River Home Doodles
- Durham, NC
Meet the breeder
I'm Cari B., the breeder behind River Home Doodles located in Durham, NC. We are set apart from the rest, because we are a Continental Kennel Club (CKC) Preferred Breeder family! In the entire USA, there are only 6 Preferred Breeders for the Labradoodle. We are the only ones in the state of North Carolina! Each puppy is forever an extension of our family.
Q. & A. with Cari
Why did you start breeding?
Max, our English Choc Lab, was a Christmas gift from Cari to James! Because of his sweet temperament and intelligence, we knew we wanted to breed Max one day. Then, along came Penelope, our Black Standard Poodle. The two were an instant match and we knew our future was laid out for us! When Max & Penny had their first litter, we kept one (Dudley) who is now married to Sadie (Standard Poodle).What makes your program special?
We have been awarded CKC Preferred Breeder status. CKC strives for high standards to support proper development & enhancement of dog breeds. A commitment to biosensor routine; proven to produce puppies that have increased tolerance to stress, stronger immune systems, stronger heart rates & breathing rates, stronger nervous systems, & better & more consistent temperaments.What are the different breed sizes in your program?
Our puppies include medium and standard sizes. Sizes will vary depending on the parent dogs.What are the different breed coat colors in your program?
Our puppies include caramel cream, apricot, chocolate, and black. Colors will vary depending on the parent dogs.Where do your breeding dogs live?
They live in my home.
Matched dogs
These dogs are already reserved or have gone home.
Oreo
Went homeMale
Mason
Went homeMale
Smokey
Went homeMale
Rex
Went homeMale
Rags
Went homeMale
Tova
Went homeFemale
Benaiah
Went homeMale
Cooper
Went homeMale
Madison
Went homeFemale
Kairo Ronaldo
Went homeMale
Lyla
Went homeFemale
Lulu
Went homeFemale
PJ
Went homeMale
Sophie
Went homeFemale
Getting a puppy from Cari
Cari has been certified by Good Dog's screening team for responsible and trusted breeding practices. When you're ready to reach out, feel free to ask any questions about the breed, their program, or specific puppies.
Together, you’ll choose the puppy that’s right for you, stay in touch with regular updates, and plan how to bring your new puppy home.
Price
"Our puppies receive a complete vet check, are dewormed & vaccinated prior to going home. Puppies go home with scented blanket, toy, CKC registration, pedigree & Royal Canin puppy food welcome packet. If a Buyer puts down a deposit for a specific gender/color of puppy and the litter doesn’t produce it, the deposit is refunded to Buyer. Full payment is expected by puppy's 6 week age."
Contract & health guarantee
Cari 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 Cari 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 Cari directly.
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
- Daily handling
- Socialized with other dogs
- Introduced to people of different ages and appearances
Puppy health practices
- Vet check
- First round of shots and deworming
- Vet records
Extras
- Initial potty training
- Puppy starter kit
- Toys
- Registration
- Blanket with mom & littermates’ scent
Location & pick-up
You can drive or fly to pick up your puppy from Cari.
Breeder's location
Meet in Durham, NC
4263 miles away
·
Other pick-up locations
Meet at Raleigh–Durham Airport
4269 miles away
·
Meet in Wilmington, NC
4311 miles away
·
More about Cari
Club memberships
Cari is a member of CKC.
Certifications & recognitions
Certificate of Litter Management Part 2, Certificate of Litter Management Part 1, Pregnancy & Whelping Certificate, Certificate Of Pre Breeding , CKC Preferred Breeder .
Cari has been a member of Good Dog for about 3 years
Cari was screened for responsible practices and has been a member since 2023.
Cari is a trusted Good Dog breeder
River Home Doodles 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
Litter and program updates
Cari B.
Program update on 01 Mar •Penny sends her love to the puppers born 3 years ago today!!! You will always be a part our best memory ❤️
Cari B.
Program update on 20 Sept 2025 •Happy FIRST birthday to this crew of 12!!! Penny was an amazing mom 💕
Cari B.
Litter update on 30 May 2025 •Playtime w mom 💕 not sure where Kon & Mason are 😅
Dudley and Sadie's litter
Cari B.
Litter update on 30 May 2025 •…Back to the day it all started 🥲 How did 8 weeks go by so quickly? Tomorrow is the day pups begin to go home - we get attached but excited at the future updates we will undoubtedly receive 🥰 Thank you for trusting us with your furever friend and family member 🥹
Dudley and Sadie's litter
Cari B.
Litter update on 29 May 2025 •…Hello families!! Here is a rough estimate of how pups spend their day: 6am approximately - they wake up hungry!! Right now they’re eating Royal Canin Large Breed Puppy food w a little warm water poured on top. I would estimate ea pup is eating about 1/2 cup ea. time they’re fed After they’re fed they play pretty hard 🥳 After about 30 min or so of play they fall asleep 8am or so they may wake up again. Sometimes we provide water w a small biscuit - they may not be hungry. They may play for a little bit but usually fall back asleep Around 1pm they eat another 1/2 cup of puppy food w warm water Play/Sleep They eat their last 1/2 cup of food around 7pm Bedtime for the night around 8pm e a drink of water This is estimated (times & amount of food) and you will find you own schedule that fits into your family life. Ask me any questions! The pups sleep through the night They’re accustomed to using puppy pee pads - I’ll send a couple w them! We are excited for each of you!!
