Frequently Asked Questions

A Bernedoodle is a cross between a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Poodle. They are known for their loving nature, intelligence, and strong desire to be with their people, making them wonderful family companions.

An Australian Mtn Doodle is a thoughtful blend of Poodle, Australian Shepherd, and Bernese Mountain Dog. This combination brings together intelligence, loyalty, gentle temperament, and a beautifully balanced structure. They tend to mature quickly and are highly trainable, making them a joy to raise.

Yes. All of our breeding dogs undergo genetic DNA testing to ensure responsible pairings. We also complete OFA and PennHIP evaluations for hips, along with additional health screenings as appropriate.

At Boxwood Doodles, we offer a diverse range of coat colors and patterns to suit various preferences. Our base colors are brown and black, which often feature tricolor or phantom markings, with or without merle. We occasionally have parti coats, which we refer to as white tricolor due to the predominance of white on their bodies. Additionally, we provide puppies with ruby tuxedo patterns or combinations of white and ruby. Some of our puppies may also have striking blue eyes, typically seen in merle patterns or when the ALX4 gene is present. Our commitment is to raise healthy, well-socialized pups with beautiful, unique appearances tailored to becoming loving family companions.

At Boxwood Doodles, we raise puppies in distinct size categories to help families select the ideal companion based on their lifestyle and space. Our Standards typically weigh 50 pounds or more, making them a great choice for active homes with plenty of room. Mediums range between 30 to 45 pounds, offering a balanced size for families seeking a manageable yet sturdy dog. Minis fall between 21 and 30 pounds, ideal for those wanting a smaller but still robust companion. Micros are less than 20 pounds, perfect for individuals or families desiring a very small dog. Lastly, Toys weigh approximately 10 pounds, suited for those who prefer a tiny, easily portable pet. Each size category receives personalized care from our home environment to ensure they develop into loving, well-adjusted family members. Understanding these size distinctions helps you select a Boxwood Doodle that fits seamlessly with your home and lifestyle.

At Boxwood Doodles, we focus on home-raising our puppies to provide them with the best start in life as loving family companions. Understanding doodle generations is key to selecting the right puppy for your family. An F1 doodle represents the first generation, created by pairing two unrelated breeds—typically a poodle and another breed—resulting in a 50/50 genetic mix of both parents. In contrast, an F1b doodle is a backcross, meaning an F1 doodle is bred back to one of the original parent breeds, usually a poodle. The “b” stands for backcross, and this process generally increases the presence of poodle traits, often resulting in puppies with a higher percentage of wavy or curly coats, which can be more hypoallergenic. By carefully managing these breeding strategies, Boxwood Doodles ensures puppies are not only healthy and well-socialized but also possess the desirable qualities families seek, such as temperament and coat type, tailored to fit your lifestyle. Additionally, multigens are our ultimate goal, adding qualities of the parent dog and the wonderful genetics of the poodle. We aim for creating dogs with fully furnished faces to give that classic teddy bear look. We aim for coats easy to beautifully maintain without the worry of shedding.

Doodles generally have a lifespan ranging from 10 to 16 years, which varies based on their size. Standard Doodles typically live around 10 to 12 years, Medium Doodles tend to reach 12 to 16 years, and Mini Doodles often live between 14 to 16 years. As a relatively new breed, we continue to gather data to better understand their longevity and health trends. Notably, a study conducted by a dog insurance company found that Doodles have fewer insurance claims compared to many purebred dogs, indicating generally good health and fewer medical issues. At Boxwood Doodles, we focus on home raising our puppies to provide the best start in life, promoting long, healthy companionship with families.

Boxwood Doodles offers a comprehensive health guarantee to ensure the well-being of your new puppy. We provide a 2-year health guarantee on all testable genetic conditions, reflecting our commitment to responsible breeding and healthy companions. Additionally, we include a hip health guarantee: 1 year coverage without the use of Nuvet Vitamins, and an extended 2-year guarantee on hips if Nuvet Vitamins are administered as part of your puppy’s care. Our guarantees are designed to give families peace of mind and support the lifelong health of their Boxwood Doodles puppy.

At Boxwood Doodles, we offer four beautiful breeds: Bernedoodles, Cavapoos, Pocket Bernedoodles, and Australian Mountain Doodles; each with a base price of $4000. This investment reflects the high-quality care and exceptional home-raised environment we provide to ensure your puppy’s best start in life as a loving companion. Within each litter, pricing may vary depending on specific coat colors, patterns, and select traits. Our foundation puppies are classic black tricolors, which represent the standard investment. However, rarer or highly sought-after features, such as the merle coat pattern, are occasionally available at a higher price due to their uniqueness and demand. Merle patterns are considered a premium due to their uniqueness and demand. Puppies with ALX4 blue eyes, when present, are also offered at an elevated price. Brown (chocolate) tricolors are typically placed above our standard tricolor range, while white tricolor and higher-white patterns may be offered at a more modest investment. This structure allows families to choose a puppy that best fits their preferences while maintaining the exceptional standards Boxwood Doodles is known for.

