Originally created as a service dog, the Labradoodle is a hard working and highly intelligent hybrid, resulting from a cross between a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle. They come in 3 distinct variations, simply recognized as Miniature, Medium and Standard. Whichever size one chooses, however,, they are well-known for their friendly attitudes and their desire to learn. If you’re looking for a great family pet, the Labradoodle may be your ideal dog.

The idea for the Labradoodle was first conceived back in 1988, when the manager of Guide Dogs was on vacation in Hawaii and happened to meet up with a woman named Pat Blum. Pat told him of how she wished that she could have a Guide Dog, but how she was unable to do so, due to the fact that her husband was badly allergic to dog hair. This would urge the Guide Dog Association to find dogs that possessed a hypoallergenic coat, combined with the intelligence and willingness that was required for them to become Guide Dogs.

While some previous work had been done using Standard Poodles as Guide Dogs, there were no suitable Poodles that were available for placement. In an attempt to create a dog that might have the Poodle’s non-shedding coat, but the Labrador’s easygoing temperament, a Standard Poodle by the name of Harley was bred to Brandy, a female Labrador Retriever. Brandy had proven herself as a producer of Guide Dogs and so, while this was simply an experiment, the Association was fairly confident that they would find a couple of trainable puppies from the litter.

Brandy whelped 3 adorable Labradoodle puppies, named Sultan, Simon and Sheik. While Sheik and Simon did not qualify as good Guide Dog material, Sultan went on to begin his training and, when samples of his coat were sent to Hawaii, it was delightfully discovered that Pat’s husband was not allergic to the Labradoodle at all and, shortly thereafter, Sultan and Pat began training together, bonding together to form a fast friendship. The Miniature Labradoodle would follow soon thereafter when geneticist and Veterinarian, Dr. Kate Schoeffel, began crossing the Labrador Retriever with Miniature Poodles in order to create family pets for those who suffered from allergies. The first Miniature Labradoodles would be bred as early as 1990.

A slightly larger-built dog than their Poodle parents, the Labradoodle is a muscular and athletic animal that shows a pleasing blend of the two breeds. His muzzle and face are more refined than that of a purebred Labrador Retriever while his build is sturdier and his temperament more even than that of a Poodle. The length of the Labradoodle coat is roughly 4-6 inches and it can be either fall in a gentle wave or a relaxed curl.

Labradoodles come in 3 different variations: the Miniature (13-17 inches tall and 25-45 pounds), the Medium (18-21 inches and 30-45 pounds), and the Standard Labradoodle (22+ inches tall with a typical weight of 45-75 pounds). Their coats can be found in a variety of colors: apricot, café`, chalk, chocolate, gold, black and silver. The apricot, chalk and cream varieties can have either a rose or black-pigmented skin.

The Labradoodle is a very calm and easy-tempered hybrid, who commonly gets along very well with both children and other dogs. Known for his keen wit and friendly attitude, these wonderful crossbreeds love human companionship and thrive on praise, quick to pick up new skills and use them to please their humans. While the Labradoodle’s deep bark may make him a useful watchdog, this dog’s friendly attitude and love of social settings does not make him suitable for guard duty.

A fairly large and athletic dog, the Labradoodle requires a moderate amount of exercise. While he is well-suited to either country or city living, be forewarned that this hybrid is happiest if he gets frequent lengthy walks or trips down to the dog park, particularly if he is a younger dog. In addition to his need for physical exercise, the Labradoodle also needs mental stimulation and social interaction - not a dog that tolerates being tied up and left to his own devices, the Labradoodle likes to do whatever his human is doing and his boredom and lack of exercise can result in vices, such as chewing or excessive barking.

The Labradoodle does require a run-through with a comb, several times a month. This will help to keep him free of mats and help to distribute the natural oils through his coat, keeping it shinier and softer. While some prefer to take their dog down to the groomer’s and have him shorn short during the hot summer months, this is not a necessity and, when compared to most other long-haired breeds, the Labradoodle coat is surprisingly easy to take care of. A monthly bath or two will help keep him smelling like a rose, but beware of over-bathing, as this can lead to excessively dry skin.

The Labradoodle is a very easy dog to train, provided that you always treat him with kindness and consideration. A willing pupil, they do exceptionally well in obedience classes and will pick up tricks very quickly, particularly if taught with the positive reinforcement method. If you want your Labradoodle to work well for him, teach him that performing the things that you ask of him not only gets him a treat, but that it also earns him a lot of praise and affection from the person who matters most - you.

Like any breed of dog, the Labradoodle is subject to a variety of health concerns. Your best bet is, when deciding to choose a new Labradoodle puppy, check around with several breeders and ask about the various health issues that can affect these beautiful little dogs. A reputable breeder should be well-versed in the health concerns and should be able to give you more details, as well as showing you the sire and dam of your potential puppy. Some of the health problems that can affect Labradoodles include:

• Canine hip dysplasia
• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
• Disorders of the elbow or patella
• VonWillebrand’s Disease

Often trained as Guide Dogs for those who suffer from disabilities, the Labradoodle is a quick study and a friendly puppy who adapts well to most situations. Keenly intelligent and very social, they are well-suited for family life, as well as sharing homes with cats and other dogs. While they require occasional grooming, their coats are not as troublesome as those of other long-haired breeds, and one can always get him cut short, should you worry about excess grooming.

The main drawback of this hybrid, if there is in fact any, is that he requires a fair amount of exercise in order to stay fit. If you’re looking to adopt a Labradoodle puppy, be sure to take into mind, the amount of time that you have to spend with your dog, and how much time he will spend at home alone. If you have quality time and room in your life for a wonderful dog, the Labradoodle may be just the dog for you.