Labradoodle - History, Appearance, Temperament, Types, Health, Origin, Characteristics , Colors, Mini, Care, Education

Labradoodle

The Labradoodle is a fine dog created from the crossbreed between the Labrador retriever and the Standard Poodle. The term first appeared in 1955, but was not popularized until 1988, when this type of crossbreed dog began to be used as a guide dog, in addition to being a hypoallergenic dog. These dogs are not currently considered as a breed by itself by any breeder organization. Not all Labradoodles are hypoallergenic, but it is a quality that many seek and appreciate in this type of dog.

History

The first known use of the term was given by Donald Malcom Campbell to describe his dog, a mix of Labrador retriever and poodle, in 1955, in his book "Into the Water Barrier". However, the Labradoodle was best known from the year 1988, when the Australian breeder Wally Conron crossed the Labrador retriever and the standard Poodle in his association "Guide Dogs Victoria" ("Guide of Victoria Dogs").

Conron's goal was to combine the Poodle's low shedding coat with the Labrador's delicacy and training ability, and to provide a guide dog suitable for people with allergies to dog fur and fur. Labradoodles are widely used throughout the world as a guide dog, as well as an assistance and therapy dog.

Appearance and temperament

Because it is a mongrel and not a breed, puppies do not have consistently predictable characteristics. Although most have some common traits, their appearance and behavioral characteristics are somewhat unpredictable. As such, the hair can range from course to soft, and can be straight or curly.

Like most Labradors and Poodles they are generally friendly, energetic, fit to live with families and children (although, as with any dog, temperament can vary between individuals). They often show affinity for water and the strong swimming ability of their parents' breeds.

The parent breeds are among the smartest dog breeds in the world.

Types

There is no consensus as to whether breeders should aspire to be recognized as a breed. Some breeders prefer to restrict breeding to first-generation dogs (i.e., those dogs generated between a Labrador retriever and a Poodle rather than from two Labradoodles) to maximize genetic diversity, and avoid inherited health problems that affect some breeds of dogs.

Others are raising Labradoodles in successive generations (i.e. between two Labradoodle dogs) and trying to establish a new breed. These dogs are generally called Australian or multi-generation Labradoodles. Australian Labradoodles differ from the first generation, as they may also have other breeds in their ancestry. The English and American crossings between Cocker Spaniel and Poodle (called Cockapoos), two Irish Water Dogs and Irish Terriers were used on some Australian lines. The Curly-haired Retriever was also used, but this line did not work and is no longer used.

Health

They can suffer from the common health problems of their parent breeds. Poodles and Labradors can suffer from hip dysplasia, and a specialized x-ray should be done to detect this type of problem before reproduction. Parent breeds can also suffer from a number of eye disorders, and prior to reproduction an eye examination should be performed by a qualified veterinarian.

They are known to experience progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), an inherited disease that causes blindness.

A study claims that UK Labradoodles have a higher incidence (4.6%) of multifocal retinal dysplasia (MRA) compared to the Labrador retriever. Cataracts are also a common problem, but the prevalence is comparable to that of Labradors.

There is no evidence of the presence of Addison's disease in the Australian Labradoodle. The American Australian Labradoodle Association is conducting a study to try to determine the extent of the problem this disease has become.

Labradoodle or australian labradoodle

Looking like a stuffed animal and just as sweet in character, the Labradoodle is the result of the combination of a standard poodle and a Labrador Retriever. This mixture achieves impressive results, as the mestizos are dogs with many benefits. They are attentive, caring, collaborative and very playful. They are ideal for families as well as for older people or specific groups, since they have been traditionally trained to act as guide dogs, as well as therapy dogs, due to their great skills in this performance.

If you have adopted a mixed breed dog and you suspect that it could be a labradoodle or, simply, you want to learn more about this canine "breed", in this article from Animal Expert we explain the characteristics of the labradoodle, its origin and basic care.

Origin of the labradoodle

The first recognized specimen of labradoodle was registered in 1955. However, it was not until 1988 that Australian breeder Wally Conron introduced this hybrid breed to the world in his association called “Guide of Victoria Dogs”, to be guide dogs of blind people. Thus, the objective of this crossing was none other than to obtain a hypoallergenic, affectionate, loyal dog with great gifts for learning. From then on, this mix between labrador retriever and standard poodle or poodle began to be known and admired worldwide.

