The Gestes family, Australian Labradoodle breeders, resides in Illinois, 20 minutes outside of St. Louis, MO. Terry and Darah have spent their entire personal and professional lives around animals. Terry was a professional thoroughbred trainer for 15 years, while Darah worked at an animal hospital and as a groomer and exercise rider through college. Darah attended Veterinary Technician School before pursuing a bachelor’s degree in education. Darah taught elementary school for 11 years before breeding full-time. She provides the dogs and puppies with top-notch medical care and attention. She is interested in animal genetics, dog training, and dog grooming.
Terry was raised on a local Illinois farm. He is one of 11 children. His family raised all sorts of animals including: chickens, cattle, pigs, rabbits, ducks, dogs, and cats. He began a career in the racing industry as an exercise rider in high school; Terry galloped horses before his school day began. Shortly after high school, Terry started training thoroughbred racehorses full-time. Terry has a wealth of knowledge in animal husbandry as well as breeding confirmation. He is an invaluable part of Archview Labradoodles, LLC.
The Gestes family decided to breed Australian Multi-generational Labradoodles after they owned their first Australian Labradoodle Sunny. They purchased Sunny after countless hours of research of various dog breeds and breeders. Terry and Darah were very adamant about finding a family companion with an excellent temperament (especially with young children) and with a non-shedding coat. Sunny was the perfect match! Shortly after the couple purchased Sunny, they decided to purchase Taylor to begin their breeding program. Taylor is their dream girl; she has the perfect temperament, confirmation, pedigree, and body structure. However, Taylor is not just a breeding dog, she is the beloved family companion of the Gestes family. The family lives on five acres with a pond so the dogs having plenty of room to run, play, swim and chase squirrels.
Terry and Darah have made a commitment to providing excellent family companions with outstanding health and temperaments. The couple has also decided to make helping other families find their “perfect match” one of the main objectives of their breeding program. The family is also dedicated to providing Australian Labradoodles for use as therapy dogs for children with special needs.
We are breeder members of the Australian Labradoodle Association of America (ALAA) and the International Labradoodle Association. We are also on the Premium Breeders’ List for Goldendoodle and Labradoodles. These organization require breeders to test all breeding stock extensively. Because of the thorough testing we conduct on our breeding stock, we have been awarded the prestigious Silver Paw and Golden Paw award.
