FAQ — Acadia Goldendoodles

Question 1

Are Acadia Goldendoodle puppies raised in your home, by your family?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every litter is raised inside our home — never in a separate kennel building. Depending on the litter, that might be our breakfast nook, our solar room, or our dedicated nursery: a "house within a house" built specifically for raising dogs safely and well. It's fully disinfectable and specifically designed for the physical safety, emotional wellbeing, and developmental needs of both puppies and mother dogs, with raised whelping beds, dog doors to dedicated safe, clean yards, and everything needed for daily care and enrichment. Our family cares for every litter personally, alongside two experienced, qualified staff members.

Question 2

Is Acadia Goldendoodles licensed and inspected?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We hold Maine State Kennel License #F1601 and Town of Tremont Municipal Kennel License #K7289. Every space where we keep dogs or puppies — including our in-home nursery — is inspected annually by the State Animal Welfare Inspector. This is a meaningful standard: an ordinary living room or bedroom whelping setup would not pass this inspection. Our breakfast nook and solar room spaces have been modified, and our nursery was specifically designed and built, to meet or exceed these requirements.

Question 3

What is the price for an Acadia Goldendoodle puppy?

Accepted Answer

Current prices are always posted on the Prices page. Our 2026 prices range from $4,250 to $5,000 plus 5.5% Maine sales tax. In 2027 they will range from $4,750 to $6,000.

Question 4

What payment methods do you accept?

Accepted Answer

We will send you an electronic invoice for payment with a credit or debit card. You may also bring a cashier's check or cash to pay in person. We offer a $200 discount off the total balance due for cash payments.

Question 5

What is the deposit amount and when is it due?

Accepted Answer

The deposit is $700 and is required when we open each litter for deposits. This is typically when the puppies are one to two weeks old. If you're on the waiting list, we will call you when we get to your name. This amount is applied to the purchase price.

Question 6

Is the deposit refundable?

Accepted Answer

Deposits may be transferred to a future puppy for up to two years. If we are not able to supply a puppy within that time, your deposit will be fully refunded. If puppies are available but you decide not to purchase one, half of the deposit and all of the sales tax will be refunded.

Question 7

How does your waitlist work?

Accepted Answer

We keep a general waitlist for each size and type of puppy we raise. Available puppies are offered to families on those lists before being made available to the general approved and mailing lists. Once a litter is one to two weeks old, we begin working through the waitlist in order — contacting each family and collecting deposits to reserve their puppy.

Question 8

Do you choose the puppy for us?

Accepted Answer

Yes. At Acadia Goldendoodles we use a thoughtful allocation system to match each puppy with the family where they'll thrive best. We take into account both what each family is looking for — size, coat, energy level, and temperament — and what we've observed in each puppy over weeks of careful evaluation. This process happens when puppies are approximately 7 weeks old, after we've had the time to truly get to know their individual personalities.

Question 9

How is your system different from traditional "pick order" systems?

Accepted Answer

Unlike many breeders who assign families a pick number based on when they placed their deposit, we allocate puppies all at once. No one is "first" and no one is "last" — it's a holistic process that considers the entire litter and all reserved families together. Every family gets careful consideration for the puppy that best fits their needs.

Question 10

Do you do temperament testing?

Accepted Answer

We no longer use formal scored temperament testing systems like Volhard or Avidog, though we're very familiar with both. Instead, we observe puppies constantly from birth through 7 weeks, watch natural behaviors during play, feeding, and rest, note individual personalities as they emerge, and conduct specific informal evaluations and targeted aptitude testing when families have special needs.

Question 11

Do the matches work out?

Accepted Answer

Yes! We constantly receive texts and emails from families thanking us for matching them with the perfect puppy. A professional service-dog trainer who visited multiple litters eventually told us she trusted us completely and that "you really can't go wrong" with any puppy from Acadia Goldendoodles. If there were ever a puppy we didn't feel was suitable for any reserved family, we would not match that puppy.

