Labradoodle Dogs and Puppies Canada

Photo of an attractive Labradoodle

Your Canadian Online Guide to
Labradoodle Dog Breed Information Facts and Pictures

Alternate Names: Australian Labradoodle
Common Misspellings:

Introducing the Labradoodle Dog Breed

The Labradoodle, a crossbreed from a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle, is a handsome, playful dog. For the most part, he has inherited the best qualities from his poodle parent -low shedding and low dander, and from his Labrador parent - gentle temperament and trainability.

Since 1989 when this breed was first introduced, the Labradoodle is somewhat varied in appearance. The spectrum of colours ranges from nearly white to black with many winsome mixes in between. The coat�s texture ranges from a subtle wave to a curly cotton ball quality.

Perhaps the best known feature of the Labradoodle is its extraordinarily cute appearance and mild disposition. Frankly, they�re just the nicest dog one can image.

The Labradoodle Dog Breed in Brief:

Country of Origin:	Australia
Labradoodle Height:	Varies; Miniature - 12 - 16 inches Medium - 17 - 20 inches Standard - 21 - 24 inches
Labradoodle Weight:	varies: 10 - 15 pounds Miniature Labradoodle 16 - 45 pounds Medium Labradoodle 45 - 60 pounds Standard Labradoodle
Labradoodle Exercise Needs:	Moderate
Labradoodle Grooming Demands:	Moderate
Labradoodle Trainability:	Easy
Labradoodle Life Expectancy:	10 - 15 years
Good With Children:	Yes, with supervision.
Good With Other Pets:	Usually
Average Litter Size:	litter
CKC Breed Group:

Labradoodle Breed History:

The Labradoodle with its strikingly cute face was first bred in Australia in 1989. The goal of the breeder was to create a dog with a low-shedding coat along with a gentle nature and high trainability. The breeder, Wally Conron, was keen to breed a dog that would make a good guide dog for allergy sufferers. He selected, as you may have guessed, a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle. The offspring, now a well loved and popular pet, was a smashing success and families the world over welcomed the Labradoodle into their homes.

Labradoodle Appearance:

The Labradoodle is a relatively new breed and therefore its genetics are not yet fully stabilized. This means that puppies may not have consistently predictable characteristics, but they sure are cute! Typically, most Labradoodles inherit the wavy or curly coat of the poodle parent. The coat can range from very soft and fluffy to a more wiry, unruly texture. They do shed, as do all dogs to some degree, but the Labradoodle's shedding is minimal and they seem to have less doggie odour than their Labrador cousin. From the Labrador parent, Labradoodles usually inherit a gentle, patient nature.

Labradoodles have a keen, friendly and somewhat doe-eyed expression. They seldom appear threatening even in the larger variety. Labradoodles seem to always look like they are just waiting for the fun to start; ready to fetch, jump and play.

Labradoodle Temperament:

Most Labradoodles are friendly and energetic. They love attention but will not aggressively seek it. Families with children can welcome a Labradoodle into their home as this breed tends to be gentle and agreeable with children; even when dressed as a princess! (Do be vigilant in teaching your children how to play safely with a Labradoodle. Any dog can bite or nip if he feels pain or is threatened) The precise temperament of your Labradoodle is mostly contingent on the temperaments of his parents. So, choose a breeder who screens for good temperament. This will help assure a happy, well bred dog.

Labradoodle Exercise Information:

Labradoodles need regular, moderate exercise. Puppies, especially between 14 and 26 weeks, need controlled exercise as this is the period of time when they have an accelerated growth spurt. For Labradoodle puppies, a 20 or 30 minute walk will suffice. Avoid jogging or cycling with your Labradoodle puppy because their puppy-legs and joints can easily become damaged. Be especially vigilant with allowing young puppies to run up long hills This joint damage can carry into adulthood.

Adult Labradoodles are athletic, energetic and agile. Labradoodles are excellent swimmers and will love to play 'fetch' when the stick is hurled into a pond. In adulthood, your Labradoodle will enjoy (even if you don�t) strenuous physical activity on land and in water. Be creative, your Labradoodle will chase any stick or ball you care to throw.

Labradoodle Grooming Needs:

The amount of grooming your Labradoodle requires depends on the nature of his coat. Some first generation Labradoodles have a wavy, slightly wiry coat that needs very little attention. Brushing a few times per week to prevent matting and a bath a few time per year should suffice.

Other Labradoodles, have a woolly, curly coat that does require more work. Daily brushing is essential to avoid or minimize matting. Some Labradoodle owners prefer to clip the coats rather than deal with the brushing and matting. This shorter coat when brushed looks embarrassingly frizzy. Try a simple water spritz and the curls will return (along with your Labradoodles self esteem).

Labradoodle Training

Labradoodles are highly trainable. In fact, many have been trained to obey sign language, traffic signals and pedestrian rules. This feature makes them an outstanding guide dog.

For domestic harmony, it is essential to train your Labradoodle puppy early. The goal is to establish the owner as the �leader of the pack�, with other family members also ranking above the dog. This is accomplished in an interesting way. Feed your Labradoodle puppy after all family members have eaten. It is instinctual for the leaders and higher members of a pack to eat first, and the lower ranking members will eat afterwards. This should prevent your Labradoodle from growling or nipping or other displays of aggression at meal times.

