Labradoodle
A Labradoodle is a crossbred dog created by crossing the Labrador Retriever and the Standard or Miniature Poodle. The term first appeared in 1955, but was not popularized until 1988, when the mix began to be used as an allergen-free guide dog. Currently, they are not considered a breedby any major fancier and breeder organization. Not all Labradoodles are hypoallergenic, but it is a quality that many look for and appreciate in this breed of dog. Since there is no real hypoallergenic dog, the term is often used loosely.
History
The Labradoodle became known in 1988, when Australian breeder Wally Conron crossed the Labrador Retriever and Standard Poodle at the Royal Guide Dogs Associations of Australia in Victoria.[1][2][3]
Conron's aim was to combine the low-shedding coat of the Poodle with the gentleness and trainability of the Labrador, and to provide a guide dogsuitable for people with allergies to fur and dander.[4][3] Sultan, a dog from this litter, displayed all the qualities Conron was seeking and worked as a guide dog for a woman in Hawaii for ten years.[3]
Although Guide Dogs Victoria no longer breed Labradoodles,[3] they are bred by other guide and assistance dog organizations in Australia and other places.[5] The Association for the Blind of Western Australia have introduced Labradoodles into their training program, and their first, Jonnie, graduated in November 2010.[6][7] Labradoodles are now widely used around the world as guide, assistance, and therapy dogs[8][9] as well as being popular family dogs.[3]
The Norwegian Royal Crown Prince and Princess own a Labradoodle.
Appearance and temperament
Because the Labradoodle is a hybrid and not a breed, puppies do not have consistently predictable characteristics.[3] While most Labradoodles have some common traits, their appearance and behavioral characteristics remain, to some extent, unpredictable.[3] As such, Labradoodles' hair can be anywhere from wiry to soft, and may be straight, wavy, or curly.[3] Straight-coated Labradoodles are said to have "hair" coats, wavy-coated dogs have "fleece" coats, and curly-coated dogs have "wool" coats.[3] Many Labradoodles do shed, although the coat usually sheds less and has less dog odor than that of a Labrador Retriever.[3]
Like most Labrador Retrievers and Poodles, Labradoodles are generally friendly, energetic and good with families and children.[3] Labradoodles often display an affinity for water and strong swimming ability from their parent breeds.[3]
Their parent breeds are both amongst the world's most intelligent dog breeds.[12]
Types
There is no consensus as to whether breeders should aim to have Labradoodles recognized as a breed. Some breeders prefer to restrict breeding to early generation dogs (i.e. bred from a Poodle and Labrador rather than from two Labradoodles) to maximize genetic diversity, and avoid the inherited health problems that have plagued some dog breeds.
Others are breeding Labradoodle to Labradoodle over successive generations, and trying to establish a new dog breed. These dogs are usually referred to as Multigenerational (Multigen) or Australian Labradoodles. Australian Labradoodles also differ from early generation and Multigenerational Labradoodles in that they may also have other breeds in their ancestry. English and American Cocker Spaniel/Poodle crosses (i.e. Cockapoos), TwoIrish Water Spaniels and Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers were used in some Australian Labradoodle lines. The Curly Coated Retriever were used too, but these lines did not work out and these breeds were no longer used.[14]
Labradoodle coats are divided into three categories: wool (with tight curls, and similar in appearance to that of a Poodle, but with a softer texture); fleece (soft and free-flowing, with a kinked or wavy appearance); or hair (which can be curly, straight or wavy, but is more similar in texture to a Labrador's coat).[3] Labradoodles coat colors include chocolate, cafe, parchment, cream, gold, apricot, red, black, silver, chalk, parti colours,[15] (i.e. generally, any color a Poodle can have). They can be different sizes, depending on the size of poodle used (i.e. toy, miniature or standard).[3]
 A brown F1B Labradoodle with a fleece type coat. The appearance of Labradoodles may vary. | |
| Breeds | Labrador Retriever Poodle |
|---|---|
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