— Breed of the Month —

Labradoodle

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Breed Traits and Characteristics

According to Dogtime.com, here are some breed characteristic you can find in Labradoodles. 

 

  • Height

    21-24 inches

  • Weight

    50-65 pounds

  • Life Expectancy

    12-14 years

  • Coat Type/Length

    Curly/Medium

  • 100 Affectionate with Family
  • 80 Good with Young Children
  • 100 Good with Other Dogs
  • 80 trainability level
  • 100 energy level
  • 40 barking level
  • 60 shedding level
  • 20 drooling level

History

The Labradoodle has been bred since 1989, when Wally Conron, an employee at the Royal Guide Dogs Association of Australia, responded to a special request for a non-shedding guide dog from a blind lady living in Hawaii whose husband suffered from allergies. After trial and error, Conron crossed a Labrador – a breed with a proud pedigree and reliably stable temperament – with a Poodle, whose non-shed coat and stable genetics resulted in a perfect match that has steadily risen in popularity, especially in the United States.

Conron, however, has expressed regret about creating the Labradoodle. While he felt that he bred an adorable animal, Conron is concerned about the health of the dogs and the greed of some breeders, who he maintains have not always focused on fostering the good qualities of the breed. While poor breeding practices are not a Labradoodle-specific problem, there are many reputable, ethical Labradoodle breeders who focus on breeding for soundness, health, and temperament.

The Labradoodle

The Labradoodle is perhaps the first “designer dog,” making it a more recent (and extremely popular) addition to the canine kingdom. A cross between the family-friendly Labrador and the good-natured Poodle, the breed is not recognized by the American Kennel Club. The Australian Labradoodle Association of America (ALAA), however, describes them as compact, medium-sized dogs, with an athletic build, high intelligence, a non-shedding coat, and a reliably stable temperament.

Labradoodles are friendly and love people. They also possess a unique ability to gauge the needs of those around them, which the ALAA maintains makes them excellent guide dogs and great for humans with special needs.

Labradoodle Breed Facts

Physical Characteristics

The Labradoodle has some variability to its physical characteristics that reflects its Poodle and Labrador origins. The breed does tend to share certain traits: while there are three size ranges of Labradoodle, they are usually medium-sized and share an athletic gait and non-shedding coat (which can be either fleece or wool). The ALAA specifies a broad, moderately wide skull, large, fleshy muzzle, and flat ears.

The Labradoodle appears to have few genetic faults (the kind that often result from ‘line breeding’ or inbreeding). While breed creator Willy Conron told ABC News that “I find that the biggest majority (of Labradoodles) are either crazy or have a hereditary problem,” John de Jong, a veterinarian in the Boston area and a recent president of the American Veterinary Medical Association, says mixing breeds actually reduces the risk of genetic problems. The ALAA says the breed is “generally considered healthy,” but can have problems with hip and elbow dysplasia.

Personality & Temperament

Labradoodle owners know how lively, energetic, and intelligent they can be. These excellent family dogs aim to please but can become a bit erratic if household members (especially children) are particularly lively. Labradoodles require both regular exercise for their energy levels and an outlet for their intelligence – if not available, they can be over-exuberant and engage in destructive behavior, like chewing. Good management and early, consistent training are vital to avoiding issues before they become entrenched.

Breed Traits

Class

  • “Oodles”, or poodle-crosses

Color

  • Gold, Black, Cream, Brown, Parti, Tuxedo, Sable, Phantom, Tri-Phantom

Size

  • Medium
  • Height: 14-16 inches (miniature), 17-20 inches (medium), 21-24 inches (standard
  • Weight: 15-65 pounds

Other Traits

  • Shaggy coats (Fleece or Wool)
  • Long muzzles

Life Expectancy

  • The Labradoodle has a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years.

Bark Busters Trainer Jeff Drier on the American Labradoodle

Labradoodles are now one of America’s most popular breeds. Ideal specimens embody the best traits of their parent breeds, Labradors and Poodles: if you get one from a reputable breeder, your Labradoodle most likely will.

Bark Busters trainers work with hundreds (if not thousands) of Labradoodles around the country, and one of the most common issues tends to be hyperactivity and/or overexcitement. This is especially true with families with young children. Like most Labs, Labradoodles can be slow to mature, and being around young children seems to bring out their puppy side even more.

Henry was one of those dogs. His family of five brought him home when he was ten weeks old. He immediately bonded with the kids, aged seven, nine and eleven. He (sort of) listened to Mom or Dad when the kids were out or at school, but once they got home, Henry stopped listening and would get very excited.

Unfortunately, this excitement could be destructive. Henry would jump on the kids, as well as mouth and nip them. What Henry saw as playing was becoming more and more dangerous, to the point that the younger children were becoming a little afraid of Henry. That’s when the family contacted and made an appointment with Sharon, their local Bark Busters trainer. At the time, Henry was just over six months old.

