Understanding Australian Labradoodles

Labradoodle History

Around 1970, The Guide Dog Association implemented a breeding and research program for an allergy friendly Guide dog. This was the start to the Australian, multi-generation Labradoodle as we know it today. This Australian Labradoodle started out as a cross between a Labrador Retriever and a Standard Poodle. Dogs from the Australian cross were bred to each other for several generations, to create what is also known as "multi-generation" Labradoodles.

The Australian Labradoodle has been developed over near decades. The founders of the Australian Labradoodle, Tegan Park and Rutland Manor, infused several other breeds into the early generation lines of their Labrador Retriever / Poodle crosses, to achieve the consistency in temperament and coat that we have today. The infused breeds include the Irish Water Spaniel as well as the American and English Cocker Spaniel. Dogs from these infusions have been bred together to continue the Australian, multi-generation lines.

The Australian Labradoodle is much more likely to be low to non-shedding and allergy friendly than other types of Labradoodles, such as the first generation Labrador Retriever / Poodle crosses, or first generation crosses bred back to Poodles. Even when the Labrador Retriever / Poodle crosses are bred for several generations, the result is not an Australian Labradoodle, as the other foundation breeds are not there to enhance their basic qualities.

Allergy Friendly: What does it really mean?

Allergy friendly means that 99.9% of people with asthma and/or allergies will not have reactions to the dander or the coat of the Australian Labradoodle. The small population of people that have allergies to Australian Labradoodles are most likely allergic to dog saliva, and will generally react to any breed of dog, shedding or not.

Appearance

The Labradoodle is available in three sizes, Standard (largest), Medium, and Miniature (smallest). The appearance is the same for all three sizes. The Labradoodle is a compact dog, that is athletic, yet graceful, and always appears to be happy. The coat should be non-shedding, and as allergy friendly as possible.

Sizes

• Standard: 22 - 26 inches, weighs 22 to 42 kg (48-92 lbs)
• Medium: 18 - 21 inches, weighs 15 to 21 kg (33-46 lbs)
• Miniature: 14- 17 inches, weighs 10 to 15 kg (22-33 lbs)

Temperament

The temperament of the Labradoodle can be described in one word, FUN! They are happy, loyal, affectionate, friendly, playful, confident, non-aggressive, intuitive, and clever.

Labradoodles are soft mouthed retrievers that love the water. They are also well suited to be service dogs, such as a Hearing, Guide or Seizure Alert Dog. They are very easy to train.

Coat

There are three coat types:

• Wool: does not shed, should be the most allergy friendly, feels similar to that of a pure bred Poodle and is usually tightly curled.
• Fleece: minimal shedding, also allergy friendly, feels wonderfully soft and fleecy, and has loose curls.
• Hair: not ideal, light shedding, less allergy friendly, coarser texture, can be curly, short or long

The wool and fleece coats do not have a dog odor.

Colors

Chalk, Cream, Café, Gold, Red, Chocolate, Silver, Black.