At Boxwood Doodles, we prioritize giving our home-raised pups the best possible head start in life. Our puppies are carefully exposed and desensitized in our state-of-the-art facility, which is designed to create a safe and stimulating environment. This early socialization process helps them build confidence, adapt to new experiences calmly, and develop strong, positive behaviors. By focusing on this comprehensive early development, we ensure each puppy is well-prepared to transition smoothly into a loving family home.

Yes. You will sign a legal and binding contract with us. If you choose to break the contract, there are monetary penalties for a breach of contract along with a fee for every puppy produced along with return of the dog. It's also why a copy of your Driver's License or I.D. may be required.

Allergies to dogs can vary, with some people reacting to dander and others to saliva. At Boxwood Doodles, we understand the importance of ensuring your family’s comfort and health before committing to a new companion. To help you assess potential allergic reactions, we offer to mail you a blanket that carries the scent of our dogs, allowing you to observe your body’s response in a familiar environment. Additionally, we highly recommend visiting a friend or family member who owns a doodle to see firsthand how you or your family members react to the breed. These steps can provide valuable insight and help you make an informed decision about welcoming a Boxwood Doodles puppy into your home.

Fill out an application and once approved, we will email you with directions on how to send the $300 deposit.

Puppies will be able to go to their new homes when they reach 8 weeks of age. Ideally on a Friday or Saturday so that you and your new puppy can spend the weekend bonding. Sometimes we might keep a puppy past 8 weeks if it needs more time to grow. If you are unable to pick up your puppy during the 8th week, we charge $20 per day to board for 9 weeks+.

Because my veterinarian has looked over the puppy and given a clean bill of health. Maybe they missed something. If your vet finds a congenital defect, it needs to be within the first 3 days with you. Otherwise, I am not responsible and can not offer anything in return.

Our moms and studs live as beloved pets in their forever guardian homes. This allows each dog to be raised in a true family environment, receiving the individual attention, love, and everyday life they deserve. We thoughtfully utilize a guardian home program so we can grow responsibly without raising dogs in a kennel setting. These dogs are deeply bonded to their families, affectionate by nature, and truly thrive as part of a home. We do have 2 of our own dogs who live with us full time, which also allows us to welcome our guardian dogs into our home when their families are out of town. This gives them time to bond with us, become comfortable in our home, and stay connected to our program and daily rhythm. This approach is a big part of why our puppies are so well-adjusted, social, and naturally at ease in a home environment.

Unfortunately, no. I do not want my moms stressed from visitors. This is also our home to our 3 human kids. When we have puppies present, our house is transformed to care for puppies with a whelping box, flooring, and fences in place. When we do not have puppies, everything is put in storage. We don't have kennel runs or a facility. We raise puppies in our home. Since we do not have a physical fence, but have an underground invisible fence, temporary fences are used during outside playtime. If possible, we will have a Puppy Party when puppies are 5 weeks old and people on our deposit list can come visit.

I'm pretty laid back, but this is an absolute NO. Mothers can be very protective of her puppies to outside dogs. There is no way to know how an adult dog with react to puppies who have sharp teeth, claws and no manners. A negative experience for the puppies could imprint a lifetime of fear. We do this to keep puppies, mom and your dog safe. Plus, we do not want to introduce unnecessary germs to the puppies from another dog who doesn't live at our house.

Oh yes! Our puppies have weekly and daily activities for them to work on. We are working them physically by giving toys to climb on or into. We play nose scent games for them to find the treats. We use a clicker to mark good behaviors. They are exposed to strange noises (vehicles cranking, lawn mower), smells, sensations (like a car ride.) We challenge their minds to gain confidence and trust in themselves and the world around them.

No dog is 100% hypoallergenic and if a breeder says so, run! Bernedoodles are allergy friendly compared to others due to their poodle genetics.

Selections are made once puppies reach 6 weeks of age and have been cleared by our Louisiana Licensed Veterinarian. At 6 weeks old, they get their first round of shots and a wellness exam. We want to be able to disclose anything our Vet might find before selections are made.

We have not been able to tell a firm difference between the personalities of boys and girls. Each puppy is born with a personality that it unique to them.

We microchip each puppy before they leave us to not only give peace of mind to the owner should their puppy get lost or wander off, but also to ensure a Boxwood Doodles puppy never end up in a shelter. The microchip is registered to the new owner using the info that was provided on the application and can be traced back to Boxwood Doodles.

