Australian Labradoodles
Australian Labradoodles are not simply a cross between a Poodle and a Labrador Retriever. In the 1980’s, breeders in Australia began carefully infusing several other breeds until it was discovered that adding the English and American Cocker Spaniel as well as the Irish Water Spaniel to the Labrador/Poodle mix improved confirmation and coat. This mix was combined to bring about the much desired characteristics of allergy and asthma friendly, low to no shedding coats and a service dog quality temperament for family companions. After several generations of select breeding, the multi generation “Australian Labradoodle” was born.
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Australian Labradoodles are friendly, happy, loyal, playful, affectionate, intuitive and intelligent dogs with lush coats that are more low to non-shedding and allergy friendly than other types of Labradoodles. Even when the other types of Labradoodles are bred for generations, the result is not an Australian Labradoodle. Australian Labradoodle breeding dogs are carefully selected for coat, temperament and intelligence with bloodlines tracing back to Teagan Park and Rutland Manor in Australia where the much desired traits of Australian Labradoodles were refined. In addition to consistency in coat and confirmation, extensive genetic testing is conducted on each breeding dog, including hips, eyes, heart and DNA screening for disease.
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The Australian Labradoodle is athletic and graceful, yet compact with medium boning. Happy and energetic when free, then gentle and quiet when handled or resting. They approach people in a friendly manner. They are easy to train and eager to please. However, like all dogs, time must be spent in training and handlers should have a loving, gentle, patient approach for ideal development. Australian Labradoodle coats are allergy friendly, free flowing wavy or curly and do not shed. Sizes of the Australian Labradoodles are mini, medium and standard.
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Australian Labradoodles offer a wide variety of colors and include various shading such as solid, mismatched, and parti (two colors). Puppie’s coats may fade or darken as they mature and since Labradoodles love the outdoors, coats highlighted by the sun are expected. Colors include cream, black, chocolates (which come in many shades and are not totally predictable), caramels, reds, and apricots to name a few.
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Coat types are not completely predictable and dogs may have variations within their coat colors. All coats should be brushed out weekly and groomed every 3 months. Coat types are as follows:
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Fleece
The fleece coat texture is light and silky, similar to the Angora goat. This coat can range from loosely waved to a more curly wave. Fleece coats shed very little, if any. At about one year, all labradoodles will lose their puppy coat and an identical coat will grow in. You may want to have your puppy shaved at this point as matting can easily occur.
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Wool
Wool coats are more dense to the touch and feel more like a sheep’s wool. Curls are springy and it is rare for a wool coat to shed. To keep the wool coat long and flowing will require more maintenance. The wool coat looks beautiful cut shorter and is very easy to maintain this way.
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GENERATIONS EXPLAINED
F1 (first generation): 50% Poodle and 50% Labrador
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F1B (First generation Labradoodle (F1) bred to a Poodle): The puppies are more likely to look like a poodle because they are 75% poodle. The coat of this type dog varies and may still shed and the dog may have size restrictions.
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F2 (parents for this dog are both F1’s): Puppies from the same litter may have inconsistent characteristics. Some may be more “poodle-looking” while others may look more like a labrador. The dogs’ coats may be more hair-like as a labrador or poodle-like depending on the puppy.
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F3 (F2 Labradoodle and an F1 Labradoodle): F3 or above is considered “Multi-generational”. When a Labradoodle is 3 or more generations into the breed, they are considered Multi-Generational Labradoodles. This allows knowledgeable breeders to refine the physical traits, coat types and personality of this breed. The Multi-Generational Labradoodle is allergy friendly and has a much more desirable coat in quality and texture.
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To qualify as a purebred Multi-Generational Australian Labradoodle (Multi-Gen) or Purebred Australian Labradoodle: The offspring of 5 or more consecutive breedings of Multi-Gen Australian Labradoodle to a Multi-Gen Labradoodle or to infusion breed a Cocker Spaniel to soften the coat, or a F1/F1B/F2 Labradoodle. Infusion of these breeds help strengthen the rigor of the breed by adding to the gene pool.
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LABRADOODLE SIZE CATEGORIES
Labradoodles come in three different sizes. Measuring should take place from the floor to the top of the wither, NOT to the top of the head.
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Standard – 22 to 24 (not over 25) inches from the wither to the ground measurement. Weight range is from 50-65 lbs.
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Medium – 17 to 20 (not over 21) inches from the wither to the ground measurement. Weight ranges from 30-50 pounds.
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Miniature – 13 to 16 (not over 17) inches from the wither to the ground measurement. Weight ranges from 15-26 lbs.
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LABRADOODLE LIFE EXPECTANCY
When provided with regular checkups, proper care and a healthy diet, the average life expectancy is usually between 12-15 years.