When Sharon arrived for the first meeting, Henry met her at the front door with an exuberant jump. Once she was able to get inside and join everyone around the kitchen table, she listened as the family told her about life with Henry. She asked questions about their daily routine and rules and learned about his behavior. Sharon explained that Henry was only doing what came naturally to him: he was interpreting the family’s behavior as though they were all dogs – his only frame of reference!

Sharon stressed the importance of structure and a proactive education for Henry – just as the children went to school for an education, Henry needed the same. Once Sharon explained how Henry viewed the situations that lead to his overexcitement, she gave the family a plan to teach Henry to relax and to react to instructions when Mom or Dad had enough.

Things got off to a good start – Henry responded nicely to his exercises. Sharon wrote out some homework and scheduled a follow-up appointment a couple of weeks later. She emphasized being proactive, not reactive, with Henry and recommended the family call her with any questions that may arise.

When Sharon returned, she was pleased to hear another positive report: Henry’s behavior had improved in multiple areas, and he was having encouraging interactions with all family members. Henry would occasionally “lose it” and get overexcited, but the instances were less and less frequent. The family felt they had an effective plan in place to teach Henry to be a great family member.

At the second session, Sharon had the family demonstrate the exercises she had taught them at the first session. She gave them lots of positive feedback and made some suggestions for future improvement, as well as introduced a couple of new exercises. The family was pleased with the results and couldn’t wait to continue working with Henry.

If you are struggling with your Labradoodle’s overexcitement, jumping, hyperactivity, or other behavioral problems, contact your local Bark Busters trainer. Our trainers are available both in person and via virtual sessions to help establish a pattern of consistency, resolve any and all issues, and help you nurture a relationship with your Labradoodle built on mutual understanding, trust, respect, and love.

Life with a Labradoodle: Want to learn more about life with a Labradoodle? We’ve got the scoop here.

Training Your Labradoodle

Training Tips for Potential Owners

  • Labradoodles have never been known to walk away from a fight, but the generally won’t start one. It is important to socialize them properly from an early age to avoid behavioral issues.
  • Despite well-publicized concerns, the Labradoodle has relatively few heath issues if sourced from reputable, long-term breeder with a successful track record.
  • Labradoodles need entertainment and structure in their life to provide outlets for their energy and intelligence.
  • Labradoodles love games but require supervision during playtime or they can become over-possessive. Balls or puzzle toys that are durable can stimulate a dog’s natural desire to chew and keep them amused.
  • Early training is advised to harness the Labradoodle’s ample energy, which can be intimidating to other dogs and frustrating to people. If properly socialized and taught to remain calm, Labradoodles get along well with anyone.
  • Aggression is not normally an issue with Labradoodles, though their confidence can lead to leash issues; instances of barking or resource guarding are also fairly common. If your Labradoodle shows signs of aggression, call your local Bark Busters trainer.
  • If you are thinking of purchasing a Labradoodle, it is especially important to source from an ethical, responsible breeder who is breeding for not only looks, but health and temperament as well. Rescues are also great options for prospective Labradoodle owners. Contact your local Bark Busters trainer today to learn about great breeders and rescue organizations near you!
  • All dogs need a special place to call their own. By selecting a place for yours to eat and sleep away from high traffic areas of your home, you can set good habits early in its life.
  • Prevention is far more preferable to a cure – early basic obedience training is absolutely vital to ensuring your Labradoodle understands and follows your rules.

We are standing by to help you develop a consistent, compassionate approach to good behavior for your Labradoodle. Learn more about our services and schedule an in-person or virtual appointment with one of our trainers today!

Connect with Us!

Need help training your Labradoodle? Call 1-877-500-BARK (2275)or enter your zip code.

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Labradoodle Grooming

Labradoodles do not shed their coats, which makes them desirable indoor family pets, especially among allergy sufferers. The ALAA, however, does recommend regular grooming to prevent tangling or matting. The official breed standard suggests their coats should not exceed four inches in length over the entire body.

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Hear from Bark Busters Clients Who Have a Labradoodle

The program is designed to help dog owners be better communicators and leaders of their "pack". I have done training with other programs with other dogs, but am so glad that we found Jerry and the Bark Busters program for our quarantine labradoodle Kenobi. We had tried the treat training, but he swiftly learned how to "game" that system. In one afternoon with Jerry, I gained Kenobi's respect and he became a different dog. There is still work to do, but we are well on our way with this program. A huge thanks to Jerry and this program.
2 days ago my 6 month old Australian labradoodle was like a bull in a China shop.

3 hours with Dan and he has gone from sassy to sweet.

After one session Kona does not run to the door barking ready to greet my latest Amazon package. In one session and my 15 minutes of homework a day, he hears the doorbell he sits away from the door at a place designated for him and waits for me to come at my voice. It's pretty darn amazing.
Marlene and Howard, from Bark Busters, are miracle workers.

Our 13-week old labradoodle is a sweet puppy, but before yesterday, he barked and jumped and nipped ALL DAY LONG, and was a whirling dervish on the leash. It was exhausting and discouraging.

