About the Breed: Labradoodle

Labradoodle

Skyrocketing in popularity, the Labrador Retriever-Poodle hybrid Labradoodle is an intelligent and friendly dog.



Dog Group Breed: Hybird
Life Span: 12-14 years
Height: 1 foot to 9 inches, to 2 foot.
Weight: 50-65 pounds

History:

The Labradoodle was originally developed in Australia to be a hypo-allergenic guide dog. In 1989, Wally Conron, who was in charge of the breeding program for the Royal Guide Dogs Association of Australia, conducted the first purposeful crossbreeding between a Standard Poodle and Labrador Retriever

This first cross of Conron's produced a dog called Sultan, who not only had the hypoallergenic coat but also had the aptitude, intelligence, and personality to be an effective guide dog. Sultan went on to work with a woman in Hawaii and was a successful at his work. At that point, other breeders saw the merit of crossing these two breeds.

Like the Labrador Retriever parent, the Labradoodle quickly rose in popularity and has become one of the most sought-after "Doodle breeds." These dogs are often produced by crossing a Labrador Retriever with a Poodle, but multigenerational breeding has begun in an attempt to produce a viable and recognizable breed.

Both the Australian Labradoodle Association and the International Australian Labradoodle Association are taking steps in this direction (there are no Labradoodle breed clubs in North America), and they hope to move this designer breed into registered breed status in the next few years. These groups have made great efforts to bring breeders together so that they're working to achieve the same standards through multi-generational breeding.


Personality:

The Labradoodle is an intelligent dog who can make the ideal family pet if properly trained. She is friendly and accepts and treats everyone like her best friend. She is devoted to her family and enjoys life as an energetic companion.

She can be gentle, but she can also be joyful, showing her happiness through exuberant jumping and playing. She also tends to be easygoing, since the Labradoodle was bred not to be aggressive. As is the case with any breed, some poorly bred ones aren't all that friendly, but a well-bred Labradoodle with a characteristic temperament is a true joy.

Temperament is affected by a number of factors, including heredity, training, and socialization. Puppies with nice temperaments are curious and playful, willing to approach people and be held by them. Choose the middle-of-the-road puppy, not the one who's beating up his littermates or the one who's hiding in the corner.

Always meet at least one of the parents--usually the mother is the one who's available--to ensure that they have nice temperaments that you're comfortable with. Meeting siblings or other relatives of the parents is also helpful for evaluating what a puppy will be like when she grows up.

Like every dog, the Labradoodle needs early socialization--exposure to many different people, sights, sounds, and experiences--when they're young. Socialization helps ensure that your Labradoodle puppy grows up to be a well-rounded dog.

Enrolling her in a puppy kindergarten class is a great start. Inviting visitors over regularly, and taking her to busy parks, stores that allow dogs, and on leisurely strolls to meet neighbors will also help her polish his social skills.

Facts:

*The Labradoodle results from Poodle to Labrador Retriever breedings. There has been some increase in multigenerational breeding (Labradoodle to Labradoodle), and also Labradoodle to Poodle or Labradoodle to Labrador Retriever breeding.

*Although the Labradoodle is not a recognized breed, the International Australian Labradoodle Association, along with the Australian Labradoodle Association and the Australian Labradoodle Association of America, are taking steps to create a breed standard and unite breeders. You can find a responsible Labradoodle breeder, or links to one, by visiting the Australian
*Labradoodle Association of America website.

*Labradoodles are playful and very loving with children, but they can be overexuberant and may knock down younger children unintentionally.

*The Labradoodle has three different coat types; depending on which coat yours has, you can expect her to be a non- to average shedder. Usually the Labradoodle doesn't shed excessively, but the Hair coat type is the exception to this rule.

*A Labradoodle needs one or two brushings per week, as well as regular grooming that includes ear cleaning and nail clipping.

*The Labradoodle can be a high-energy dog. She requires about 30 to 60 minutes of exercise per day.

*Labradoodles are intelligent and need to be mentally and physically stimulated. If they aren't, they can become destructive and hard to handle.

*Labradoodles do well with other dogs and pets.

*Apartments are not the ideal setting for this energetic dog.

*First-time owners do well with the friendly and amenable Labradoodle.

*Chocolate Pudding, the character from Hounds is a Labradoodle.




#Labradoodle breed information', Dog Breed Center, Dogtime,http://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/labradoodle,21 April 2014