We don’t see ourselves as just dog breeders, we see ourselves as fairy godparents who make families whole! Adding a dog to your family can bring tremendous joy, but we know that it is a big leap for many families! Picking a breeder who you can trust can be scary, but we pride ourselves on providing excellent service to our adopters. Check out some of the wonderful things our previous adopters have had to say!

Making Adoption Easy

Archview was so wonderful to work with during our adoption process. They sent us photos of our puppy and even met us halfway because we lived pretty far from their home. We are so in love with our Clementine. At six months old, she has a wonderful personality, is so sweet to other people and animals alike, has been easy to train, and is a huge hit in our neighborhood. We recommend Archview all the time to people considering getting a doodle!

Lauren F.

Archview delivered us the light of our lives – they are SO easy to work with: kind, thoughtful, and passionate about what they do and you could not ask for better care when it comes to your new furbaby!

Lexi H.

I had a wonderful experience working with Archview! They answered all my questions in a timely manner, were very helpful, and let me configure the pickup date around my final exam schedule. Mowgli is a wonderful puppy and I can see myself getting another amazing addition to the family in the future. I tell everyone to get a labradoodle from Archview!

Skyler W.

Preparing Your Puppy For His/Her New Life

I adopted my sweet Jackson from Archviewlabradoodles. He is a 5 star boy. Their introducing puppies to the crate early in life has made an easy transition for Jackson into my home. He never complains when he needs to go into the crate. Jackson is my first labradoodle and I am pleasantly surprised how smart he is.

Kathy N.

We love Archview Labradoodles! When we got our first puppy she was so easy to potty train because they already worked with the puppies using little pellet things. She came with a cute bag, some food , and an adorable blanket with her name! She was so sweet and perfect that we got another one 4 months later. These dogs are so good with our 5 kids.

Aaron and Heather J.

So Sweet, You Can’t Just Have One

Archview was wonderful to work with! They provide you with all the information you need to know making the process so easy. They raise wonderful puppies. They were so great we ended up returning 3 months later and got a second puppy! We love our Archview babies!

Melissa A.

We have THREE beautiful girls from Archview Labradoodles, and we are living our best puppy life right now! They are such a loving and intelligent breed that are very family oriented and bring much joy. Our oldest is a guardian dog for AVL. She is currently in her obedience training. The trainer has commented countless times on how smart she is, and her ability to read what he wants so quickly. This is so encouraging to hear. We have so much respect for Archview in the way they run their breeding program. It was a key factor, knowing that the dogs in the program are in their “furever” homes, living their best life too! We are excited to be a part of this terrific Archview family! 

Natalie D.

As you can see, we LOVE bringing families together! So what are you waiting for? Check out our Puppies tab to see our available and upcoming litters. We would love to help you find the perfect addition to your family.

One of the most important tenants in our program is that we provide a loving, caring environment for each of our Australian Labradoodles. With that in mind, we decided to build our program based around Guardian Homes, families who would love and raise our breeding dogs during their careers and continue to care for them upon retirement. Today we thought we would do a basic outline of the guardian program to better explain it to you!

How Does It Work?

The beauty of being an Archview Guardian is that if you can follow some very simple guidelines set forth by Archview, then you receive an ALAA registered Australian Labradoodle at no charge to you.

First things first, you must meet some basic criteria to be considered as a Guardian family including owning your place of residence within 25 miles of Glen Carbon, Illinois. You must also be willing to adhere to policies set in place regarding diet, training, socialization and veterinary care.

Applicants who meet all requirements and pass the pre-screening will be allocated a puppy of Archview’s choosing for no charge. From there, you get to raise and train the puppy from day one! You are essentially the god-parent of the dog during its, while Archview maintains ownership throughout its breeding career. Once the dog retires from breeding, we will have the dog spayed/neutered and full ownership will be transferred to your family.

What About the Breeding Period?

We know your Australian Labradoodle is a loved member of your family, so we try and keep things as simple as possible during times of “honeymoons.” Male and female guardian dogs will leave their homes for brief periods of time to honeymoon.

Once a mother is ready to give birth, she will return to Archview for 7-8 weeks to raise and nurse her babies. Once the puppies have been weaned, she can return home to her family! Guardian families can visit their dog during scheduled visitation hours while she is raising her babies at Archview!

