Genesis Family Farm

River S.

Breeder of Bernedoodles and Whoodles

  • Merritt, MI
  • Responds within a day

Meet the breeder

I'm River S., the breeder behind Genesis Family Farm located in Merritt, MI. Genesis Family Farm is a family-run breeder in Northern Michigan dedicated to raising healthy, well-socialized companion puppies. Our dogs are raised with love, daily care, and plenty of room to play, giving every puppy the best possible start before joining its forever family.

Q. & A. with River

  • Why did you start breeding?

    After starting our pet food company, our love for dogs naturally led us to raising puppies. At the time, our four boys were 8, 10, 12, and 14, and this family project became a way to teach responsibility, teamwork, and valuable life skills while raising happy, well-socialized puppy companions.

  • What makes your program special?

    What makes our program special is the trust families place in us. Many have returned for a second puppy as our dogs consistently grow into healthy, well-mannered, and easily trained family companions. Whether you're looking for a best friend for a young child or a loyal companion for your senior years, we strive to raise puppies that fit seamlessly into a variety of homes and lifestyles.

  • What are the different breed coat colors in your program?

    Whoodle puppies include merle, wheaten, and brown. Colors will vary depending on the parent dogs.

  • Where do your breeding dogs live?

    They live in my home and guardian homes.

Matched dogs

These dogs are already reserved or have gone home.

Getting a puppy from River

River has been certified by Good Dog’s screening team for responsible and trusted breeding practices. When you’re ready, reach out to ask about the puppies or anything else on your mind. You’ll get to know each other through messaging, phone, or video and pay securely, all on Good Dog.

River partners with buyers to find the best match as the puppies develop and their personalities take shape. Typically, matches are finalized when the puppies reach about 6 weeks old.

“When our puppies are 6–7 weeks old, we host a Puppy Pick-Out Day to help match each puppy with the right family. By this age, their personalities have begun to develop, allowing us to better pair each puppy with your family's lifestyle and preferences. Families choose their puppy in the order that reservations were received, ensuring a fair and organized selection process.”

Price

Puppy prices include a $500 non-refundable deposit and between $1,000 - $2,500 final payment, before taxes & fees.

“The price includes a 2-year health guarantee, vet checkup, first round of vaccinations, deworming, starter travel crate, 20lb bag of dog food, treats, and a blanket. Deposits are required to reserve a specific puppy or hold a spot in a litter.”

Contract & health guarantee

River may provide a written contract or health guarantee when you purchase a puppy. This helps protect both you and your breeder, ensuring that you both have a clear understanding of the terms of your puppy purchase. If River offers a contract or guarantee, the details will be personalized by them. If you have any questions or want to know more, don't hesitate to reach out to River directly.

All contracts are handled securely through Good Dog.

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What's included

    • From Good Dog
      • Lifetime support from Good Dog’s Care Team
      • 10% lifetime discount on Figo pet insurance
      • Puppy Training Program & private community
    • Enrichment & socialization
      • Various sounds
      • Surface & tactile stimulation
      • Socialized with children
      • Scent introduction
      • Daily handling
      • Socialized with other dogs
      • Introduced to people of different ages and appearances
      • Socialized with other animals
    • Puppy health practices
      • Vet check
      • First round of shots and deworming
      • Vet records
    • Extras
      • Puppy starter kit
      • Basic obedience & manners
      • Blanket with mom & littermates’ scent
      • Food & treats
      • Initial potty training

Location & pick-up

You can drive or fly to pick up your puppy from River.

Breeder's location

Meet in Merritt, MI

Other pick-up locations

Meet at Cherry Capital Airport (was Cherry County Airpark)

Meet in Grand Rapids, MI

More about River

  • River has been a member of Good Dog for about 1 month

    River was screened for responsible practices and has been a member since 2026.

  • River’s links

River is a trusted Good Dog breeder

Genesis Family Farm meets or exceeds our community standards in these areas:

  • Responsible breeding practices
  • Health of breeding dogs and puppies
  • Puppy environment and enrichment
  • Buyer education and policies

Parent dogs

All breeds

Whoodle

Poodle

Parent health testing

Bernedoodle

Whoodle

Breeder-Reported Testing

Good level

Genesis Family Farm reports to performing the health tests below on their breeding dogs. Ask your breeder about the tests performed on the parents of your litter. Learn more about health testing for Bernedoodles.

  • Vet Wellness Exam

    A breeder may perform additional tests on their dogs that do not fall into these general categories. These tests may be more uncommon or very specific to a particular breed.

  • DNA Disease Panel

    Genetic testing reduces the chance of passing down a wide variety of hereditary diseases of differing prevalence and severity such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (an eye disease) and Von Willebrand's Disease (a blood disease).

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