matching puppies to families.

What health testing do you perform on your breeding dogs?

All of our Integrity Labradoodle breeding dogs are tested well beyond the ALAA minimum requirements. Testing includes OFA-certified hip and elbow evaluations, eye clearances (CAER), genetic panel testing through PawPrint Genetics or Embark (screening for PRA, EIC, DM, vWD, and other hereditary conditions), and cardiac evaluations. We do not breed any dog without passing health clearances.

All of our breeding dogs are multigenerational Australian Labradoodles with verified ALAA pedigrees. Better breed by design.

Do your puppies come with a health guarantee?

Yes. Our puppies are covered by a 2-year written health guarantee against life-altering genetic conditions. Details are included in our puppy contract.

How do I know I’m not supporting a puppy mill?

The clearest signals that Integrity Labradoodles is a reputable breeder are our publicly verifiable ALAA membership and our documented genetic and health testing records. Further, rather than cranking out litter after litter, we limit the number of litters we produce each year to ensure each litter will be a high-quality litter and that every puppy receives individual attention and socialization. We love our puppies and in our limited time with them, we carefully sow into each of them and pray for them and their soon to be forever families.

We also screen buyers. We want our puppies in the right homes, not just any home.

How much grooming does an Australian Labradoodle need?

Regular brushing, several times a week is important to prevent matting. Professional grooming every 6–8 weeks can help keep the coat at a manageable length. We recommend finding a groomer experienced with the coat and the appropriate cut for Australian Labradoodles to help avoid poodle cuts. Ears should be cleaned regularly and nails trimmed monthly.

How long do Australian Labradoodles live?

A well-bred, health-tested Australian Labradoodle typically lives 12–15 years. Some live longer. Longevity starts before the puppy is born — it’s the result of rigorous genetic testing, OFA-certified hip and elbow clearances, and careful breeding decisions made over generations. That’s why health testing isn’t optional in our program. We’re not just thinking about the puppy you bring home today — we’re thinking about the dog that will still be by your side a decade from now.

What routine maintenance does my Australian Labradoodle need between grooming appointments?

Those floppy ears are adorable and they need attention. Check them weekly and clean every 2 to 4 weeks with a vet-approved, alcohol-free ear cleaner to prevent moisture buildup and infection. Trim nails every 2 to 4 weeks to avoid splitting and discomfort. Keep the hair around the eyes well-trimmed; a groomer can handle this. Small habits done consistently can make a big difference in your dog’s comfort and health.

How much exercise does an Australian Labradoodle need?

It is recommended to plan for 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity daily including walks, fetch, running, whatever fits your routine. Additionally, don’t underestimate their minds. Puzzle toys, snuffle mats, and learning new tricks are just as important as physical exercise. The families who tell us their dogs are easiest to live with are the ones who engage them both physically and mentally.