What Makes a Good Guardian?

Guardian families come in all shapes and sizes! Whether you are a single adult or a growing family, guardianship is a great way for your family to add an Australian Labradoodle to your home at no charge.

While your initial investment in a dog is “free,” you will be responsible for all costs regarding basic, daily care of the dog during this time. We also have some basic rules that all potential Guardians must follow:

Guardian families must own the residence in which they reside and must possess a physical fence around their property. Guardians may not leave their dog unsupervised or crated for long periods of time.

Guardians will adhere to mandates set forth by Archview to include dietary needs, veterinary care, grooming and training. We want our mommies and daddies to be excellent representations of the breed, therefore we require our breeding stock to attend an AVL approved trainer for basic training.

You must have reliable transportation and be willing to bring your dog back and forth from the AVL homestead as needed for breeding purposes. You must also be willing to accommodate home-visits by the breeders periodically.

We also require that our Guardian families maintain contact with AVL for general updates and check-in’s. We love receiving photos from our Guardian families that we can share on social media, so we may ask you to snap a photo of your pooch every now and then!

You can find out everything you need to know about Guardianship HERE.

If you are interested in becoming an Archview guardian, please email info@archviewlabradoodles.com for more information.

The Fourth of July is a wonderful holiday celebrating the rich history of our country, but our dogs don’t always appreciate it’s value quite like we do. Did you know? More pets go missing around the Fourth of July than any other time of year. Here are some things to keep in mind as you prepare to celebrate this week!

Preparation is Key

One of the best ways to keep your pet safe this week is to prepare for the week’s activities. Make sure your dog is wearing a collar with an identification tag on it with all of your up-to-date information. Lucky for you, all Archview puppies have been microchipped before leaving for their new families which is one additional safety measure should your pet slip away at anytime!

We always recommend keeping a current photo of your dog on-hand for identification purposes. Many vets and rescues will want proof that your puppy is in fact yours upon pick-up.

Make a quick sweep around your house and property to ensure your pet will be safe and sound, especially if they are made anxious by loud noises. Fireworks can be terrifying for some dogs and can lead them to act out of their norm. Set up a safe place for them that is away from the commotion. We recommend keeping them secure in their kennels with a snuggly blanket and their favorite toy.

Life of the Party

While it is super fun to bring your pooch along to the party, remember that large crowds, new places and loud noises can all be extremely overwhelming for your pet. If you are having guests over for the holiday, consider leaving your pet inside and away from the hustle and bustle. If you want to have your dog involved in your celebration before the fireworks begin, set strict rules on your pets diet. Remember, human foods can be toxic to your pet so family and friends sneaking them snacks or dropped food can result in serious complications.

If you are going somewhere unfamiliar, today is the day to leave your pet at home. While we always support taking your dog out and exposing them to new environments, a day as potentially stressful as the fourth is not the best day to socialize your pet.

Day After Dangers

Once your party has wrapped up, you have some important steps to take before reintroducing your pet to your yard:

• Pick up all debris, especially fireworks and sparklers, before letting your pup have full run of the yard. These pose potential choke hazards and can also be toxic to your pet.
• Be sure to pick up any trash from your BBQ and place it out of reach from your furry friend.
• Make sure all alcoholic beverage containers, citronella candles and any glow-sticks are secured in a safe place inaccessible by your pup. These products can be poisonous, even in small increments!

We wish you a happy and healthy Fourth this year. Thank you to all of the men and women who have served our country!

While riding in the car for us is just another part of everyday life, we often forget that it can be a stressful experience for our dogs. Here are some tips and tricks for keeping car rides safe and stress-free for you and your pooch!

Keep it Positive

Riding in the car can be scary, especially during the first ride! Keep the experience brief, if possible, and positive. If your puppy cries, try to soothe your puppy rather than drown them out with loud music. Reward them after each ride with lots of love and praise.

If the sight of the car sends your pooch running the other direction, it is probably time for some positive interaction. Try playing games in and around the car such tug-of-war in the backseat! Let them see that the car is not a scary experience.

Safety First

For safety reasons, your dog should be restrained in the car so once their vehicle anxiety subsides, introduce the idea of a seatbelt harness or dog kennel into their playtime routine.

