Labradoodle

Doodle is believed to have been first bred in Australia in 1988. It was done in the hopes of creating a highly trainable and hypoallergenic guide dog for people allergic to dogs.

The first successful cross between a Labrador Retriever and a standard Poodle was done by a man named Wally Conron. This fateful event happened at the Royal Guide Dogs Associations of Australia in Victoria. It produced a dog named Sultan, which became a guide dog for his new owner who was in need of a guide dog in Hawaii for ten years.

The Labradoodle's trainability and gentle nature made him a sought-after breed, both as a guide dog and a family companion. In the present-day, he has also thrived as an assistance and therapy dog.

Labradoodle dogs are usually bred by crossing a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle. However, multigenerational breeding has been done to create a workable and recognisable breed hopefully.

Since the Labradoodle is still considered a hybrid, he is not recognised by the Kennel Club. However, the Labradoodle Club in the UK (UKLA) serves as the regulatory organisation to maintain good breeding practices.

How big do Labradoodles get?

Like most hybrid dogs with parents that differ in size and looks, predicting the overall appearance and adult size of the Labradoodle is quite difficult. Doodles can be small, medium, or large, and are often divided into three sizes:

• Miniature Labradoodle average size: 36 to 40 centimetres and 7 to 11 kilos
• Medium Labradoodle average size: 43 to 50 centimetres and 13 to 18 kilos
• Standard Labradoodle average size: 53 to 61 centimetres and 28 to 35 kilos

Labradoodles’ three sizes are generally well-balanced designer dogs with an athletic look. They usually exude a graceful appearance with a soft coat, which can either be any of the following textures:

• The fleece coat, which tends to be long and straight or wavy. This type of coat is low-shedding and has somewhat an angora coat texture because of its silkiness.
• The wool coat, which is made up of tight curls, takes after the Poodle. This curly-coated type is virtually non-shedding and hypoallergenic.
• The hair coat, which is the least popular coat type and often seen in first-generation Labradoodles. It takes after the Labrador Retriever, and it sheds profusely all-year-round.

Doodles usually come in black, red, blue, silver, caramel, chalk, chocolate, café, cream, lavender, parchment, apricot/gold, and apricot/cream colours.

Do Labradoodles shed?

Labradoodle is a low to average shedder. How much grooming your dog will require depends on the length and texture of the coat.

Labradoodles usually only requires brushing once or twice a week. However, some of them might need to be professionally trimmed especially those with fleece coats. Bathing can be done as needed.

Aside from brushing, grooming also entails clipping the nails every six to eight weeks and brushing his teeth a minimum of three times a week to prevent halitosis or bad breath. Cleaning your Doodle's ears weekly should also be a part of his regular grooming routine to prevent ear infections.

Do Labradoodles make good pets?

The Labradoodle dog breed is a popular choice not only because of his endearing appearance but also his friendly and loving nature. Like his parent breeds, he makes a delightful companion and family pet for children of all ages. He is an excellent match for first-time dog owners too.

Whether being first or multigeneration Doodle, he generally will be a good-natured and gentle family dog. The LabraDoodle gets along well with other pets. However, supervision is a must during child–dog or other pet–dog interactions. This will prevent accidents from happening due to rough playing.

The Doodle dog is highly trainable because of his intelligent and people-pleasing characteristics. However, as a high-energy dog, his training should include plenty of physically and mentally stimulating activities to match his brainpower.

For an adult Labradoodle, a typical serving is 1 to 2.5 cups of high-quality dry dog food per day, depending on his age, size, build, activity level, and metabolism.

An adult Labradoodle’s (weighing 18 kilos)daily calorie needs:

• Senior and less active: up to 990 calories daily
• Typical adult: up to 1,100 calories daily
• Physically active/working-dog: up to 1,200 calories daily

For a Doodle on a dry dog food diet, chose the ones with animal protein as the top ingredient. However, you can always prepare your pet's food, but make sure that you pair it with supplements to avoid nutrient deficiencies. Omega fatty acids could be added to keep your Labradoodle's coat healthy.

It is advised to always check with your vet first before putting your Doodle on a new diet or starting with a new supplement.

How long do Labradoodles live?

Cross-breeds are often said to be healthier and tend to live longer than purebreds. The Labradoodle is a great proof for this claim as his average lifespan is 12 to 15 years.

However, like most breeds, Doodle can be predisposed to certain health problems, which include:

• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
• Cataracts
• Hip dysplasia
• Elbow dysplasia
• Cruciate ligament injuries
• Patellar luxation
• Addison's disease
• Sebaceous adenitis

Labradoodle is a smart, high-energy dog that requires at least one hour of daily exercise. If he is unable to let off steam and release his energy, he will look for other things to occupy himself, which can be in destructive means.

How much do Labradoodles puppies cost?

Although the Labradoodle is not a full-fledge pedigree breed, a well-bred Labradoodle puppy will cost a minimum of £600 and can go over £1,500.

Apart from the cost of the Labradoodle puppy, you may also need to spend around £150 to £200 on dog accessories and equipment such as food bowls, lead, collar, bed, and crate.

To ensure that your Labradoodle puppy stays healthy and fuelled with high-quality food, it will cost around £30 to £40 a month for his food.

When it comes to healthcare, availing of pet insurance can range from £20 for a time-limited cover to £40 for a lifelong insurance cover. These prices vary depending on your dog's health, age, size, and weight, the type of cover you choose, and the insurance provider, so be sure to shop around.

Labradoodle’s vaccinations and routine check-ups usually are not covered by pet insurance. So, if you are not planning to breed your Labradoodle, you might want to have your pup spayed or neutered. These can have a combined cost of £1,000 for the first year.

Other regular outgoings to own a Doodle might include paying for a dog walker, puppy day-care service, and grooming services.