Labradoodle: Your Complete Guide

Labradoodles are unique and adorable dogs that are the result of mixing a Labrador retriever and a poodle. They haven’t been around for a long time, and they’re considered a new dog breed, which is why you won’t find them in too many kennel clubs. Many people describe them as playful, fun, silly, and even curious. Typically, labradoodles can be a good fit for first-time pet owners and families with children. Plus, they’re easy to train, and once you get to know one, the deep bond you develop is mutual.

These breeds were first created in Australia by the Australian Guide Dog Foundation to help as service dogs without the shedding that labrador retrievers are prone to. While these dogs were used for this purpose initially, they have become a popular dog breed for all types of people and have grown in popularity since the early 2000s. Today, you can find labradoodles all around the world, and they continue to grow in popularity and availability in the United States.

If you’re curious about learning more about labradoodles to see if they’re right for your home, you’re in the right place. Read on to learn more about labradoodles.

Quick Look at the Labradoodle

Below is a quick glance at the labradoodle in terms of their physical characteristics, lifespan, temperament, and grooming needs. 

Weight/Height	50-90 pounds, 12-24 inches
Coat Type	Short, curly, wiry, soft
Grooming Needs
Shedding
Temperament	Joyful, loyal, spunky, silly, affectionate
Good With Kids
Good With Other Animals
Intelligence
Easy to Train
Energy Level
Barking Habits
Lifespan	12-15 years

What Is the History of Labradoodles?

Labradoodles have a unique and fascinating history. While they have the shared histories of the poodle and the labrador retriever, they also have their own unique history. This breed came to be during the 1980s thanks to a guide dog association, which usually isn’t who you would think of when it comes to creating dog breeds. Even more fascinating, the guide dog foundation that ended up creating this breed was an Australian guide dog foundation.

The program was led by Wally Conren, and the result of this cross-breeding program was a smart and easily trainable puppy that shed less than the original parent breeds. Therefore, the program was a success, and the labradoodle became a popular dog breed for guide dog work, service dog work, and much more. They became popular in the United States during the early 2000s, and they continue to grow in popularity. 

What Do Labradoodles Look Like?

Labradoodles look like you would expect them to – a mix between a Labrador retriever and a poodle. Many of them will look closer to one or the other, so it depends on the genes of the parents. For example, some labradoodes will have tight curly hair that hugs their body, while others will have straight hair but floppy ears. This also applies to their head, body, and tail. They may either have the longer snouts or the labrador retriever or a shorter snout that’s closer to a poodle.

When it comes to their colors, labradoodles come in a wide variety. They can be solid colors, including black, tan, cream, and fawn, or a combination of other colors. However, some labradoodles may be bicolor, such as cream and red or black and white. Therefore, the variation in their appearance can be massive.

What Size Is a Labradoodle?

Labradoodles can vary in size based on the size of the parent breed. You’ll find that some labradoodles are medium-sized dogs, while other labradoodles are large dogs. For these reasons, the average size range varies from 50 to 90 pounds and 21 to 24 inches at the shoulder. However, there can be extremes on each side, so keep this in mind.

What Is a Labradoodle’s Coat Type and Length?

The coat length for a labradoodle varies based on the parent genes, but some coat types are more common than others. One of the most common coat types is a fleece coat that’s around 4-6 inches long. Typically, these coats are soft, wavy, straight, or curly. Some variations are possible, but you can expect most labradoodles to have this type of coat. Still, some labradoodles may have wool coats that are thicker and more sheep-like, so expect some differences in texture.

What Is a Labradoodle’s Temperament? 

Labradoodles have a mild temperament. They’re loyal, affectionate, loving, and much more. Some labradoodles have been described as silly, playful, and curious. There is some variation in their temperament based on the genes of the parents. However, poodles and Labrador retrievers are known for being smart, loyal, and calm dogs, so you don’t have to worry about any extreme temperaments from these dogs. Their temperament makes them great to have around younger family members and other animals. Plus, they’re not usually standoffish or irrational when strangers are around.