Currently, there is no unified breed standard; One of the main reasons is the lack of consensus regarding the crossings to be made. Many breeders advocate making first-generation crosses only, that is, only between labradors and poodles, while others cross labradoodles with each other. This has made them begin to differentiate, the latter being known as Australian labradoodle or multigenerational.

Over the years, many breeders have attempted to develop the breed inappropriately, without regard to parental genetics, inherited diseases, or family ties. This fact caused the labradoodle to experience a huge crisis, since many of the puppies had congenetic diseases or nervousness problems due to the improper crossbreeding. However, other breeders, such as Mellodie Woodlye, did keep all these criteria in mind and decided to develop the breed in a more respectful way, baptizing it with another name to get away from the fame that the bad practices of others had given the labradoorle. This new name was that of australian cobberdog or Australian cobberdog.

Little by little the breed was consolidated and, currently, the Australian cobberdog is a breed officially recognized by the Australian Association MDBA.

Are the labradoodle and the australian cobberdog the same dog?

Despite the fact that many people consider that we are talking about the same hybrid dog, the truth is that it is not. The labradoodle is the cross between a poodle and a labrador that, after years of development, gave rise to the australian cobberdog. In this way, the labradoodle is a mongrel dog, while the cobberdog is a recognized breed, although not by all cynological organizations.

Characteristics of the labradoodle

The labradoodle is a breed that is the result of crossbreeding between standard poodles and labrador retrievers, which explains many of its characteristics. Regarding its size, it can vary significantly, with three types being differentiated:

Labradoodle toy, which measures between 35 and 50 centimeters.

Labradoodle medium, with a size of 45 to 51 centimeters.

Standard or large Labradoodle, measuring 53 to 63 centimeters.

Its weight is usually in the range between 20 and 35 kilograms. Their life expectancy is between 9 and 15 years. Their morphology is very different from each other, as there are some that are more similar to Labrador retrievers, others to standard poodles and others are true amalgams between traits of both races. Some of the characteristics that they usually share are their legs, rounded and hairy, an equally rounded and long tail and dark eyes and nose. On the contrary, the shape of its snout, its ears and the morphology of the rest of the body is not predictable.

In addition to differences in size, large differences in appearance are observed. For example, if we talk about its coat, it can be both curly and smooth, rough or smooth, short or long, and there are also all the respective combinations. Despite these differences, all labradoodles tend to have thicker, longer, and more abundant hair on their torso, face, and legs. Likewise, another of the traits that is usually fulfilled in all the specimens is that, due to their genetics, they are hypoallergenic dogs.

Labradoodle puppy

One of the peculiarities of this breed is that the puppies do not follow a specific standard, there being an immense variability from one to the other. Even talking about puppies from the same litter and the same sex can be tremendous differences. In addition, the development and morphology of this hybrid dog breed depends largely on the care and conditions in which it has been raised, so its diet, diet and exercise will be some of the factors that will most determine its appearance. of adults.

In general, it can be said that the labradoodle puppies are friendly, active and playful, affectionate and, above all, very familiar. From a young age they usually have a great curiosity and affinity for water, which is why they love bathing and swimming in it. In this sense, if you have just adopted a labradoodle puppy and want to start socializing it with these environments, you can check the beaches to take it to in this list: "Dog beaches in Spain".

Labradoodle colors

Due to the absence of an official breed standard, there are no limitations on which colors are allowed and which are not. Some of the possibilities are: red, black, cream, coffee, chocolate, blue, gray or chalk, there are many more. Indeed, it is possible to find a white, black or spotted labradoodle.

Labradoodle mini

As we have said, a labradoodle arises from the mix between a labrador retriever and a standard poodle, but what if the crossing is made between a labrador retriever and a mini poodle? Well, without a doubt, we will have an adorable miniature labradoodle, one of those considered as "designer dogs".

In this mongrel, the general characteristics correspond to those of the labradoodle in general, so that the only difference lies in the size, which is much smaller than that of their medium and large congeners. In general, they are active, joyful and very affectionate, loving the company and care of their family.

Labradoodle character

Due to the good character and qualities of the parent breeds, the Labradoodles crossbreeds have a personality worth admiring. In this way, they are known for being extremely sociable and intelligent dogs, something that is not surprising, since both the poodle and the labrador retriever are in the first positions of the ranking of smartest dogs. They also stand out for being balanced and calm.

For the above reasons, the labradoodle is a mongrel dog very suitable for family, as they adore children and love to spend time with them, taking care of them and playing. They are also good therapy dogs, as well as skilled and collaborative guide dogs. They adapt well to all spaces and companies, being friendly to everyone. Although they withstand all climates well, they carry somewhat better temperates.