As cute as it is to see dogs hanging their heads out of car windows, it is not safe at all. If your dog likes the feel of the wind in his/her hair, try cracking the window just enough that they can feel a breeze without sticking their head out. Imagine the heartbreak if your dog were to fall or jump out onto a busy road!

Also, your dog should always ride in the backseat. If a collision were to happen and the airbags would deploy, your pup could be seriously injured or killed.

Avoiding Car Sickness

Like people, some dogs are just prone to car sickness which can make them hesitant to want to jump in the car and go with you. There are a few things you can do to try and help trips be more comfortable for your furry friend such as keeping the car cool and comfortable and limiting food intake before a trip.

Many dogs will fall asleep in the car, which can help with motion sickness related to car rides. Another great tip is to play with your dog and let them get nice and tired before long trips.

For dogs who suffer from severe car sickness, we suggest consulting with your veterinarian. There are certain medications that can help with anxiety and motion sickness.

No matter your destination, car rides don’t have to be worrisome for you or your dog! So prepare and packup, you have dog parks to explore!

One of the best parts about getting a new puppy is committing all of your free-time to puppy play-time. Playing with your new puppy is a great way to help them acclimate to their new home and family, as well as begin to teach them basic principles of training. Here are four fun games that you and your puppy will enjoy with one another!

Pass the Puppy

Pass the puppy is a great way to teach your puppy the “come here” command, as well as get them nice and tired for an afternoon nap. The best part? It is SUPER easy and you can play it with just you and your pup or have family/friends join in.

If you have two or more people to play, spread out around the space you want to play in. Take turns calling your puppy with their recall command (oftentimes it is “Come” or “Come here”) and when your puppy makes it to you, reward them with lots of love, scratches and treats! You can even add in a quick round of tug-of-war with their favorite toy for a minute or two as a reward. Then, take turns calling your puppy to you and “pass the puppy” around the room.

The point of this game is to not only teach your puppy how to recall, but to also get them to start focusing on their human when they speak despite the fact that distractions (other people, toys, etc) are in the room.

Hide & Seek

Remember playing this game as kids? Your puppy will love this game too! If your puppy already knows “sit” and “stay” then this game can be played with just one person. If they are still learning those commands, it is helpful to have a handler and a hider play along.

Instructr your puppy to “sit” and “stay” (this game is a great way to test their patience as well!) while you go hide. If they don’t know those commands yet, have a friend issue the “sit” and “stay” command while you go hide. Once you are perfectly positioned, call your dog with their recall command. Only call once or twice until their interest is peaked, then remain silent and let your puppy’s sense of smell take over. When your puppy finds you, be sure to reward them with tons of love!

Magic Cups

This game is SO much fun and is a great way to get your pup’s wheels turning! Instruct your puppy to “sit” (if they know “lay down” have them do that as well!) and then sit out three identical cups. Hide a tennis ball, or their favorite toy/treat under one of the cups and let me watch you place it under the cup. Then shuffle all three cups around!

Instruct your pup to “find it,” and don’t be surprised if they need a little help at first. Once they get the hang of the game, however, they will LOVE it and want to keep playing some more!

Backyard Agility

Your puppy doesn’t have to be the fanciest trained dog to enjoy a little obstacle course! Do a google search of typical agility courses and rig up something similar with what you have at home. Boxes with two open ends make great tunnels or “step-ups,” use pool noodles to create walk-through sections, or make a jump-through out of a hula-hoop!

Help your dog navigate this fun agility course in the comfort of your living room or your own backyard! Australian Labradoodles are extremely intelligent and will love maneuvering these obstacles alongside their owner. Who knows– maybe you will like it so much that you are inspired to join your local agility group for fun!

Whatever you do with your puppy, make sure it is a positive and inviting experience. Make every game a learning opportunity and teach your puppy the habits you want them to have at an early age. Enjoy!

Last week we discussed some of the more common solid coat colors you will see in our breeding program here at Archview Labradoodles. Today, we are going to dive into the world of spots and dots and everything in between! Learn about partis, phantoms and more in this educational blog.

