Labradoodle: Dog breed characteristics & care

👉 Coming up with a pet name can be fun but tricky. Search no further! According to PetScreening’s 2024 database, the majority of our users name their male Labradoodles Charlie; Cooper is the 2nd most popular male name. Meanwhile, most of our users with female Labradoodles love Luna, then Bella.

• A labradoodle is a mix of a labrador retriever and a poodle. If you can’t decide between a labrador retriever or a poodle, the labradoodle offers the best of both worlds.
• Labradoodles are specially bred to spread fewer allergens than other breeds. While there is technically no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog, labradoodles come close because they tend not to shed.
• Labradoodles come in three sizes: mini, medium-sized, and standard. With three sizes to choose from, you’re sure to have no trouble finding a labradoodle that’s right for you.

Labradoodle puppies love people and other animals, making them a great choice for homes with other pets or young children. They will play as they grow — and help you stay active, too!

Labradoodles are interested in sniffing and smelling the world around them, so it’s important to keep them busy. A standard dog toy, puzzle, or game is a terrific option that can keep your pet engaged for hours.

Of course, your labradoodle will get bored if you neglect play time. To prevent your labradoodle from feeling lonely, give your pet plenty of mental stimulation. Your labradoodle is smart and wants to learn, which can make for great bonding experiences for you and your new furbaby.

Don’t leave your labradoodle alone for too long. Many labradoodles can’t tolerate being by themselves for long periods of time. They often get separation anxiety, which can affect them long into the future.

The Labradoodle typically has a medium to long coat. The most common colors are black, brown, cream, caramel, chocolate, liver, gold, yellow, red, and white. When clipped, the Labradoodle’s coat may appear darker than when grown out. We teamed up with FidoTabby Alert, and according to their database, a common coat color for the Labradoodle is (83%) black.   

Labradoodles are prone to the same health issues frequently associated with poodles. But, if you take care of your labradoodle, there’s a good chance they will live a happy, healthy life. Here are some of the more frequent health issues seen in labradoodles.

1. Hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia occurs when the ball and socket in the hip joint do not develop properly, the ball and socket rub together, and the hip joint wears down. Or, the hip joint can be so shallow that it partially juts out when your pet is walking, which can lead to joint instability and osteoarthritis.
2. Progressive retinal atrophy. This genetic eye disease causes a labradoodle to gradually lose their vision beginning with reduced vision at night and ultimately leading to total loss of vision.
3. Gastric bloat. This disorder occurs when a labradoodle’s stomach fills with gas. It can be life threatening and may require surgery to correct.
4. Addison’s disease. Addison’s disease is a hormonal disorder that affects the adrenal glands. Labradoodles dealing with this disease can experience a loss of appetite, muscle weakness, and weight loss.

Cost of caring for a labradoodle

The cost of a labradoodle veterinary check-up ranges anywhere from $50 to $300, so be sure to budget accordingly. Depending on the labradoodle size and health problems, your pet may require more frequent vet visits. Larger labradoodles may be more susceptible to arthritis, while smaller labradoodles tend to have a higher risk of dental problems.

You can always purchase pet insurance for your labradoodle. Pet insurance can cover some or all of the costs of any specialized medical treatments for your pup.

Initially, the term  “labradoodle” was first mentioned in 1955. At the time, British breeder Donald Campbell called his dog a labradoodle. The dog was a combination of a labrador and a poodle and featured thick, curly hair.

The labradoodle as we know it today actually dates back to the 1980s in Victoria, Australia. It’s the brainchild of breeder Wally Conron, who created the breed as a guide dog for a blind woman whose husband was allergic to dog hair. At the time, there were no hypoallergenic dogs big enough to serve as guide dogs–poodles can serve as guide dogs, but tend to be a bit stubborn.

Ultimately, Conron was successful. The first generation of the labradoodle he created became a service dog for many people in need. By the 1990s, breeders in Australia started following Conron’s lead. They bred cocker spaniels, poodles, and labrador retrievers together to create what is now commonly known as the Australian labradoodle.

Along with Australian labradoodles, different breeds of the labradoodle have been created. Some serve as service dogs, while others are family dogs.

Labradoodles are typically kind and intelligent, and they are known to get along well with people and animals alike. They also are eager to learn and enjoy playing.

Congrats! You’re the proud owner of a labradoodle. Now, you just need to take care of the essentials. Things like finding a vet and scheduling your pet’s first appointment are absolute musts. It’s also important to consider dog vaccinations, puppy-proofing, and teething. You can even pick up a free Fido ID and tag from FidoAlert so you won’t have to stress about losing your dog. Along with these things, here are some other basics specific to labradoodles.

