If your not already familiar with exactly what a Labradoodle is, get ready because chances are there’s already one living on your street or there soon will be!
This is because…
Australian Labradoodles are among the cutest dogs you’ll see, and because of their parental heritage, they also make great family pets! But is owning a Labradoodle going to be the right move for you?
That’s…
The real question and the one that we hope to help answer here in our article all about the Labradoodle dog breed. After all, the last thing that we would want to see happen if for you to choose to adopt one of these great dogs only to find our a few weeks later that it isn’t a good fit.
So, without further ado, let’s dive right in!
Australian Labradoodle Fast Facts
Country of Origin: Australia
Original Purpose: Companion animal
Height: 14 to 24 inches at the shoulders
Weight: Standard, 45 to more than 100 pounds; Medium, 30 to 45 pounds; Miniature, 15 to 30 pounds.
Dog Breed Classification: Not officially recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC)
Life Span: 10 to 15 years
History and Origin of the Labradoodle
Unlike many “ancient” dog breeds where the true origin of the breed is often in dispute, the origins of the Labradoodle dog breed is well documented.
In fact…
Not only do we know where they were created, who created them and when they were first created, we also know the name of the actual first Labradoodle… Sultan.
You see…
The Labradoodle is an example of what is now commonly referred to as a “designer dog” or a “hybrid dog”. And while some folks may disagree with their creation, the truth is, in many cases creating a “designer dog” actually helps improve the overall health of the individual puppy as well as the different dog breeds that were used to create it.
So…
When we look at the Labradoodle specially, we see that these guys were first created in Austrailia by Wally Conron of the Royal Guide Dogs Association in 1989, and was created by cross breeding a Labrador Retriever with a Standard Poodle resulting in a dog named Sultan.
Sultan then went…
On to be the standard for all Labradoodles. He had a hypoallergenic coat, which made him the perfect choice for dog owners with allergies, and was believed to be less susceptible to many of the genetic medical issues common with both parent breeds.
Sultan was…
Also very smart, had a lovely personality, was engaging and friendly. He was the first of the many Labradoodle puppies that were bred by the newly formed Australian Labradoodle Association.
And while…
The Labradoodle is still not recognized as a full-fledged breed by any of the international kennel clubs, including the American Kennel Club. The International Australian Labradoodle Association wants to move the Labradoodle to full-breed status soon, but so far they have failed to find much success with the AKC.
Physical Characteristics of the Labradoodle
As we’ve already mentioned, the Labradoodle is considered a “designer dog”. He is a cross-breed developed from the Labrador Retriever and the Poodle and gives you the best of both worlds. He can come in many different sizes.
- The Standard Labradoodle is the biggest, and weighs 45 to 100 pounds.
- The Medium Sized Labradoodle weighs between 30 to 45 pounds.
- The Miniature Labradoodle weighs 15 to 30 pounds.
The first-generation…
Labradoodles varied from each other in appearance, personality and temperament. But the new, multi-generational Labradoodles are more similar to each other, mainly because they have been bred from other Australian Labradoodles.
That said however…
It should be pointed out that some Labradoodles look very much like a poodle, while others look pretty much the same as a Labrador Retriever.
But regardless of…
Which parental breed a Labradoodle resembles most, there is no question that these dogs are very attractive. They have a soft coat type, and don’t shed much. Their double coat is hypoallergenic, which means it is unlikely to cause an allergic reaction in humans.
And can be…
Instantly recognize a Labradoodle from its long muzzle, small, brown eyes covered by soft curls, and droopy, furry ears.
Personality and Temperament
The Labradoodle is playful, intelligent dog that makes for a perfect family pet. He is very friendly, even with strangers. He’s also a very charming, exuberant dog that brings joy wherever he goes. Kids love him and he loves them back.
He makes…
For a perfect playmate for children. He is very active, always jumping or running and up to something.
He has such a lovely temperament.
He is never aggressive or angry. In fact, he has been bred NOT to be angry or aggressive, so it’s just not in his nature to be so. So you can count him out for being a great guard dog, but he can still make a great “watchdog” especially considering how very curious these guys are about the world around him.
We should point out though…
That Labradoodles don’t like to be ignored. He is often like a cute little child that wants her mom and dad to be with her all the time. So, if you’re looking for a dog that isn’t going to mind being “cooped” up all day, then this might not be the “right” dog for you!
Labradoodle Health Issues
Labradoodles are generally considered to be relatively health at least compared to their parent breeds, but that doesn’t mean that they are completely out of the “woods” when it comes to potential health issues.
This is whyr
You should only choose to work with a reputable Labradoodle breeder who can give you a complete medical history of the parents of the puppy you are considering adoption. You should also be very pro-active in your search and be sure to ask about any family history of the following conditions:
- Progressive retinal atrophy,
- Von Willebrand’s Disease,
- Allergies,
- Ear infections,
- Hip dysplasia,
- Elbow dysplasia,
- Epilepsy,
- Diabetes mellitus,
- Hypothyroidism.
And while…
Many of these conditions may not be life threatening, they can certainly become quite expensive to deal with particularly if they become recurring issues.
This is why…
We here at IndulgeYourPet also recommend that any new pet owner take a moment and see what it might cost for you to purchase a pet insurance policy for your new animal.
Now will a pet insurance policy be right for everyone?
No, probably not. But until you fully understand what these policies “will” and “won’t” cover and how much these pet insurance policies cost, how will you know if one might be right for you?
For more information on who we feel currently offers the “best” pet insurance policies out there, we would encourage you to check out our Best Pet Insurance Policies article.
