Dog
Pronunciation:
lab-ruh-dood-l
Breed Description:
The Labradoodle breed of dog can range in size and this depends on which Poodle was crossed with the Labrador Retriever. The dog should be slightly longer than they are tall in all the sizes and should have a square head with the pendolous ears that are placed slightly high on the head. The coat can range from a soft feathery coat to a tight curl and can be yellow, chocolate, apricot or black in coloring. It is interesting to note that only the tight, poodle-like coat is considered to be hypo-allergenic.
Temperament:
The Labradoodle breed of dog is a very intelligent breed of dog that is known for their happy temperament and their love of everyone. They are very devoted to their family and can make an ideal pet if they are properly trained and socialized from a young age. They have many of the qualities that are desired in a family pet and can make a good companion for children as adults.
The even temperament of the Labradoodle has made it an excellent breed for service work and has proven to be very intuitive when it comes to the needs of their family. They are considered to be non-aggressive and are usually very social with everyone. They can be very joyful but this can cause them to be very bouncy. In fact, they tend to be energetic and can quickly develop habits such as jumping. With proper training, however, they are a very gentle family companion.
Height:
The height of Labradoodle falls into three categories. Standard: A male is 22 to 24 inches, while a female is 21 to 23 inches. Medium: A male is 18 to 20 inches and a female is 17 to 19 inches. Miniature: Both male and female are 14 to 16 inches
Weight:
The weight of a Labradoodle falls into three categories and is the same for both males and females. Standard: 50 to 65 pounds, Medium: 30 to 45 pounds, Miniature: 15 to 25 pounds
Health Problems:
The Labradoodle breed of dog can suffer from a range of health problems and it really depends on what generation your Labradoodle is, which is explained further in the origin of the breed. Hip Dysplasia, Elbow Dysplasia, Epilepsy, Diabetes, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Hypothyroidism, Patellar Luxation are commonly seen in the Labradoodle. In addition, Labradoodles can suffer from chronic ear infections due to the shape of their ears and they have a number of skin problems including allergies, acute moist dermatitis and atopic dermatitis.
Living Conditions:
The Labradoodle breed of dog is a versatile breed when it comes to living conditions. tehy can do well in both apartments and homes as long as their exercise needs are met, although the ideal is a home with a fenced yard. Generally, they are very quiet indoors but active once they get out.
Exercise:
The Labradoodle is a very energetic breed and require at least 30 to 60 minutes of exercise per day. They do have excess stores of energy and if they are not properly exercised they can become very destructive. Labradoodles make excellent jogging companions.
Life Expectancy:
12 to 14 years
Grooming:
The Labradoodle breed of dog can have a coat that ranges from a short straight haired coat to one that is long and curly. This makes grooming slightly different and also changes the amount of hair that will be shed. In general, a Labradoodle should be brushed once or twice a week. They do not usually have a strong doggy odor so they only need to be washed when it is absolutely necessary, usually once every few months. For dogs with the curlier coats, clipping can be done once every six weeks or so to keep the coat more manageable.
It is very important to keep your Labradoodle‘s ears clean and dry because they can be prone to ear infections.
Origin:
The Labradoodle breed of dog, although a hybrid breed, is one of the few hybrids that actually has an origin. Originally created in Australia, the breed was developed to provide a hypo-allergenic breed that could be used as a guide dog. The hopes was to cross the Poodle and the Labrador Retriever to gain the intelligence of both breeds, the working ability of the Labrador Retriever and the low-allergen coat of the Poodle. Comments
The standards for all the breeds accepted to the AKC are used here for breed information, and those not part of the AKC are resourced from FCI standard information, where it is written and coded into the club rules for those breeds.
