Australian Labradoodle

Where Do Australian Labradoodles Come From?

The term ‘Labradoodle’ was first coined back in 1955. But, the name—and the dog itself—did not become popular until several decades later. In the 1980s, Wally Conran, a breeding manager for Australian Guide Dog Services, found himself faced with a challenge.

A client needed a guide dog but also suffered from terrible allergies to dogs. Labradors have long been used as guide dogs, mainly owing to their gentle nature. But they are certainly not hypoallergenic.

No dog breed is truly ‘hypoallergenic’. But the curly coat of the Poodle does ‘catch’ some of the loose hairs and dander that are responsible for allergies. So, for some people, that means fewer allergies.

Conran came up with the idea of crossing the Labrador with the Poodle. The result? The first modern Labradoodle. And within a few years, the Labradoodle became extremely popular. In Australia and around the world.

Australian Labradoodle vs Labradoodle

Contrary to popular belief, a Labradoodle born down under does not automatically qualify as an ‘Australian Labradoodle’! In fact, there are significant differences between the Labradoodle and Australian Labradoodle.

Labradoodles have one Labrador parent and one Poodle parent. These first-generation Labradoodles are referred to as F1. And from those we get second-generation, F2, and so on. On the other hand, Australian Labradoodles can be a blend of up to six different breeds:

• Labrador
• Poodle
• Cocker Spaniel
• American Cocker Spaniel
• Curly Coated Retriever
• Irish Water Spaniel.

Australian Labradoodle Breeds

These breeds are selectively mixed together to create a dog with a winning temperament. But also with a low-shedding coat.

Australian Labradoodles have been bred this way since the 1980s. Even now, breeders are striving to make a consistent set of breed-specific traits. They hope these can be reliably passed down from one generation to the next. And that’s why Australian Labradoodles have far more predictable traits. The breed standard was introduced in 1997. And many enthusiasts hope they will eventually be recognized as a breed in their own right.

Fun Fact!

The Royal Guide Dogs (Wally Conran worked for these guys) bred 31 of these original Labradoodles. And of those 31, 29 became guide dogs. Pretty impressive for the first-ever batch of this brand-new mix. Don’t you think?

Australian Labradoodle Size

Australian Labradoodles full grown can reach around 24 inches tall and weigh about 77 lbs. This will be slightly more for males on average than for females.

Doodle Coats and Colors

They can have one of two coat types. Either fleece-textured or wool-textured. They are often described as teddy bear-like. And this certainly adds to their appeal!

• Fleece-textured coats are soft and either straight or wavy. They can also have spiral-shaped curls.
• Wool-textured coats feel—you guessed it!—like wool! And they’re usually curly.

There are loads of different Australian Labradoodle colors! Some of the most popular include black, red, white, apricot, caramel and even parti patterns.

Grooming

Whether your Australian Labradoodle has a fleece- or wool-textured coat, they will need regular brushing. Usually around once a week. You might find it useful to enlist a professional groomer. They can trim your pup’s coat two or three times a year.

When grooming, be sure to check your pup;s eyes and ears. It’s important to keep their nails trimmed, too. If in doubt, speak to your dog’s vet and/or groomer. They can offer specific advice on your pup’s coat and nails.

Australian Labradoodle Temperament

Australian Labradoodles are gentle, loyal, and sociable. They are not aggressive and are very good with children. Plus, they are intelligent and quick to learn. In fact, they are widely used as therapy and service dogs. Mainly because they’re so universally friendly, gentle, and easy to train.

Naturally playful, they enjoy time with their human families. But they should not be left alone or in crates for too long. Also, Australian Labradoodles are active dogs. They need a large amount of daily activity. At least 30-60 minutes is ideal.

Positive Training Methods

Australian Labradoodles are often described as ‘born to serve.’ This means that they’re naturally quick to learn. And as a result, relatively easy to train. But, it’s very important to begin training and socialization early in your puppy’s life.

Socialization can have a huge impact on your puppy’s development. And puppies that are socialized early are less likely to display behavioral problems later on.

Research shows that positive, rewards-based training is more effective than punishment-based training. In fact, punishments negatively affect behavior. But rewards-based training actually improves your dog’s ability to learn.

When using rewards to train your pup, make sure you include any edible treats as part of your pup’s daily food allowance. This will help prevent weight problems.

Australian Labradoodle Health

Have you ever heard of ‘hybrid vigor’ in mixed-breed dogs? Some evidence suggests mixed-breed dogs experience fewer inherited disorders than their purebred counterparts.

The limited gene pools of purebreds can cause a number of health-related issues. This is due to years of inbreeding. But, this doesn’t mean mixed breeds are entirely free from the same inherited conditions. They may still inherit certain health conditions from either parent. So, if you’re considering an Australian Labradoodle, you should be aware of the potential health concerns.

Parents should have good hip and elbow scores, a recent clear eye test and and a clear screening for the bleeding disorder Von Willebrand’s.

Is the Australian Labradoodle Right For Me?

An Australian Labradoodle is a great fit if you have children or other pets. Or if you’re looking simply for a gentle companion that gets along with anyone. They tend to be calmer than the standard Labradoodle. Plus, they’re quick learners.

Early socialization and consistent rewards-based training will help your Australian Labradoodle become a great people-pleaser. But, if you work away from home for long hours, this pup may not be the best choice.

References

• Australian Labradoodle Association of America
• Hiby EF, Rooney NJ, and Bradshaw JWS. 2004. Dog training methods: their use, effectiveness and interaction with behavior and welfare. Animal Welfare.
• Howell TJ, King T, and Bennett PC. 2015. Puppy parties and beyond: the role of early age socialization practices on adult dog behavior. Veterinary Medicine: Research and Reports.
• Oliver JAC and Gould DJ. 2012. Survey of ophthalmic abnormalities in the labradoodle in the UK. Veterinary Record.
• Rooney NJ and Cowan S. 2011. Training methods and owner-dog interactions: Links with dog behavior and learning ability. Applied Animal Behavior Science.