Are Labradoodles Good With Kids?

Labradoodles are great with kids. Due to their calm temperament and lack of aggression, you don’t have to worry about labradoodles lashing out at children or harming them during play sessions. That said, you should still keep an eye on a labradoodle when they’re playing with your children. Due to their large size, wrestling with younger children can get dangerous without supervision, and if the children do not know how to interact with dogs properly.

Are Labradoodles Good With Other Animals?

Labradoodles can get along well with other animals. While they do have a prey drive, they can be trained and socialized from a young age to get along with most animals. For the best results, we recommend socializing them at a young age – around 6 months of age. Even with the best training, unless labradoodles are service dogs, it’s possible for them to chase smaller animals or bark at animals they’re unfamiliar with. This is more common during their puppy years and can usually be trained away.

Are Labradoodles Aggressive?

Labradoodles are not aggressive dogs. While they can be trained to be watchdogs or any other type of dog, they aren’t inherently aggressive. The only time they’ll get aggressive is if they feel threatened or if they feel like their human companion is threatened. You don’t usually have to worry about them being aggressive with strangers you invite into your home either, so there isn’t much to worry about in the aggression department with labradoodles.

Do Labradoodles Bark?

Labradoodles don’t bark often. The only time they might bark is when they’re in danger or if they’re trained as watchdogs or service dogs in specific scenarios. Otherwise, you won’t have to worry about them barking at strangers, the mailman, or anything else. While some labradoodles might bark if they’re untrained, a little bit of training and socialization can usually fix the issue. It’s also important to note that labradoodles have a loud bark if they do start to bark. Therefore, this can be risky if you live in an apartment complex with an untrained labradoodle.

Are Labradoodles Affectionate?

Labradoodles are affectionate dogs. They love their companions and warm up to people quickly. Labradoodles are also known for forming deep bonds with people, which makes them perfect for emotional support animals or psychiatric service dogs. Depending on their size, or even in spite of it, some labradoodles will try to sit on your lap, hang out next to you on the couch, or jump into your bed. 

Are Labradoodles Intelligent?

Labradoodles are one of the most intelligent dog breeds out there. They inherit their intelligence from their poodle and Labrador retriever parents, two of the most intelligent dog breeds out there. With this pairing, you also get dogs that can handle complex commands, assist with service tasks, and much more. For labradoodles who aren’t working as service dogs, you have highly trainable and curious companions who are eager to learn new things and explore their environment.

Are Labradoodles Energetic?

Labradoodles are energetic dogs but not excessively so. They need around 30-60 minutes of exercise as adults daily and a little more as puppies. We recommend playing with them once or twice a day if you can; daily walks are also an excellent idea and you should try and take them for at least two 30-minute walks each day or one 60-minute walk. 

This will help them expend their energy and wear down their nails, killing two birds with one stone. While this is what you can expect on average, it’s important to note that labradoodles that share more traits with a labrador retriever might have higher energy levels.

Are Labradoodles Easy to Train?

Labradoodles are easy dogs to train. Poodles and Labrador retrievers are some of the easiest breeds to train, so it should be no surprise that their offspring are highly trainable. Labradoodles can learn complex commands, understand tasks for service dog work, and even assist with more specialized tasks. The best training method for a labradoodle is positive reinforcement training and you can apply this to leash training, behavioral training, and other types of obedience training. You can also teach them agility techniques and much more because they have the bandwidth to handle it.

Are Labradoodles Good Watchdogs?

Labradoodles can make good watchdogs, but only if you train them properly. Failing to train them will result in a dog that doesn’t bark much, or if they do bark, it won’t be at the right time. However, due to their size and intelligence, you shouldn’t have any issues training a labradoodle to become the perfect watchdog. The only drawback is that labradoodles aren’t very intimidating to look at. Unfortunately, they won’t deter any threats based on their appearance alone.

