A Labradoodle is a hybrid breed dog that has gained popularity quickly among families.
They are incredibly social, affectionate, lovable, and with a lot of energy. Labradoodles are a growing common favourite dog breed for first-time owners because they love activities and helping humans out.
Even in their senior years, Labradoodles can remain puppy-like because of their highly outgoing, playful nature and high energy.
This makes them suitable for families who can take them for long walks, preferably for an hour daily.
Labradoodles are meant to help people, but if one is not getting them as a service dog, they should have them do something.
Is a Labradoodle an excellent first dog?
The Labradoodle is a mixed dog breed new to the dog world in every possible way.
They are a cross of Labrador Retriever and Labrador Poodle Mix. To create a dog with service skills for a blind woman in Hawaii whose husband was allergic to dogs, Wally Conron from Royal Guide Dogs bred a Labradoodle.
After several attempts, the breeding in 1989 in Victoria, Australia, saw that the dog breed had the coat, low dander count, the intelligence of a poodle, and the friendly, trainable, and working energy of a Labrador.
In the early years of its invention, Labradoodles didn't grab much of people's attention, but gradually they became famous for their beautiful personalities.
Puppy Labradoodles have a size of 14-16 inches with weights of 15-50 pounds, but miniature puppies weigh 4-7 pounds.
Their coat texture can only be determined once they are grown and fully developed, although they have four types of coats; straight, woolly, curly fleece, or wavy.
Standard Labradoodles are about 22-24 inches tall, medium to large dogs, and weigh 50-65 pounds with a life span of 12-16 years.
This breed is a good choice for first-time dog owners, as they are pretty intelligent, which makes obedience and house training a lot easier.
The main difference between male and female Labradoodles is their hormone levels. Female puppies are more aggressive and protective but mellow out and are easier to train, while males are wild but are affectionate.
They come in a variety of colours, inclusive:
- Black Puppy Labradoodles: Standard Poodles and original Labradors are commonly black. Mixing these breeds automatically results in black-coated puppies. However, the exact texture and coat colouring can't be predicted.
- Chocolate Puppy Labradoodle: They are easily found worldwide, but are rarer than the black ones. They are a result of chocolate or yellow Labradors with brown Poodles. Two black dogs may also produce a chocolate pup since the black colour is a dominant gene while the others are recessive.
- White Puppy Labradoodle: They are rarer than the chocolate ones, and if any, the white pigmentation is because of albinism, a genetic condition involving lack of pigmentation. The poodle side of the white Labradoodle's gene is responsible for the white colour, as they have the gene for white coats called the S gene, absent in Labradors.
- Red Puppy Labradoodles: Apricot, red, caramel, and red caramel are standard colours falling under the red coat category in the canine world. The different shades of red come in stunning colour combinations for their noses and eyes.
- Silver Puppy Labradoodle: These puppies can only inherit this gene if their parents, a pure-bred Poodle and Labrador, carry a recessive silver gene. This can be hard since pure-bred Poodles are allowed to be black, grey, fawn, and brown, while Labradors are black, yellow, and brown.
What can I expect from a Labradoodle puppy?
Energy Levels
Labradoodles are a dog breed with high energy levels and require a lot of exercises daily to keep them occupied.
Exercise should include about half an hour to an hour of activities with games as part of their training plan to help exercise their minds and prevent boredom.
The exercising may include walks through the dog park, which is also great for socialization, playtime, running, or a combination of the three.
Physical Traits
The labradoodle appearance is a blend created by crossing two pure-breds, the miniature or Standard Poodle and the Labrador Retriever.
Labradoodles have beautiful coats and come in a variety of different colours. Their coats are incredible looking, from wiry and woolly, to wavy and curly.
They are also different in various colours, ranging from red, black, chocolate, and apricot to brindle, gold, silver, and cream. Also, Labradoodles puppies are cute with a resemblance to stuffed animals, with floppy ears, oversized paws, and big eyes.
Temperament
Labradoodles puppies love people and are excellent with any age range. Some become service dogs, while some, because of how they act around families, people and children, end up as therapy dogs.
They're calm and affectionate in offering psychological and physiological support to patients and people in need. Labradoodles' energy levels vary depending on their generation. Puppies with more Labrador genes are more energetic than the ones with more poodle in their blood.
Labradoodle pups are outgoing, intelligent, playful, affectionate, and energetic.
Living Needs
Labradoodle pups are often suited to living in smaller homes, although they are pretty flexible regarding where they live.
If a dog owner lives in a flat or has limited yard space, ensure to visit dog parks for regular exercises and a chance for the dog to blow off steam.
