Frequently Asked Questions (In Progress)

What is the price for an Acadia Goldendoodle puppy?

Current prices are always posted on the Prices Page.  Our 2026 prices range from $3,500 to $5,000 plus sales tax (5.5%)

What payment methods do you accept?
We will send you an electronic invoice for payment with a credit or debit card.

Can we pay in-person?

Yes!  You may bring a cashier's check or cash with you to pay for your puppy. 

We offer a $200 discount off of the total balance due for cash payments. 

What is the deposit amount and when is it due?

The deposit is $700 and is required at the time you decide to reserve a puppy.  This amount is applied to the purchase price.

Is the deposit refundable? 

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, 1/2 of the deposit, and all of the sales tax will be refunded.

How does your waitlist work?

We keep a general waitlist for each size/type of puppy we raise here.  Available puppies are offered to the families on those lists before being made available to the general approved and mailing lists.

Once we decide to breed a pair of dogs (or after pregnancy is confirmed), we will take deposits to hold three male and three female puppies from the upcoming litter.  If there are not enough puppies born, families may move their deposit to the next available litter.  In some cases, we will return the deposits.  When we get more than 6 approved families interested in a litter, we will add them to the general waiting list for that size/type of puppy. 

Do You Choose the Puppy for Us?

At Acadia Goldendoodles, we use a thoughtful allocation system to match each puppy with the family where they'll thrive best. This process happens when puppies are approximately 7 weeks old, after we've spent weeks observing their developing personalities and temperaments.

How is your system different from traditional "pick order" systems?
Unlike many breeders who assign families a "pick number" based on when they placed their deposit, we allocate puppies all at once. This means:

• No one is "first" and no one is "last"
• We're not matching puppies in any particular sequence
• It's a holistic allocation process that considers the entire litter and all reserved families together
• Every family gets careful consideration for the puppy that best fits their needs

Why Do You Match Families with Puppies?
A family with first pick might choose a puppy that's actually a poor fit for their lifestyle, while a family with last pick might end up with their perfect match. 

We've been breeding and matching puppies for years, and we've developed deep expertise in reading puppy temperaments, predicting coat types and understanding family/puppy dynamics. 

While we know you might wish you could "pick" your own puppy, or let your puppy "choose" you, we've found that our allocation system consistently results in better matches.

Our goal isn't simply to send you home with a puppy—it's to create lifelong, joyful partnerships between dogs and families. That's what our matching process is designed to do.

What if We Need a Specialized Match?

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

Do You Do Temperament Testing?

We no longer use formal, scored temperament testing systems like Volhard or Avidog, though we're very familiar with both and practiced using them for years. Instead, we:

• Observe puppies constantly from birth through 7 weeks
• Watch natural behaviors during play, feeding, and rest
• Note individual personalities as they emerge
• Conduct specific informal evaluations as needed to differentiate between puppies
• Perform targeted aptitude testing when families have special needs

What is Your Matching Process?
First we review all of the completed family questionnaires to understand:

• Your lifestyle and activity level
• Your experience with dogs
• Specific traits that are most important to you
• Any specialized needs (therapy work, service tasks, etc.)
• Your home environment and family dynamics

Next, we set up a play area with different sections, toys, and equipment so we can observe the puppies naturally and conduct any needed comparisons. We work systematically, making notes, interacting with the puppies, and pulling pairs or trios for side-by-side comparison as needed.

As we work, we're considering each puppy's:

• Energy level and activity drive
• Confidence and boldness vs. sensitivity
• Focus and trainability
• Social nature and affection level
• Play style and intensity
• Response to new situations
• Physical characteristics (size, coat type, color preferences)

Do the Matches Work Out?
YES!  We are constantly getting text and email updates from people thanking us for matching them with the perfect puppy.

Professional Endorsement

A professional service-dog trainer who initially came to help us match several service dog families with puppies eventually stopped making the trip. After meeting all the puppies across multiple litters, she told us she trusted us completely and that any puppy from Acadia Goldendoodles would work for her families. She said, "You really can't go wrong."

This speaks to our breeding program's consistency and quality. While we work hard to make the best individual matches, you can trust that whichever puppy we match with your family will be a wonderful companion.

