Where We Are — and How Far We Reach
River Days Australian Labradoodles is in Graham, North Carolina, which is in the middle Piedmont region of the state and is the heart of Alamance County. We are in the middle of the Triangle (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill) and the Triad (Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High Point), and it’s easy to go to I-40, I-85, and I-85/40 from here.
Being in the middle of everything makes us one of the easiest ALAA Platinum Paw and WALA All-Star certified Australian Labradoodle breeders to get to in the Southeast, whether you’re driving from a nearby county, flying in from another state, or using our flight nanny service to have your puppy delivered.
We accept applications from families all throughout North Carolina and the rest of the country. You can bring home a River Days puppy no matter where you live. We work with each family to find a way that is safe, comfortable, and low-stress for your new dog.
North Carolina Families: You’re Closer Than You Think
Graham is in the middle of North Carolina’s most populated corridor. If you live in the Triangle or Triad, it’s easy to go there by car. You can even go there several times before pickup day.
The Triangle Region
- Raleigh: 45 minutes by I-40
- Durham: 35 minutes on I-40
- Chapel Hill: 25 minutes by I-40
- Cary: 40 minutes on I-40
- Apex: 40 minutes by US-64
- Wake Forest: 55 minutes
- RDU Airport: 35 minutes
Triad Region
- Greensboro: 30 min via I-40
- High Point: 25 min via I-40
- Winston-Salem: 45 min via I-40
- Burlington: 10 min via I-40
- Mebane: 15 min via I-40/85
- Asheboro: 35 min via US-64
- PTI Airport: 25 min
Greater NC
- Charlotte: 90 min via I-85
- Asheville: 2.5 hrs via I-40
- Fayetteville: 90 min via I-85
- Wilmington: 2.5 hrs via I-40
- Hickory: 90 min via I-40
- Statesville: 75 min via I-40
- Sanford: 60 min via US-421
For families in the Triangle and Triad, the short journey makes it really convenient to visit in person. Many local families come twice before the pickup: once early on to meet us and the adult dogs, and once around 8 weeks to see their specific puppy. Breeders from other states or across the country can’t provide you that kind of access.
Out-of-State Families: North Carolina Is More Accessible Than You Think
Because River Days is in the middle of North Carolina, tens of millions of people in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic can get there in a day. A lot of our relatives come from states next door, so we’ve made it easy for everyone to get here, no matter how far they have to go.
Southeast & Mid-Atlantic
- Virginia: 2–3 hrs from most of VA
- South Carolina: 2–3 hrs from Charlotte area
- Tennessee: 4–5 hrs from eastern TN
- Georgia: 5–6 hrs from northern GA
- Maryland / DC area: 4–5 hrs via I-85/I-95
- West Virginia: 4–5 hrs
More Farther Away
- Northeast corridor: fly into RDU
- Midwest: fly into RDU + in-person pickup
- Texas / Southwest: flight nanny delivery
- Pacific Northwest: flight nanny delivery
- Florida: drive or flight nanny delivery
- Any state: we’ll find a solution
Distance has never stopped a family from getting a River Days Australian Labradoodle puppy. We have worked with families from all over the country and are dedicated to finding a pickup time that works for you without putting your puppy’s safety or health at risk.
How Pickup Works: Three Options
Families can take home their River Days puppy in three different ways. All three choices lead to the same comprehensive go-home experience: health paperwork, go-home items, and a thorough handoff. The only thing that matters is where the handoff takes place.
Option 1: In-Person Pickup at Our Home in Graham, NC (Most Common)
Most of our families, whether they live nearby or far away, opt to pick up their kids at our house in Graham. This is our first choice, and it’s easy to see why families like it:
- You see exactly where your puppy grew up: in our family home, not in a farm or kennel.
- You meet the dam (mother dog) if she is free.
- You get a complete 60 to 90 minutes of handoff, which includes a health check review, a tour of the materials you’ll need to take home, feeding advice, pictures, questions and answers.
- You leave feeling completely confident of all you’ve been told.
Graham is easy to get to from I-40 and I-85, making it a simple drive for families coming from Virginia, South Carolina, or other nearby states. A lot of families from other states come for the weekend. They drive in on Friday night, stay nearby, and leave on Saturday morning.
Graham’s location: 10 minutes from Burlington, NC | 25 min from Greensboro | 35 min from Durham | 45 min from Raleigh
Option 2: RDU Airport Meet (Flying In)
Families traveling in from outside of North Carolina may get to our house in approximately 35 minutes from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU). We can set up a time to pick you up that works with your arrival time and meet you at RDU.
How it works:
- Fly into RDU on pickup day
- We prepare your puppy for travel in a soft-sided airline carrier before you arrive
- We meet you at or near RDU with your puppy fully ready for travel
- Your puppy boards your return flight with you in-cabin
We never ship cargo. It is not good for our puppies. Every River Days dog goes with you in the car, in your arms, or in a cabin with a flight nanny. No exceptions.
If you’re flying in to pick up, please tell us your flight details when you make the reservation so that we can plan the handoff to go as smoothly as possible.