Health
Labradoodles are relatively healthy, about 10-14 years of life. However, being an ideal combination of Labradors and Poodles means they can be subjected to the health problems of both their parent breeds.
Before adopting a Labradoodle, ensure your breeder conducts DNA tests on your puppy's parents to find any genetic abnormalities. Their hips and elbows can also be tested and certified.
While most dogs are happy to eat just about anything and everything, Labradoodle puppies are a bit pickier. Any owner should keep any weight gain in check since they may overheat if not supported under watchful eyes.
Do Labradoodles bark lots?
Labradoodles are natural barkers, just like all dogs, but they bark with reason, mostly to send specific types of information.
When the Labradoodle puppy barks excessively, try correcting the problem at the first unnecessary bark by saying "no' or "quiet" in a firm voice. Suppose they stop barking, praise, and offer them a treat.
Labradoodles are generally sweet-natured, friendly pets known for their lack of aggressiveness and get along well with children and other dogs.
Labradoodles are social and only get territorial when they feel threatened. They may at times growl when frightened, angry, or alarmed. Growling is one of their primary forms of communication and is often used to express that something is happening that's bothering them.
This joyful breed is easygoing, devoted, and playful, great for family pets, but not recommended for protection!
How do you take care of a Labradoodle puppy?
All new dog owners should be prepared before bringing home a Labradoodle puppy.
They must check on preparing the house, proper feeding and grooming tips, leash training, and possible health concerns
Below are all the tips and tricks you'll need to ensure that your labradoodle puppy becomes one of the best adult dogs you've ever known.
- Start training the puppy as soon as they are brought home. They are intelligent and will pick up teachings very quickly.
- For leash training, let the puppy wear their collar around the house for about an hour to get used to it. Keep some training treats as a reward to encourage them to walk forward, avoid dragging you, and stay by your side.
- Let the puppies spend their early days with other adult dogs to get them used to other dogs at a young age. This helps with good socialization.
- Three to four daily walks are exercises, although swimming, hiking, and playtime in the yard or dog park will help.
- Grooming, including regular trims, baths, and brushing, keeping ears dry and clean, tooth brushing, and nail trimming work well for your puppy's health.
- Give the puppy high-quality, balanced diets that meet their nutritional needs, and ensure feeding them regularly. They should eat about three times a day, with the amount you provide them depending on their age, weight, and activity level. Avoid overfeeding
- Labradoodle owners should be aware of health issues, including elbow dysplasia, progressive retinal and atrophy hip dysplasia.
How to prepare your home for a labradoodle puppy
It is good to fully prepare before you bring your labradoodle puppy into your family. This includes:
- A bed or crate to sleep in
- Food bowls and water
- Puppy foods they are already used to
- Toys for them to play with
- A collar and a leash
- Shampoos and towels favourable for dogs
- Grooming tools
- Gates to block off a particular area just for them
Are Labradoodles hard to maintain?
Labradoodles are high-maintenance because they require a lot of exercise, training, socialization, and grooming.
These always-ready-for adventures, bouncy and playful puppies are usually worth the extra work. They are low-shedding dogs with brilliant gene parents.
- Labradoodles make loving family pets because of their exceptionally social personalities.
- They are brilliant dogs, making them easy to train with the right motivations.
- Labradoodles need both stimulation and company, making them great dogs to jog with
- They come in different sizes; miniature, medium, and standard
- Labradoodles have an excellent temperament and are in great health
- From cream to chocolate, black, apricot, red, or silver, Labradoodles come in various colours.
- No dog is truly hypoallergenic, but Labradoodles are close. They shed less than most breeds, preferably easier on allergies.
- Their warm, affectionate personality makes Labradoodles ideal therapy dogs for people with physical disabilities, autism, and depression.
Reasons Labradoodles may be frowned upon by first dog owners include:
- They can be a bit expensive
- Labradoodles require a great deal of exercise as they are a product of two very active breeds, Labradors and Poodles.
- Labradoodles have high energy levels that require a lot of room to express
- Although they shed less, they need a lot of grooming than other dog breeds
- Labradoodles suffer separation anxiety when left alone, and make them destructive
Final Thought
Labradoodles will often reflect the energy levels of their owners.
They require more care than some dog breeds and can be high-maintenance. Before getting one for yourself, it is good to weigh the possible advantages and disadvantages of options.
Meeting their care needs can be overwhelming, but it will become easier once you develop a routine and have a happy dog
Normalize in-person meet and check reviews to avoid puppy mills when working with reputable breeders in case you are interested in a Labradoodle for your family.
Labradoodles are high-energy and love a good adventure with a few setbacks, but they still deserve to live in a specific cosy environment.