A labradoodle is a crossbreed dog created by crossing a Labrador Retriever and a Standard or Miniature Poodle. Labradoodles were intended to be a good choice for people with canine dander allergies. Not recognised as a breed by any major kennel club. Labradoodles are easy going, adaptable dogs that will suit most lifestyles but they are big, energetic dogs who need mental and physical stimulation to stop them getting bored. Labradoodles can master new tricks quickly, making them fun to train.
Labradoodles are kind and affectionate with plenty of energy and a playful nature, making them an ideal family dog.
History
The History of The Labradoodle
The Labradoodle is a unique dog, with a fascinating history. Their story begins in Australia. Now a definitive date as to when breeding began is still in question, however the consensus among experts is sometime in 1988 or 1989.
It all started with an inquiry from a visually impaired women in Hawaii, who wanted a guide dog that wouldn’t cause her husband’s allergies to flare.
Labradoodle dog
The reason she chose Australia was the quarantine rules. Australia is an island with very strict quarantine laws; stricter than the quarantine laws in Hawaii. Therefore, dogs exported to Hawaii could go home with no quarantine.
Now in response to the women’s request, roughly thirty Poodle hair and saliva samples were sent to Hawaii to test for allergy friendliness over a two year period of time. Unfortunately, none of those original samples proved successful.
Following the failure of those samples, a man named Wally Conren suggested to the Manager of the Australian Guide Dog Association crossing a Labrador Retriever and a Standard Poodle.
Approval was granted and his first litter produced three puppies. Wally gave the resulting cross the name still in use today—Labradoodle.
Now from those three puppies, hair and saliva samples were sent to Hawaii for testing once again. And this time, the samples from a puppy named Sultan were successful!
After the success of the first mating, Mr. Conren bred Labradoodle to Labradoodle, and called the subsequent offspring, “Double Doodles.” Next, he crossed the Double Doodles and called the offspring “Tri Doodles.” These were the precursor to what we call today the Australian Multi-Generational (or Multi-Gen) Labradoodles.
Size
Males stand 22.5 to 24.5 inches, and weigh 65 to 80 pounds. Females stand 21.5 to 23.5 inches, and weigh 55 to 70 pounds.
Personality
The Labradordoodle has the reputation of being one of the most sweet-natured breeds, and it’s well deserved. They’re outgoing, eager to please, and friendly with both people and other animals.
Aside from a winning personality, they have the intelligence and eagerness to please that make them easy to train. Training is definitely necessary because this breed has a lot of energy and exuberance. This breed needs activity, both physical and mental, to keep them happy. There is some variation in the activity level of Labs: some are rowdy, others are more laid back. All thrive on activity.
Care
Labradoodles are notorious for being high maintenance dogs. Their energy levels need to be cared for with proper exercise and they have coats that need good and regular grooming. They might not be an ideal dog for first time owners!
Labradoodles are known for their intelligence. Not only that, but they’re energetic and eager to please their owners. This means that they are easier to train that most dogs. Most dogs need to be trained, but some are more stubborn that others.
You can start Labradoodle training as soon as you bring them home. Your puppy is basically like a sponge at this time, that soaks up everything you say and do with them. Having said that, there’s no time like the present!
Feeding
Recommended daily amount: 2.5 to 3 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.
Note: How much your adult dog eats depends on their size, age, build, metabolism, and activity level. Dogs are individuals, just like people, and they don’t all need the same amount of food. It almost goes without saying that a highly active dog will need more than a couch potato dog. The quality of dog food you buy also makes a difference–the better the dog food, the further it will go toward nourishing your dog and the less of it you’ll need to shake into your dog’s bowl.
Keep your Lab in good shape by measuring their food and feeding them twice a day rather than leaving food out all the time. If you’re unsure whether they’re overweight, give them the eye test and the hands-on test.
First, look down at them. You should be able to see a waist. Then place your hands on their back, thumbs along the spine, with the fingers spread downward. You should be able to feel but not see their ribs without having to press hard. If you can’t, they need less food and more exercise.
You’ll need to take special care if you’re raising a Lab puppy. These dogs grow very rapidly between the age of four and seven months, making them susceptible to bone disorders. Feed your puppy a high-quality, low-calorie diet that keeps them from growing too fast.
For more on feeding your Lab, see our guidelines for buying the right food, feeding your puppy, and feeding your adult dog.
Children And Other Pets
Labradordoodle does not only loves kids, they enjoy the commotion they bring with them. They’ll happily attend a child’s birthday party, and even willingly wear a party hat. Like all dogs, however, they need to be trained how to act around kids–and kids need to be taught how to act around the dog.
As with every breed, you should always teach children how to approach and touch dogs, and always supervise any interactions between dogs and young children to prevent any biting or ear or tail pulling on the part of either party. Teach your child never to approach any dog while they’re eating or sleeping or to try to take the dog’s food away. No dog, no matter how friendly, should ever be left unsupervised with a child.
If a Lab has had plenty of exposure to other dogs, cats, and small animals, and has been trained how to interact with them, they’ll be friendly with other pets, too.