Option 3: Flight Nanny Delivery to Your Local Airport
If you can’t fly to North Carolina, we collaborate with a trustworthy professional flight nanny who can take your puppy to the next major airport in the cabin, never in the cargo hold.
How it works:
- Our flight nanny flies with your puppy in-cabin on a commercial flight
- You meet at your local airport baggage claim or designated pet area
- Your puppy arrives with the same go-home package, health documentation, and supplies
- The flight nanny provides a full handoff — not just a drop-off
The cost of a flight nanny would be an extra fee, depending on where you’re going and how many flights are available. This is on top of the price of the puppy. Give us a call to talk about where you are, and we’ll give you an accurate quote.
We have helped families in the Northeast, Midwest, Southwest, Pacific Northwest, and other places get their puppies. If you’re not sure if delivery is possible to your location, just ask and we’ll find out.
Why We Don’t Ship via Cargo
Some breeders offer cargo transportation to make things easier. River Days does not, and the reason is simple: sending puppies by cargo is not good for them.
Some types of airplanes have unpressurized cargo holds, which can expose animals to severe temperatures and keep them alone for long periods of time during a crucial growth period. Every event shapes a puppy’s nervous system, and a stressful, confusing cargo trip is the opposite of the peaceful foundation we’ve been creating for the past eight weeks.
Every pickup option we offer keeps your dog quiet, with someone else, and in a safe place. We care more about that consistency than about how easy it is.
We Welcome Applications From Across the Country
Families from all around the U.S. can apply to River Days. We are located in central North Carolina, which makes us easy to get to from a vast area. Our pickup choices make it possible for people all across the country to reach us.
Where you live has nothing to do with what we look for in an application. We want families who:
- Have done their research on the Australian Labradoodle breed
- Understand the commitment — financial, time, and long-term
- Have a lifestyle that suits the breed’s energy, social needs, and temperament
- Are committed to the health and wellbeing of their dog for life
- Align with our values around ethical breeding and responsible ownership
We want to work with you no matter where you are, whether it’s in Greensboro, Georgia, Chapel Hill, or California.
Every Puppy Arrives Ready, Regardless of Distance
The choice you make about how to pick up your order doesn’t change what you get. Every River Days puppy, whether you pick it up in Graham, get it at RDU, or have it flown to you by a flight nanny, comes with the same full package:
| Health & Documentation | Go-Home Supplies |
| First DHPP vaccination series Full deworming series (weeks 2, 4, 6, 8) Microchipping (registered to you) Veterinary exam 2-year genetic health guarantee Spay/neuter contract (Spay Secure) 30 days free Trupanion pet insurance | Puppy collar that is handmade, locally Snuggle Puppy with heartbeat Potty training bell Leash with lifetime warranty Comfort blanket (littermate scents) Comprehensive puppy care manual |
Every family also gets lifetime support from the breeder, which includes training advice, health consultations, links to local vets and trainers (even if you’re out of state), and access to the River Days family network.
Frequently Asked Questions About Service Area & Pickup
Do you serve families outside of North Carolina?
Yes. We take applications from families all throughout the United States. You can pick up your child at our Graham home, RDU airport, or have a flight nanny bring them to the nearest major airport.
Can we visit before committing to a reservation?
Of course. We want families who can come to Graham to visit in person. We offer video tours of our home and breeding area for families from other states who can’t come to see it in person first. We’re also pleased to answer questions via phone, email, or video call at any time during the process.
What if we live far from North Carolina; is the waitlist still worth it?
A lot of committed families live in other states. The queue (which usually lasts 6 to 12 months) gives families from other states plenty of time to plan their trip, make arrangements, and get ready. No matter how far you have to go, the cost of a health-tested, dual-certified Australian Labradoodle is the same. The dog’s lifetime is much longer than the one-time cost of picking it up. Read about how the costs justify the distance.
Is the flight nanny option safe?
Yes. Our flight nanny is a professional and family friend that we trust who has a lot of experience taking care of puppies on flights. Your puppy will be in a soft-sided container in the cabin of the plane, not in the cargo hold. We get your puppy ready to travel in the carrier before you leave so that the move goes as smoothly as possible.
Do you coordinate with families on pickup timing?
All the time. Pickup day is a planned event, not something you can just show up to. We talk to each family separately to make sure that the schedule, travel plans, and any other details are right for them. If you have unusual circumstances, bring them to us and we’ll find a solution.
What airports are accessible for flight nanny delivery?
You can get to most major U.S. airports. The cost and availability of our flight nanny depend on the date and location. Let us know where you are and when you want to meet, and we’ll check availability and give you an accurate estimate of the cost.
Ready to Apply?
The application process is the same no matter where you are in the country or how far away you are from Chapel Hill. It starts for free.
- Submit your application
- We’ll schedule a phone interview
- Discuss your location and preferred pickup option (we’ll handle the logistics)
- $500 reservation deposit holds your spot on the waitlist
- 6–12 months to your puppy, wherever you are
We strive to be as accommodating as possible in facilitating the adoption of a River Days puppy. Please discuss any necessary arrangements with us — if there’s a way to make it work safely for your puppy, we will find it.
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