Australian Labradoodle Health Testing & 2-Year Health Guarantee
At Willows Australian Labradoodles, health comes first. As a licensed, registered Australian Labradoodle breeder in East Sussex, we only breed from parent dogs that have passed full health testing. We share every result openly, so you know exactly where your puppy has come from.
We always say: you can’t have healthy puppies without healthy, happy parents.
How we health test our Australian Labradoodle parent dogs
When our dogs reach twelve months of age, their joints are fully developed. If we are happy with their lovely, balanced temperament, they then complete full health testing:
Hips – BVA hip scoring
Elbows – BVA elbow grading
Eyes – DNA eye screening for PRA. PRA (progressive retinal atrophy) is an inherited eye condition that can cause blindness. DNA screening shows exactly whether a dog is clear, a carrier or affected, so we can plan every pairing to make sure no puppy is ever born with it.
DNA – a full DNA panel for inherited diseases
Every breeding dog is tested to internationally recognised standards. Any dog that does not meet those standards is retired from breeding, without exception.
Our results, shared openly
We publish the results for every one of our parent dogs on our Our Dogs page. For example, our girls Pippa, Millie, Hazel, Nelly and Lyra are all genetically clear for inherited diseases, with BVA elbow scores of 0. Our boys Jackson and Bodhi have BVA hip scores of 6 and elbow scores of 0.
A good Australian Labradoodle breeder should be happy to show you their health test results. If a breeder can’t, ask why.
Health and welfare before and during pregnancy
We never breed a female under eighteen months old. Most of our girls have their first litter at around two years of age.
We use progesterone testing to find the right days for mating, so it is calm and less stressful for our girls.
Every pregnancy is confirmed by ultrasound, so we can plan each mum’s care, food and rest.
All of our girls give birth at home, in a calm, cosy whelping room.
Health checks for every Australian Labradoodle puppy
Every puppy has a full health check with our vet before going home.
Every puppy is microchipped.
Puppies are wormed, and you receive a full worming record so your vet can carry on the right schedule.
Your puppy goes home at 8 weeks with a care guide, food, a scent blanket, a brush and a comb.
A thoughtful, natural approach to health
We think carefully about everything we give our dogs. We titre test our own dogs to check their immunity, rather than giving boosters “just in case”. We also never give our dogs oral flea and tick tablets. In our puppy pack we explain our approach, so you can make informed choices with your own vet.
Our 2-year health guarantee
Every Willows Australian Labradoodle puppy comes with a 2-year health guarantee. Because we health test every parent and plan every pairing with care, we are confident in the health of our puppies. Full details are included in your puppy paperwork.
Your puppy also comes with a lifetime of support. You can email us at any time, for the whole of your dog’s life.
Why health testing matters when choosing an Australian Labradoodle breeder
Too often, people spend more time researching a washing machine than the breeder they buy a puppy from. Health testing is one of the most important things to check. At Willows we put welfare and genetics first, and we are proud to show our work.
Read more about how our parent dogs live, our Australian Labradoodle therapy puppies, and our Australian Labradoodle FAQs.
Looking for a health-tested Australian Labradoodle puppy? Fill in our puppy enquiry form.
