Labradoodles – Essential Things You Need To Know About Them
Labradoodles refer to dogs which are bred from a Labrador retriever parent and a standard poodle parent. But these days, many now simply produce puppies by breeding together two of them, which are called “second generation dogs”. The goal of doing so is more than just simply come up with a different-looking dog. It’s about bringing together the positive traits of their parents, and they’re now widely used as guide and family dogs.
The main objective for breeding them is to produce canines more suitable for use by blind or visually impaired people. A labrador can be highly trained and has a good temperament. A poodle has a low shedding coat, making it a suitable pet for those with allergic reactions to dander or dog saliva. However, there are some that still are a problem for individuals with some allergies to dogs.
They were deliberately bred in Australia in 1988. It’s credited to Wally Conran who was, during this time, the training manager at the Royal Guide Dog Association in Melbourne. But the first use of the term “labradoodle” was made by Sir Donald Campbell in his 1955 book called “Into the Water Barrier”. The term was used to refer to his dog, a cross between a labrador and poodle.
It may take a few more years before the complete range of physical traits and health matters become established, as the breed is still new. An eye condition known as progressive retinal atrophy, for instance, may be around if the parent is a miniature poodle. Possibly leading to blindness, this health problem is common among Australian-bred ones.
Both labradors and poodles are susceptible to hip dysplasia, so it’s not unlikely for their offspring to be susceptible to it as well. Canine hypoadrenocorticism or Addison’s disease has also been found on them. However, those first generation ones – with purebred labrador and purebred poodle parents – seem to be impervious to it. But all in all, this breed carries with it more of the good traits of its parents than the bad ones.
Generally, they possess good temperament and can be trained easily, especially during their younger years. Their coats don’t yield as much dander as their labrador parents. Plus they can come in several different types and shades. Wool is comprised of tight curls, although softer than that of a poodle’s. Fleece is uniquely soft and wavy. On the other hand, hair is pretty much like a labrador’s coat. All these can come in shades such as cafe, chocolate, cream, black, chalk, apricot, red, gold, etc.
When it comes to size, it all boils down on the parent poodle used. Those which stand 14-17 inches tall and weigh 26-55 pounds are classified as miniatures. Those that are 18-21 inches in height and weigh 40-55 pounds are said to be mediums. Those measuring 23-26 inches in height are standards. Females tip the scale at 45-60 pounds, while males weigh 55-77 pounds.
In order to deal with size issues, many breeders of labradoodles these days maintain using a miniature poodle as a parent. What was once a dog breed only popular in Australia is now also popular in the US. These days, they’re widely used as guide dogs, or pets for those with minor dog allergies.
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