Frequently Asked Questions

Can we choose our own puppy?

Short answer? No.

Rather than families selecting a puppy based on appearance, or collar colour, or who they “bond” with during their visit, we follow a temperament-based matching process. As the puppies grow, we assess each individual’s emerging confidence, human focus, recovery from novelty, sensitivity to handling, and general arousal levels. This allows us to recommend the puppy whose temperament and developmental profile is best suited to your household, routine, and long-term goals. Preferences such as sex and colour are always taken into account wherever possible.

Are there any expectations around desexing ?

Yes. We do not expect for our new puppy families to have their dog desexed before 18 months of age. We have many reasons for this and will discuss these more with approved families. 

Are the puppies ANKC Registered? Are they sold on Main or Limited Register?

Puppies are all registered with Dogs AUstralia (ANKC) and will placed on the ANKC Limited Register unless otherwise discussed in advance. 

Could you confirm which DNA/genetic tests have been completed? Are pups clear by parentage or individually tested?

Both parents will have undergone full breed-relevant DNA testing (please see what individual tests are applicable for Labradors; there are too many to list here), and the puppies will be clear by parentage for all applicable hereditary conditions. Why do we not test individual puppies? There is really no need. Because the parents have been cleared, the puppies have no chance of carrying these genetic diseases. 

Will the puppy be okay if I work full-time?

Some of our puppy families do work full-time; however, the first few months are a critical developmental period. We strongly encourage prospective owners to consider what consistent day-to-day care arrangements will look like during this time, as young puppies benefit from a stable primary caregiver and gradual independence training. We suggest having family, friends, or a professional assist in those early months, so the puppy’s time alone is minimal. At 6-months of age, you can begin teaching independence and slowly increase their time alone at home. 

Do you offer ongoing support?

Yes. We value maintaining contact with our puppy families and are available for guidance throughout the life of your dog. We love receiving photos and updates on all our puppies. You can never spam us too much! 

Are your puppies raised indoors or outdoors?

All Haleana puppies are raised indoors within the home from birth. They are exposed to normal household routines, handling, and environmental enrichment as part of their early neurological and behavioural development. Once they are old enough, we move them outside during the day, so they can play and learn to be comfortable in different environments. But they come inside to sleep and continue to do so until they leave us. 

What are the parents’ hip and elbow scores?

Each dog has their own individual profile on our website. Please take a look at their temperament profile, completed DNA testing, hip and elbow scores and health clearance there. 

Can we breed from our puppy in the future?

No. Companion puppies are not sold for breeding and are placed on the ANKC Limited Register.

What early socialisation do the puppies receive?

Puppies are gradually exposed to a variety of age-appropriate experiences including:

  • Household sounds and activity

  • Handling by different adults

  • Supervised outdoor exploration

  • Novel surfaces

  • Basic grooming exposure

  • Enrichment activities

Our aim is to support confidence, resilience, and adaptability in new environments.

Can we visit the puppies?

Once you have been approved as a forever family for one of our pups, we will organise a meet-and-greet day or, alternatively, a video call. This usually happens when the pups are around 6-weeks of age. This is actually an important step as it allows us to get to know you better and will assist in puppy allocations. In addition, you will get to meet the pups and the parents, a very important aspect of any process involving puppies. 

When can we take our puppy home?

Puppies are ready to leave from 8 weeks of age, once they have received their veterinary health check, first vaccination, and microchip. This is a firm date, and is non-negotiable. Puppies engage in socialisation, hierarchical learning and sibling interactions during the period leading up to 8-weeks of age. This is also the time when they build confidence and start to become little explorers. Having them leave earlier would be detrimental to their development and could have serious and long-lasting consequences.