Meet Duke — The Bandleader in the Making 🧡

Named for Duke Ellington, the man who turned a big band into an orchestra of pure elegance and swing, our Duke has the same commanding presence — you notice him the second he walks into the room.

Current weight (~12 weeks): 14 lb · Expected mature size: approximately 30–35 lb · Coat: wavy-to-curly light red/apricot · Temperament: brave, biddable, easygoing

He's one of the biggest pups in the litter — square-bodied, correct, and built like he was made to lead. But don't let the size fool you: underneath that solid frame is a genuinely brave, easygoing soul who melts into an absolute puddle of huggable the moment you pick him up. He carries himself with the same effortless confidence Ellington brought to the stage — big, bold, and completely at ease being the center of attention.

Duke's coat is a gorgeous wavy-to-curly light red/apricot, giving him that classic warm, sophisticated look to match his name. He started out in yellow, but he outgrew — quite literally destroyed — that collar early on, so he's been promoted to orange. Fitting, really: a dog this bold needed a color with a little more swagger.

Duke is the pup we're watching most closely for breeder quality — the combination of correct structure, sound temperament, biddable brains, and rich apricot coat we breed toward. He will assimilate easily into almost any home: active family, first-time doodle owner, or working household ready for a confident, easygoing partner. He isn't just a puppy — he's the headliner. Duke has maintained an excellent growth trajectory throughout the litter's monthly weigh-ins.