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Labradoodle

General
Other Names		Labradoodle, Doodle, Poodle-Cross, Cross-Breed
Dog Group Kennel Club		Not Applicable
Breed Classification		Not classified – a cross between a Labradors (Gundog Group) and a Poodle (Utility Group) used as family pets, companions, agility/obedience, also assistance and therapy dogs particularly for children. Generations of Labradoodles are classified - F1 means the First Labrador/Poodle cross. With each crossing the Generation increases (F2, F3 …) for several generations until a pure Multi-Generational Labradoodle emerges. The breed is not recognised yet by Kennel Club. In an effort to protect the Labradoodle's future, the International Labradoodle Association was founded to create a Registry, similar to the Kennel Club, for recording litters, registering dogs and ensuring responsible breeding.
Cost of Ownership
Average Food Cost		£4-7.50 per week
Feeding Requirements		Feeding will cost between £4.00 -£8.00 per week. Labradoodles are not fussy or particularly greedy eaters. Nor are they prone to obesity.
		Try Royal Canin Breed Specific Dog Food
Other Expenses		A puppy will cost between £500 -£1000.
Average Puppy Price		£500-800
Lifespan		9 - 15 years Labradoodles usually live between 10 -15 years of age.
Average Litter Size		8 The average number of pups in a litter is approximately 8. But litters can vary from 4, with 15 being the largest known!
General Physical Description		The diversity in Labradoodles is incredible – 3 sizes, multiple generations, 8 colours and 3 coat types !! All Labradoodles are lovely pets and make wonderful companions with a cheeky, scruffy irresistible quality. They are loving, intuitive and friendly. First crosses tend to be the largest size (Standard). Multi-Generation Labradoodles come in all three sizes and should have a softer, longer coat which is usually lower shedding.
Height Min Max Bitch 30cm (12") 71cm (28") Dog 30cm (12") 71cm (28") Weight Min Max Bitch 10kg (22lbs) 40kg (88lbs) Dog 10kg (22lbs) 40kg (88lbs)
Size Category		Medium
Weight Height Range		Because of the three sizes, Miniature, Medium and Standard (similar to the poodle) Labradoodles vary from 12” to 28” and from 10kg – 40kg - a size to suit everyone!
Ailments		The problems the Labradoodle could contend with are largely due to genetic problems in the parent breeds. It is essential when purchasing a puppy to ensure the parents have been screened for hereditary problems. Hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy should be tested for. Ear Infections are also known of: due to the Poodle parent, hair grows in doodle’s ears which should be checked regularly to reduce the risk of infection.
Common Ailments
Susceptibility To Illness
Other
History		Labradoodles are Poodle/Labrador crosses originally intended as assistance dogs for people with allergies and/or asthma. In the eighties Wally Cochran at the Royal Guide Dog Association in Australia wanted to place an assistance dog with a vision-impaired woman in Hawaii whose husband suffered from allergies. There were 3 puppies in the first litter. One pup named Sultan proved to have an allergy-friendly coat and was suitable to be a guide dog. Unsure what to call the pups they coined the phrase “Labradoodle”.Two Breeding and Research Centres for the Labradoodle were established, also located in the state of Victoria – Rutland Manor and Tegan Park . These Breeding Centres bred Labradoodle to Labradoodle, seeking consistency and uniformity. Some early litters had low to no shedding dogs whilst other matings produced shedding pups. But it was encouraging enough results to continue and preserve. Hence the Labradoodle was created and is now breed worldwide.
Intelligence		As intelligent family dogs, Labradoodles can sometimes be too clever for their own good. They take pleasure in obedience/agility/flyball but can also find ways to entertain themselves by outwitting their owners by opening doors or playing tricks.
Show Characteristics		The breed is not recognised yet by the Kennel Club, therefore no Breed Standard has been set.
Country Of Origin		Australia
Famous Examples
Records Held
Characteristics
Energy		Medium
Overall Exercise		40 - 60 minutes per day. These dogs will adapt quite readily to the amount of time you have for walks, however they will not thrive without human contact. Care should be taken in first year not to over-exercise or allow puppy to run up/down hills or on stairs. Whilst happy to walk with you they love to run and play off the lead. Miniature Labradoodles require less exercise than Medium/Standard sizes.
Distress Caused if Left Alone		Medium
Personal Protection		Low
Suitability As Guard Dog		Low
Risk of Sheep Worrying		Medium
Tendency to Bark		Low
Ease of Transportation		High
Level of Aggression		Low
Compatibility With Other Animals		High
Suitable For Children		High
General Character And Temperament		Confident, joyful, vivacious, clown like, sociable and friendly, totally non aggressive, clever and extremely intuitive. The breed is well suited for special work such as Therapy Dog, Assistance Dog, Hearing or Seizure Alert Dog, Guide Dog. They can try to outsmart their owners just for fun, if not firmly disciplined when young. Responds well to positive training methods. Loyal and devoted to families. Most love water and are natural swimmers and retrievers. Affectionate and loving. Active and athletic when free, but should 'melt' into mellowness when touched by human hands.
Grooming
Coat Length		Medium/Long
Grooming Requirement		Once a week
Trimming
Requires Professional Groomer
Grooming		Shedding does vary. According to Generation, Labradoodles, particularly First Crosses can shed. However low to non-shedding Labradoodles can be breed and are more common in Australian Multi-Generational Labradoodles. All coats require a regular trim around their eyes and feet to ensure they can see out, and to help reduce mud being dragged in on paws!! Nails need clipping. It is possible to groom a Labradoodle yourself. However many owners do prefer a professional groomer to have a good clip occasionally particularly fleece doodles when their adult coat comes through.
Colour		Their coats can be as short as a Labrador and wool/fleece coats are long and soft with the feel of an angora goat. Their coats vary from hair in the early generations to curly coats and finally the perfect silky fleece of a pure Multi-Generational Labradoodle.Labradoodles come in a variety of solid colours – black, chocolate/café au lait, cream, chalke, white, blue, red, apricot, apricot cream and silver. Harlequin and Parti-coloured Labradoodles are bred but not recognised within the ILA Breed Standard.
Shedding
Suffers From Allergies
Tendency to Cause Allergies		True

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