Selections take place around 6 weeks of age after puppies have been evaluated and seen by our veterinarian. Picks are made in the order deposits are received. We hold the spots 1 & 2 of every litter and reserve the right to hold back 2 puppies from every litter should we choose so.

We offer several convenient payment options throughout the process to keep everything simple and seamless for our families. Waitlist Deposit A $300 non-refundable, breed-specific deposit is required to join the waitlist. This deposit is applied toward the total price of your puppy. We accept Zelle, PayPal, or Venmo for waitlist reservations. Puppy Selection Deposit Once you have selected your puppy, a $500 deposit is due to reserve your specific puppy. This amount is also applied toward your final balance. We accept Zelle, PayPal, or Venmo for this step as well. Final Payment For in-person pick up, we accept cash at the time of pick up. Zelle payments are due once your puppy reaches 7 weeks of age. If using ground transportation or a flight nanny, full payment and your signed contract are due one week prior to your puppy’s departure. Many electronic payment methods have daily limits, so we recommend planning ahead to ensure a smooth and seamless Gotcha Day. Payment details and usernames will be provided upon approval and throughout the process.

We do not offer breeding rights at this time.

Our contract states proof of spay/neuter must be given before the dogs 1st birthday. Otherwise, there are monetary penalties. We do not sell our Boxwood Doodles Puppies with the right to reproduce a litter of puppies. If you are interested in breeding, please let us know so we can ensure you are breeding ethically and we can discuss mentorship with you.

Socialization is a crucial part of your Boxwood Doodles puppy’s development during their first year, helping them become confident and well-adjusted companions. At Boxwood Doodles, we emphasize a balanced approach that introduces your puppy to new experiences while prioritizing their health. Since puppies are not fully vaccinated until they are about 4 to 5 months old, they remain vulnerable to illnesses and diseases during this period. We recommend controlled socialization activities that limit exposure to high-risk environments, such as crowded public spaces pet stores, and dog parks, until full vaccination is complete. Consider your puppy’s vulnerability like you would a toddler’s safety—for example, you wouldn’t let a toddler crawl on a tar-covered floor due to potential harm; similarly, avoid exposing your puppy to unclean or heavily trafficked areas early on. Safe socialization can include meeting vaccinated dogs in private settings, gentle handling by family members, and exposure to sounds and sights within your home or yard. This careful approach ensures your puppy gets the best head start in life without compromising their health.

Most puppies will need to eat 3 times a day, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Smaller breeds need more frequent feedings or free feedings to prevent blood sugar drops. For smaller breeds, we recommend 4-5 small meals daily. Tailor feeding schedules to your puppy’s breed, size, and appetite to avoid overfeeding and support optimal growth.

The honest answer is yes… and no. Anything with hair will shed at some point. Just like us, hair naturally cycles, and you’ll see it here and there. That said, a Bernedoodle from Boxwood Doodles will not shed like a traditional breed such as a Labrador. Most of what you’ll notice is minimal. It typically does not cling to clothing or furniture. Instead, you may occasionally find small “dust bunnies” along baseboards, especially during the transition from puppy coat to adult coat. Coat type also plays a role. Straight coats tend to release hair more freely. Wavy coats may hold onto some hair, with a mix of light shedding and mild matting if not maintained. Curly coats tend to trap hair within the coat, which is why regular brushing is important to prevent matting. Furnishings, or the fluffy facial hair, also contribute to a lower-shedding coat. All of our Bernedoodle puppies carry at least one furnishing gene, which is what gives them that signature soft, fluffy look and helps minimize shedding. Overall, while no dog is completely non-shedding, our goal is to produce coats that are low-shedding, hypoallergenic, manageable, and well-suited for family life.

Boxwood Doodles is located in Choudrant, Louisiana, just outside of Ruston and near Squire Creek Country Club. We’re conveniently located right off I20, about 10 minutes from Ruston, home of Louisiana Tech University. We’re about 20 minutes from West Monroe and roughly 1 hour from Shreveport, making us an easy drive for families across North Louisiana and surrounding areas looking for Bernedoodle, Australian Mtn Doodle, Cavapoo, and Pocket Bernedoodle puppies (also known as Munchkin Bernedoodles). For our out-of-town families, the closest airports are Monroe (MLU) and Shreveport (SHV), with additional options in Jackson, Mississippi (JAN), Little Rock, Arkansas (LIT), and Dallas, Texas (DFW), making travel in and out simple and convenient. All of our puppies are raised right here in our home, in a calm, everyday environment that helps them grow into well-adjusted, easygoing companions.