Are Labradoodles Good Service Dogs?

Labradoodles make great service dogs. In fact, they were initially bred to be service dogs that don’t shed, so it’s not uncommon to see them working as service dogs. They’re good at performing complex tasks, including opening doors, fetching medications, and guiding people through thick crowds during a panic attack. 

While they’re known for being good physical service dogs, labradoodles also make great psychiatric service dogs due to their emotional intelligence. They can even be trained to apply deep pressure therapy (DPT) and other types of therapy. You’ll also find labradoodles as emotional support animals and therapy dogs due to their emotional intelligence.

How to Care for a Labradoodle?

Caring for a labradoodle isn’t hard. That said, there are a few things you should note before committing to adopting a labradoodle. For example, you need to have time to brush them daily or at least a few times per week due to their coat type. This is essential for preventing knots. Caring for a labradoodle also includes getting them the right food, watching their weight, and taking them to the vet for annual checkups. Additionally, you should keep an eye on their dental health and brush their teeth when you can – some treats can also improve their dental health.

Do You Need to Groom Labradoodles?

Labradoodles are high maintenance when it comes to grooming. While they don’t shed often, you still have to care for their coat. We recommend taking them to a professional groomer every 6-8 weeks. This is enough to clean their coat, remove tough knots, and keep their coat length in check. You can also have the groomer trim their nails if they’re not wearing down naturally.

Aside from visiting a professional, you also need to groom your labradoodle regularly at home. Use a bristle brush to remove tough knots from their hair, and use a trusted dog shampoo if they get too dirty from playing outside.

Do Labradoodles Shed?

Labradoodles don’t shed often. They were bred to not shed for people who needed guide dogs but without the excessive shedding that may lead to allergies. For this reason, you usually don’t have to worry about shedding. The only time they might shed is during the spring and fall months. Some different coat types can also cause them to shed, so it depends on the genes inherited from the poodle.

What Health Problems Do Labradoodles Have?

Labradoodles have a handful of health problems you need to be aware of before you adopt one. While they’re a healthy breed in general, there are some things you must consider, like Von Willebrand’s disease, hip dysplasia, and Addison’s disease. 

These are all health conditions that can impact labradoodles. While some are easy to spot early in life, like hip dysplasia, Addison’s disease and some joint problems can persist and progress without you noticing right away. For this reason, you have to take your dog to the vet once per year to keep them healthy. Diarrhea, gastrointestinal issues, and skin irritations can also impact labradoodles later in life. 

How Long Do Labradoodles Live?

Labradoodles tend to live for 12-15 years. How long this breed lives comes down to their parent’s genes, size, and lifestyle. To help them make the most out of their life you should feed them a balanced diet and help them get plenty of physical and mental stimulation. Additionally, keep an eye on them as they get older and bring them to the vet annually to address any health issues they may face.

What Should a Labradoodle Eat?

Labradoodles should eat a healthy diet that’s high in protein, carbohydrates, and fats. Try your best to keep these macronutrients balanced and feed them a diet that’s specific for their size. There are specific food options for large dogs and medium-sized dogs, so you need to keep this in mind when choosing the right kibble or wet food. 

Is a Labradoodle the Right Dog for Me?

Labradoodles are great dogs, and they can fit into most people’s lives without issue. They’re great for people who need a service dog and good for people who want a canine companion. In fact, they can even work well as emotional support dogs or therapy dogs. Therefore, if you need a dog to help you with a specific task, you can’t go wrong with a labradoodle.

While labradoodles are great dogs, they’re not for everyone. People who don’t have a lot of space might not be suitable for labradoodles due to their larger size. That said, if you adopt a medium-sized labradoodle, you have a little more leeway here. Labradoodles also work best for people who will be home frequently due to their playfulness and high energy levels. You should commit to playing with them often and make sure you have enough time to walk them daily.

If you think a labradoodle is right for you, consider adopting and training one today.