Labradoodle Dogs Information

Written by: Susan Elliott

Copyright 1997 to 2010 Dogs and Puppies Central
All rights reserved.

Alternate Names: Australian Labradoodle

Common Misspellings: 

Learn all about Labradoodle Dogs and Puppies through our indepth guide to the Labradoodle dog breed. You'll find solid information about Labradoodle dog history, Labradoodle life expectancy Labradoodle dog appearance, Labradoodle temperament and personality, Labradoodle health problems, Labradoodle puppy care, training Labradoodle puppy dogs and more. Also includes important information about choosing a responsible Labradoodle dog breeder.

The Labradoodle, a crossbreed from a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle, is a handsome, playful dog. For the most part, he has inherited the best qualities from his poodle parent -low shedding and low dander, and from his Labrador parent - gentle temperament and trainability.

Since 1989 when this breed was first introduced, the Labradoodle is somewhat varied in appearance. The spectrum of colours ranges from nearly white to black with many winsome mixes in between. The coat’s texture ranges from a subtle wave to a curly cotton ball quality.

Perhaps the best known feature of the Labradoodle is its extraordinarily cute appearance and mild disposition. Frankly, they’re just the nicest dog one can image.

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Labradoodle Facts

The Labradoodle Dog Breed In Brief

Country of Origin: Australia

Labradoodle Height: Varies;
Miniature - 12 - 16 inches
Medium - 17 - 20 inches
Standard - 21 - 24 inches

Labradoodle Weight: varies:
10 - 15 pounds Miniature Labradoodle
16 - 45 pounds Medium Labradoodle
45 - 60 pounds Standard Labradoodle

Labradoodle Color Variations: Apricot Labradoodle
Gold Labradoodle
Red Labradoodle
Black Labradoodle
Buff Labradoodle Chocolate Brown
Cream Labradoodle
Silver Labradoodle
Chalk Labradoodle

Labradoodle Size Variations: Miniature Labradoodle
Medium Labradoodle
Standard Labradoodle

Labradoodle Exercise Needs: Moderate

Labradoodle Grooming Demands: Moderate

Labradoodle Trainability: Easy

Labradoodle Life Expectancy: 10 - 15 years

Average Labradoodle Prices: $750 to $2500, depending on Pedigree

Good With Children: Yes, with supervision.

Good With Other Pets: Usually

Breed Group:

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Labradoodle Dog History

The Labradoodle with its strikingly cute face was first bred in Australia in 1989. The goal of the breeder was to create a dog with a low-shedding coat along with a gentle nature and high trainability. The breeder, Wally Conron, was keen to breed a dog that would make a good guide dog for allergy sufferers. He selected, as you may have guessed, a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle. The offspring, now a well loved and popular pet, was a smashing success and families the world over welcomed the Labradoodle into their homes.

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Labradoodle Dog Appearance

The Labradoodle is a relatively new breed and therefore its genetics are not yet fully stabilized. This means that puppies may not have consistently predictable characteristics, but they sure are cute! Typically, most Labradoodles inherit the wavy or curly coat of the poodle parent. The coat can range from very soft and fluffy to a more wiry, unruly texture. They do shed, as do all dogs to some degree, but the Labradoodle's shedding is minimal and they seem to have less doggie odour than their Labrador cousin. From the Labrador parent, Labradoodles usually inherit a gentle, patient nature.

Labradoodles have a keen, friendly and somewhat doe-eyed expression. They seldom appear threatening even in the larger variety. Labradoodles seem to always look like they are just waiting for the fun to start; ready to fetch, jump and play.

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Labradoodle Grooming

The amount of grooming your Labradoodle requires depends on the nature of his coat. Some first generation Labradoodles have a wavy, slightly wiry coat that needs very little attention. Brushing a few times per week to prevent matting and a bath a few time per year should suffice.

Other Labradoodles, have a woolly, curly coat that does require more work. Daily brushing is essential to avoid or minimize matting. Some Labradoodle owners prefer to clip the coats rather than deal with the brushing and matting. This shorter coat when brushed looks embarrassingly frizzy. Try a simple water spritz and the curls will return (along with your Labradoodles self esteem).

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Labradoodle Exercise Needs

Labradoodles need regular, moderate exercise. Puppies, especially between 14 and 26 weeks, need controlled exercise as this is the period of time when they have an accelerated growth spurt. For Labradoodle puppies, a 20 or 30 minute walk will suffice. Avoid jogging or cycling with your Labradoodle puppy because their puppy-legs and joints can easily become damaged. Be especially vigilant with allowing young puppies to run up long hills This joint damage can carry into adulthood.