Marlene and Howard came to our house yesterday morning, and changed our life. They stayed for a couple of hours, explained their methods and the philosophy behind them, and worked with my husband and me on basic behavior problems - barking, jumping, nipping, misbehaving on the leash, and a few other basics. By the time they left, our dog was relaxed and manageable.

We were worried that he might revert to his former bad self as soon as they walked out the door, but Marlene and Howard emphasized that they were training us, not the dog, and that as long as we remained consistent, he would continue to respond well.

When we worked with him this morning, he was relaxed, focused, and manageable. The nonstop barking seems to be a thing of the past; he sits on command and has begun to "stay" pretty well; his nippiness is practically gone; and we have every confidence that his leash behavior will continue to improve. All this after just ONE DAY.

Thank you thank you thank you, Marlene and Howard.
Pete was very professional, experienced and helpful . I’m a single, widowed full-time working mom and couldn’t provide my labradoodle puppy with the energy and time he needed. He helped me find a home for my labradoodle at no cost and was very honest, knowledgeable and caring. I highly recommended him.
John was very informative and attentive to our immediate needs. He had spectacular communication appropriation and we loved his enthusiasm and commitment.
We saw immediate results today and we are feeling hopeful for the future! Loved John!
John was very thorough and patient with me. Everything was clear and easy to understand. I saw immediate improvement in my dog's behavior.
What a pleasure it was having John come to my home to begin my journey to discover how to interact with my dog and become best friends. The first lesson was informative and gave me positive feelings about the steps ahead.
Training was great. We learned a lot. Looking forward to more lessons.
Kayla has been an amazing trainer for our energetic 2.5 year old dog! She gave us a detailed schedule of various exercises to strengthen our bond and establish ourselves as better leaders. We’ve seen a major improvement in his attentiveness, impulse control, and obedience. I would highly recommend her services for any dog!
Kayla has been an amazing trainer for our energetic 2.5 year old dog! She gave us a detailed schedule of various exercises to strengthen our bond and establish ourselves as better leaders. We’ve seen a major improvement in his attentiveness, impulse control, and obedience. I would highly recommend her services for any dog!
We have tried a lot of things with our dog, including other training programs and medication, but training with Kayla is the first time I have felt like we have her separation anxiety under control. Kayla patiently taught us how to properly communicate with our dogs and techniques to make our fearful and reactive little lady feel safe, calm, and quiet. I learned so much from Kayla and cannot recommend her enough. She is a very clear and effective teacher and such an excellent communicator (human and canine!).
We have tried a lot of things with our dog, including other training programs and medication, but training with Kayla is the first time I have felt like we have her separation anxiety under control. Kayla patiently taught us how to properly communicate with our dogs and techniques to make our fearful and reactive little lady feel safe, calm, and quiet. I learned so much from Kayla and cannot recommend her enough. She is a very clear and effective teacher and such an excellent communicator (human and canine!).
Kayla is a great trainer, is easy to work with. Follows up. Highly recommend with any dog of any age.
Kayla is a great trainer, is easy to work with. Follows up. Highly recommend with any dog of any age.
John did a fantastic job putting forward a tangible training program to help Milly. We have the tools to help improve Milly's ability to listen and learn.
Amazing session with John. It's absolutely worth the time and money we spent. Thank you John!
Our time during our first session, we were able to notice significant change in her behavior. We are looking forward to continuing our training and see her live a less anxious and happy life.
John was great and was able to make Ruby more comfortable and able to stop barking quickly. She and mostly us have work to do, but there is a great base. Already we are more confident to teach her that we are in charge.
Very caring trainer who understood the problems my dog was showing and addressed each issue. Looking forward to trying all my new training techniques. He made sure I understood how to do all of the training tips and strategies.
Training session was very informative and constructive. John is very professional, calm, and helpful. Looking forward to finishing his training and having a well-behaved dog.
John's communication and training style has made it so easy to connect with my dog and take control of my home.
Much more accomplished than we expected. John instructed with patience and clarity. We learned a lot and believe we will be able to deal with our dogs much more successfully.
All of my concerns were thoroughly addressed and we are very optimistic about our dogs' happy future.
Our trainer John was great. John was very informative and educated us really well. I would recommend him to everybody.
I could not believe how effective the first training session was. Unreal!!! John is GREAT!!
Clear-taught, knowledgeable information.
Natalie is doing a fantastic job helping us get our dog into shape!! He’s been a bit of a pickle from the perspective of not listening to mom and daddy, not walking on the leash the way we want him to when we’re out and doing a little more barking than he should. We really appreciate Natalie‘s experience and expertise in helping us manage him much better. He’s back to being more of a dog and less of a super guardian and we really like that! Thank you, Natalie.

Need Dog Training Assistance with Your Labradoodle? Find Your Local Trainer Now!

CALL TODAY 1-877-500-BARK (2275)

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