2024’s Last Puppies

December is off to a wild start at High Desert Family Doodles! We had a break from puppies for a couple weeks in late November. That quiet window came to an abrupt end as two of our expecting moms delivered their puppies on the same day! One litter is Belle’s retirement litter of medium bernedoodles, and the other is Plum’s first litter of mini Goldendoodles. As we settle in with these two litters and help them flourish, we’re also awaiting Maple’s due date of mini Goldendoodle puppies in mid December. Alongside of these fun events, we have a handful of future moms and dads going through different stages of health screening, with a couple moms completing - and passing - their health-testing. Last - but certainly not least - we getting a hopeful future mini Goldendoodle stud this weekend. While our cups and lives are continually overflowing, we find ourselves in another season of deep gratitude as we wind down 2024.

Belle’s Retirement Litter of Medium Bernedoodle Puppies. How many can you see?

After we sent Juno’s mini Goldendoodle litter home in the middle of November, we had a couple weeks where our schedules were relatively open. We were able to celebrate with our extended family about career achievements, birthdays, and other family milestones. We knew that window was coming to a close as we X-rayed Belle and Plum, and confirmed their pregnancy. They were both due Thanksgiving week, so we made low-key plans as we anticipated a wild week. However, we didn’t anticipate was actually happened though, as Belle and Plum delivered their litters on the same day! Belle’s retirement litter - who are all named after Disney villains - was delivered early in the day. She had eight medium Bernedoodle puppies: three boys and five girls. Not to be outdone, Plum delivered her five mini goldendoodle puppies that evening: four girls and one boy. It’s been wild to see these two litters side by side, as Plum’s litter is significantly smaller than Belle’s litter. Nonetheless, all of these puppies have been gaining in weight and growing in stature.

Goldendoodle Juniper in the Trees

This goldendoodle is a treasure that we’re hoping will pass her health testing!

Alongside of all these puppies, some of our future moms have been proceeding through their health screening in order to make sure they are breeding candidates for our program. We had two mommas finish their health screening over the past month: River and Ruthie. River is an AKC English Cream golden retriever, whom we will pair with Luca for medium/standard ultra goldendoodles. Since you’re wondering, ultra goldendoodles refer to a retriever-poodle hybrid that has a higher percentage golden retriever than poodle, but is also furnished. We’re expecting her litter in the spring or summer of 2025. Ruthie is a petite goldendoodle, who we are planning to pair with Rudy for goldendoodle puppies around twenty pounds and wavy apricot coats. Our medium Juniper also passed her OFA eye testing, and just has her patella and cardiac examination left before she’s cleared to breed. If she passes her health-testing, we will also pair her with Rudy for medium/mini Goldendoodles who are a little larger, and also have a darker coat. We also have several of our hopeful puppy moms in the early stages of their health testing, like Bella, Hollie, and Stevie. Stay tuned for more fun news about these puppies and their testing.

Miss Daisy is Sun-kissed

Daisy is a hopeful upcoming mini Goldendoodle mom for us, who enjoys her guardian family in Bend, Oregon.

So here we are in early December, loving on two litters of fabulous puppies and getting ready to welcome Maple’s mini Goldendoodle puppies in the next week. We’re deeply enjoying this season of celebrating our veteran moms while also seeing other mom’s whelp their first litter of puppies. It does feel like a new season for us that also has a deep continuity with our previous puppy season.

This flat-coated Bernedoodle has a personality that is definitely not flat!

Stay tuned for more beautiful developments here as we strive to raise joy with our current litters of bernedoodle and goldendoodle puppies.
We’re so glad you’re here!

Warmly,

Erin and Jay