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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