Labradoodle: born from a cross between a Labrador and a Poodle, a dog that does not shed hair

The Labradoodle is a crossbreed dog from Australia, still not recognized by any federation. It is the result of a cross between a Labrador and a Poodle. This intelligent and loving dog takes good care of his family and is among the best children’s dogs, as it plays amicably with kids. Its fur, which can come in many variations and many colors, is no problem for allergy sufferers. And he loses very little of it.
Let’s find out more about it.

What breed of dog is a Labradoodle

Australian Labradoodle is the full name, and it was born of a cross between a standard Poodle. The first specimen was bred in the 1980s by Wally Conron. However, it was in the 1990s that the popularity of this breed began to explode, thanks to its presence in various dog shows.

Origins of the Labradoodle

This is a fairly recent breed, and was the brainchild of Australian breeder Wally Conron, who wanted to create a dog that had the docility of the Labradoodle.

The first perfect specimen was named Sultan. Born in 1989, it was gentle and easy to train, just like the Labrador, and did not shed hair exactly like the Poodle. It was therefore a suitable companion dog for those allergic to dog hair.

Beloved in Australia, it is not, however, among those recognized by other national or international federations.

Physical characteristics of the Labradoodle

A small-to-medium sized dog, born from a crossbreed. There is no official reference standard and, therefore, very few characteristics are set.

In general, there are 3 types:

• mini: height 35-40 cm and weight 6-11
• medium: height 41-53 cm and weight 13-20 kg
• standard or tall: height 54-60 cm and weight 22-30 kg

It has a muscular body structure, long slender legs, lively and curious eyes, and drooping ears.

Very distinctive and varied is its mantle, which can be curly, flat or wavy, soft or shaggy. Great variety also exists in the colors of the coat: creamy white, brown, golden, black, gray, red, dappled, and many other shades.

It is therefore part of those dogs that do not shed, or shed very little. This characteristic makes it suitable for allergy sufferers.

Labradoodle Character

Highly intelligent, it is an energetic and lively dog, friendly with children and inclined to learn new things. Easy to train, it loves to play a lot, even in water.

Endowed with a balanced temperament, it can be used both as a service dog, or guide dog, and in pet therapy.

However, breeders have turned more toward their characteristic as pet dogs especially for those with fur allergies because they do not shed.

Since it is a crossbreed, its temperament is also a combination of characters. Therefore, in some specimens, one character may prevail rather than the other. Much therefore depends on the parents.

Health and diseases of the Labradoodle

They are prone to the development of certain diseases, such as:

• luxation of the patella
• dysplasia of the hip
• eye diseases
• cardiac arrhythmia
• congenital heart defects
• elbow dysplasia
• Von Willebrand disease, inherited, causes slowed blood clotting and, as a result, prolonged bleeding.

How to treat Labradoodle

This is a very active and energetic dog who needs daily exercise. Among other things, knowing how to swim, it is possible to organize water games and activities.

It has a lot of fun with retrieving exercises and those that challenge his sniffing.

It tends to lose very little hair, or none at all, but still needs to be combed regularly to prevent his coat from matting. Ideally, it should be brushed every day, at most every 2 days, with brushes designed specifically for long-haired dogs.

Periodically, it should also be sheared, relying on a good professional groomer. In fact, for optimal maintenance, the hair should not become too long, especially at the level of the ears. In front of the ears it should be kept regular, to ensure that it has adequate ventilation and does not incur ear infections.

Labradoodle Feeding

Suitable for this type of dog are foods with a high meat content. In addition, vegetables and a modest amount of grains should not be lacking in the dog’s daily feeding.

As for the portions, the evaluation is subjective and basically depends on the physical activity the dog performs during the day.

Be careful, however, not to exceed the quantities because, if it eats too much, it tends to become overweight, leading to joint problems.

How long does a Labradoodle live

With an average life span of 12-15 years, it is a fairly long-lived dog.

How much does a Labradoodle cost

The cost for a pedigreed puppy ranges from 1,800 to 2,800 euros and more.

Labradoodle breeding

The region with the most farms is North America, with an indicative figure of 3,000 farms.

Bonus tips

Here are also guides on other tiny dog breeds:

• Tibetan Spaniel, a tiny dog originally raised by monks in Tibet
• Norfolk Terrier: one of the smallest terriers
• Welsh Terrier: a veri popular breed in Britain