What's a Labradoodle?

 The first Labradoodles were a cross between a Labrador and a Poodle in the late 1970's.  The Guide Dog Association of Australia set out to produce a non-shedding dog suitable for service training to aid with allergy sufferers.  Mr. Wally Cochran was the driving force behind this program, and the goal was to produce a non-shedding guide dog by using a Labrador Retriever and a Standard Poodle. As the breed was developed several other breed types were added to perfect and create a breed now known as the Australian Labradoodle. Not to be confused with the Labradoodle first crosses developed in the US.

The result of this cross produced intelligent, easily trainable puppies that were the beginning of the Labradoodle as we now know it.  Crossing these two breeds and a few other breeds that complimented the end result gave the breed a hybrid vigor and a variety of coat types: 

The Wooly Coat:  Somewhat poodle like which requires regular  grooming is non-shedding and allergy and asthma friendly. See Kali and Flicker on our dogs.

The Fleece Coat:  The ultimate coat that is easily maintained, non-shedding, allergy and asthma friendly and somewhat like that of an Angora Goat. See Molly or Nikki on our dogs.

The Hair Coat:  (this is common in early crosses not multigenerations) Anything from flat and straight to curls down the back and possibly wavy and minimally to profusely shedding, that is less likely to be allergy and asthma friendly.  Can look wiry as many F1 crosses are.

Overall, the Labradoodle is a fun loving, quiet, calm yet comical, loving companion for families as well as a fantastic service animal, being easily trainable, loyal and intelligent. 

The Labradoodle is not a recognized breed as yet, however, there is a breed standard and rules to become and remain an accredited breeder of Australian Labradoodles.  The newly formed Australian Labradoodle Association of North America (ALANA) and the newly rejuvenated International Labradoodle Association of Australia (ILA) have been formed to provide a place to register and record the Labradoodle to strive to maintain the soundness and integrity of the breed.

Do Doodles like the water?  hummm what do you think?

Related Link: Breed Standards