Australian Labradoodle Breeders Connecticut | List of Top 5 Breeders

Connecticut’s four distinct seasons, from humid shoreline summers to cold, snowy inland winters, shape how you’ll care for an Australian Labradoodle here. Below is a researched list of Connecticut breeders, along with pricing, legal protections, and climate care to know before you buy.

Most Connecticut breeders are small, home-based, family-run operations rather than large commercial kennels. Because the state doesn’t license or accredit small-scale breeders, the best way to verify one is to check their membership directly with WALA, ALAA, or ALCA.

How Much Does an Australian Labradoodle Cost in Connecticut?

Prices associated with purchasing an Australian Labradoodle puppy from a breeder in Connecticut range from approximately $2,900 to $3,500. This pricing is slightly higher than other states like Arizona or Colorado, and likely reflects the increased costs associated with owning property in Fairfield County and/or residing in the greater NYC metropolitan area. In contrast to states such as Colorado or Arizona, Connecticut imposes a single flat state sales tax rate of 6.35%, without any additional city or county sales tax added, since local-option sales taxes are prohibited in CT; ask your breeder directly whether tax is included in their quoted price. Deposits vary depending upon each individual breeder, but most charge around $500.

These deposits are normally non-refundable once the puppy has been placed (except in rare circumstances where a breeder feels a particular litter would not be suited for a buyer). However, deposits will be used towards the final purchase price of the puppy. As in every state, an Australian Labradoodle priced at well under $2,000 in CT is indicative of questionable practices being employed by the seller regarding health testing on the parents.

Connecticut Labradoodle Rescue Options

Some people may believe that purchasing an Australian Labradoodle in Connecticut has to be done thru a breeder. Fortunately there are several regional and national rescue organizations that place Australian Labradoodles in homes throughout the State of Connecticut.

• Doodle Rescue Collective, Inc. – based in Warwick, Rhode Island, this foster-based rescue places Labradoodles and Goldendoodles throughout New England, including Connecticut
• Poodle Rescue of New England – primarily a poodle rescue, but occasionally takes in poodle-mix doodles surrendered within Connecticut and the surrounding states
• IDOG Rescue – a national, foster-based 501(c)(3) organization dedicated specifically to Doodles (Labradoodles and Goldendoodles), with foster homes placed throughout the country, including periodically in the Northeast

Before You Buy: A Connecticut Buyer’s Checklist

Connecticut’s “pet lemon law” does not apply when purchasing a dog from a private breeder. The law states that only pets purchased from a licensed pet store are eligible for refunds, replacement dogs, and/or reimbursement of veterinary bills for sicknesses/defects as outlined in C.G.S. Section 22-344b(b), and that reimbursement is capped at the animal’s purchase price (if $500 or more) or at $500 (if it cost less than that); the buyer generally needs veterinary certification that the condition existed at the time of sale, obtained within 20 days for illness or defects and within six months for congenital conditions. If your pet develops a medical problem after you’ve paid money to buy it from a private breeder, then your best recourse will likely be the written health warranty provided to you by the breeder prior to payment of any deposits. Make sure this is in writing.

On the licensing side, Connecticut General Statutes Section 22-342 only mandates that breeders obtain a local kennel license if they produce more than five litters during the course of a single licensing period (July 1st thru June 30th), and said license must be applied for thru the town clerk in the town where the breeder is operating, not a state agency. The annual fee is $50 for 10 or fewer dogs, or $100 for more than 10 dogs. Many of Connecticut’s Australian Labradoodle breeders operate as small family businesses producing only one or two litters per year, therefore do not qualify for a kennel license. Don’t automatically conclude that a breeder without a kennel license is unscrupulous; instead, inquire directly with the breeder regarding how many litters they produce each year, whether they belong to any reputable registries, etc.

List of Australian Labradoodle Breeders in Connecticut

My Best Doodle of Connecticut

The owners of My Best Doodle of Connecticut are a family-owned company based in the towns of Deep River and Chester. They raise medium-sized Australian Labradoodles and are members of the Australian Labradoodle Association of America (ALAA). It’s worth verifying their membership status thru ALAA’s own breeder search tool.

All of their puppies are either born at their home or raised by approved guardian families, thus avoiding kennels. In addition to placing puppies throughout the entire state of Connecticut, they also place them in other parts of New England (including RI, NY, MA, VT, NH, NJ & ME).

Prices range approximately $2,900 plus Connecticut sales tax, and puppies include a two-year health warranty and what the breeder calls lifetime educational support for new owners. This means continued guidance on training and care after your puppy leaves the breeder. Also note that this information may vary depending upon the litter you are interested in purchasing from, so it would be wise to check with the breeder regarding current price and litter availability.

