One of the most highly accredited Australian Labradoodle breeders in North Carolina is only 25 minutes from Chapel Hill. River Days Australian Labradoodles is in Graham, NC, which is just west of Chapel Hill on I-40. It has both ALAA Platinum Paw and WALA All-Star certifications, which are the two highest standards for the breed.
Families in Chapel Hill and Carrboro who have done their homework and know what those certifications represent usually only talk about them once. This piece illustrates why credentials are more important than location for families who are just starting their search. It also explains why Chapel Hill is lucky that the greatest option is also the nearest.
What ALAA Platinum Paw and WALA All-Star Actually Mean
These aren’t titles that people give themselves. They are certificates that are checked by a third party and demand continual compliance with high requirements.
The Australian Labradoodle Association of America gives out the ALAA Platinum Paw certification. To get it, all breeding dogs must pass a full OFA health test (hips, elbows, eyes, heart, and genetic panels). They must be at least 2 years old to make sure their hips are clear. Moreover, they must follow the association’s ethical breeding guidelines. These are the best ALAA awards.
The World Australian Labradoodle Association gives the WALA All-Star award to breeders who show a strong commitment to breed standards, health testing, and ethical procedures.
River Days upholds both of these standards. We take our health testing for all of our Australian Labradoodles seriously; check out our credentials and health testing to learn more. You can search our dogs on OFA by entering their CHIC number from our moms and our dads.
Why Chapel Hill Families Are Drawn to This Breed
People in Chapel Hill and Carrboro really like Australian Labradoodles, and it’s not just because they don’t shed much. That’s more of a plus in a city with one of the highest spring pollen counts in the country.
The breed’s personality fits well with the people of Chapel Hill. They are smart, intuitive, emotionally aware, and able to adjust to both active and peaceful situations. They blend in well with academic houses, family-oriented communities, and the kind of involved, socially connected community that Chapel Hill and Carrboro are.
You can learn more about Australian Labradoodles Temperament and learn why this dog breed would be the perfect fit for your family.
Some River Days Australian Labradoodles have gone on to work all across Chapel Hill-Carrboro City. Read more about our certified therapy dogs and all the work they do. It’s a temperament that has been passed down through generations to make puppies emotionally attune and stable.
The 25-Minute Advantage
The adoption process can be very different when your breeder is 25 minutes away.
Families in Chapel Hill and Carrboro can check out the place before they sign up. They can meet the parent dogs, stroll around the house, and see where their puppy will live for the first eight weeks. In addition, they can come back at about six weeks when they can tell which dog is theirs and the puppy is starting to show personality. Pickup day becomes a neighborhood event. It only takes 25 minutes to drive west on I-40. You’ll spend 60 to 90 minutes at River Days, and then head back to Franklin Street or downtown Carrboro.
After adoption, such closeness is also important. River Days can help you find a vet in Orange County, a trainer in the Triangle, and is available by phone, text, or video throughout the life of your dog. Since they are only 25 minutes away, they can also come to your house for follow-up visits.
Australian Labradoodles in the Chapel Hill Lifestyle
The breed fits in perfectly with Chapel Hill’s walkable and outdoor-friendly nature. Non-shedding fleece or wool coats are great for the spring pollen season. Because they are hypoallergenic, families can walk University Lake, hike Carolina North Forest, or run Bolin Creek Trail. They also can sit on patios at Spotted Dog, Dingo Dog, or Top of the Hill without worrying about their dogs shedding all the time.
Australian Labradoodles are great for UNC graduate students and staff who live in small apartments or condos. They need 45 to 60 minutes of exercise and mental stimulation every day to stay healthy. There are a lot of places near campus where you can get structured exercise, like Cedar Falls Dog Park, University Lake pathways, and the Bolin Creek and Battle Branch greenways.
Families in Chapel Hill that live in bigger houses in Southern Village, Meadowmont, or North Chapel Hill will find that the breed’s intermediate size (miniature: 15–25 lbs; medium: 25–45 lbs), quiet behavior inside, and ability to get along with kids of all ages make them a great choice for their family.
For UNC Students and Graduate Families
River Days knows that Chapel Hill has a lot of graduate students and new faculty members who are just starting out in their careers and have to think about their budgets. The $500 reservation deposit system lets families hold a space and save up for the $3,500 puppy fee throughout the 6–12 month waitlist period. This works nicely with many academic schedules.
Read about financing your Australian Labradoodle puppy and what it really costs to have your dream dog.
Pricing, Go-Home Package & Process
$3,500 for a standard 8-week-old dog. Included are the first DHPP vaccination, a series of deworming treatments, microchipping, a full veterinary exam, a two-year genetic health guarantee, a spay/neuter contract, a Snuggle Puppy with a heartbeat, a potty training start, a collar, a leash, a comfort blanket, and much more.
Optional: Puppy Transition Camp (8–12 weeks, $650/week) and Advanced Trained Puppy Program (graduates at 20 weeks, $12,000). You can read more about our training options for exactly your new Australian Labradoodle puppy will learn.
Pickup: Saturday mornings at our house in Graham. Full handoff do not take majority of the day and should be relatively short. Families who want to pick up at the RDU airport can arrange the meeting there. However, it is encouraged to come to Graham to see where your puppy grew up and meet the family.
Applications are free. You can apply by filling out our application. After a phone interview and $500 deposit, you’ll be added to the waitlist and matched to a litter.
Chapel Hill and Carrboro families — we’re 25 minutes away. Call or text: 919-274-2865 | riverdayslabradoodles@gmail.com