Labradoodles have been around for less than 50 years; they were initially bred with the intention of creating a hypoallergenic service dog or guide dog. A cross between two of the smartest breeds, the Labrador and the Poodle, labradoodles make for an intelligent, loving, and friendly dog. They have become much more popular in recent times, as well as other variations of the breed, so here is a quick guide all about them:
1) Personality and Temperament
Labradors are well known for being a friendly and intelligent dog, popular with families. Poodles are also a very intelligent dog and come in a variety of sizes. The cross between poodle and Labrador creates a clever dog that loves everyone, wants lots of attention, and requires plenty of exercise and stimulation. If you plan on getting a puppy, you should always meet the parents, so you know what to expect of the appearance, traits, and personality of the dog, as it will vary significantly depending on the parents. You can always expect a fun, excitable, and loving dog who makes an ideal companion for anyone, including families with children or cats – as long as the dog is introduced to children and cats from a young age, they can learn to get along great with them.
2) Size and Diet
Because poodles can come in several sizes, labradoodles also vary in size. The amount of food they eat can be determined by their size, but their diet should consist of nutritional dog food from a trusted brand. If you want to find the best food for a labradoodle, dog-loving pet food brands like bellaandduke.com have guides offering more insight into the health and nutritional requirements of the breed. Bella and Duke are a dog-food company that makes raw dog food tailored to specific nutritional needs; they are highly rated and use well-sourced ingredients, so you can trust the quality of their food. Their dog blog offers great advice and tips on taking care of your dog and keeping them healthy and happy.
3) Appearance and Grooming
Whilst they were initially bred to be a hypoallergenic dog and are advertised as such, as a cross-breed, and with so many people breeding them to different standards, you cannot expect a hypoallergenic dog. Their coats vary between a smooth hair coat, a wavy fleece coat, and a curly wool coat, and whilst some labradoodles can have minimal shedding, there is no guarantee that they will be hypoallergenic. It is actually the dander and protein in saliva that causes allergies, not the hair, so even low-shedding dogs can cause allergies. Because of the coat variations, grooming requirements will differ, but you can expect to brush your dog at least twice a week. Labradoodles also come in lots of different colours, from white to black, red to cream, and chocolate to caramel.
Getting your puppy accustomed to handling their paws, brushing them, and clipping their nails is important, as it will make their visits to the vets and the groomers less stressful if they are used to being handled this way. You can also use this time to check their skin for irritation and check their ears and paws carefully for any problems or signs of infection.
4) Training and Exercise
As an intelligent breed mix, labradoodles are usually easily trainable and work hard for treat rewards. They actively seek out entertainment, so if you don’t provide them with enough attention, playtime, and stimulation, they may find their own mischief. They are very energetic, and you should give them daily exercise walking them and playing with them. You can give them walks on the lead on pavements, as well as plenty of off-lead exercise at parks too. They are adaptable to living in different home settings, as long as they get regular exercise and attention. They are very much a companion dog, so should not be left alone for long periods of time.
5) Things You Should Know
Because of the surge in popularity and the fact that they are a cross breed rather than a pedigree, there are unfortunately many irresponsible breeders who do not follow guidelines on finding suitable breeding pairs and doing health checks. All dogs are susceptible to health problems, but responsible breeders seek to only produce healthy litters from pairs who have been health checked and meet requirements. Less responsible breeders are more interested in the high prices they can charge for puppies. You should always meet the parents of potential puppies and be aware of puppy mills and backyard breeders.
Labradoodles are incredibly popular because of how friendly and fun they are, but sadly, many end up in shelters when people underestimate the responsibilities that come with owning a dog. Before buying a puppy from a breeder, you should look in dog shelters for dogs that need a new home, as there are so many dogs in shelters that need adopting, including labradoodles.