Adult Labradoodles are athletic, energetic and agile. Labradoodles are excellent swimmers and will love to play 'fetch' when the stick is hurled into a pond. In adulthood, your Labradoodle will enjoy (even if you don’t) strenuous physical activity on land and in water. Be creative, your Labradoodle will chase any stick or ball you care to throw.

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Labradoodle Temperament

Most Labradoodles are friendly and energetic. They love attention but will not aggressively seek it. Families with children can welcome a Labradoodle into their home as this breed tends to be gentle and agreeable with children; even when dressed as a princess! (Do be vigilant in teaching your children how to play safely with a Labradoodle. Any dog can bite or nip if he feels pain or is threatened) The precise temperament of your Labradoodle is mostly contingent on the temperaments of his parents. So, choose a breeder who screens for good temperament. This will help assure a happy, well bred dog.

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Labradoodle Training

Labradoodles are highly trainable. In fact, many have been trained to obey sign language, traffic signals and pedestrian rules. This feature makes them an outstanding guide dog.

For domestic harmony, it is essential to train your Labradoodle puppy early. The goal is to establish the owner as the ‘leader of the pack’, with other family members also ranking above the dog. This is accomplished in an interesting way. Feed your Labradoodle puppy after all family members have eaten. It is instinctual for the leaders and higher members of a pack to eat first, and the lower ranking members will eat afterwards. This should prevent your Labradoodle from growling or nipping or other displays of aggression at meal times.

Also, the Labradoodle should not be permitted to not nip or bite even at the earliest puppy stage. Experts agree that this behaviour is not a function of teething, but rather an early attempt at dominance. This is also the case for biting hems and pulling socks. This may seem cute when your Labradoodle is a puppy, but once these behaviours are learned and accepted, the fully mature Labradoodle will resist retraining. If your Labradoodle nips or bites, simply close the upper and lower jaws with your fingers, making it uncomfortable for the puppy, but never painful.

Labradoodle Health

Common health concerns for your Labradoodle include; HD, PRA, VonWillebrand's, Elbow and patella disorders, hip dysphasia and Addison’s Disease.

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Is the Labradoodle Right For You?

The Labradoodle is fun-loving, gentle dog. He has moderate dietary needs and most people can easily manage the exercise and grooming requirements. As a guide dog, the Labradoodle is top-notch and as a faithful companion, you will find no better.

The larger variety of this breed may be too confined in an apartment or condo, but the Miniature Labradoodle, with your commitment to his exercise, should manage comfortably.

As with buying any dog, resist the urge to purchase a dog inexpensively from a pet store or from an advertisement in a newspaper. You may unwittingly buy a mal-adjusted, sick, puppy mill dog. This is to be avoided at all costs.

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Labradoodle Prices

Average Labradoodle Price: $750 - $1000

Price always varies when it comes to the purchase of a quality, home-raised healthy Labradoodle dog or puppy. It's of utmost importance that you place the most weight on acquiring a great Labradoodle puppy from a highly responsible, reputable breeder, and put the price as a secondary concern in making your decision.

Buying a Labradoodle dog or puppy at a cheap price from a breeder of questionable reputation can be a one-way ticket to heartbreak and great additional expense throughout the dog's life, should your Labradoodle puppy have hereditary health problems or behavior and temperament issues (which very often is the case with cheap-priced puppies). Buying from a highly reputable Labradoodle breeder is your best insurance for acquiring a well socialized, healthy puppy of stable temperament.

Labradoodle prices also will vary according to the puppy's conformation; puppies placed as pets and companions will generally be less expensive as show-quality Labradoodle puppies intended to be shown in conformation.

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Finding Labradoodle Puppies For Sale By Reputable Breeders

If you are ready to add an adorable Labradoodle puppy to your family, be sure to check out Dogs and Puppies Central's directory of Labradoodle Puppies For Sale, where you will find photos and information posted by reputable Labradoodle breeders. We actively screen Labradoodle breeders who wish to advertise on our service by asking that they meet and follow our Guidelines For Responsible Dog Breeders. We also ask for - and check - three references from each breeder.

By performing an initial dog breeder screening, it is our hope that we can help put you in touch with a caring, responsible Labradoodle breeder near you. We cannot physically inspect the premises and dogs owned by breeders advertising with us, so you need to be responsible for doing the final inspection and interview.

Let's stop the cruelty of puppy mills. Please help us keep money out of the hands of puppy mills, back yard breeders and pet stores. Buy your Labradoodle puppy only from a responsible, caring hobby breeder that raises their dogs and puppies in a loving home environment.

When you locate that perfect Labradoodle puppy - please be sure to send us some photos to be included in our growing gallery of Labradoodle dog and puppy pictures!

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Additional Labradoodle Resources:

• Labradoodle Wikipedia Profile
• AKC Labradoodle Breed Profile
• Labradoodle Pictures
• Labradoodle Videos

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