Labradoodles are a mix of Labrador Retrievers and Poodles. This relatively new type of dog has been gaining in popularity for the past decade, with an estimated 3 to 5 million Labradoodle dogs around the world. They are great family dogs, with an easy-going temperament. However, they can also be used as service or therapy dogs because of their loyal and intelligent nature.
Labradoodles were originally bred as guide dogs for blind people, or as assistance dogs for those with disabilities. They are also sometimes used at special needs schools and institutions. Labradoodles are very loving dogs that are full of life, which makes them especially suited to be around children or adults who have limitations.
Labradoodle dogs are very sociable and love to be around other people. They also love being around other pets, which makes them especially suitable as family dogs. Labradoodles get along well with children and will play with them for hours, chasing balls or flying discs. Because they are so intelligent, Labradoodles require a lot of mental stimulation to prevent boredom from setting in. This may include playing games such as hide-and-seek or simply just having an interesting toy that the Labradoodle can explore and learn about.
Labradoodle History
The Labradoodle history traces back to the 1960s when a breeding program was initiated in Australia to come up with a new type of service dog. The program originally had two goals:
Creating an animal that was hypoallergenic because it would be bred from Labrador Retriever and Poodle parents.
Producing a retriever-type dog that is better for people who are allergic to dog hair, dander, or both.
To create the Labradoodle, the breeder started by crossing one Labrador Retriever with one Standard Poodle.
The Labrador Retriever is a large breed. It was developed to retrieve games in water, and its origins go back to the early 1800s.
Labradors are friendly, playful, and sociable animals that have a gentle disposition. They are ranked as the most popular dog breed in the U.S., according to AKC registrations for 2011.
The Poodle belongs to the group of non-sporting breeds. The French word poule means “chicken” and d’eau means “of water” or “water dog.” Poodles were bred as gun dogs and retrievers during the 15th century.
The Standard Poodle is considered one of the most intelligent breeds in existence, with an estimated 110-140 IQ that makes them quick learners and easy to train. These dogs can also be trained in search and rescue missions.
The Labradoodle history shows that the first cross breeding attempt was a success (the Labrador Retriever-Poodle hybrid dogs were hypoallergenic), but there was something that needed to be improved: molting.
We know based on Labradoodle dog health facts that coat problems are common in Labradoodle dogs because they tend to shed profusely. Therefore, the breeders tried to cross one Labrador Retriever with a Standard Poodle once again–this time mating the first hybrid generation or F1 generation Labradoodle with another Standard Poodle.
The second breeding attempt (F1 Labradoodle with another Labradoodle) improved the shedding problem, but something else needed to be done to fix it.
Through further breeding efforts, breeders developed a dog that sheds less and is gentler than the F1 generation Labradoodle.
The third generation (F2-F3 generations) was bred using Labradoodle dogs that had other Labradoodle as parents. The F2-F3 generations were more relaxed and friendly than the first two generations. They were also easier to train and handle.
The Labradoodle history timeline shows successful breeding efforts over decades of time, which led to the development of a dog breed with four coat types: wavy, curly, straight, and a combination of wavy or curly with straight.
Labradoodle dog breeders also developed the coat colors black, apricot, chocolate, silver, gray, cream/white, and cafe-au-lait (fawn). Again these are just Labradoodle dogs existing in four different coat types and colors.
Labradoodle dog breeders have also developed three different sizes of Labradoodle dogs: standard, medium, and miniature.
The Labradoodle dog breed was developed in Australia during the latter half of the 20th century as a cross between a Standard Poodle and a Labrador Retriever.
The Standard Poodle gives the Labradoodle its good looks, hypoallergenic coat, and higher intelligence.
The Labrador Retriever contributes its ability to get along well with children, larger size, healthier hips, shorter face, and its own hypoallergenic coat.
Labradoodles are also often crossed with Goldendoodles and/or other types of hybrid dogs to increase their friendliness and trainability.
The Labradoodle was originally developed in Australia as a service dog for people with allergies.
These are just some interesting tidbits about the Labradoodle history because what’s important here is to know that the Labradoodle dog history is attributed mostly to breeding efforts by one or two people.
Labradoodle Characteristics & Facts
The Labradoodle dog breed is a first-generation hybrid that has four coat types: wavy, curly, straight, and a mix of the first three. They also come in black, apricot, chocolate, silver-gray, cream or white, and fawn (cafe-au-lait).