Location: Deep River/Chester, Connecticut
Website: My Best Doodle of Connecticut
Registry: ALAA Member

True North Labradoodles

True North Labradoodles is a home-based program located in Westport, CT, producing miniature and medium Australian Labradoodles. True North Labradoodles is an All-Star member with the Worldwide Australian Labradoodle Association (WALA) and holds Gold Paw membership with the Australian Labradoodle Association of America (ALAA). In addition, they are affiliated with ALCA.

These registrations can be checked with each registry separately. Each breeding dog is tested for genetic diseases before becoming part of the program, and breeding dogs receive OFA certification for hips and elbows and undergo annual eye exams.

All of True North’s breeding dogs reside either in the family’s residence or in guardian homes approved by the breeder. During their eight to nine week residence with the breeder, the puppies are handled by the breeder every day for socialization.

Citing concerns for puppy health and safety, True North does not allow public visits to the facility. However, due to the proximity of Westport to the New York border, True North provides service to clients throughout the Tri-State area and southern New England, including NY, NJ, MA, NH and RI.

Location: Westport, Connecticut
Website: True North Labradoodles
Registry: WALA All-Star, ALAA Gold Paw, ALCA

Woodbridge Labradoodles of Connecticut

Woodbridge Labradoodles of Connecticut breeds multigenerational standard and medium sized Australian Labradoodles from their property in Woodbridge, which is located just outside New Haven. They hold memberships with the Australian Labradoodle Association of America (ALAA) and the Australian Labradoodle Club of America (ALCA), which may require verification with each organization.

Their Labradoodles come in red, cream, apricot and white, and caramel colors. The breeder states that their breeding dogs go through an extensive testing process for health issues.

Their Labradoodles spend their days roaming freely about their property with woods surrounding them and a nearby creek where they enjoy swimming. The dogs eat Life’s Abundance dog food and are provided with raw vegetables and spring water from the property. Many of Woodbridge’s graduates now work in therapy programs in rehabilitation centers and assisted living facilities. Some of Woodbridge’s breeding dogs live in guardian homes.

Prices run approximately $2,950 plus applicable Connecticut sales tax. Puppies receive a two-year health guarantee. Please contact the breeder for current price and availability.

Location: Woodbridge, Connecticut
Website: Woodbridge Labradoodles of Connecticut
Registry: ALAA, ALCA

Lakeridge Labradoodles

Lakeridge Labradoodles is situated in the Quiet Corner of Connecticut, which is in the northeastern section of the state. The property overlooks Quinebaug Lake and is located near Danielson. Lakeridge Labradoodles is a registered program through both the Worldwide Australian Labradoodle Association (WALA) and the Australian Labradoodle Association of America (ALAA).

Furthermore, Lakeridge Labradoodles holds an “Excellent” status with Good Dog. Health testing is a priority: preliminary hip, elbow, and PennHIP radiographs are submitted to OFA when the puppy is between nine and twelve months old, with final certification completed once the dog reaches two years of age. Every breeding dog also undergoes annual eye testing and a full genetic disease panel.

Jackson, a service dog who was a personal dog belonging to the breeder, helped inspire the breeding program. Lakeridge Labradoodles strives to produce puppies that will thrive in both service/therapy work as well as being wonderful family pets. Puppies are priced at $3,500, a figure the breeder has listed since 2021, so confirm current pricing directly, as it’s likely changed.

A $500 deposit is due within one week of an approved application, and is non-refundable except in cases where the breeder determines the match isn’t suitable. All puppies leave home with a five-year health warranty, one of the longer warranties provided by any breeder on this list. In addition to providing puppies with long-term health coverage, Lakeridge offers guardian family opportunities for retired breeding dogs.

Location: Danielson (Killingly), Connecticut
Website: Lakeridge Labradoodles
Registry: WALA, ALAA

Nutmeg Labradoodles by the Sea

Nutmeg Labradoodles by the Sea is owned by Katharine Calderwood in Darien. She breeds along Connecticut’s coastline. The first litter was born in July of 2020, and Katharine continues to learn from Carol Lindley, who originally started the Nutmeg Labradoodles program in Andover many years ago.

Katharine has taken over Carol’s Darien-based program extension. Nutmeg Labradoodles by the Sea is a Golden Paw Breeder Member of ALAA (Australian Labradoodle Association of America).

Pavlova is the original foundation dog for the Nutmeg Labradoodles by the Sea program, and she has been certified as a therapy dog through Pet Partners. As such, Pavlova exemplifies the purpose behind the program to raise puppies to become not only great family pets but also therapy dogs. Katharine came to breeding after a lifetime with dogs, starting with her first dog, a black Labrador Retriever named Liberty.

