What is a Labradoodle?
The Labradoodle was first deliberately bred in 1989, when Australian breeder Wally Conron first
crossed the Labrador Retriever and Standard Poodle for Guide Dogs Victoria.[1]. His aim was to
combine the low-shed coat of the Poodle with the gentleness and trainability of the Labrador. This
provided a guide dog for the blind with less shedding, and hence more suitable for people with
allergies to fur and dander. Today, Labradoodles are often used as Guide dogs, Assistance dogs, and
Therapy dogs
The Labradoodle as a dog breed is still developing, and does not yet breed true, so the puppies do not
have consistently predictable characteristics. While many Labradoodles display desired traits, their
appearance and behavioral characteristics remain, from a breeding standpoint, unpredictable.
As such, Labradoodles' hair can be anywhere from wiry to soft, and may be straight, wavy, or curly.
Some Labradoodles do shed, although the coat usually sheds less and has less dog odor than that of a
Labrador Retriever. The color range includes white, cream, gold, apricot, red, brown and black, and
most of the other colors seen in Poodles. =
Labradoodle coats are generally divided into 3 categories: Wool (with tight curls, and similar in
appearance to that of a Poodle, but with a softer texture); Fleece (soft and free-flowing, with a kinked or
wavy appearance); or Hair (which can be curled, straight or wavy, but is more similar in texture to a
Labrador's coat)
Like most Labrador Retrievers and Poodles, Labradoodles are generally friendly, energetic and good
with families and children (although as with any dog the temperament may vary between individuals).
Labradoodles also often display an affinity for water and the strong swimming ability present in both
their parent breeds.
What are the different classifications?
Labradoodle F1 puppies are the first cross and are normally very healthy and have all the health
benefits of what is termed hybrid vigour. Their coats will vary from smooth scruffy, dense soft scruffy,
wiry dense scruffy to slightly curly. They will have a lower allergen level than a labrador and will shed
considerably less coat. They will moult around 50% less than a labrador and the curlier the coat the
less they generally moult. F1 labradoodles generally do not require clipping. This type of Labradoodle
makes the best family dog for families with small children and is great for the outdoor life.
F2 puppies are an F1 crossed with an F1 - they are still 50/50 genetically but the litter can be more
random.
F1b Labradoodles are an F1 bitch back to an unrelated poodle. Therefore 75% poodle. These can
have long straight or wavy coats or dense curly fleece type coats. They can be delightful as puppies
with a definite Ooh! factor. These puppies will sometimes need to be clipped and have hair removed
from their ear canal on a regular basis. This type are excellent for allergy sufferers and shed very little
or not at all.
F2b Labradoodles - these puppies are 62.5% poodle and are a half way house between the two
above. They are very good looking again with long coats but are the most expensive type to buy.
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