Making the decision to open your heart and home to a new puppy is a big one. It may help to know exactly how the breed came about and what to expect when raising Labradoodles.
It all began when the Australian Royal Guide Dog Association aimed to develop a non-allergenic guide dog, and thus began the long and complex process of developing the ideal Labradoodle. The goal was to create a non-shedding, allergy-friendly, intelligent dog by combining the best genetically healthy strains from the English Labrador and Swedish Poodle breeds. In response to a visually impaired woman from Hawaii's need for an allergy-friendly dog (her husband suffered with allergies), Wally Conron of the Australian Royal Guide Dog Association developed the first known litter of Labradoodle pups in 1989. Thirty-three samples of poodle hair and saliva were delivered to the couple to see whether the poodles would trigger an adverse reaction to the husband's allergies. Each sample provided irritated the man's allergies.
Conron then decided to breed a Standard Poodle with a Labrador Retriever. The couple received more coat and saliva samples from the three puppies in the Poodle and Labrador litter for testing. One of the three samples was hypoallergenic! Sultan, the allergy-friendly dog, was then trained to be the blind woman's support dog. Sultan was not just a service dog, but also the couple's valued family friend.
After Conron's early attempts to promote the breed further, Tegan Park and Rutland Manor in Australia began breeding Labradoodles. The pair of innovators were adamant about producing litters with uniform conformation, coat type, and temperament. As a result, the Irish Water Spaniel, Curly Coat Retriever, and American and English Cocker Spaniels were bred into the Labradoodle lineages.
The Australian Labradoodle is currently regarded as a cross between the Poodle, Cocker Spaniel, and Labrador Retriever. In contrast, the Labradoodle is a hybrid between just the Poodle and the Labrador Retriever. The Australian Labradoodle consistently produces allergy-friendly coat types and temperaments that are unrivaled. Because the Labradoodle is considered a "hybrid", puppies may not always share the same features. They might have silky or wiry hair, curly or straight. They can be any color, ranging from black, blond, brown, and even apricot.
Labradoodle types are exceptionally clever, lively, and effervescent due to their blend of labradors and poodles. They are excellent watchdogs but lack aggressiveness. Labradoodles get along well with other animals and are easygoing around children of all ages. They have one of the best temperaments of any breed of dog, and are some of the friendliest dogs around, making them ideal family pets. These puppies enjoy spending time with their human family and are simple to train, making them an excellent choice for first-time dog owners. Overall, Labradoodles are a fun-loving, peaceful, calm yet amusing, affectionate companions for families. As well as excellent service animals due to their ease of training, loyalty, and intelligence.