Labradoodles - the good, the bad and the ugly!

[WonderIfThingsWillChange]

Hello! I'm about to look after a rescue labradoodle, I've not had much to do with them in the past, could anyone share their experienced of them please? I'm wondering about likes/dislikes, training etc. I realise all dogs are different but just wondered if there was a general consensus on them :-)

[CornflakeHomunculus]

I got doodle number one because I love labs but didn't want to go through the skin/hip conditions again.

Poodles and labradors can both be affected by a number of the same health conditions (hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, Degenerative Myelopathy, Macrothrombocytopenia, prcd-PRA and hereditary cataracts for example) so simply crossing the two is not a guarantee they're going to avoid any of these issues.

A first cross between and labrador and a standard poodle is no more or less likely to suffer from any of these particular health issues than a pedigree of either breed with the same level of health testing.

[PeachPearPotato]

So sorry you've been asked to rescue a monster hybrid. I've heard they can be completely loopy - off the scale of any dog behaviour known to mankind. Be very careful. I hope you are OK OP [hugs]


ours are fucking lovely

[Jenny70]

Our labradoodle is very calm at home, and very energetic at the park - loves to socialise with dogs and owners, will only chase the ball if noone else is there.

She does have a sensitive stomach, finding the right food that she will eat (fussy) and doesn't give her the runs is tricky.... treats are especially bad for giving runs (pigs ears, dental sticks etc all now banned!). Any leftovers/fatty foods go straight through her, but she loves them.

Overall she is a loving quiet thing, happy to hang with the family.