Patterns Galore

To start, there are a handful of acceptable patterns recognized by the Australian Labradoodle Association of American including: solid, solid with white markings, abstract, parti, phantom, sable and brindle. Merle coats, such as what you would see in an Australian Shepherd, can happen however it is not acceptable in the breed standard and is seen as a fault. The ALAA does not allow breeding or full registration of merle puppies.

Party With a Parti

Parti colored Australian Labradoodles will be at least 50% white in color. They will have spots or patches of any other solid color. A perfect parti will have two clearly defined colors, but “ticking” in the white portion of the coat is acceptable (think freckles!). The nose pigment will match that of the solid color throughout the coat.

Fine-Looking Phantoms

Phantom puppies are always popular among our adopters, but aren’t quite as common in our program. The phantom coat gained its name from the mask like appearance the markings make on the coat.

A phantom puppy will have a solid base coat with clearly defined markings above each eye, on the sides of the muzzle, on the throat and chest, on all four feet and below the tail. You can see a wide variety of color combinations in a phantom coat!

The Ladies Love Tri-Colors

One of our fan-favorites in our stud line-up is the always handsome miniature boy, Tucker. Not only does Tucker pass on a wonderful temperament and easy to manage size, but he also sports a striking tri-color coat.

Similar to Bernese Mountain Dogs, a tri-color coat will consist of two solid colors and white. Tri-colored dogs will have clearly defined markings, similar to a phantom, but with the white and secondary color breaking up the pattern.

Our Tucker has a chocolate tri-color coat, but the most common combination is a black tri-color coat (similar to a Bernese Mountain Dog).

As we said in our last blog, do not be surprised if your puppy’s coat color seems to morph over time. That is the beauty of an Australian Labradoodle! Each one is unique in his or her own way.

Australian Labradoodles come in a wide variety of sizes, coat textures and coat colors. With so many colors to choose from, it can be hard to decide which you prefer! In today’s blog, we discuss some of the more common solid colors you will see in the Archview Labradoodles breeding program.

50 Shades of… Red?

A red or gold based coat is definitely a fan-favorite among Archview families, but there are many variations of this shade! We commonly see Caramel and Apricot in our litters.

This side-by-side is a great representation of the differences between the two. The puppy on the left has a black nose, indicating that he will be a gold or “apricot” puppy. These puppies may even look red for a period of time, but sadly the richness in coat color often fades. There are many shade variations in the apricot category, and it is so named because of its resemblance to the inside of a ripe apricot. Apricot puppies will always have a nose that is black in color.

The puppy on the right, however, has a red nose. This red nose indicates that the puppy on the right is a caramel puppy. Caramel puppies can also vary in coat color from light yellow to an almost red hue. The Australian Labradoodle Association of America recognizes multiple shades of caramel such as caramel ice, caramel cream and straight caramel. Your caramel puppy’s coat may change over time as they age to resemble one of these variations.

Sweeter than Chocolate

Another more prominent, and often popular, color that we see in our breeding program is chocolate. Chocolate puppies will have a little chocolate nose and will be rich in color at birth. However, most chocolate puppies do tend to fade into different variations over time. Common color variations include parchment, cafe or lavender.

Black and Blue and All Things In Between

We also see black quite often in our program, but like most colors, these puppies have the tendency to morph into a new shade as they grow older. A true black Australian Labradoodle will have no sprinkling of other colors in their coat.

Variations that can pop up over time in black-coated puppies are blue and silver. Both of these color variations are from an increased presence of gray tinting in the dog’s coat. They are quite beautiful coat colors and do not mean that the dog is older in age. Typically, most coat changes gradually appear between one and three years of age.

The big take-away here is that certain colors cannot be guaranteed as coats can change over time! You can take a look at the parents of your puppy to see what possibilities may come, but only time will tell what beautiful color your puppy may morph into. One thing is for certain though, all of them sure are beautiful!

Stay tuned- We will discuss the possibility of multi-colored pups in next week’s blog!

Going out of town when you have a dog doesn’t need to be a logistical nightmare! There are plenty of options when it comes to finding care for your dog while you are away. In today’s blog, we discuss different boarding options, what questions you should ask when choosing a boarding facility and how to prepare your pooch for the time while you are away.

Your Options

You have three options when finding daily care for your pooch while you are out of town: a boarding facility, a stay-at-home pet sitter and a visiting pet sitter.

