Australian Labradoodles - Everything You Need To Know

If you're considering an Australian Labradoodle, you've come to the right place! Adding an Australian Labradoodle to our family has been one of the most rewarding and life-changing things we've done!

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Why Did We Choose An Australian Labradoodle?

My wonderful wife of 5 years wanted a dog in the family since well before we were married. I wasn't so sure, however. Why? I was actually afraid of dogs.

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I had a few bad experiences with feral dog packs while I lived in Brazil, and it kind of scarred me.

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I wasn't particularly excited about having a dog in my home. For a while, it seemed like we weren't every going to make it work.

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However, the calm, gentle and "born to serve" personality of the Australian Labradoodle seemed to be a great starter dog for me. So we got our first dog, Ash. It was a much gentler and easier transition than I imagined it would be, and now my fear of dogs is completely gone!

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If you have a grumpy husband like me, or just a family that's looking for a chill and obedient pet, Australian Labradoodles might be the perfect fit!

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History

Australian Labradoodles are a mixed designer breed. They are relatively new, beginning in the 1980s.

However, the three breeds that they come from, the Australian Shepard, the Poodle, and the Cocker Spaniel, are not new. They both have long established histories.

The Australian Shepard is a well-known herding dog that are highly intelligent.

Poodles are also known as working dogs, and were used in France as duck hunting companions, guard dogs, guide dogs, service dogs, and more.

Cocker Spaniels have a long, but not super well-documented, history. It's commonly assumed that they came from Spain in the 14th century, but were used in Britain and the US as hunting dogs.
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Australian Labradoodles have combined the characteristics of these three breeds to produce happy, social, an well-tempered dogs that are perfect for families.

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Temperament

Gentle

Australian Labradoodles are very gentle dogs.

They are typically not very aggressive, and are great with kids.

If you're looking for a stereotypical, masculine "REAL" dog that plays fetch 24/7 and is highly coordinated, that will be able to keep up with roughhousing with teenagers, this breed may not be for you.

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Loyal

Many breeds of dog are loyal, but Australian Labradoodles are especially so.

They are a great family dog, checks up on the well being of small children, and will love you to the ends of the earth.

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Sociable

Australian Labradoodles are highly social. They pick up quickly on non-verbal ques from both humans and other dogs (assuming the Australian Labradoodle is well socialized with other dogs).

They maintain eye contact with humans very well. Assuming you keep their hair groomed, you'll be able to see their eyes too!

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"Born To Serve"

Australian Labradoodles have a high desire to please their families.

They are very sensitive to displeasing their masters, so a lighter hand tends to work better than a heavier one.

This, combined with their high intelligence, makes them an excellent dog for beginners.

They are also great for grumpy husbands that don't want a dog. That's how I managed to convince my husband, and my scheme worked wonderfully on him!

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Size

Australian Labradoodles can range wildly in size. They range from 25-70 pounds normally.

However, the Happy Home Australian Labradoodles are around 35 lbs. This allows a medium-sized dog that's perfect for home living, while avoiding some of the health problems that small dogs can have.

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Lifespan

Australian Labradoodles have an average lifespan of 12-14 years.

Providing your Australians Labradoodle with adequate playtime (30-60 minutes) either by walking or playing in a safe backyard can maximize the time you get with your little one.

Good quality food and mental stimulation have also been found in increase lifespan.

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Health

Australian Labradoodles that are well taken care of often live healthy lives that are free of chronic pain.

Because they are a hybrid, mixed, designer breed, they don't suffer from many diseases that would typically plague some purebreds.

There are only three things that we suggest looking out for. You will want to watch out for some of the following things, typically when they reach an advanced age:

Hip and Elbow Dysplasia

Larger Australian Labradoodles (50+ lbs.) can sometimes suffer from hip and elbow dysplasia.

It's a good idea to have the doctor check your Australian Labradoodle's hips and elbows, as they can often predict the likelihood based on their bone structure.

Happy Home Australian Labradoodles are checked by a vet beforehand for these problems.

Eye Issues

Australian Labradoodles can be affected by progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) and multifocal retinal dysplasia. These aren't common, but can lead to vision loss.

Our Australian Labradoodles are checked by a vet beforehand for these problems.

Von Willebrand’s Disease

Von Willebrand's Disease is a bleeding disorder that can affect Australian Labradoodles.

If you buy Australian Labradoodles from another breeder, make sure that they test for this.

Our Australian Labradoodles are checked by a vet beforehand for these problems.

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Misconceptions

Aussie Doodles vs. Australian Labradoodles

Australian Labradoodles are NOT Aussie Doodles (also known as Aussiedoodles, Aussie Poos, and Aussie Poodles).

Australian Labradoodles are a completely different breed.

They share a lot of traits, but the main difference is the fact that Cocker Spaniel is added into the mix, changing their temperament and energy levels significantly.

Aussie Doodles require a lot more attention and exercise, as their a cross between two working dogs. They can become destructive if they are not given enough exercise.

The addition of Cocker Spaniel into the mix makes Australian Labradoodles significantly easier to care for. They don't require as much exercise, they tend to be more people oriented, and have a stronger desire to please their families.

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Hypoallergenic

Australian Labradoodles, like most Doodles, have hypoallergenic hair and don't cause asthma attacks.

However, some people are allergic to dog DANDRUFF instead of dog hair. Those that are allergic to dandruff can still react to most (if not all) hypoallergenic dogs.

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Hair Care

Unfortunately, some people that get Doodles are under the impression that because they don't shed, they don't need o go to the groomer or get hair cuts.

This is very far from the truth.

Australian Labradoodles (like most Doodles) require regular maintenance. It's advised that you groom them every 6 weeks.

If you get an Australian Labradoodle from us, you get a Family Discount on our grooming service. With our grooming subscription, you get 35% off all hair cuts, blowouts, and more!

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Allergens

Australian Labradoodles, like most Doodles, have hypoallergenic hair and don't cause asthma attacks.

However, some people are allergic to dog DANDRUFF instead of dog hair. Those that are allergic to dandruff can still react to most (if not all) hypoallergenic dogs.

Regular grooming can help alleviate dandruff.

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Grooming

Grooming is vital for Australian Labradoodles (like most Doodles).

Failure to groom your dog regularly can lead to matting, an excess of dandruff, difficulty seeing through their hair, and health problems.

Australian Labradoodles need to be groomed and cut every 6 weeks. It's also recommended to regularly brush them (we brush 4-5 times per week).

If you get an Australian Labradoodle from us, you get a Family Discount on our grooming service. With our grooming subscription, you get 35% off all hair cuts, blowouts, and more!

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Physical Features

Coats

Australian Labradoodle coats are often described as "teddy bear like". Their coats tend to fall into one of two different categories:

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Fleece-textured coats

Fleece-textured coats are soft, and can range from straight to wavy hair (often having variations within the same litter).

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Wool-textured coats

Wool-textured coats feel like sheep's wool. This coat type is exclusively curly.

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Colors

Australian Labradoodles often have a wide variety of colors in a single litter. Most common colors include:

Black

Red

White

Apricot

Caramel

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