Question 12

What if we need a specialized match?

Accepted Answer

If a puppy will be a therapy dog, service dog, or have a specific job to do, we test for the relevant aptitudes. For example, for a family training a diabetic alert dog, we'll identify puppies with exceptional scent focus and environmental awareness.

Question 13

Are puppies microchipped?

Accepted Answer

Yes, all puppies are microchipped before going home. You'll simply need to activate the chip by registering it to you online.

Question 14

What vaccinations do puppies have?

Accepted Answer

Each puppy receives two DHLPP vaccines and a USDA Health Certificate from our veterinarian. They will be age-appropriately de-wormed. We get a stool sample tested at 6–7 weeks of age and treat for any parasites found before sending them home with you.

Question 15

Do puppies come with a health warranty?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Ours is a 2-year warranty, which can be extended to 3 years by feeding and treating your dog using one of our recommended nutritional solutions.

Question 16

What do the puppies eat?

Accepted Answer

Our puppies are raised on Life's Abundance food: Small-Medium Breed Puppy Food for Minis, Mediums, and Poodles, and Large-Breed Puppy Food for Standard Goldendoodles and Purebred Golden Retrievers. We often mix in some TLC Puppy Food for protein variety, and for our Canadian customers who can get TLC shipped more easily.

Question 17

Do you recommend any supplements?

Accepted Answer

We recommend NuVet Plus vitamins and MaxiVet probiotic for optimal health throughout your dog's life. These products support joint health, immune function, and digestive health. Life's Abundance has supplements formulated to work with their foods — they have a very effective fish oil supplement and their new product, Bee Clear, will help keep teeth clean.

Question 18

Do you recommend pet insurance?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Many families have found pet insurance invaluable. We specifically recommend Fetch and Trupanion. Both offer coverage with no waiting period if activated within 24 hours before or after getting your puppy when you use our code at sign-up.

Question 19

When can I pick up my puppy?

Accepted Answer

Puppies go home at 9 weeks of age, after they've had proper socialization, received their first combination vaccine and been examined by our veterinarian.

Question 20

How can I get my puppy home?

Accepted Answer

1) Pick up in person at our Seal Cove location — we'd love to meet you! 2) Hire a driver or pet transportation service — we are happy to work with any transportation service you hire — or choose from our list of local, independent drivers. 3) Fly into Bar Harbor Airport — we will deliver to this airport. 4) Fly into Bangor (BGR) — rent a car for the 1.5-hour drive. 5) Fly into Portland (PWM) — rent a car for the 3.5-hour drive.

Question 21

What should I expect in the first few weeks?

Accepted Answer

The first two weeks can be exhausting — it's completely normal to experience "puppy blues"! Make sure you have good, noise-cancelling headphones for the whining phases, get set up to take lots of pictures and videos (this time goes incredibly fast), and remember: it gets so much better. The challenging puppy phase is temporary.

Question 22

What if I have questions after bringing my puppy home?

Accepted Answer

We're here for you! Just give us a call, text, or email. We offer a lifetime of support to every Acadia family.

Question 23

How big are the different sizes?

Accepted Answer

Standard Goldendoodles are usually taller than 21" and weigh over 50 lbs. Medium Goldendoodles are usually between 17" and 21", weighing 35–50 lbs. Miniature ("Mini") Goldendoodles are usually between 14" and 17" tall and weigh up to 35 lbs.

Question 24

What is an F1 Goldendoodle?

Accepted Answer

F1 Goldendoodles are the direct offspring of a purebred Golden Retriever and a purebred Poodle.

Question 25

What is an F1b Goldendoodle?

Accepted Answer

F1b Goldendoodles are the offspring of an F1 Goldendoodle and a purebred Poodle.

Question 26

What is an English Goldendoodle?

Accepted Answer

English Goldendoodles have English (European) Golden Retrievers in their ancestry. They can be any size or generation, as long as the Golden Retriever in the mix is an English Golden.