The most known option is to board your pooch at a boarding facility. Most cities have “kennel” options where your pet can stay for the weekend or even an extended stay. Ask your local vets, dog stores and dog trainers for recommendations on the best place to keep your pet. Oftentimes, vets, trainers, or groomers offer dog boarding if a stand-alone boarding kennel is not available in your area.

Another option is a stay-at-home pet sitter. This is a person who will come reside in your home while you are away and take care of their pet as if it were their own. This should be a person you trust (some of you may have family or friends that will do this for you!), but if you are calling upon the services of a stranger be sure to do your research and check references.

Finally, you could employ a visiting pet sitter to check on your pet a set number of times each day while you are away. Most of the time, your pet will remain kenneled or in a designated room while you are away. The pet sitter will pop by to let them outside, feed, water and socialize your pet.

How to Pick a Boarding Facility

If keeping your dog at home is not an option, then you need to search for a safe place to board them while you are away. Here are some of our suggestions when researching your options:

• Ask for opinions from friends and professionals!
• Always tour the boarding facilities before booking a “vacation” for your dog. You want to see a clean environment where the dogs do not look stressed. An ideal environment would be one that feels “home-like” and not sterile like a hospital.
• Ask how often staff are on-site and how many times your dog will be allowed to get out of their enclosure throughout the day.
• Inquire about what kinds of proof of vaccinations are required. Not only will your pooch need these shots, but this will tell you how safe it will be for your dog to stay here!
• See the outdoor environment where your dog will be allowed to play. Does it have enrichment activities like play places or toys? Are multiple dogs allowed outside together at one time? If so, how do they determine which dogs are okay to play with one another?
• Make sure all kennels are in good shape with no signs of disrepair. Does each dog have access to fresh water and food? What about a bed or an area where they can curl up and sleep?

How to Prepare Your Pet

If your dog is an anxious dog, a boarding kennel may not be a good environment for him/her as they can often cause your pet a lot of stress. Finding a pet-sitter may be the best option in that case!

Even if your pet is comfortable in new environments, their first time away at a boarding facility can be a little scary! Here are a few things you may want to do to prepare your pooch for their time away from home:

• Pack their favorite bed or blanket that will remind them of home.
• Pack a toy that they love.
• Bring plenty of servings of their food and some treats for good behavior!
• Be sure to have your pet’s vaccination record ready to provide to the kennel operator.
• List out emergency contacts such as your information, your vet of choice and a family friend for emergency purposes.
• It is not suggested that your pet’s first stay at a boarding facility be a lengthy one. Try to expose them to this environment for one day or on a weekend trip, if possible, so you can be aware if they can handle the potential stress involved with boarding.
• List out any medical or behavioral issues your pet may have to provide the kennel operator. If they need medication, be thorough in explaining what, when, where, how and why.
• Avoid long, emotional goodbyes when dropping your pet off as they can sense your emotions which may make them grow nervous.

Leaving your pet is never easy, but it is a bit easier when you know they are in good hands! Do your research and make the decision which is best for your pet to make the process as seamless as possible!

Your new Australian Labradoodle will need to learn a lot of basic commands: sit, stay, come, down, etc. Today we run through the basics of teaching your puppy the ever important “leave it” command. Not only will this command be a lifesaver through the teething stages, but it can also save your puppy’s life should he/she get a hold of something they shouldn’t play with.

Starting with the Basics

There are several ways to successfully teach the “leave it” command, but you need to start with the basics with your dog or puppy. Start with some treats in your hands or under your shoe. Once your puppy knows it is there, they will immediately want to get their paws on it! They will most likely like you, paw at you, or nibble at the toe of your shoe in hopes of finding their way to the treat.

Stay strong! Once your puppy retreats, it is time for you to give a name to that good behavior! A cue word (a simple “leave it” followed by “yes” or “good” will do) and/or a click of a clicker tells your dog that backing away from what he/she wants is a good behavior. Reward your treat with the opposite hand in which your treats were hiding. Never give your dog the treat that you were working with (the one in your hand or under your shoe).

Repeat for several days until your puppy seems to have gotten the hang of it!

Upping the Anty

Now it is time to test the waters with your puppy. Execute the same activity, but this time with an open hand and a treat in your palm. Once your puppy notices the treat, give them the “leave it” command. Most likely, your overly eager four-legged friend will want to snag that tasty treat, so be sure to close your hand if they make a move towards your palm.

