Australian labradoodles

[1587S]

Hi, I was wondering if anybody had this type of dog? Can you tell me what they are like eg energy wise, temperament etc?

Previously had a working type German Shepherd and show type Labrador.

Thanks

ACynicalDad has one, so no doubt he'll be along to sing their praises.
However, in the UK you will be hard pressed to find one that is ethically bred.

Sorry I maybe silly here, but what do you mean by ethically?

I’m sorry I know nothing about them except I met one for the first time the other day and OMG he was the cutest and most playful dog I’ve ever met! Sorry, not very helpful! 🤣

I have one. Her temperament is wonderful but we have had health issues with her. And agree there are major ethical questions over their breeding. You will see most breeders are breeding on a huge scale by having the maximum number of dogs they are allowed in their house and then others out in guardian houses. It allows them to breed on a huge scale and produce 50+ puppies a year. I thought I did my research and had found a good breeder but have concluded she was just an expensive puppy farmer. If I knew then what I know now about the breeding programs for these dogs I wouldn’t have got one. Happy to share more if you message me direct.

Well the breed club 'recommended' breeders are all puppy farmers. One has over 16 breeding bitches.

All the ones anyone on mumsnet has ever linked and recommended, have also been puppy farmers.

Blimey that’s a question that opens a whole can of worms!!

Short answer - all doodle breeds are a combo of two others at least (obvs) The best breeders are those that are breeding to improve the breed they love or to carry on a line. Ie obtain a new dog from their own lineage to keep.
Doodle breeders do not fall into theses categories. They are in it generally for the money, are at best inexperienced but very,very often puppy farmers. None or limited health testing of parents, dodgy temperaments quite regularly, poorly brought up and bred from parents that are poor examples of their breed. No decent breeder would let their dog sire or their bitch have pups that are crosses as it devalues their dog.

I mean with no concern for the welfare of the dogs or puppies.
As the other posters have said, large numbers of breeding bitches. Some bitches living with 'guardian' families and brought back for breeding. No health tests done on the breeding dogs. Large volumes of puppies being churned out for extortionate prices.
And I'm not certain about this one, but I think some breeders neuter the puppies at 8 weeks old before they sell them. Which I assume is to prevent other people being able to breed and muscle in on their prophets, because it is absolutely not in the best interests of the puppies.

This is the problem. If you don't have a basic understanding of what ethical breeding means, you are highly likely to be conned into thinking that 25 plus dogs is the norm for a breeder. It isn't. That is a puppy farm. Almost all doodles are commercially bred on a massive scale, as the other posters here have already explained.

You would be far better off looking for a reputable breeder of Labradors or poodles than going for one of these designer crossbreeds.

• profits, not prophets. 🤦‍♀️

I met a groodle this past week. He seemed a fabulous dog with enormous charm and character. I asked his owner afterwards “I thought they weren’t supposed to shed?” He replied that a damp cloth is good for cleaning your trousers.

That dog shed in clouds.

Now I'm probably going to sound silly. What's the difference between an Australian one and a British one? Ps. I know zilch about breeds!

I only know 2 of these dogs. One male, one female. From completely different breeders. They are lovely temperament but one of them barks an awful lot.
Unbelievably expensive and both neutered/spayed before they were brought home. Apparently the breeders insisted on this so that the line will not be used by unapproved breeders.
The price would definitely put me off.
I wouldn't get a puppy neutered /spayed at such a young age regardless of provenance and breed.
In all honesty you will struggle to get absolute confidence you will find a genuine Australian Labradoodle. And all other doodle mixes are, vast majority, likely to be a bit neurotic and unsettled. Great as pets but most likely bonkers. Life with a doodle quite different than life with a German Shepherd.

@TheSandgroper what is a groodle?Never heard of this before now.

Labrador bread with a poodle is an English Labradoodle. What comes through in terms of coat, temperament etc is completely unpredictable.

Australian labradoodle was a breed established many generations ago. So my dog’s mum was an Australian labradoodle and dad was an Australian labradoodle and so were their parents etc. So the theory is the breed is more established and clear what you will get.

But as other’s have said, the breeders of Australian Labradoodles tightly control their lines. They sell for about £3k and you will have to sign a contract saying you will spay/neuter by age 1. If you don’t want to do that they will charge you £10k plus for it.

I have to be honest, the more I hear about this 'breed' the more disgusted I am anyone can buy one in good conscious.

£3K for what is most likely a dog bred by a puppy farmer with no health tests? Spaying/neutering before a year old?

Eurgh. Some people don't deserve dogs.

Golden Retriever crossed with a poodle. He was tall, solid, lashings of golden hair with a strong wave in it and trailing a cloud of hair with each step. His bark sounded like it came from the depths of the earth.

I crouched down to scratch the cat and the next minute this enormous arse was in my face wanting some of the action. So cute.

I was hoping I was mistaken about the neutering, but sadly not.
Who the fuck thinks buying a neutered two month old is a good idea? Do people not care about what these poor puppies have been through?
And I am disgusted that any vet agrees to it. Suppose the greeders are making so much money, they can employ their own vet.

I think it's actually called a Goldendoodle.
They apparently have a lot of skin problems because the curly topcoat prevents the undercoat from moulting out, so they get hotspots.

I have a Goldie and have meet a few Goldendoodles, the owners got them because they liked Goldies but not the shedding
None of them were like Goldies in temperament (I have had 5) and some do shed

Just to echo PP, it was a Goldendoodle. Also synonymous with poor breeding, puppy farming, a plethora of health issues (including dysplasia, bloat, glaucoma, hypothyrodism) skin issues, behavioural problems etc.

Ethical problems aside (which are awful) you never know what you’ll get with a cross. Both in temperaments and physical qualities.

It really is sad to hear self confessed animal lovers buy breeds like doodles, pugs and French Bulldogs. Those people are the opposite of animal lovers and have no right to claim to be.

Ah Goldendoodle! I met 2 of these and both were absolutely totally bonkers. Combined with their size it is both comical and somewhat concerning. Lovely dogs though, no shedding that I could see. But neither actually behaved like Golden Retrievers. I suspect they are untrainable but these ones do look very cute and are not at all aggressive.
Saying that I wouldn't have one. I could cope with 10 true Golden Retrievers , shedding included, at once but couldn't cope with the madness of 1 Goldendoodle based on knowing these two.

No dog is untrainable, people just need to research methods relevant to the breed.

I have a Basset Hound who is supposedly‘untrainable’, she has recall etc as I trained her according to breed traits as she has a ‘what’s in it for me’ attitude.

@hiintrepidheroes there are no breed traits, that's the problem. What would this dog need to do in order to feel fulfilled? The mix of 2 energetic breeds ends up in a lost dog. Often because the owners get them for the 'cute' and no shedding traits. Zero interest in behaviour. This is where breeding is important, creating a line with a defined scope so you know what to give the dog in order to keep it content and reliable.

Thanks for all your input, I like to research to make the right decision. I can’t believe these breeders neuter at 8 weeks, so wrong!

My last Labrador who was gorgeous had hip and elbow dysplasia at 4 months old. Very reputable breeder and sire, he was just very unlucky, I throughly checked everything too.

I am looking for something like a show type Labrador with less hair, maybe a little smaller too. Any suggestions?