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Introduction

The Labradoodle is a Golden Retriever Poodle mix. It's size can vary greatly depending upon size Poodle that the Labrador retriever was mated with. Most of our stats refer to a standard mix. Since the mid 2000s, Labradoodles have found favor as guide and therapy dogs for those with dog allergies. Although no dog is truly hypoallergenic this mixed breed is as good as it gets, and most breeders strive for this trait

History

This breed was originally developed as an assistance dog for the blind with allergies in the late 1990s and 2000s. The idea was to take the Labrador Retriever (already in use as a guide dog) and cross breed it with a Standard Poodle (a non shedding breed) to obtain those two characteristics in a single dog.

Temperament

Labradoodles have a similar temperament to that of a Labrador Retriever, been both patient and affectionate towards their owner. They are also very trusting, so they make poor choice for watch or guard dogs.

Coat

As there are no breed standard the coat can vary between the short haired smooth coat found on the lab and the curly coat on the poodle. Most breeders strive to breed dogs with the hypoallergenic properties of the poodle, so most times the coat will be curly. Labradoodle coats come in three categories: wool (tight curls, and similar to that of a poodle, but with a softer texture); fleece (wavy, soft and free-flowing); or hair (curly, straight or wavy, but similar in texture to a Labrador). Labradoodles' coat colors include chocolate, cafe, parchment, cream, gold, apricot, red, black, silver, chalk, parti colors

Do Labradoodles do well in Apartments?

For a medium sized dog it can do very well in apartments. For the most part they are patient and don't mind been holed up for a while as long as they receive adequate playtime and exercise.

Barking

For the most part they do not exhibit barking problems. They may bark when they get exited at the prospect of playtime, but are not known as problem barkers as adults.

Do Labradoodles Get Along With Children & Other Pets?

The Labradoodle breed is affectionate, gentle and docile - and is rarely a threat to anyone or anything. It is gentle in nature and usually get along well with small children and other pets in the house.

Exercising a Labradoodle

We suggest that you take take your Labradoodle for a walk a daily walk of at least an hour or more a day. This breed loves to play fetch and swim in the water - so you take them to the local park (if there's a lake nearby all the better) at least once a week and make sure they get some more strenuous exercise.

How to Groom a Labradoodle

Grooming need will depend upon the coat characteristics inherited from the parents. Most breeders of Labradoodles strive to breed dogs with coats similar to that of a Poodle, which will usually mean that the dog needs to be clipped every couple of months to prevent the coat from knotting.

Labradoodle and Shedding

As there are no breed standard the amount of shedding may vary. Sometime this cross-breed is referred to as hypoallergenic, and although it is true that they will be less hypoallergenic than a Labrador Retriever. - no dog is truly hypoallergenic. The degree to which it is hypoallergenic will depend on how much of the coat is inherited from a poodle. A poodle like coat will mean very little shedding. A long wavier, smooth coat will lead to more.

Labradoodle Health Problems?

The main hereditary problems with the Labradoodle are elbow and hip dysplasia. Reputable breeders screen their breeding dogs for genetic disease and breed only the healthiest and best-looking puppies.

Are Labradoodles Intelligent?

Both the Poodle and LabradorRetriever are highly intelligent - so it can only be expected that a mix will be just as intelligent.

Labradoodle

As the Labradoodle is a highly intelligent breed it is easy to train. They can learn new vocal command within 5 repetitions, and will obey a command 95% of the first time it is given. They respond well to positive reinforcement training.