Our focus is on breeding family dogs. That is, dogs you can trust with children and others, are smart and easy to train, and look and feel great. The blend of the Golden Retriever and Poodle into Goldendoodles or the Labrador Retriever and Poodle into Labradoodles meets these goals. As you peruse the website, you should be able to see the accomplishment of these goals in the photos. The Mama Bates Doodles Promise: Our females get genetic testing for both colors and diseases and only breed to stud dogs who have had their genetics tested to ensure healthy puppies. Every puppy receives a wellness veterinarian exam, has had their dew claws removed, their first shots and get de-wormed before they leave for their new homes. We also guarantee the puppy until 2-years of age against all life-threatening congenital or hereditary defects.

Mick bred field trial yellow and black labs a number of years ago. As guardians for two great Goldendoodles from Redletter Doodles (https://www.redletterdoodles.com/) in Washington State, we thought it a great idea to extend the brand to Indiana by breeding Gidget, Luna and Artemis here in Indiana. Gidget has had two litters to date with her final litter slated for Fall 2020. Luna’s first will arrive in Fall 2020 and Artemis, Labradoodle, should have her first litter late this year. So, in association with Redletter, we launched Mama Bates Doodles in summer of 2020.

We are present for every delivery regardless of time of day. The birthing mother is in charge, but there are times when we step in to help. As soon as the cord is cut, each puppy is weighed and given a collar and temporary name (usually around a theme such as superheroes or Shakespeare characters or something else we find creative). This helps us keep track of each puppy's development. Every puppy is weighed daily to make sure they are getting adequate nutrition. Dew claws are taken off between Day 3 and 5. From this point on, puppies are gradually assimilated to the home environment so they will learn how to properly react to different stimuli as well as scary things and noises. At four weeks or so, they will be moving from their indoor kennel through a doggy door to an outside run where they will learn to do their business. When they are around 5 weeks old, they will start sleeping in their crates at night and continuing to learn that they should hold their bodily waste and go outside to potty.