Dudley and Sadie's litter
Cari B.
Program update on 26 May 2025 •Mason is waiting for THE perfect family meant just for him 🥹💙🐾🐾
Cari B.
Program update on 24 May 2025 •This little fellow is looking for his furever family! If you’re looking for a sweet, affectionate medium size Labradoodle, Scheyer is your pup!!🐶
Cari B.
Program update on 21 May 2025 •Hello families! All of the puppies had their vet visit yesterday. All of them received a complete physical exam and their first round of puppy shots. They are all healthy, growing and absolutely adorable! Two more weeks!
Cari B.
Litter update on 14 May 2025 •He won’t be single for long!! 💙🥰🐾🐾🐾
Dudley and Sadie's litter
Cari B.
Program update on 13 May 2025 •Made it out of the whelping box today and had playtime w dad!!💙🥹
Parent dogs
All breeds
Poodle
Labradoodle
Labrador Retriever
Sadie, mom
Poodle
About Sadie
Sadie is one of the sweetest, most affectionate dogs we have ever had! She is all cuddles and kisses!!
Good health testing
Full Embark Panel, GM2 Gangliosidosis, Poodle Type, +3 more.
Dudley, dad
Labradoodle
About Dudley
Dudley is the only golden pup born to Max and Penny in July of 2021. Born in our bedroom; last one born and what a surprise to see him!! He is big and muscular like his dad; sweet like mom and dad; and a joy to see grow up!!
Good health testing
Elliptocytosis, Stargardt Disease, +14 more.
Max - Retired, dad
Labrador Retriever
About Max - Retired
Max is a gorgeous Engish Choc Lab from Wagner's Retrievers in Oxford NC. He has the low shedding gene and therefore does not shed like most labs. His coat is a beautiful chocolate color and very soft and thick. Max loves to swim! And he is all about chasing sticks!! He lives to retrieve sticks in our yard or in the Eno River along our woods. Max is very tender hearted, super sensitive and tuned in to us. Max is affectionate and kind.
Great health testing
Elliptocytosis, Alexander Disease, +9 more.
Penny - Retired, mom
Poodle
About Penny - Retired
Penny joined our family when she was 9 months. She came from a breeder in Smithfield NC. She is beautiful. She is mainly black but in time she has developed a beautiful grey coat. She is a girlie girl, but also a hunter. She loves squirrel patrol in our backyard and has actually caught two squirrels!! Penny is the best mom. She has cared for two litters of 11 puppies each; nursing them into their 4th week and weaning them so carefully and patiently. She is wonderful
Good health testing
Full Embark Panel, GM2 Gangliosidosis, Poodle Type, +5 more.
Parent health testing
Good level
River Home Doodles 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 Labradoodles.
Congenital Stationary Night Blindness (CSNB), Canine Multifocal Retinopathy (cmr3; BEST1 Exon 10 SNP), Congenital Hypothyroidism with Goiter (CHG), von Willebrand Disease III (vWD III), Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome (CMS), Jack Russell Terrier Type, Oculocutaneous Albinism (Small Breed Type), Craniomandibular Osteopathy (CMO), Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI), Dachshund Type, Exercise Induced Collapse (EIC), Day Blindness, Achromatopsia, DNA Profile
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).
Verified owner stories
Hear what other owners say about working with Cari to bring home their puppies.
Kamrie P.
Verified owner · June 2025
Cari is a WONDERFUL breeder & extremely knowledgeable . She’s great with communication ( even currently ) , answers all of my questions , and even provided updates prior to receiving our baby Oreo . I am so grateful that I was able to work with her to provide Oreo a loving home ! She was great to work with and the process of bringing Oreo home was extremely pleasant ! She’s truly a blessing ! Id recommend everyone to her ! She’s given my daughters and I such a beauty ! Also , she sent Oreo home prepared with absolutely everything he needed to make sure the transition for him would be easy and comfortable ! I cannot thank her enough !!
Melissa K.
Verified owner · Dec. 2024
Cari was always very responsive whenever I had questions.
Alyssa C.
Verified owner · Nov. 2024
We could not have asked for a more caring, trustworthy and knowledgeable breeder than the Banks family. We were searching for a reputable labradoodle breeder when we came across their website and were so impressed. We ended up flying to pick up our Rufus (Max and Penny Sep '24 Litter) and it was a surprisingly simple process for us as this was our first time doing something like this. It can be hard finding a reliable breeder (especially with doodles) but you can tell how caring and responsible they are. Cari will answer and help with any questions or concerns. They set their puppies up for success and I would absolutely recommend them.
Cecily P.
Verified owner · June 2025
+4Such a perfect experience all the way around. Cari was wonderful and we love our new pup Rags!
Britt H.
Verified owner · Dec. 2024
+8We are so happy that we found River Home Doodles. From the first time I spoke with Cari, I knew that we were in good hands. Throughout the process, Cari made sure to send us frequent updates and photos. Sage fits right into our family of 4! We love her!
Katherine F.
Verified owner · Nov. 2024
Cari was an absolute joy to connect with—from the first day that we reached out about the upcoming litter until the day we came to pick up our new sweet girl, we were well informed and kept up to date on so many details regarding the ultrasound, birth, food, vaccines, and temperament. We recommend her wholeheartedly and are so grateful to both Cari and James for all of their support!