Question 27

What is a Better Back Goldendoodle?

Accepted Answer

Better Backs are also known as Reverse F1b Goldendoodles. They are the offspring of an F1 Goldendoodle and a purebred Golden Retriever — 3/4 Golden Retriever and 1/4 Poodle.

Question 28

Are Goldendoodles hypoallergenic?

Accepted Answer

No dog is truly hypoallergenic. However, some of our mixes shed significantly less than others, which can help reduce allergens in your home. F1b Goldendoodles (75% Poodle) generally shed very little to none. F1 Goldendoodles (50/50) shed low to moderately. Better Backs and purebred Goldens shed more heavily. Our purebred Poodles are a non-shedding breed.

Question 29

How often do Goldendoodles need grooming?

Accepted Answer

Most families find that professional grooming every 6–8 weeks, combined with regular brushing at home 2–3 times per week, keeps their Goldendoodle's coat healthy and mat-free.

Question 30

What grooming tools do I need?

Accepted Answer

Essential tools include a slicker brush (Chris Christensen is the gold standard), a metal comb (7.5"), and nail clippers. Start grooming early and often to make it a positive experience!

Question 31

What shampoo do you recommend?

Accepted Answer

Revitalizing Shampoo from Life's Abundance. We've tried many shampoos over the years and nothing beats it for keeping the coat healthy and beautiful between groomer visits. If you're looking for something unscented and/or want an excellent detangler, we also highly recommend the products by We Love Doodles.

Question 32

What is the potty training schedule for a new puppy?

Accepted Answer

Take your puppy out immediately after waking, 15–20 minutes after eating, after play sessions, and every 1–2 hours initially.

Question 33

Do you recommend puppy training classes?

Accepted Answer

We strongly recommend enlisting the help of a private, in-home trainer or enrolling in puppy class right away. This continues the socialization your puppy received here and helps build a strong foundation for lifelong good behavior. We highly recommend working with a positive, force-free trainer.

Question 34

What size crate is best?

Accepted Answer

We recommend a 24" crate for puppyhood and a 40" crate for adulthood.

Question 35

What toys will my puppy need?

Accepted Answer

Toys should be of various sizes, textures, shapes, and colors and make a variety of sounds. We recommend having a minimum of 10 toys including: rope toys, natural chews, puzzle toys for mental stimulation, and stuffed animals. Rotate toys, giving your puppy only one or two at a time to avoid boredom. Avoid rawhide, cooked bones, toys with small parts, and anything smaller than their mouth.

Question 36

Do your puppies carry the CDDY gene?

Accepted Answer

Some of our breeding dogs may carry one copy of CDDY, a genetic marker linked to disc disease (IVDD). This gene is extremely common in Poodles and Goldendoodles — most of the breed carries at least one copy — so this is normal, not a red flag.

Question 37

Does having this gene mean my puppy will get IVDD?

Accepted Answer

No. It's a risk marker, not a diagnosis. Research shows that even with one or two copies, the large majority of dogs never develop disc disease. Genetics increase the odds — they don't determine the outcome.

Question 38

Why haven't you eliminated this gene completely?

Accepted Answer

Because it's so common in the breed, removing it too quickly would shrink the gene pool and could bring other, less understood health problems to the surface. Veterinary geneticists at UC Davis and Tufts recommend a slow, careful reduction over generations — which is exactly what we do.

Question 39

What does Acadia do about the CDDY gene?

Accepted Answer

We test every breeding dog. We never breed a dog with two copies of CDDY, and none of our dogs carry the related CDPA (short-leg) gene at all. Whenever possible, we keep or purchase gene-clear puppies as our future breeding stock, so the gene becomes less common in our program with each generation.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

About Our Program

Pricing & Payments

Reserving a Puppy & Waitlist

Puppy–Family Matching

Health & Care

Getting Your Puppy Home

Goldendoodle Sizes & Generations

Shedding & Allergies

Grooming

Training & Supplies

CDDY Gene & Breeding

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