Though they do shed, Labradoodles are not heavy shedders and can be trained to minimize shedding. The coat does require occasional attention and the breed is considered hypoallergenic for most people with allergies, but some Labradoodle dogs may still provoke an allergic reaction in some people who have pet dander allergies.
Labradoodles are gentle, friendly, loyal, and obedient. They love human attention and thrive on it. Labradoodles have a high energy level that makes them good at dog sports such as agility but also means they need to be exercised or otherwise occupied with some kind of task every day.
Labradoodles are intelligent and easily trained. They are very intuitive and learn quickly, especially with praise. They enjoy pleasing their owners.
Labradoodles are versatile dogs who can live in almost any kind of environment as long as they get enough exercise. They make good watchdogs but are not particularly protective of their people.
Due to the Labradoodle’s high intelligence, they are also easier to train than some other dogs.
The Labradoodle dog breed can be quite independent-minded due to the Poodle parent. They are not as eager to please their owners as many other types of dogs are. This independence makes them harder to train but also gives them a “cool factor” that people find appealing.
Labradoodles get along well with other animals. They are good with children if they get to socialize early enough, but should not be trusted around young children who could be accidentally knocked over. Labradoodles do best in calm households where there is an adult influence present most of the time.
Labradoodle Behavior Problems
Labradoodles can suffer from separation anxiety, but it is easily avoidable if the dog receives enough attention and physical & mental exercise. Labradoodles often show symptoms of separation anxiety as a result of being left alone for too much time each day with nothing to do, so what may appear at first to be a purely mental problem turns out to be a physical one as well.
Labradoodles can also suffer from compulsive behaviors such as excessive barking, spinning, tail chasing, and licking.
If you are considering adopting or purchasing a Labradoodle dog breed, make sure you have time and energy to devote to the dog every day in terms of exercising them and training them. If you cannot provide enough attention and stimulation for the Labradoodle to be satisfied, they may suffer from behavioral problems that will make it harder to live together.
Labradoodle Health
One of the healthiest aspects of a Labradoodle is its coat. The Labradoodle coat is not only soft to pet but also easy to brush and keep clean. Labradoodles can be considered hypoallergenic because they do not shed as much hair as most dog breeds. This makes them a popular choice for families with people who have allergies. Labradoodles are also considered very easy to train because they are so intelligent. They are eager students, especially with their favorite people. Labradoodles have an average life expectancy of 12-15 years
The Labradoodle is a relatively new hybrid dog breed that has emerged in Australia and North America since the early 1990s.
Labradoodle Temperament
Color Pointing Labradors are mostly black with white “points” on feet, chest, face, and tail area. The most common color point patterns are called “merle” or “tuxedo.” Merle is a pattern of black/gray/brown patches usually with some white mixed throughout. The tuxedo is white with either black or chocolate brown patches.
Labradoodle Origins Labradoodles as a breed were developed from the Poodle and the Labrador Retriever breeds. Though they have been around only since the 1990s, their development was initiated in Australia in 1988 by Wally Conron, who worked for a decade to crossbreed standard Poodles with Labrador Retrievers. For a long time, Labradoodles were sold as “designer dogs” because people preferred them over purebreds for various reasons. Since then, Labradoodles have become very popular due to their intelligence and hypoallergenic coats which make them favorable among dog owners who want a loving friend but do not want the hassle of owning a shedding dog.
Labradoodle Coat Labradoodles have a coat that varies in texture and length depending on the parent breed. Labradoodle coats are low-shedding because there is less of a dog’s hair to fall out, but they still need to be groomed regularly for the best appearance and health of their skin and fur.
Labradoodle Colors Labradoodles can be any color or pattern found among both Poodles and Labs. There are 2 colors most commonly found in Labradoodles: gold (yellow) or chocolate. Gold Labs tend to drool more, but both breeds shed little to no hair which makes them popular for families with allergies.
The Labradoodle is a relatively new hybrid dog breed that has emerged in Australia and North America since the early 1990s. The Labradoodle coat is not only soft to pet but also easy to brush and keep clean. Labradoodles can be considered hypoallergenic because they do not shed as much hair as most dog breeds. This makes them a popular choice for families with people who have allergies. Labradoodles are also considered very easy to train because they are so intelligent. They are eager students, especially with their favorite people. Lastly, if you’re thinking of bringing home your first-ever canine companion or want an alternative from all the other purebred dogs out there, then it may be time you consider the Labradoodle. Labradoodles are easy to train, fairly fit for apartment living, and can be excellent companions with children under proper supervision. They are also easy to groom and shed very little hair (though they do need regular visits from the groomer).