Exercise

Labradoodles are a good fit for those who enjoy staying active. If you are located near a dog park, bring your labradoodle. And, if there’s an option for a play date with other labradoodles or dogs, take advantage of it. This allows your labradoodle to burn off energy and socialize.

Increase your labradoodle’s exercise as it grows. For a labradoodle puppy, go by the 5 minutes per month rule. Also, let your labradoodle pup exercise up to three times a day. This helps your puppy stay in shape without putting too much pressure on their joints.

As an adult, your labradoodle should be good to go for up to 2 hours of activity per day. Once or twice a day, bring your full-grown labradoodle out to play, roam, and discover to their heart’s delight. This will give your labradoodle plenty of chances to enjoy itself. It’ll also let you bond with your dog and help them feel their best.

When your labradoodle reaches the age of 8, it may be time to slow down on exercise a bit. At this time, you can cut back to 20 to 60 minutes of daily exercise with your labradoodle. Labradoodle exercise can include walking or jogging. Even just a few minutes of indoor or outdoor playtime with your labradoodle’s favorite toy can help your pet stay healthy.

Grooming

Your labradoodle is going to need weekly grooming, but once you get into a grooming routine, you and your labradoodle can reap the benefits.

A standard labradoodle grooming routine includes trimming your dog’s nails, cleaning its ears, brushing its teeth, and brushing its coat.

Trimming your labradoodle’s nails correctly ensures your pet can walk comfortably. If you ignore your dog’s nails, there’s a chance they’ll rip, too. You will want to make sure you’re aware of the proper way to cut your dog’s nails. Clipping them too short can result in pain. Luckily, betterpet has a guide for that!

By cleaning your labradoodle’s ears, you can help it avoid infections. In the same vein, brushing your labradoodle’s teeth helps your dog avoid canine dental disease and other oral health problems.

When it comes to grooming, check your labradoodle’s coat two to three times a week. Pay close attention to the chest, neck, and armpits — don’t be surprised if you see matting in these areas.

A slick brush has a wide base and fine bristles to help you work your way through your labradoodle’s knots and tangles. You may also want to consider a bristle brush, which is gentle on your labradoodle’s skin. There’s pin brushes that are great if you want to give your labradoodle a quick brush after play time, too.

Keep in mind that hair can get in front of your labradoodle’s eyes and hinder their vision as well. When this happens, use a pair of blunt-tipped scissors to trim the hair.

Diet and nutrition

A healthy diet can extend your labradoodle’s lifespan. It also reduces your pet’s risk of obesity, diabetes, and other health problems.

Your labradoodle can benefit from eating protein-rich foods like turkey, beef, and chicken. The amount of protein to include in your labradoodle’s diet varies based on its life stage. To find out how much protein your labradoodle needs to thrive, consult with a veterinarian.

It may also be good to include peas, carrots, and other vegetables. Your vet can tell you about veggies that may help your labradoodle grow and thrive.

Keep fats to roughly 5-8% of your labradoodle’s diet. At a young age, fats can help your labradoodle puppy grow. As your labradoodle gets older, fats can do more harm than good.

Over the life of your labradoodle, their caloric intake need will vary. If your labradoodle is extremely active, it may need up to 2,000 calories per day in its diet.

The labradoodle is the result of mixing two highly intelligent breeds. Labrador retrievers have long been popular hunting companions, and believe it or not, poodles were hunting companions hundreds of years ago, too.

With their exceptional intelligence, labradoodles have served as service and guide dogs. They have helped people with search and rescue and therapy tasks. Labradoodles have even been used to detect drugs and explosives.

Labradoodles are quick learners. They can pick up on your cues and respond to them appropriately. To teach your labradoodle, however, you need to be just as committed as your pet.

It helps to use rewards to train your labradoodle. For instance, you can reward your high-energy labradoodle with their favorite toy or treat if they successfully follows a direction. Over time, this can lead to positive behaviors from your dog, even if you don’t offer them a reward.

Not quite sure that a labradoodle is right for you? Even if you are, it’s worth taking the time to research and consider other similar breeds. Here are a few to get you started:

1. Labrador retriever. Labrador retrievers come in yellow, black, and chocolate. They may be best known for their enthusiastic and outgoing personalities.
2. Poodle. The poodle is bright, easy to train, and graceful. Poodles are terrific athletes, too.
3. Goldendoodle. A goldendoodle is a cross between a golden retriever and poodle. It’s often considered an affectionate breed that’s great for anyone looking for a hypoallergenic dog.