We Love Our Labradoodles

Wondering what the hype is all about? Interested in what a Labradoodle is and what makes it so special? We'll help to explain some of the facts about Labradoodles and why we love them so much.

Origins of the Labradoodle

In the late 1980's an Australian breeder was asked to create an allergy-friendly guide dog for a blind woman living in Hawaii. The woman's husband was allergic to dogs, thus ruling out the standard Lab or German Shepherd as an option. What this woman needed was a hybrid of a trainable, easy-tempered dog and a dog that was shed-free.

Labradoodle Sizes:

Standard:

Height 22–26"
Female 45–65lbs.
Male 50-70lbs.

Medium:

Height 19 –22"
Female 35–45lbs.
Male 40-50lbs.

Miniature:

Height 14 –18"
Female 25–35lbs.
Male 30-40lbs.

Labradoodle Coat Types:

Wooly/Curly Coat – Very similar to a Poodle's hair with tight wooly curls along torso, head and legs. This coat should be cut twice a year to keep it from becoming too long. Longer coats take more maintenance. This coat does not shed.

Fleece Coat – This coat consists of long loopy curls over the torso, head and legs. The coat should feel like soft fleecy wool. The phase between 8 and 12 months of age is a transition phase as the adult coat comes in. During this time, brushing may be needed to strip coat until adult phase is reached. This coat does not shed.

Straight/Wavy Coat – The most low-maintenance coat of the three. This coat varies in length and often develops short waves along the back with feather-like tufts of hair on the ears, tail, and above the eyebrows. This coat does shed.

Labradoodle Coat Colors

Chalk Labradoodle or White Labradoodle - Very light in color ranging from white to a very light yellow or off-white.

Cream Labradoodle or Gold Labradoodle - Very light creme or yellow in color with hints of a peach tone. A slightly warmer tone than that of Chalk/White. The color of our 2006 litter of F1B puppies.

Apricot Labradoodle - A richer hue of peach color with a creme base. Often with a slight tinge of redish orange.

Red Labradoodle - Much more red than a cholocate color. Terra coatta to dark rust coloration. Very dark apricot or peach on color.

Chocolate Labradoodle - Dark umber or deep brown in color. This color is very similar to a Chocolate Lab.

Black Labradoodle - Colored solid black. Similar to color or Black Lab.

Silver Labradoodle - Colored with hints of dark grey and silvery highlights of light grey.

Generation and Genetics

There are a few commonly used genealogy names when referring to the Labradoodle breed. These describe the basic genetic make up of the litter of puppies and often times can give you a general idea of certain physical characteristics including coat type.

F1 – or First Generation. This is the result of breeding a Labrador Retriever with a Standard Poodle (50% Lab and 50% Poodle). F1's typically have straight or wavy coats and vary in their shedding friendliness.

F1B – or Third Generation. This is the result of breeding an F1 to a Standard Poodle (25% Lab and 75% Poodle). Due to their genetic make up being more along the lines of a Poodle, they posses wavy, curly, or wooly coats and are low/no shed and are allergy friendly.

Multi Gens – or Multi-Generational. This is the result of breeding and F1B to another F1B. Multi-Gens have wooly or fleece coats and are allergy friendly.

Temperament

Labradoodles are great with children and are easily trainable. If properly socialized, they get along exceptionally well with other dogs. Due to their Labrador nature, they have the ability to learn special tasks and can be of assistance to persons with disabilities. Labradoodles are not aggressive by nature and develop special loving bonds with their family members.

Labradoodles LOVE water. They are amazing swimmers and make great retrievers. A tennis ball, a good throwing arm, and a body of water is all you need for hours of fun. Labradoodles make great hunting dogs and will go the extra mile to make sure that whatever it is they are supposed to fetch arrives in your hand as soon as "caninely" possible.