About the Breed
The Australian Labradoodle breed started in the 1980s by Wally Conran for the Royal Guide Dogs in Victoria, Australia. The goal was to create a breed that was allergy and asthma friendly with the temperament of a service dog. He started with a Poodle and a Labrador Retriever as he felt this mix would be excellent for the attributes of temperament and coat that would be needed for a guide dog.
The Australian Labradoodle breed is not just a cross between a lab and a poodle. English and American Cocker Spaniels and Irish Water Spaniels were also brought into the mix to bring in qualities that Tegan Park and Rutland Manor felt were needed to create a breed that would have the characteristics of allergy and asthma friendliness, low to no shedding, a service dog quality temperament for family companions, top quality confirmation and desired coat types.
In addition to being non-allergenic and non-shedding, Labradoodles are known for their characteristically wavy fleece coats, their intelligence, their upbeat nature and their incredibly friendly temperaments. As such, it is no surprise that these dogs are fast becoming among the most beloved breeds available.
Size and colors
The Labradoodle can come in several different colors, black, blue, silver, chalk, cream, cafe-au-laits, apricots, red, phantom (rare)gold, and chocolate. Small white patches as found in the Lab and Poodle at chest and toes are accepted. Accepted color variations include: Solid: Coat color is solid and even. Clear colors are preferred but natural variations in the shading of the coat are not to be considered a fault. Parti-colored: At least fifty percent white, with spots or patches of any other acceptable solid color. The head can be of a solid color but white muzzle, blaze, or white muzzle/blaze combination (preferably symmetrical) are equally acceptable. Full or partial saddles are acceptable, as long as they do not exceed the color proportion, but are not preferred. Ticking in the white of the coat is acceptable but not preferred.
In addition, there are three basic sizes.
Standard Labradoodles are the largest, measuring 21-25 inches and weighing over 43 pounds.
Medium Labradoodles, measuring 17-20 inches, weigh between 33 and 43 pounds.
Finally, Miniature Labradoodles measure up to 16 inches, and weigh up to 33 pounds.
The varied sizes and appearances of Labradoodles means that every family can find one that is a perfect fit for their home.
Coats
As the Labradoodle develops through the generations there are many coat types from short sparse hairy coats, to long flowing hair coats, to wooly curly coats. But the ideal is the non shedding Fleece or Curly Wool Coat, which must not shed, is allergy friendly to the vast majority of persons with dog related allergies and which has no doggy odor. The coat is one of the unique features of this breed and must be a priority coming close behind health & sound temperament.
The Fleece coat: Fleece coats have a distinctly soft fleecy 'feel' like no other dog coat. It should be a single coat, with a complete absence of fluffy undercoat. Ideally it should not be too thick, nor fuzzy, but should hang in loose loopy spirals similar to that of the angora goat. Length is around four to six inches, on body, tail, head and face and on the legs. A 'change' of coat is permissible from puppy to adult and due to hormonal changes in entire females. This should not shed itself out, but needs to be stripped out with grooming.
The Wool Curly Coat: The Wool Curly Coat feels similar to that of a pure bred Poodle and will often be quite tightly curled.But it should be the breeders' goal to breed a looser curl than that of the Poodle in the interest of lower maintenance.
The Hair Coat: Hair Coats can be wavy or curly, short or long and although not ideal, are permissible during the early years of development in breeding programs. if these dogs are exceptional in conformation, temperament and health, they can be valuable breeding dogs when mated to suitable partners and should not be discarded for breeding.
The Australian Labradoodle breed is not just a cross between a lab and a poodle. English and American Cocker Spaniels and Irish Water Spaniels were also brought into the mix to bring in qualities that Tegan Park and Rutland Manor felt were needed to create a breed that would have the characteristics of allergy and asthma friendliness, low to no shedding, a service dog quality temperament for family companions, top quality confirmation and desired coat types.
In addition to being non-allergenic and non-shedding, Labradoodles are known for their characteristically wavy fleece coats, their intelligence, their upbeat nature and their incredibly friendly temperaments. As such, it is no surprise that these dogs are fast becoming among the most beloved breeds available.
Size and colors
The Labradoodle can come in several different colors, black, blue, silver, chalk, cream, cafe-au-laits, apricots, red, phantom (rare)gold, and chocolate. Small white patches as found in the Lab and Poodle at chest and toes are accepted. Accepted color variations include: Solid: Coat color is solid and even. Clear colors are preferred but natural variations in the shading of the coat are not to be considered a fault. Parti-colored: At least fifty percent white, with spots or patches of any other acceptable solid color. The head can be of a solid color but white muzzle, blaze, or white muzzle/blaze combination (preferably symmetrical) are equally acceptable. Full or partial saddles are acceptable, as long as they do not exceed the color proportion, but are not preferred. Ticking in the white of the coat is acceptable but not preferred.
In addition, there are three basic sizes.
Standard Labradoodles are the largest, measuring 21-25 inches and weighing over 43 pounds.
Medium Labradoodles, measuring 17-20 inches, weigh between 33 and 43 pounds.
Finally, Miniature Labradoodles measure up to 16 inches, and weigh up to 33 pounds.
The varied sizes and appearances of Labradoodles means that every family can find one that is a perfect fit for their home.
Coats
As the Labradoodle develops through the generations there are many coat types from short sparse hairy coats, to long flowing hair coats, to wooly curly coats. But the ideal is the non shedding Fleece or Curly Wool Coat, which must not shed, is allergy friendly to the vast majority of persons with dog related allergies and which has no doggy odor. The coat is one of the unique features of this breed and must be a priority coming close behind health & sound temperament.
The Fleece coat: Fleece coats have a distinctly soft fleecy 'feel' like no other dog coat. It should be a single coat, with a complete absence of fluffy undercoat. Ideally it should not be too thick, nor fuzzy, but should hang in loose loopy spirals similar to that of the angora goat. Length is around four to six inches, on body, tail, head and face and on the legs. A 'change' of coat is permissible from puppy to adult and due to hormonal changes in entire females. This should not shed itself out, but needs to be stripped out with grooming.
The Wool Curly Coat: The Wool Curly Coat feels similar to that of a pure bred Poodle and will often be quite tightly curled.But it should be the breeders' goal to breed a looser curl than that of the Poodle in the interest of lower maintenance.
The Hair Coat: Hair Coats can be wavy or curly, short or long and although not ideal, are permissible during the early years of development in breeding programs. if these dogs are exceptional in conformation, temperament and health, they can be valuable breeding dogs when mated to suitable partners and should not be discarded for breeding.