Repeat the behavior until your puppy is no longer jumping at the accessible treat in your palm. Reward them with your marker word (again, one syllable words like “yes” or “good” are easy for your pup to identify) and give them a treat out of the opposite hand.

Time to Take This Behavior to the Real World

The next step in this training process is to put your puppy in situations where the “leave it” command will most likely be used. Place treats on counter tops, on the floor, wherever they might realistically find a new snack or chew-toy. Again, your puppy may want to try and snag that delectable snack so be on the watch for sneaky behavior! Repeat the same steps listed above until your puppy waits patiently and isn’t hyper-focused on the treat.

It is good for you to practice the “leave it” command at home at first, but then you should practice it everywhere! New rooms of the house, in your backyard, while out on walks, at the park, etc. Let your puppy work on this new skill with the same routine in unfamiliar environments. Continue the exercise until their behavior reflects the behavior you expect when you give the command. Just be sure to never reward them with the treat/item that they are trying to get!

As always, we highly recommend pairing up with a certified dog trainer to help you teach your puppy the commands they will need to be happy, healthy and safe. Don’t have a furry friend to practice these tricks with? Check out our available puppies tab to find your forever friend!

So you’ve decided to adopt an Australian Labradoodle? Congratulations! We know you will fall in love with this breed’s temperament and disposition. Australian Labradoodles truly make wonderful family friends, and we are thrilled to help pair you up with your new pet. Before filling out your application, we encourage you to visit our Puppy Availability page to see our current and upcoming litters. There you can see parent photos, litter descriptions, due-dates of upcoming litters and photos of current litters. All of that information can help you decide which litter you are most interested in a puppy from.

One of the biggest factors when picking a litter of interest is puppy size. At Archview Labradoodles, we breed miniature, medium and standard sized Labradoodles. While the sizes are different, the characteristics of the breed remain the same across all sizes. Picking a size truly falls in what size dog will be best for your family. We have outline some of our thoughts on sizing for you below!

Puppies in all Shapes, Colors and SIZES!

As we mentioned earlier, our puppies are available in three different sizes: miniature, medium and standard. Each size has an acceptable range which your puppy will fall within.

Miniature puppies will be 14-16 inches in height at their wither (shoulder) and will weigh anywhere between 15-25lbs.

Medium puppies will top out between 17-20 inches in height at the wither. Most medium females will fall between 17-19 inches, while medium males are on the higher end of the range at 18-20 inches. Expected weight for medium sized puppies is around 30-45lbs.

Standard sized puppies are the full-sized version of an Australian Labradoodle. These puppies will grow to be 21-24 inches tall at the wither and can range between 50-65lbs fully grown!

Thanks to SeaSpray Labradoodles for letting us use this great picture that shows all three sizes beside one another!

What Size Do I Need?

When picking the size that best suits your family, there are many things to take into consideration. Firstly, a smaller dog does not always mean they will be easier to care for. Australian Labradoodles are smart, vibrant and playful dogs! That personality is standard across all sizes. For some, size is personal preference, while for others it may be more of a necessity.

Many people who pick the Miniature or Medium Australian Labradoodles do so because of land/rental requirements. Those with smaller yards or who rent may find that smaller dogs better suit their home. Others lean towards the smaller dogs because they have small children and worry about large dogs with their kiddos. We want to emphasize that a Australian Labradoodle, no matter the size, will need to participate in basic obedience training to help keep all members of your family safe and happy!

All sizes of Australian Labradoodles love playing outdoors, but if you are looking for a more active companion, the larger sizes may be a better fit! Standard Australian Labradoodles make great running and hiking partners, but we can’t discount the little guys in that area either!

How On Earth Am I Supposed to Choose?

We encourage puppy parents to think about the lifestyle they want with their pup and to start there. Sometimes people start with the idea that they may want a miniature Labradoodle and find themselves falling in love with a standard sized one.

If you still can’t decide, feel free to reach out and we can talk about what size Australian Labradoodle will be the best fit for you. You can also chat with your dog trainer of choice or your veterinarian for more input!

In the end, no matter what size you choose we can guarantee you will be investing in a best friend for many years to come!