Helpful Guides & Information
Health Testing/Guarantee
At Gingerbred Labradoodles, we are deeply committed to producing puppies with sound structure and excellent health, giving your family the best chance at a long life together. We proactively utilise advanced genetic and orthopedic screening, including PennHIP and Elbow scoring to evaluate joint health, alongside comprehensive Orivet DNA testing to screen for over 200 known heritable conditions. These rigorous tests ensure we only breed dogs that meet the highest standards. Because of this thorough and proactive approach, we proudly stand behind our puppies with a 2-year Health Guarantee covering any severe, debilitating, or life-limiting heritable conditions that we specifically test for in our breeding program. This guarantee reflects our confidence in our testing protocols and our unwavering commitment to the health of every Gingerbred Labradoodle puppy.
Training Program
Bringing a Labradoodle puppy into your home is an exciting new chapter, and the most crucial investment you can make is in their early training. Labradoodles are highly intelligent, eager-to-please dogs, but they thrive on structure, consistency, and positive reinforcement to channel their natural energy. Early training prevents potential behavioral issues down the line, establishes clear communication between you and your dog, and ensures they grow into a confident, well-mannered companion that you can take anywhere. We encourage all Guardian Families and new owners to enroll in obedience classes immediately. To get you started on the right paw, please contact us directly for our comprehensive list of highly recommended, force-free trainers operating in the Surf Coast, Bellarine, Geelong areas and Melbourne.
Desexing Contracts
At Gingerbred Labradoodles, the health and proper development of every puppy is our highest priority, which is why we choose to use SpaySecure for all our desexing contracts. While many breeders perform early-age desexing, we prefer to delay the procedure, allowing the puppy's crucial growth plates to close naturally and giving them the full benefit of essential hormones for optimal bone and cognitive development. SpaySecure acts as a trusted, neutral third party that manages the legally binding agreement between us and you. Here’s how it works: once you welcome your puppy home, SpaySecure provides you with the contract, sets the agreed-upon deadline (usually between 6-18 months of age), and sends friendly reminders to ensure you complete the procedure on time. This system gives you peace of mind and full support while allowing your beloved Labradoodle to grow to its full, healthy potential before desexing is performed.
Feeding
For optimal health, we passionately recommend feeding your Gingerbred Labradoodle puppy a biologically appropriate raw food diet. We have seen first-hand the incredible benefits of raw feeding, including superior dental health, reduced inflammation, significantly shinier coats, improved digestion resulting in smaller, less odorous stools, and overall vitality that matches their energetic Labradoodle spirit. While we always advise you to research and consult with your vet, we recommend The Pet Food Shops (with locations in Victoria). They offer a fantastic selection of balanced raw blends and fresh, high-quality ingredients specifically formulated for the growth needs of puppies, ensuring you can feed the best diet with ease and confidence right from day one.Â
If you are short on time, we also recommend the high-quality, gently cooked, and vet-formulated Lyka dog food. Lyka offers the convenience of having complete and balanced meals delivered right to your door, making it a wonderful, time-saving option that maintains our commitment to real, human-grade nutrition for your developing puppy.
Grooming
The Labradoodle is famous for its gorgeous, low-shedding, and allergy-friendly fleece or wool coat, but this beautiful feature requires consistent care. Because Labradoodle coats do not shed seasonally like many other breeds, the hair continues to grow, making regular and professional grooming absolutely essential to your dog's health and comfort. Without proper care, their coat will quickly become matted, which is not only painful and restricts movement but can also trap moisture and lead to skin infections and other serious health issues. We recommend brushing your puppy several times a week and scheduling a full clip with a professional groomer every 6 to 8 weeks to keep their coat healthy, clean, and looking its best!
Socialization
The first weeks of a puppy's life are absolutely critical for shaping their temperament and future confidence, and because we are a family-run breeding business, our puppies are born and raised right in the heart of our home. From the moment they arrive, our Labradoodles benefit from an intensive, early socialisation protocol. This includes handling by all family members, exposure to safe household noises (like vacuums, kitchen sounds, and television), interaction with children and gentle adult dogs, and a variety of textures and environments. This constant, loving exposure ensures your puppy is already well-adjusted, confident, and resilient before they even leave our care, giving them the best foundation possible to transition smoothly into their new life as a cherished member of your family.