The Labradoodle is a Labrador and Poodle mix, and now you know how they got their good looks and friendly demeanor. During the 1980s, a man named Wally Conron cross-bred a Labrador and a Poodle to create the first Labradoodle. Soon after, many breeders followed suit and perfected the Labradoodle hybrid that we see today. Labradoodles have recently shot up in popularity amongst dog owners and for excellent reasons. Labradoodles are family-friendly, easy to train, easy to groom, and are generally very healthy dogs. Labradoodles come in a variety of sizes, including miniature, medium, and standard, so they are perfect for people wanting small or large dogs.
Labrador is the number one dog breed by popularity on the American Kennel Club’s top ten list, and Poodle is the 7th. The Labradoodle carries both Labrador’s and Poodle’s best personalities. However, Labradoodle being a designer dog, the American Kennel Club (AKC), does not recognize Labradoodles.
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Labradoodle Appearance
There are three size classification standards for Labradoodles, miniature, medium, and standard.
An adult standard male Labradoodle can grow up to 24 inches tall maximum, and females should be around 23 inches maximum height. They can weigh up to a maximum of 65 pounds at maturity.
Medium male Labradoodles can grow up to 20 inches tall, and females can grow up to 19 inches tall. They can weigh up to a maximum of 45 pounds at maturity.
Miniature Labradoodle male dogs can grow up to 16 inches tall, and females can reach 14 inches tall. They can weigh up to a maximum of 24 pounds at maturity.
Labradoodles are one of the few dogs that come in a variety of beautiful coat colors, and there is a Labradoodle out there for everyone! Here are some pictures of these cute Labradoodle dogs in varying coat shades.
Black Labradoodle
Chocolate Labradoodle
Cream Labradoodle
Apricot Labradoodle
Parchment Labradoodle
Red Labradoodle
Silver Labradoodle
Blue Labradoodle
Parti Labradoodle
Phantom Labradoodle
There are a few more shades, including Caramel Labradoodle, Cafe (Caf’e) Labradoodle, Chalk Labradoodle, Lavender Labradoodle, etc. There are also a few rare mixed coat colors.
Labradoodle Personality & Temperament
Labradoodles are active and energetic dogs. Labradoodles love to play fetch and enjoy water-related activities. It is only reasonable for a Labradoodle to enjoy the water because both Labradors and Poodles are water-loving dogs. Ironically, the German word for Poodle is “Pudel.” So, if you have a pool, pond, or if you enjoy outdoor water activities, Labradoodles are the dogs to have around.
Labradoodles have a mellow temperament, just like the Labrador Retriever. Labradoodles are a good-natured and family-friendly breed that does well with children. If you have a standard Labradoodle, they may accidentally bump kids down during playtime due to their larger size. They will get along with almost all other household pets and people.
Labradoodles are so mellow and calm that they have secured a spot in the therapy field. People often use them as therapy dogs for hospitals and nursing homes.
Labradoodles are highly intelligent dogs, which makes them easy to train. They will pick up most training cues very quickly.
Labradoodle Grooming Tips
Apart from all that hair, the Labradoodle requires minimal grooming, and they shed very lightly. They are excellent dogs for allergy sufferers. They are considered one of the top hypoallergenic dogs along with Poodles and Portuguese water dogs.
You will likely clip your Labradoodle’s hair a few times per year. A dog owner can take this task upon themselves or consult with a professional groomer. We recommend professional grooming for your Labradoodle, which costs around $50-$70 once or twice per year. Professional groomers will ensure that your Labradoodles keep up their optimal good looks at all times.
Best Dog Foods for Labradoodles
Labradoodles should do well with most dog foods. However, they thrive on a good quality dog food without too many fillers. When selecting dog food for your Labradoodle, choose one that is age-appropriate for them.
When selecting dog foods, we believe in sticking with quality rather than quantity. We don’t want to throw a bunch of dog manufacturers at you; instead, we picked out a few dog foods that are best for Labradoodles.
Labradoodle Adult Dog Foods
As a Labradoodle owner, you want to take some special precautions when feeding your dog.
Labradoodles can grow large and can develop joint problems, so you want to make sure they are receiving optimal nutrition for proper bone and joint development.
Labradoodles are prone to bloat, so feeding should be split up in smaller amount multiple times per day. Feeding your dog less is better than overfeeding.
Labradoodles can be allergic to specific dog food ingredients, so you want to introduce new diets slowly.
We have put together two dog foods that are excellent for adult Labradoodles, here are our top picks.
Labradoodle Puppy Dog Foods
Labradoodle puppies have different nutritional requirements than their adult counterparts, here are some of the optimal dog foods for them.
Labradoodle Picky Eaters (Solution)
Please keep in mind that some Labradoodles tend to be picky eaters so, you may need to mix in some type of wet dog food with the dry kibble.
Our go-to wet dog food is Purina Alpo Variety Pack, but it is out of stock most of the time due to its popularity. Pedigree Chopped Ground Dinner is another good wet dog food choice.
Labradoodle Health & Genetics
Labradoodles can live up to 14 years if taken care of well. The current generation Labradoodles are quite healthy due to the benefits of hybrid vigor, meaning they inherited some of the excellent genetics of their parents. However, there are few health concerns a Labradoodle owner must watch out for.
Labradoodles can suffer from Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Hip Dysplasia, Elbow Dysplasia, Addison’s Disease & Bloat.
Labradoodle Puppies & Adoption
Please adopt a labradoodle whenever possible, AdoptaPet.com is a wonderful resource when it comes to finding dogs for adoption closer to home. There are many dogs out there looking for a wonderful home to go to.
If you are looking to purchase a Labradoodle puppy from a reputable breeder, breeders can charge $2500 and upwards of $3000 for a puppy. Miniature Labradoodles tend to cost more than Standard Labradoodles. Some breeders will even provide adequate training for your puppy before you pick them up.
I hope this article provided you with the Labradoodle care information that you were looking for. If you found this article helpful, please don’t forget to share it on social media. We hope you will join our canine community on Facebook @Canineowners.
