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About Haven's Doodles – Family-Run Doodle Breeder in Chesapeake, Virginia
Haven’s Doodles: Where Family, Expertise, and Exceptional Doodle Puppies Come Together
Welcome! I’m Ashley, and I’d love for you to get to know the story — and passion — behind Haven’s Doodles.
My journey with dogs began as a child in a family dedicated to breeding AKC standard poodles. Growing up surrounded by playful, intelligent pups, I learned early on the value of quality, health, and heart in every litter. Today, my husband Chris and I are raising five amazing children in busy, love-filled Chesapeake, Virginia, where doodles (and laughter) are always part of the family.
We’re not just breeders — we’re a family committed to giving every puppy the absolute best start in life. Our home has always been a safe haven, not just for our own kids, but for foster children too. Throughout it all, our dogs have been a source of comfort, connection, and joy.
What Makes Haven’s Doodles Different?
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Expert-Guided Breeding: I proudly follow the Badass Breeder curriculum for ethical breeding, puppy evaluation, and lifelong family support.
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ENS & ESI, Done Right: We practice Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) and Early Scent Introduction (ESI) with every litter, but we believe true socialization means so much more than just following a checklist.
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Real-Life Socialization: Our puppies don’t just watch the world from a pen—they live in our home, playing with our kids, exploring the house, and experiencing family life every single day. There’s time outside on safe, turf-covered play areas, exposure to other dogs, cats, visitors, and plenty of new adventures. This helps each pup grow curious, confident, and ready for real life.
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No Trauma, Only Love: We’re all about positive experiences, gentle exposure, and a trauma-free start, so our puppies believe the world is a safe, exciting place.
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Ready for Family Life: Every puppy is crate-trained overnight before going home, making their transition into yours as smooth as possible. Our dogs are known for their beautiful temperaments, and many have gone on to work as service and therapy dogs.
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Health You Can Trust: All our parents are health tested, and we back every puppy with a written health warranty. You can be confident your new family member has been given the healthiest possible start.
Our Mission
At Haven’s Doodles, our goal is simple: to raise happy, healthy Goldendoodle, Bernedoodle, Cavapoo, and Cockapoo puppies who are truly ready for adventure, connection, and love in your family. We’re here to help you find the perfect match—whether you’re near Chesapeake, VA, or anywhere in the U.S.
The name Haven’s Doodles is special to us—named after our oldest daughter, Haven, who dreams of being a breeder herself someday. Our puppy program is truly a family affair, combining decades of experience, genuine care, and a commitment to ethical, high-standard breeding.
If you want a puppy who’s been raised in a home full of real life, real love, and real adventures, you’ve found your place.
Want to see more?
Watch our family introduction video above, or connect with us on Instagram [@havensdoodlesvb] for daily puppy updates, behind-the-scenes moments, and happy family stories.
Every puppy deserves a haven. We’d be honored for yours to begin here.
FAQs
Who is behind Haven's Doodles?
Haven's Doodles is run by Ashley Lyons and her husband Chris, a family based in Chesapeake, Virginia. Ashley grew up in a family dedicated to breeding AKC standard poodles, which gave her a lifelong foundation in quality, health, and heart-centered breeding. Today, Ashley and Chris raise their five children alongside their doodle breeding program — making every puppy truly family-raised from day one.
Why is the program named Haven's Doodles?
The name is special — it's named after Ashley and Chris's oldest daughter, Haven, who dreams of being a breeder herself one day. The name reflects exactly what this program stands for: a safe, loving haven for every puppy from the moment they're born until they go home with your family.
What breeding philosophy does Haven's Doodles follow?
Haven's Doodles follows the Badass Breeder curriculum — a rigorous, ethical approach to puppy raising that prioritizes proper socialization, temperament development, and family preparation over mass production. Every litter goes through ENS, ESI, a 10-Step handling program, and deliberate noise exposure to build confident, resilient puppies.
How are Haven's Doodles puppies different from other breeders?
Our puppies aren't raised in a kennel or an outside pen — they live in our home, alongside our kids, our other dogs, and the full rhythm of family life. They're exposed to cats, visitors, outdoor adventures, and real-world sounds from their very first weeks. This means by the time your puppy comes home, the world isn't scary to them — it's exciting.
Does Haven's Doodles health test their breeding dogs?
Yes, absolutely. All parent dogs are fully genetic health tested through Embark and undergo OFA and PennHIP hip and elbow evaluations. Every puppy is also backed by a written health warranty, so you can bring your new family member home with total confidence.
What breeds does Haven's Doodles raise?
We specialize in Goldendoodles, Bernedoodles, Cavapoos, and Cockapoos. Each breed is carefully selected for its hypoallergenic, low-shedding coat, gentle temperament, and compatibility with families and children. Many of our puppies also go on to work as therapy and service dogs.
Does Haven's Doodles offer support after the puppy goes home?
Yes. We believe in lifelong relationships with our puppy families. We're always here to answer questions, offer guidance, and celebrate milestones with you. Our goal isn't just to place a puppy — it's to set both you and your new pup up for a lifetime of success together.
Ready to add a furry friend to your family?
Chesapeake, Virginia
Contact us at 757-714-6292