Labradoodle care

The care of the labradoodle falls basically on two pillars: food and attention. In this way, the main thing will be to provide them with a quality diet that is adequate to their nutritional requirements and is adjusted to the level of physical activity that the animal usually performs. We will have to offer you a food rich in proteins, omega 3, vitamins and minerals such as calcium or phosphorus, which are essential for you to enjoy good health. We have to control their intakes, since they are somewhat anxious and have a sweet tooth, being able to exceed and gain too much weight easily.

As for the care that we have to provide, one of the most important is the company, in addition to a lot of love, because it is a dog that needs to be accompanied to stay happy and balanced. In the face of loneliness, he becomes taciturn, sad and elusive, since it generates a lot of frustration and anxiety.

As for the care of their fur, these vary significantly from one individual to another, since, as we have commented, the labradoodle can be of many types and each of them will need to be cared for in a different way, with different periodicity and utensils. Thus, the important thing is to adapt these cares to the type of hair that the dog presents.

Labradoodle Education

Training a labradoodle is generally a simple task, as they are docile and willing to learn. This ease is given by the combination of parent breeds, since both the poodle and the labrador retriever are popular for being easy to train.

Of course, it is important to socialize the dog at an early age, since this way it will be as outgoing and friendly as expected. It will also be essential to teach him to eat properly, getting used to not giving him sweets too often and that he will not receive food for crying or being too insistent, his gluttony can lead to health problems. Of course, to avoid this type of situation, it is best to establish meal times and not wait until the dog is hungry to feed it. If we anticipate and offer the food in due time, the animal will not be anxious or nervous.

On the other hand, as we said, the labradoodle is very good as a therapy dog and guide dog, so it is possible to teach them these trades that they perform so well, being notable their rapid progress in tasks as complicated as those required for them. In any case, for both basic and more advanced training, it is crucial to use positive reinforcement and to avoid techniques that do not respect the animal's well-being, such as yelling, punishment or physical violence.

Labradoodle Health

The labradoodle is, in general, a fairly healthy dog, however, they can suffer a series of diseases with more propensity than in other dog breeds. One of the most frequent problems in these dogs is hip dysplasia, something they inherit from the two breeds they come from, as it is common in both poodles and labradors. Given this condition, a good veterinary follow-up is essential in order to make an early diagnosis, which will improve the prognosis.

Another of the most common labradoodle diseases is the progressive atrophy of the retina, which affects its eye health, damaging the retina and causing blindness if not treated properly. He also tends to suffer from multifocal retinal dysplasia, something typical in labradors, which also affects the health of his retinas.

Where to adopt a labradoodle?

If after having reviewed the characteristics of the labradoodle in terms of its morphology and character we want to share our life with one of them, it is logical that the question arises: where to adopt an Australian labradoodle or a mini labradoodle? Although it is possible to find a labradoodle for sale, at ExpertoAnimal we always encourage you to visit kennels, shelters and animal protectors in order to adopt and, little by little, combat animal abandonment. As this can be a mixed breed dog, the adoption of a labradoodle is possible and it does not have to be difficult to find a specimen that we can rescue and give it a second chance. For this, the most effective way is to follow these organizations through social networks and contact them so that they notify us as soon as a dog of these characteristics arrives at their facilities.

On the other hand, when you go to look for the puppy or adult dog, you must be able to assess in general terms if it is in good health and if it has a character that suits yours. To do this, follow the following guidelines or tips:

Look at the state of their mucosa: nose, eyes, mouth and ears, they must be pink and without abnormal secretions.

Ask for the puppy's primer, seeing what vaccinations and deworming have been done. In addition, there will be registered the exact date of its birth or an approximate one, depending on whether the origin of the dog is known or not.

Evaluate the behavior of the puppy or adult dog, both with other dogs and with people, so you will know if it is well socialized or if you will need to work on this aspect.

If they don't inform you about it, check if the dog is sterilized and has the microchip.

After reviewing the above aspects, if you consider that the dog has not just adapted to your lifestyle or suspect that you may not be able to assume the responsibility that comes with their education, the most sensible thing is to accept it and adopt another dog that you can look after. Sometimes, due to their previous experiences, some dogs, labradoodles or other breeds, may be fearful or insecure, so it will be necessary to work with them to restore their security and confidence.

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