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Important Information Concerning Australian Labradoodles

By Deanne Shepard


Labradoodle is a breed of dog that resulted from crossbreeding a Labrador retriever and a standard poodle. The first purposeful breeding was done around 1989 or earlier although the term had first been used as early as 1955. The breeding was done in Australia by Wally Conron hence the name Australian labradoodle. The term labradoodle became more popular around the late 80s because of the increased use of the breed as an allergen-free guide dog.

Current breeder organizations and fanciers do not consider the dog as a breed and not all of them are hypoallergenic. However, that is a quality that many people look for in the dog. Since strictly speaking no dog is totally hypoallergenic, the term is applied loosely in most contexts. Breeding is mostly done between the original breeds although some breeders use Australian labradoodles for breeding in an attempt to create a new breed.

Labradoodles are not used for hunting although both original parents are hunting dogs. They were primarily developed to work for disabled people as service dogs. They are easy to train like Labrador retrievers and experience low hypoallergenic and slow-shedding like poodles. They can serve as both loveable pets and service dogs if bred and trained well.

This type of dog comes in three major size variations. The size is highly dependent on the size of the poodle used for first-generation breeding. Standard, medium, and miniature are the three main size categories available on the market. The standard size ranges between 21 and 24 inches in height with females being smaller than males. Weight ranges between 50 and 65 pounds. The medium size ranges between 17 and 20 inches in height and weighs between 30 to 45 pounds.

The attractive characteristics exhibited by the canine make people to like it. It is well known for sociability, cheerful disposition, intelligence, level headedness, and affection. They show love to all members of the family and can be very playful when happy. Temperament is highly influenced by factors such as training, socialization, and heredity. It is good to choose puppies with average social ability. They should not be too aggressive or too shy either.

In general labradoodles maintain good health, although certain infections and diseases may affect them in different stages of growth. The effect of infections and diseases may vary from one animal to another. Infections and diseases that affect them include ear infections, hip and elbow dysplasia, epilepsy, diabetes mellitus, progressive retinal atrophy, various allergies, and hypothyroidism. Health clearances of parents should be shown before purchasing puppies from a breeder.

This dog is not recommendable for apartments but does great in a fenced yard. At least an hour should be allowed everyday for exercise. Time for exercise is important because it helps the animal to expel off excess energy which can be used for destruction if not expelled. One can take them out for jogging and walking in the mornings and evenings.

The animal should not be over-fed or under-fed. 1 to 2.5 cups of food is the recommended amount. The food should be dry and rich in nutrients or all kinds. Two meals are sufficient in a day.




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