History of the Australian Labradoodle

The Australian Labradoodle breed was originated by Wally Conran of the Royal Guide Dogs, located in Victoria, Australia. A visually impaired woman in Hawaii was in need of an allergy friendly Guide Dog. This need sparked the initial breeding of the Labradoodle. Initially, there were 31 Royal Guide dogs bred, with 29 making it through as Guide Dogs.

Continuing with Wally Conron’s efforts, Australian breeders began breeding Labradoodles with the intent of producing litters with consistent conformation, coat type and temperament, with the idea of improving the breed. Different breeds were initially introduced to

the line, but today, Australian Labradoodles in the US, Canada, Australia and Europe consist of three breeds: Labrador Retriever, Poodle and English or American Cocker Spaniel. The Australian Labradoodle breed has developed into not only an allergy friendly guide dog, but also a popular pet with an easy going, friendly disposition paired with an allergy friendly and low to no shed coat.The breed is known to be easy to train, intuitive and loyal. They are sociable, smart and affectionate, leading the breed to be an excellent pet, as well as a therapy and service dog. Australian Labradoodles are moderately active and athletic, love to play, and enjoy daily mental stimulation. In addition to being a loving, allergy friendly pet, Labradoodle service roles include, but are not limited to, seizure alert, diabetic alert, service, and therapy work. The labradoodle is also a desirable dog for sporting and agility competitions.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE AUSTRALIAN LABRADOODLE

Size

The Australian Labradoodle comes in three sizes: mini, medium, and standard. We breed minis and mediums. The heights and weights below are general expectations, but some pups can be outliers and end up a bit smaller or larger than what it listed.

Mini: 13-16 inches tall, 15-26 lbs

Medium: 17-20 inches tall, 30-50lbs

Standard 22-26 inches tall, 50-65 lbs

Coat Type

There are two allergy friendly coat types: fleece and wool. Coats are free flowing wavy or curly that does not shed like hair and is allergy friendly. Each individuals allergies are unique, so this should be tested.

Fleece

A fleece coat should be light and silky, similar to an Angora goat. It can range from loosely waved to a more curly wave. Fleece coats shed very little, if any. Labradoodles lose their puppy coat at approximately one year of age, and an identical coat will grow in.

Wool

Wool coats are denser to the touch and feel like a sheep's wool, with springy curls. Wool coats rarely shed. This coat requires more maintenance to keep it long and flowing, but also looks beautiful cut shorter, which is very easy to maintain this way.

Coat Colors

Australian Labradoodles have a variety of colors and include solid, mismatched, and parti (two colors). Colors include black, chocolates, caramels, reds, and apricots, to name a few. Within these colors, there is a wider range of shading.

UNDERSTANDING THE GENERATIONS

Multi-Generational Labradoodles

Multigenerational Labradoodles are three generations or greater of labradoodle to labradoodle.

Multi-Generational Australian Labradoodle

Multi-Generational Australian Labradoodle (Multi-gen) or Purebred Australian Labradoodle are the offspring of five or more consecutive breedings of a Multi-gen Australian Labradoodle (or Purebred Australian Labradoodle) to a Multi-gen Australian Labradoodle.

F1 (first generation)

50% Poodle and 50% Labrador. This type of Labradoodle does not have a consistent coat. They are most likely to shed and are typically standard in size

F1B (first generation bred to a Poodle)

This would be a dog that is 75% Poodle, and the dog may be poodle like in appearance. The coat type of this type of dog varies. This Labradoodle type may still shed and have size restrictions.

F2 (parents for this dog are both F1’s)

Pups from the same litter may have very different characteristics with some appearing more Poodle-like, and others resembling Labradors.

Labradoodles or Multi-gen

When a Labradoodle is three or more generations in to the breed, they are considered Multigeneration Labradoodles. This allows knowledgeable breeders to refine the personality, physical attributes, and coat types. The Multigeneration Labradoodles are allergy friendly and have a more desirable coat in texture and quality.

Labradoodle Care and Maintenance

Labradoodles require daily exercise and play time in order to be happy and healthy dogs. Dogs that are not provided with sufficient play and exercise time are likely to become bored and unhappy.

Specific grooming needs of Labradoodles depends on the type of coat that the dog has. With the Labradoodles love of people, they do best living inside as a part of the family.