Australian labradoodle

[Mrsplod]

Can anyone tell me a bit about their Australian labradoodle? Mainly temperament, size, energy levels, trainabillty?

The labradoodle is a cross breed created to have a hypoallergenic guide dog. None of the dogs made it as guidedogs and the breeding programme was abandoned, but not before setting off the biggest craze for designer cross-breeds.

I don’t know what the Australian labradoodle is as such but when you get a cross-breed it is very difficult to talk about the things you are interested in. The puppy may have the temperament of the lab or the poodle, the energy of the lab or the poodle, etc. It’s hard enough to consistently breed these characteristics in a breed, it’s impossible in a random cross breed.

Be particularly aware of puppy farmers with designer cross breeds.

Australian labradoodles are the ultimate family companion.

Mine is very cuddly, sweet tempered, very patient, loving, comical and extremely non aggressive. If I touch or stroke him, he seems to melt and stares into my eyes.

He is also a sock thief and a little naughty at times. He knows he's the bees knees and is totally spoilt. He is just lovely.

He's also non shedding and has a very soft, silky coat that needs to be groomed regularly which isn't cheap.

I would never have another breed of dog now.

And here he is....

The Australian labradoodle is not a simple crossbreed it a mix of about six breeds that have now produced a consistent dog, in looks and temperament. They are used as service dogs for people who have allergies to dogs, but you shouldn’t rely on this (my son is allergic to dogs and is fine with both ours). There are fewer breeders of these dogs (which should have origins from the original Australian breeders) so are therefore more expensive than English labradoodles.
My Australian Labradoodle looks almost identical to five generations back. He’s a mini so the size of a working cocker or slightly bigger. He’s 10 now but still very playful and bouncy. Their temperament is calm in the house but quite energetic and needs good walks. He loves his ball and will play fetch endlessly. He was very easy to house train and is fine on his own (I crate trained him and got him used to being on his own from quite early on). He is friendly with other dogs and people, but does give warning barks in the house. He is a character! Never leave a small child unaccompanied with a dog no matter how reliable you think they are.

It’s a distinct breed from the English Labradoodle you say? A mix of no fewer than six breeds? Wow they sound very special...I bet they come with one heck of a special price. To be fair you can’t just pick up a dog that is a mix of six breeds just like that at your local rescue, so the price tag seems well justified.

Thanks for the replies. Aurea he is beautiful! I've been looking at poodle crosses for a while but just came across this particular cross today. We have young children so temperament is very important. The price though is eye watering! How much exercise do they generally need? And how did you find training them? Particularly toilet training?

booboostwo That is not true about labradoodles not being used as guide dogs.

Purely out of interest, what do you think a poodle cross can offer that a poodle can't?

www.guidedogs.org.uk/about-us/national-breeding-centre/what-the-national-breeding-centre-does/our-breeds/

This states that Guide Dogs are using cross breeds, the purpose of which is to match them with people who are allergic to their usual breeds.

I have time, so I walk him for an hour in the morning and then a shorter walk in the evening. I think they'd need around an hour a day in total to keep them out of mischief. He sleeps for a lot of the day now he's a little older (4). He is intelligent so easy to train and very biddable.

As they thrive off human company, he hates being left so that is something to bear in mind.

My boy is a medium at around 20" to the shoulder and 18kg. They come in mini and standard sizes too.

Have a look at this website where I bought my boy. The breeder comes highly recommended. They are expensive as they come with extensive health tests and a genetic health guarantee. Pet insurance is cheaper than a pedigree dog though which can save £100s over the lifetime of a pet.

australian-labradoodles.co.uk

Aurea thanks for that, I've actually just been looking at that breeder so great to get a recommendation. I've emailed but probably won't get a reply for a few days. Can I ask what kind of price you paid? There is only 1 breeder here in Ireland & cost is €2200 though they have no more litters planned till next year.

I paid £1500 but that was four years ago. I think the breeder may charge £1800ish now. You won't regret it especially if you consider the additional purchase price over the lifetime of the dog. He is a complete pleasure to own and for that reason he is priceless!

Thanks for the info

The breeder linked above gives off a strong stench of being a glorified puppy farmer based on their website.

I'm basing this on facts including but not limited to the spaying/neutering of pups before they go to their new homes, visits being only by request (and for 45 minutes), the first come first served attitude and the genetic health 'guarantee' excluding hips, elbows and bite.

Lots of chat about health testing but no evidence on their website or actual numbers, that I can see.

They also claim that their dogs only need trimmed by a groomer a couple of times per year. Try a 6 weekly shave or extensive daily brushing to keep a couple of inches of coat, and you would be closer to the mark.

