Labradoodles ~ What
Need Do Australian Labradoodles Meet?
Australian
Labradoodles are a relatively new breed created in Australia with the intent
to provide non shed, less allergenic dogs for use as service dogs for the
blind, hearing impaired and other needs. The steady, calm disposition
of the Labrador Retriever coupled with the noted smarts of the Poodle,
along with judicious small additions of other breeds, seemed to be the
perfect combination for the creation of a new dog breed now known as the Australian Labradoodle. Much work
has also gone into selecting for a soft, loosely curled coat that does
not demand as much grooming as the poodle coat often needs. A true Australian Labradoodle
coat should not require more than an occasional trim and weekly brushing,
making them an easy care dog for those with disabilities.
The traits
that make a perfect service dog are also the traits that are highly desirable
for the perfect family pet... A dog that is sensible, smart, loyal,
calm, loves people and void of aggression in a non shed, allergy friendly,
easy care "wrapping" describes the ideal qualities looked for in a family
pet. There is a huge demand for well bred Australian labradoodles
and wait lists are common for reputable labradoodle breeders. Good labradoodle breeders are
working hard to ensure that health testing is done on the dogs used in
the breeding program to try and prevent the health problems commonly found
in many breeds today. And when you are choosing a breeder, you should
ask questions about what health testing has been done on their labradoodle
breeding stock and what health guarantees they offer.
What
Is An Australian Labradoodle?
Most
breeds originated for use as hunters, herders, guard dogs or draft animals,
and breed traits were selected for that purpose. Australian labradoodles
bear the distinction of being a breed created to be companions and helpers
to people. The Australian
Labradoodle is a distinct breed
in its' own right, differing from straight poodle/lab crosses of
various
percentages. This is due, in part, to generations of selection
based
on temperament and type, and to the infusion of other breeds that
contributed
to the characteristics now seen in the breed. The true Australian
Labradoodle has infusions in the background of their pedigrees of
English and American Cocker Spaniel, Irish Water Spaniel, Curly Coated
Retriever as well as the Poodle and Labrador Retreiver.
Australian Labradoodles
are characterized first and foremost by temperament. Labradoodles are
to be a sweet, friendly, loving intelligent dog void of aggression.
The founder of the breed has said that they particularly focused on breeding
for excellent temperament and health. Only non dominant males and
females were used in their labradoodle breeding program, regardless of
what other attributes they may have possessed... generations of this
kind of selection has now consistently produced a sweet natured, friendly
dog. Labradoodles are a solid bodied dog, sturdy in type, with a non shed
coat. The Australian Labradoodle breed is now a recognizable breed
in its own right with a breed standard of its' own and will breed true
to itself. Here at Copper Canyon Labradoodles, we have chosen to
begin our breeding program with multigenerational Australian Labradoodles
direct from Tegan Park Breeding and Research Centre, one of the breed founders,
and will continue to breed carefully, so as to maintain the high standards
of this lovely breed.
Click here
to go to the Australian Labradoodle breed standard.
Labradoodles: F1 ~ F1B ~ Multigens... How Is The
Australian Labradoodle Different?
The
primary difference between Australian Labradoodles (sometimes referred
to as "multigens") and other labradoodles is consistency...
consistent non-shed and less allergenic coat, consistent sweet
temperament, consistent body type. Australian Labradoodles have
many generations of labradoodle bred to labradoodle on their pedigrees.
F1's Since
the very first crossings done in Australia in 1989 when
the labradoodle breed was developed, there are a range of other types of labradoodles
being bred to meet the demand for this popular new breed. First generation
labradoodle crosses (poodle x lab) are called F1 crosses and will have
attributes of both the lab and poodle. Many F1 labradoodles will
shed to some degree (though generally less than a pure lab or other hair
coated dog) and some will not.
F1B'sand F2's Other breeders are breeding a first
generation labradoodle with a standard or miniature poodle (75% poodle
25% lab) and calling that cross an F1B. F1B labradoodles do not tend
to shed and can show more of the characteristics of the pure poodle in
type. Second generation labradoodle crosses (F1 x F1) will show more
variation, both in body type and in coat type, with some of them showing
a flat lab type coat, a low to moderate shedding coat and some
a non shed poodle or 'fleece' coat and varying degrees of lab or poodle
body type.
As a general statement, there is more variablity found
in the earlier generations of labradoodles as type and temperament traits
are not yet 'set'. By the third generation (F2 x F2), both body type
and coat type will be more predictable, depending on the individual dogs
selected in the breeding program. It is not enough to only choose
for coat type, the whole picture should be kept in mind. It is a
challenge to breed for temperament, coat AND type when developing this
breed from 'scratch', not forgetting the health testing of parent stock
along the way!
Also gaining
recognition are other various 'doodle' breeds. Shepadoodles, goldendoodles
and aussiedoodles all have their loyal following. The same discussion
above regarding coat types and shedding applies to these other doodle breeds
as well.
Labradoodle Breed History
The first recorded
purposeful breeding of a lab to a poodle was done in 1988 by
Wally Conran, who was working for the Royal Guide Dog Association.
A client's husband had allergies to dogs... over twenty
poodles had saliva and hair samples taken and sent to where they
resided, but her husband was allergic to all samples sent. A
while later, Wally suggested crossing one of the Labrador Retrievers
with a Standard Poodle. This was done and one of the resulting
three puppies did NOT aggravate her husband's allergies. He was
named Sultan and successfully competed his training as a service dog.
Although the lab x poodle program at the Royal Guide Dog Association
was eventually abandoned, of the 31 puppies bred by the RGDA, 29 of
them passed the qualifications to be service dogs, demonstrating the
wonderful potential of the early labradoodle breedings. It should
also be mentioned that the sires and dams of these 29 labradoodle
puppies were in the breeding program of the guide dog association
because of their attributes of intelligence, trainability, willingness
and loyalty. Not just ANY poodle crossed with ANY lab produced
these exceptional results!
After the RGDA abandoned the breeding program, likely because of the
lack of consistency regarding non-shed coats and non-allergenic
characteristics in the lower generations, Angela Cunningham, founder of
Tegan Park Breeding and Research Centre, took up the challenge.
Purchasing dogs from the guide dog association as well as various
crosses from another dog breeder named Don Evans, she began to build a
breed type. Other breeds were infused to achieve the vision of
what she believed a labradoodle should be and then bred back into
existing lines to create the Australian Labradoodle as we know it today.
Labradoodles ~ Special Requirements
Australian
Labradoodles are not a breed that will suit every person!
Labradoodles are
a smart breed and need stimulation, attention and some grooming.
They will not suit a family or person where they are kenneled for most
of the day or left to their own devices in the house, as left to their
own, they may find their own amusements! Labradoodles are NOT a
dog that you can leave tied or penned in the back yard. They are a very social breed,
learn quickly and want to be with their people as a part of the family. They will need brushing once a week, a light trim every two or three months
and baths occasionally. A well bred labradoodle is a pleasure to
have around, is remarkably healthy and has an average life span of 12 to
15 years or longer. If you are looking for a family companion that
is loving, smart, playful, non shedding and you have the time to train
and love a dog, an Australian Labradoodle may be the dog for you!
