Labradoodle: Everything you need to know about the breed
Your guide to the Labradoodle:
Weight: Available in three sizes: standard (22-30kg), medium (14-21kg), and mini (7-13kg).Height at the withers: Standard: 53-61cm, medium: 43-52cm, mini: 35-42cm.Energy level: Average.Life expectancy: 12-15 years.Tendency to drool: Low.Tendency to snore: Slight.Tendency to bark: Slight.Tendency to dig: Slight.Social needs: Medium.Ideal for: A guide dog that doesn't shed.Colours: Brown, apricot, cream, black, silver, red, white.Health considerations: Lameness, obesity, skin conditions.
A Labradoodle is cheerful, sociable, and welcoming to people and other dogs. They're cooperative, curious, and confident in new surroundings. Thanks to their gentle temperament, many consider the Labradoodle a great family dog. They need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to thrive, and they particularly love water. Interaction with people is also very important for this breed.
Grooming
Labradoodles shed very little, making them a popular choice for people with allergies. However, it's not always accurate to call them a completely allergy-friendly dog. Many allergy sufferers have no problems living with a Labradoodle, but this isn't true for everyone. If you're considering one, it's a good idea to spend time with a Labradoodle first to see if you have any reactions.
Labradoodle coats can vary, from woolly to fleece-like. The coat should feel soft and can be straight, wavy, or have medium curls. Labradoodle coats require quite a lot of care: brush through the coat once a week. From puppyhood up to about 18 months, you'll need to comb through the coat 3-4 times a week. The coat needs clipping around every 4-6 months, depending on the desired length.
Claw clipping
Your dog's claws will need regular attention. Clip them as needed, but it's generally best to do it about once a month. It's better to trim a little and often than a lot and rarely. Get your dog used to having their claws clipped from a young age. Our guide on claw clipping offers our best tips!
Weight control
Be mindful of how much food you give your Labradoodle, as they can be prone to obesity. As an owner, you'll need to help your dog maintain a healthy weight. You can do this partly by learning about weight control, and also by understanding how to tell if your dog is at a good weight, which you can learn about in this video.
Lameness
A common issue is that Labradoodles can suffer from lameness. You can learn more about the different types of lameness and what to do if your dog is lame in this course.
Skin conditions
Labradoodles can also experience skin conditions and/or allergies. Find out more about skin infections here, and about allergies and their symptoms here.