Also, the Labradoodle should not be permitted to not nip or bite even at the earliest puppy stage. Experts agree that this behaviour is not a function of teething, but rather an early attempt at dominance. This is also the case for biting hems and pulling socks. This may seem cute when your Labradoodle is a puppy, but once these behaviours are learned and accepted, the fully mature Labradoodle will resist retraining. If your Labradoodle nips or bites, simply close the upper and lower jaws with your fingers, making it uncomfortable for the puppy, but never painful.

Labradoodle Health Information:

Common health concerns for your Labradoodle include; HD, PRA, VonWillebrand's, Elbow and patella disorders, hip dysphasia and Addison�s Disease.

Is the Labradoodle The Right Breed For You:

The Labradoodle is fun-loving, gentle dog. He has moderate dietary needs and most people can easily manage the exercise and grooming requirements. As a guide dog, the Labradoodle is top-notch and as a faithful companion, you will find no better.

The larger variety of this breed may be too confined in an apartment or condo, but the Miniature Labradoodle, with your commitment to his exercise, should manage comfortably.

As with buying any dog, resist the urge to purchase a dog inexpensively from a pet store or from an advertisement in a newspaper. You may unwittingly buy a mal-adjusted, sick, puppy mill dog. This is to be avoided at all costs.

Labradoodle Puppies

Picture of Labradoodle puppy Dog

If you are ready to make a lifelong commitment to that perfect Labradoodle puppy, your next step is to locate the most responsible and reputable Labradoodle dog breeder you can find. We sincerely hope that our Labradoodle dog breed profile will assist you in your search for your new puppy, and help you avoid acquiring a puppy from any source other than a responsible Labradoodle breeder.

A Responsible Labradoodle Puppy Breeder:

Is a die-hard dog lover who breeds out of a sincere desire to perpetuate and improve upon the Labradoodle dog breed.
Is very well educated about the breed(s) they offer and the breed's traits, both desirable and undesirable.
Adheres to a highly selective breeding program which focuses on health, temperament and conformation.
Breeds only healthy, conformationally correct dogs with sound temperaments that are registered with the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) or, if from another country, with that country's authorative dog breed registry.
Treats the dogs in their breeding home as members of the family, and does not constantly confine these dogs to crates, kennels or other pens.
Has breeding dogs carefully screened for hereditary and other canine disorders prior to breeding.
Whelps puppies indoors and ensures that puppies are well socialized, given proper nutrition and receive plenty of love and play.
Offers and stands behind a reasonable health guarantee.
Has a spay or neuter requirement on all puppies placed in pet homes.
Is committed to each Labradoodle puppy for life, and will re-home or take back a puppy if you cannot fulfill your commitment for any reason.
Is happy to answer any questions you may have about the Labradoodle dog breed or their dogs and puppies.
Carefully screens potential puppy buyers to ensure that Labradoodle puppies are placed only in loving, responsible forever homes.

A responsible dog breeder may seem like an over-anxious parent on their child's first day of school. They will demonstrate a strong bond with their dogs and puppies, and a desire to assist you and remain in contact with you as your puppy grows and thrives in your loving home. Don't settle for anything less than this. Buying your Labradoodle puppy is an important decision that will affect you and your family for many years to come. Make sure you do not acquire a puppy in haste from a disreputable source! Do your homework and spend the time finding just the right puppy from a responsible Canadian Labradoodle breeder.

Avoid Buying Your Labradoodle Puppy From:

A Pet Store.
A Newspaper Ad.
An online classifieds site.
The side of the road.
A parking lot.
A friend or neighbour, unless they are an experienced and responsible Labradoodle dog breeder.
Any breeder with whom you do not feel 100% comfortable; you will be in contact with this person for the life of your dog or puppy.

Canada, like the US and the UK, has more than it's share of puppy mills. If you do not know what a puppy mill is, then please click here to read about this inhumane industry where dogs are treated as livestock, and puppies as merchandise. In addition to supporting an industry that thrives on the cruel mistreatment of dogs and puppies, by buying a puppy from a pet store, newspaper ad or online classifieds site is setting yourself and your family up for a heap of heartache.

Puppy mill puppies are generally more expensive than puppies from a reputable breeder, and can have numerous health, temperament and behavioural problems as a result of the conditions in which they were conceived, born and raised. Usually this results in taking on a family member with health problems that will cause ongoing additional veterinary costs, behavioural problems that may pose a hazard to your family, friends and neighbours, and, at worst, you may fall in love with a sickly puppy that will eventually need to be humanely euthanized.

The Labradoodle dog breeders that are showcased on Dogs and Puppies Canada have undergone our own screening process, in an effort to ensure that we promote only highly reputable breeders, and keep puppy mills and backyard breeders from advertising with us. These breeders share our philosophy on what is a responsible breeder, and have agreed to abide by these guidelines for conduct.

Click here to View our directory of
Responsible Canadian Labradoodle Dog Breeders