— 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.
We love our Malshi pup Benji, but he has suffered a pretty bad case of separation anxiety. He would howl and whine when we would leave our place and at times caught him digging and being destructive. He also has trouble focusing and social anxiety issues. Kevin has been great in providing the necessary tools and advice on how to go about easing Benji's separation anxiety and overall behavior, and we have seen improvement since our first session! He's taught us how to properly communicate to our pup and has been responsive whenever we have any questions or concerns. It's nice and relieving to know that Kevin will be by our side during Benji's growth and development!
Kevin has worked with my wife and I since day 1 of bringing our Samoyed puppy home a little over a year ago. He's been a vital resource and helped us navigate the most challenging months of raising our dog with effective lessons and strategies to address various adolescent behaviors. Bark Busters' program focuses on forming communication habits with your dog in a language they understand. These tools have been especially effective with addressing impulse control and separation anxiety. We started to see results even after the first session. Our puppy is a notoriously stubborn breed and still has some growing up to do. However, we believe we have laid a very solid foundation with our training with Kevin and that he is really well behaved for his age. Thank you Kevin and Bark Busters for all of your help!
Kevin is amazing. I have a shelter dog that I have had for 2 years. She is very reactive to men and other dogs and could not stay alone for any amount of time. I came home multiple times to my carpet being completely torn up so I knew I had to call someone to help train her. I didn't want her to be so anxious to be alone even for a short period of time.

Customer service was amazing from when I called. They explained everything to me, answered all my questions, and listened to all my concerns. They paired me with Kevin. I was nervous at first that I was paired with a male trainer as my dog does not like men but they said that's exactly why they are doing it. My dog can be skiddish but Kevin gives her space and time while guiding me on what to do. Within 5 mins she comes up to him and is good to go. I see Kevin once a month - sometimes more depending on whether I would like one. He is very communicative on text and we stay in contact throughout the time inbetween sessions so that he can tell me anything I need to change or update.

It has only been 4 months and Kevin has checked off so many things on my list. Here are some...
- my dog does not bark at the door when someone walks by, rings the bell, or comes in
- my dog can stay alone for a couple hours calmly and fall asleep
- my dog is crate trained and can be in her crate that's in the room by herself
- my dog does not pull and walks beside me
- my dog is not reactive to other dogs when on walks
- my dog goes in and out of doors only when I say ""ok""
- my dog listens to her commands - sit, stay, inside, drop it, wait, leave it, etc
- my dog is constantly looking at me to listen

I am also moving from LA to Australia and he is helping me train my dog to be comfortable in her crate for a 16hr flight. She's already doing so well in her crate. She used to escape from her old crate because of how panicked she was and now she goes in there on her own to sleep.

My dog and I have become a lot closer because of this training. My main reason for the training was that I didn't want her to be anxious all the time and Kevin has definitely helped her to feel comfortable and secure.

Thank you so much Kevin! You have made a huge difference in our lives! I truly appreciate it.
We are first-time dog owners. We got our puppy at eight weeks and were over our heads. Ever since Kevin came, we have seen improvements with our puppy Jazz immediately. He always assesses the situation to figure out where Jazz is and gives us great building blocks and pointers on handling each situation within each phase we head into with her each time we see him. He is an awesome trainer. He makes himself available and is always responsive when we text him to guide us on addressing what we are dealing with. We highly recommend this training. You will see improvements if you stay consistent with their guidance.
I was at my wits' end with my rescue dog Luckie. I got him during Covid, and he was my first dog. Over the three years that I've had him, his behavior had gotten increasingly worse. He barked non-stop, didn't like anyone getting near me, and was no fun to walk as he peed every second. I wasn't sure I could keep him, as he was really impacting my life, and this broke my heart.

My first meeting with Kevin literally changed my life. All his teachings were about me using my voice and showing I'm in control. I could not believe the changes in my dog I saw from one visit! Kevin checks in with me and is available through text. He has come a few more times to check on us and further our education.