In comparison to other breeders of cross breeds of this type, yes they appear to be the cream of the crop. It doesn't make what they're doing okay though.

If you want to support a reputable breeder, research actual breeds that may suit you. Go to a conformation show to meet some dogs of the breeds you're considering.

If you're not fussy about genetic health, appearance, coat type, size or temperament, you could get a cross breed from such a breeder, or you could visit a rescue centre and give a home to a mutt in need of one.

@mrsplod could you tell me which county this breeder is based in?

I have a labradoodle (11 yrs old now!) and while he is an amazing dog and one of the family and I certainly believed at the time the breeder was reputable he has had many many health problems, including issues with both rear hips meaning he can walk for no more then 20 mins a day, and severe skin allergies- particularly at this time of year.

Just wondering if it is the same breeder, just in case.

You're in Ireland? Please don't support puppy farming. Doodles come up in rescue on a daily basis - more so at this time of year as people are going on holiday. DSPCA, Dogs Trust, Molly Moos Rescue, Cork DAWG and others are highly likely to have doodles come in over the next few months.

The Doodle Trust has guidelines on buying a puppy. You can also ask them for advice in specific breeders.

Reading through that Scottish doodle breeders website - it's clearly a huge operation, based on the number of dogs, but they seem to be saying most of the dogs they use for breeding are ones they have previously sold and now live elsewhere. They want you to believe they are currently raising three litters in their own home? Yeah right, of course they are...

@Ballygowenwater Saintfield Labradoodles? :(

I've visited the Scottish breeder's premises several times and do they do keep the dogs (and pups) inside in their home. It is a purpose built home for this purpose. Many of the breeding girls (and some stud dogs) live with local families and come back for breeding purposes - up to three litters at least a year apart. It's in a guardian home contract. It is their business and they have to make money to live admittedly, but the dogs are well cared for, responsibly bred and loved.

@Aurea however you want to dress it up, that is the very definition of a puppy farm and people shouldn’t be supporting them.

Just get a normal dog breed instead of spending 2 thousand pounds (?!!!!) on one that is supporting a horrendous industry.

Wrong place to ask about crossbreeds op. You'll just get told to get a poodle.

howwudufeel did you not read your own link? It states that they are hoping to use cross breeds as guide dogs. But either way you certainly did not read my post which referred to the history of the labradoodle. The cross was established to produce hypoallergenic guide dogs and the project failed. Here is an interview of the breeder on this.

www.telegraph.co.uk/lifestyle/pets/10626590/Breeders-regret-over-creating-labradoodle.html

Aurea do you seriously not know the difference between health screening and a health test? Anyone can take their puppy to the vet for a once over and declare it health tested. It costs very little and almost all puppies would pass such a test. It is also a bloody minimum a breeder can do before letting the puppy go. Health screening of parents is a lengthy and expensive process of checking conditions affecting the breed, which will involve genetic tests and x-rays (depending on the conditions). The breeder you link to specifically EXCLUDES conditions affecting the two breeds that health screening is set up to reduce from her contract. And there is no evidence of the parents in any of her litters having been screened. Decent breeders will give you the test results for both parents right there on the website (or even better will be registered with a breeding society so you can check up the results yourself). Not to mention the lack of genetic coefficient information or that the breeder has a huge number of dogs at the stud.

Frankly it is irresponsible to recommend this breeder and, given all the information on the internet on how to spot a poor breeder, it’s incomprehensible why anyone would not see this immediately.

P.S. your dog is super cute, but has so much French Labradoodle in him he hardly qualifies for an Australian Labradoodle.

I know nothing about crosses really. But we have a miniature poodle and he is fantastic. The more poodle crosses there are, the more I wonder why people don’t just go for a proper poodle.

It’s a genuine question.

If it’s the look then your poodle can look however you groom it. Mine is always mistaken for a cockerpoo. I don’t have his nose shaved and his coat is very loose and soft.

If it’s the ‘highly strung’ reputation. It’s really how they are treated. Ours loves the mud, water and racing about in the undergrowth. He comforts my youngest child when she is very loudly upset with the world in some way, he doesn’t bark lots, he is fine being left. He’s been a breeze so far (first dog).

The price of a poodle is much less as they aren’t as trendy as a cross.

There are specific rescues, and some good breeders.

booboostwo There are labradoodles being trained by GD as we discuss this issue.

I should also point out booboostwo that Luna, the This Morning Guide Dog is a labradoodle. Information here.

www.guidedogs.org.uk/itv-this-morning-puppy/