We Don't Compromise:
If there were ever a puppy we didn't feel was suitable for any of the reserved families, or who wasn't ready for a new home, we would not match that puppy. Just as we would never send home a puppy with a physical illness or disability, we would not send you home with a puppy who had a temperament concern.

Every puppy who goes home from Acadia Goldendoodles has been carefully evaluated and deemed ready—physically, mentally, and temperamentally—for their new family.

What Happens After the Matching?

• We text you photos and a short description of your specific puppy
• We then email you an electronic invoice for the remaining balance
• On the scheduled date and time, you pick up your sweet new puppy!

How Can Families Help?

If you have specific concerns about traits, characteristics, or needs that are important to your family, please share them with us early and often. The more we understand about what matters to you, the better we can match you with your perfect puppy.

Are puppies Microchipped?

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

What vaccinations do puppies have? 

Each puppy receives the DHPP #1 at 8 weeks of age.  They will also be age-appropriately de-wormed.  We get a stool sample tested at 6-7 weeks of age and treat for any parasites found.

Do puppies come with a health warranty?

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.

What do the puppies eat?

Our puppies are raised on Life's Abundance food: Small-Medium Breed Puppy Food for Minis and Mediums and Large-Breed Puppy Food for our Standard Goldendoodles and Purebred Golden Retrievers.

 Do you recommend any supplements?

We will be releasing our own brand of supplements soon.  

For now 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. Bee Clear will help keep teeth clean. 

When can I pick up my puppy?

Puppies go home at 9 weeks of age, after they've had proper socialization, training foundations, and health clearances.

How can I get my puppy home?

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 have a list of local drivers, or will work with anyone you hire.

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.

How big are the different sizes?

Standard Goldendoodles are usually taller than 21" and weigh over 50 pounds

Medium Goldendoodles are usually between 17” and 21," weighing between 35 and 50 pounds. 

Miniature aka "Mini" Goldendoodles are usually between 14" and 17" tall and weigh up to 35 pounds.  

What is an F1 Goldendoodle?

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

What is an F1b Goldendoodle?

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

What is an English Goldendoodle?

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.

What is a Better Back Goldendoodle?

Better Backs are also know as Reverse F1b Goldendoodles.  They are the offspring of a F1 Goldendoodle and a purebred Golden Retriever.

Are Goldendoodles hypoallergenic?
No dog is truly hypoallergenic. However, some of our mixes shed significantly less than others, which can help reduce allergens in your home. The amount of shedding depends on the genetic mix—specifically, the percentage of Poodle vs. Golden Retriever in each puppy.

Here's how our different breeds/mixes compare when it comes to shedding:

Purebred Golden Retrievers (100% Golden Retriever) 

Shedding Level: Heavy

Golden Retrievers shed year-round, with heavy seasonal shedding ("blowing their coat") twice a year—typically spring and fall. If you love the classic Golden personality but are sensitive to shedding, a Golden may not be the best fit.

Better Back Goldendoodles

(75% Golden Retriever, 25% Poodle)

Shedding Level: Moderate to Heavy

Better Backs inherit more Golden Retriever genetics, which means shedding is variable and unpredictable. Some Better Backs shed nearly as much as a purebred Golden, while others shed moderately or surprisingly little. You won't know how much your individual puppy will shed until they've matured through their first year or so.

Best for: Families who are not bothered by shedding and want a dog with more Golden Retriever traits.

F1 Goldendoodles

(50% Golden Retriever, 50% Poodle)

Shedding Level: Low to Moderate

F1 Goldendoodles typically shed some, but significantly less than a Golden Retriever.  This is the most popular mix for families seeking a balance between the Golden's temperament and reduced shedding.

Best for: Families who want lower shedding but understand there may be some and are comfortable with that variability.

F1b Goldendoodles 

(25% Golden Retriever, 75% Poodle)

Shedding Level: Very Low to None

F1b Goldendoodles generally do not shed. Their coats are more Poodle-like, which means they're a great choice for families who prefer minimal shedding. 

Best for: Families with mild to moderate allergies or a strong preference for a non-shedding coat.

Purebred Poodles

(100% Poodle)

Shedding Level: None

Poodles do not shed. Poodles are the best choice for families with significant allergies.

Best for: Families with allergies or those who want a guarantee of no shedding.