I cannot recommend this company more. I had seen other trainers, and no one has had such a long-lasting impact as Kevin and Bark Busters. Honestly, the best money ever spent.
Orlando helped us with establishing leadership with both our dogs and claiming areas and personal space. Looking forward to our next lesson in order to address additional issues.
Orlando was very attentive to our issues at hand. He was patient, informative and knowledgeable about creating the security and safety we needed to establish for Oreo. We recommend him for anyone looking to see great improvements with your dog.
Really great information. Got fully on the problem.
My dog Grace is a mini Australian Shepherd, she was very sick when she was a puppy and barely survived but couldn't get the proper socialization and became aggressive towards other dogs and people, mostly when walking outside, she would bark and have separation anxiety when I wasn't close by was desperate and frustrated I needed help. I contacted Bark Busters and I has been a wonderful experience, I been working with Kevin for the past 3 months and he has been knowledgeable, patient he has thought me a lot, Grace still has work to do but she is doing much better, I'm very happy with the service I have received and the passion this people have for helping both dog and owner. If you are concerned about price let me tell you that is completely worth it. Thank you Kevin.
Very thorough and comprehensive. Excellent instruction and detail. We hope to fix our issue. Amazing trainer, we appreciate him!
Mariah has been extremely helpful with our scared/shy pup! Our girl is so scared of men and has begun barking/growling at my husband. Mariah gave us a variety of strategies and practice exercises that have already made a huge difference in our lives. Our puppy already shows a noticeable difference and appears much happier!
Shocked at the improvement! Orlando provided a totally different experience than with previous trainers. I finally have Faith!
Exceptional- Josh was knowledgeable, professional, personable, and patient, the best!
We rescued Charlie, our dog, from the SF SPCA when he was 5. After two months with us, his behavior worsened—he became reactive, aggressive, and confrontational, even biting three people who tried to pet him. Despite trying various online courses, self-led training, and other resources, progress was slow or nonexistent. On walks, Charlie would react to every person and dog, leaving us anxious both at home and outside. Desperate, we turned to Bark Busters for help.

Dan Franco quickly taught us things about Charlie that we never knew. His methods made an immediate difference—Charlie went from aggressive and reactive to calm and obedient in just one day. Now, we can walk Charlie without issue, and he’s often calm enough to ignore other dogs entirely. Dan has truly transformed our lives, and I can’t recommend him enough.

Orlando was courteous and very patient. He addressed the issues we had with Gracie and we saw the results. Orlando was very professional and knew what he was doing.
Orlando is great, very knowledgeable and personable.
I adopted my dog on a Sunday and hired Nicole the next Friday! My rescue was dealing with separation anxiety after being in a shelter then multiple foster homes. Her crying and barking whenever I left was tough for both of us, not to mention my neighbors living in my apartment building! Nicole helped me with this issue, taught me how to crate train so she viewed it as a comfortable spot to relax in. I also purchased a ring camera so I can check in which was her idea. Lainey is now so calm and quiet when I leave, she just curls up and takes a nap!

My dog was also good on the leash but she's gotten even better with the training and group walks!

Couldn't recommend Nicole enough!
We already feel so much better and have much better tools to properly train our dog! It's amazing how a simple switch in training style shows such an immediate result in how our dog responds to us, can't wait to see her progress.
Orlando is a wonderful trainer and we highly recommend him.
With the help of Orlando dogs walk better on leash without pulling, aggression with one dog was a little better than the first time they met.
Orlando was kind and patient with Elsie. Training Elsie was made easy with Orlando. He is very effective and worked well with us. I would highly recommend Orlando and Barkbusters.
Very Thorough. Good practical "tools" to use.
Worked really well and I saw improvement in Axel's behavior.
Everything went very well and much easier than expected. I see a noticeable change after one session. Can't wait to continue.

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

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