Frequently Asked Questions – Haven's Doodles Doodle Breeder in Chesapeake, VA

1. Why should I choose Haven's Doodles?

At Haven's Doodles, every puppy is raised in our home with our five kids, our cats, and a constant stream of love, play, and gentle guidance. Our puppies experience early socialization, gentle crate training, health-tested parents, and nationwide delivery with flexible payment plans. We go above and beyond because we know first-hand what it means to find the perfect companion for a child, a family with anxiety, or someone needing a therapy dog.

2. What breeds do you raise?

We specialize in four breeds — Goldendoodles, Bernedoodles, Cavapoos, and Cockapoos. All are low-shedding, hypoallergenic-friendly, and known for their gentle, people-loving temperaments. Each breed is carefully selected for compatibility with families, children, and therapeutic purposes. If you're unsure which breed is right for your family, just reach out — we're happy to help you find the perfect match.

3. How much do your puppies cost?

Our puppies are priced at $3,950. This includes a vet health certificate, first round of vaccines, deworming, microchip, one month of free Trupanion pet insurance, a comfort blanket from their litter, and early crate training already started. We also offer flexible 0% interest financing, a biweekly layaway plan (no credit check), and a Buy Now, Pay Later option — so there's a payment path for every family.

4. How do I reserve a puppy?

Start by filling out an application on our Details page. Once we've reviewed it and confirmed it's a great fit, you'll place a $500 non-refundable deposit to hold your spot. Deposits are received in order, meaning earlier depositors get first pick of the litter. From there, we'll keep you updated with photos, videos, and milestones right up to go-home day.

5. What is included in the puppy's health testing?

All of our parent dogs are fully genetic health tested through Embark, which screens for hereditary diseases and genetic conditions common in doodle breeds.Every puppy is backed by a full two-year health guarantee. We purposely match each set of parents to make sure we are breeding healthy, well rounded beautiful puppies that will make wonderful companions for many years to come.

6. Are your puppies good with children?

Absolutely — this is one of our biggest strengths. Our puppies are raised right alongside our five kids in an active, busy family home from the day they're born. They're used to noise, energy, gentle handling, and all the wonderful chaos that comes with family life. By the time they come home with you, children aren't new or scary to them at all.

7. Are doodles hypoallergenic?

All four of our breeds inherit the Poodle's low-shedding, low-dander coat, making them a much better fit for allergy-sensitive households than most breeds. While no dog is 100% allergen-free, doodles are widely considered one of the best options for families with allergies. We recommend spending time with the breed before committing if allergies are a significant concern.

8. Do you crate train the puppies before they go home?

Yes — and this is something our families consistently thank us for. Crate training begins at 6 weeks here in our home, so most of our puppies are already sleeping through the night in their crate before go-home day. This makes those first nights significantly easier for both the puppy and your family.

9. What socialization do the puppies receive?

Beyond standard handling, our puppies go through Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS), Early Scent Introduction (ESI), a 10-Step handling program, and intentional noise exposure. They're also exposed to cats, visitors of all ages, outdoor environments, and the everyday sounds of a busy family home. This builds confidence, resilience, and a puppy that's genuinely ready for real life.

10. Do you offer nationwide delivery?

Yes. For families who aren't local to Chesapeake, Virginia, we offer nationwide delivery via a trusted flight nanny who will travel with your puppy to your closest major airport. We can also coordinate a meet-up within a few hours' drive. Just reach out and we'll figure out the option that works best for you.

11. Where are you located and how far do you serve?

We're based in Chesapeake, Virginia — right in the heart of Hampton Roads. We're about 20 minutes from Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and Suffolk; 45 minutes from Williamsburg; 2 hours from Richmond; 3 hours from Raleigh, NC; and 4 hours from Washington, DC. For families outside driving range, we ship nationwide.

12. Do you offer payment plans?

Yes — we offer three flexible options. Our 24-month, 0% interest financing plan runs around $125/month with a quick credit approval. Our biweekly layaway plan requires no credit check and lets you pay everything off before go-home day. We also offer a Buy Now, Pay Later option for a range of credit types. Contact us and we'll walk you through which works best for your situation.

13. Can I visit the puppies before go-home day?

We do our best to accommodate meet-and-greet visits closer to the go-home date. Reach out through our Contact page to let us know your interest and we'll confirm what's possible for the current litter.

14. What if my puppy has a health issue after I bring them home?

Every puppy comes with a full two-year health guarantee covering genetic health conditions. We're also here for you personally — Ashley is always available to answer questions and provide guidance after your puppy goes home. You're not just buying a puppy; you're joining the Haven's Doodles family.