Everything you need to know

Welcoming a new puppy into your home is an exciting milestone. Here you'll find answers about our Petit Bordoodle puppies, coat types, puppy travel across New Zealand, and how we help set you up for a lifetime of companionship.

Frequently asked questions

From early training foundations in our Auckland family nursery to ongoing care, we believe in open communication every step of the way.

Petit Bordoodles blend the intelligence and playful affection of the cavoodle and bordoodle lines. They love walks, mental enrichment, and play sessions, but they also have a lovely off-switch to curl up peacefully with the family at home.

We see three main coat types: wool fleece (non-shedding, hypoallergenic, requiring regular brushing and grooming /clipping), shaggy fleece (low-shedding, hypoallergenic, easy to keep long or clipped), and border collie fleece (seasonal shedding, low-maintenance with no clipping needed, and kept tangle-free with regular brushing).

Please note: a puppy’s coat provides only an indication of what their adult coat may be like. This is particularly important with shaggy fleece and Border Collie coats, as it can be very difficult to distinguish between these coat types before 8 weeks of age.We do our best to make an educated estimate, but we cannot guarantee what your puppy’s adult coat will look like.

Puppies are intentionally litter trained from 3 weeks old to build natural clean habits. We also introduce positive crate associations and car rides early, giving your family a smooth head start when continuing crate and toilet training at home.

When you’re home, take your puppy to their toileting area every two hours, especially after they wake up and eat. Offer plenty of praise and treats to help your new puppy learn where you’d like them to toilet.

At night, your little one will need to go outside for a toilet break—usually around 4 a.m. Keep this trip as quiet and low-key as possible: a quick wee, then straight back to bed.

At Little Dots, your puppy has settled into a consistent daily routine, including breakfast at 6:00 am, morning tea at 10:00 am, lunch at 12:00 pm, afternoon tea at 2:00 pm, dinner at 6:00 pm, and bedtime at 8:00 pm. Their day also includes plenty of enriching playtime, along with scheduled rest and sleep periods between meals.

Puppies enjoy Royal Canin Medium Puppy biscuits throughout the day, with raw meat served at dinner.

Your puppy will soon adapt to your family’s routine and lifestyle, so don’t feel pressured to follow exactly what I do. Puppies are remarkably resilient and, above all, will simply want to be part of their family.

I find a crate especially useful for nighttime routines. My girls enjoy going into theirs at night or whenever they need some quiet time. To help your puppy settle in on their first night, place a crate in your bedroom next to your bed. This can help build a strong bond by providing comfort, reassurance, and security.

Permanent eye colour typically begins to appear at around 3–4 weeks of age and usually settles by 8 weeks. Subtle changes may continue until approximately 4 months. Many of our puppies have blue, merle, hazel, or rich brown eyes.

Please bring a secure pet carrier for travel. If you have a longer drive, we recommend having a puppy pee mat, water and bowl, and several towels available incase you need to stop along the way home — although most puppies sleep the entire journey! We provide a scented snuggly carrying mum's scent and can be sprayed with a vet approved calming spray made for puppy travel.

Yes. We can meet you in the wider Auckland area or organise drop-offs at Auckland Airport. Many families fly up to collect their pup and check them in as baggage for thr trip home, or we can assist with arranging an approved pet transport service throughout New Zealand.

Joining our waitlist requires no deposit or obligation. When puppies are around 2 weeks old, we share photos and updates. If you choose a puppy, full payment is due 2 days before they reach 8 weeks old (puppies staying past 8 weeks incur a small daily boarding fee).

We love staying in touch with our families for years to come. Jo is always available to answer questions and offer support in any way she can.

At Little Dots, we recommend enrolling your puppy in a puppy class at your local veterinary clinic. It is a wonderful way to meet other families in your community, learn effective training techniques, and receive helpful advice.

We also encourage you to take your puppy with you whenever possible. Many families use a sling or front carrier to safely bring their puppy along while helping them become accustomed to their lifestyle. Early outings are important for socialisation; however, your puppy should not be placed on the ground in public areas until they have received their final vaccination, typically at around 16 weeks of age.

Many of our families have cats and have experienced no problems. With a slow, careful introduction, families often report that they become friends who love to play and sleep together.

Adult coat types explained

While a puppy's coat provides an early guide, their adult coat matures over time. Here is what to expect from the three distinct Petit Bordoodle coat varieties in adulthood.

Wool fleece

Non-shedding and hypoallergenic with soft, defined curls. This coat requires regular home brushing and professional clipping every 6 to 8 weeks to stay in top shape.

Shaggy fleece

Low-shedding and allergy-friendly with relaxed, flowing waves. Versatile to maintain, it looks wonderful kept natural and long or styled in a practical teddy trim.