Before placing puppies into their new homes in coastal CT and other states, Katharine emphasizes early socialization. If you would like to know about the current litters available including size, color options and prices, please contact Katharine directly.

Location: Darien, Connecticut
Website: Nutmeg Labradoodles by the Sea
Registry: ALAA Golden Paw

Connecticut’s Climate and Your Australian Labradoodle

Connecticut doesn’t have Colorado’s elevation swings or Arizona’s dry heat, but it does have four distinct seasons that matter for a Labradoodle. Shoreline towns like Darien, Westport, and Old Saybrook run hot and humid in summer thanks to Long Island Sound, while the Litchfield Hills and the rural northeastern Quiet Corner see cold, snowy winters and plenty of wooded terrain. Most Connecticut breeders are concentrated in Fairfield County, closest to New York City, with others along the shoreline and in the quieter northeast. An Australian Labradoodle can thrive in either setting, but where you live should guide your approach to grooming, tick control, and coastal weather exposure.

Connecticut dog owners overestimate many things about their dogs, but the one they most underestimate is ticks. Connecticut is actually where Lyme disease was first identified and gets its name from, in the town of Lyme back in the 1970s, and the state remains one of the highest incidence areas for tick-borne illness in the country.

An Australian Labradoodle’s coat has a curly design that makes it easy to miss ticks compared to other breeds with shorter coats. Therefore, using tick preventative recommended by vets and conducting a visual inspection of your dog on a regular basis (daily) when he has been in wooded areas, in long grass or near trails such as those in the Litchfield Hills or the Quiet Corner of CT, is an essential habit that should be developed by every owner of an Australian Labradoodle in CT.

In addition to providing protection against ticks, summer provides many challenges for maintaining the health of your dog’s coat. In coastal areas of Connecticut during the summer months, there is extreme humidity which causes mats to form in a Labradoodle’s coat much faster than in non-humid environments. Brushing your dog at least 2-3 times per week during the summer will help prevent mats forming, particularly around the ears, under the legs, and collar area. If your dog swims in Long Island Sound and then shakes himself off and dries his coat, be sure to rinse him of all the salt water and sand.

The dried salt residue will eventually irritate the skin of your dog. Winters provide another challenge for dog owners: de-icers and road salts used across Connecticut create irritation to your dog’s paw pads, as well as cause stomach problems if they lick the chemicals off of their paws. Rinse your dog’s paws after each winter walk, and consider purchasing dog boots for your dog if he will tolerate wearing them.

How the Australian Labradoodle Breed Got Its Start

The roots of the Australian Labradoodle come down to one single issue: a vision-impaired woman in Hawaii needed a guide dog, but her husband had allergies to regular guide-dog breeds. This led Wally Conron, who worked for the Royal Guide Dogs Association of Australia back in the 1980s, to create a hybrid between a Labrador Retriever and a Standard Poodle.

Temperament-wise, the first litter was successful. However, the coats of the first-generation hybrids were extremely variable, and many puppies still shed like regular Labs.

It took additional generations of breeding to develop a more consistent coat. Breeds including Cocker Spaniels, Irish Water Spaniels, and Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers were introduced into the bloodline in search of a coat that would provide true relief for people with allergies, as opposed to just providing a “curly” appearance. It wasn’t until the early ’90s, when reputable programs such as Tegan Park and Rutland Manor started producing dogs that met testing requirements for temperament and coat, that the breed expanded beyond being an Australian experiment for creating guide dogs.

It is easy to see why these Australian Labradoodles, which still carry many characteristics of their original guide-dog lineage, also make great family pets and therapy/service animals, and therefore fit well with Connecticut’s growing doodle population: several of the breeders mentioned earlier specifically place puppies into therapy-dog and service-dog work. These include certified therapy dogs through Pet Partners in Darien, to service-dog inspired breeding programs in Connecticut’s Quiet Corner. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that the Australian Labradoodle has found itself to be a viable working animal and more than just a good looking family pet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

The majority of Connecticut’s Australian Labradoodle breeders operate out of their homes in small to medium size operations along the shoreline of Fairfield County to the state’s northeastern rural areas. This generally works in favor of a buyer when searching for an Australian Labradoodle since there are opportunities to meet the parents and ask questions.

Connecticut’s pet lemon law does protect pet consumers, but only when they purchase a pet from a licensed pet store, and the state sets its kennel licensing threshold at greater than 5 litters per year, so verifying a breeder’s registry status directly with WALA, ALAA or ALCA prior to exchanging funds will take only a couple of minutes and is worth doing before any money changes hands. Beyond that paperwork, owners planning to raise an Australian Labradoodle in Connecticut should prepare themselves for the state’s very active tick population from day one, since that’s the health issue most specific to raising a Labradoodle in this state.

Australian Labradoodle Breeders In Other Places