Labradoodle Breed Information Part 1:
Labradoodle Breed Information:
Labradoodle Breed Standard Sizes:
I have seen a couple of variations of 3 standard of sizes where they are listed
below:
Miniature: Weight: Female - 25-35
pounds; Males 30-40 pounds. Height: 14-18"
Medium: Weight:
Female - 35-45 pounds; Males 40-50 pounds. Height: 19-22"
Standard:
Weight: Female - 45-65 pounds; Males 50-70 pounds. Height: 22-26"
The Labradoodle has become famous for its low to non shedding coat,
absence of doggy smell, low allergy coat and exceptional intelligence
and trainability. There are three sizes in the pure bred. Standard which
is a largish dog 24-26 inches high, weighing 25-35 kilos. Medium, 18-23
inches tall and weighing 18-25 kilos and Miniature, which is 16-18
inches high and weighs 10-12 kilos. There are 2.2 lbs to a kilo.
Labradoodles come in seven coat colours. Black, Chalk, Creams, Apricot,
Chocolate, Cafe au Lait and Silver. There are two coat types. Curly or
wavy.
Labradoodle Other Names:
Labradoodles are only known as Labradoodles, whether the first cross or
a pure bred. They have no nick name or short abbreviated names.
Labradoodle Origin:
The Labradoodle was created in the early 1970's by a man called
Wally Cochran at the Guide Dog Centre in Melbourne Australia, in
response to a plea from a blind woman in Hawaii who wanted a Guide Dog
which would not affect her allergies to dogs.
The first mating of a Labrador Retriever to a Standard Poodle produced
three puppies in the litter which proved to be low allergy. They went on
to become successful Guide Dog for people with allergies.
Labradoodle Development:
This exciting discovery prompted an explosion of Labradoodle
Breeders in Australia, but as many continued to breed the first crosses,
results were unpredictable, with some puppies being low allergy and low
shedding and others a failure.
Two Breeding and Research Centres Rutland Manor and Tegan Park, were
established late in the 1980's, both in Victoria Australia, where
selective breeding and record keeping took place. Today both these
Centres export Labradoodles world wide to allergy and asthma sufferers,
with outstanding success. The Labradoodle Association of Australia Inc.
has been formed to provide guidelines on breeding and as a support for
Labradoodle owners and fanciers world wide.
Labradoodle CKC Standards:
Recognized in the Miscellaneous Section of the CKC Breeds Register. (CKC=
Continential Kennel Club and NOT the Canadian Kennel Club)
Three recognized sizes. Standard, Medium and Miniature.
Colours: Chocolate, Cafe au Lait, Black, Chalk, Creams, Apricot
and Silver.
An overall balanced dog, slightly longer than square. Coat
may be either curly or wavy with head, body, tail and legs evenly coated
with hair. Tail up over back a fault. Bite
under or over shot a fault. Aggressive or timid
temperament a disqualification. Topline: Level and Strong. Feet: Strong
and Compact. Hares feet a fault. Head: Blunt rather than sharp, with
definite stop. Eyes set well apart, large soft and lustrous with lively
expression. Temperament: Of great importance.
Trainability and gentleness are prime requisites.
Labradoodle Adaptability:
The Labradoodle adapts to any unique situation. They excel as companions
to people with disabilities, vision impairment, the old or frail, and
very young children. Many are residents of nursing homes. Adaptable
to climatic variations. Their single coats act both as insulation in hot
climates, and protection in cold. They thrive on
learning new services and crave the companionship of humans.
Labradoodle Training:
Labradoodles are exceptionally intelligent. Their intellect needs to be
exercises by early training or they can become naughty and
attention-seeking like a very intelligent child left to its own devices.
When trained, there seems to be no limit on the numbers of unique tasks
they are capable and joyful to carry out. Many Labradoodle owners claim
that their dog is so easy to train that it is as if 'he has been here
before'.
Labradoodle Food:
Can become fussy eaters through a 'spoilt child' syndrome, but if
treated sensibly are good eaters with a healthy appetite. Once past the
age of twelve months they are a moderate dog to maintain.
Labradoodle Health:
Labradoodles still enjoy the abundant vibrant health of the hybrid. But
they can have problems with their long, coated ears, which can become
'steamy', the perfect environment for ear infections. So far, they are
very sound and in correctly bred Labradoodles, Hip Dysplasia, Elbow
Dysplacia, PRA, Cardiomyopathy, and Epilepsy are as yet unknown.
Labradoodle Temperament:
Bright bubbly and energetic, combined with an innate gentleness.
Confident and outgoing. Friendly and non aggressive. Good alarm bells,
but not yappers. Not guard dogs, but good watch dogs. Very suitable
companions for young children. Happy laughing dogs one minute, and
sensitive tuned in the next. Happy to romp outside or run for miles
beside a bicycle, but just as happy to lie by your side while you read
or work on the computer. Your shadow personified.
Labradoodle Grooming:
Curly Coats need regular grooming each fortnight at least. They should
be trimmed or clipped two to three times a year to keep tidy. Wavy coats
require practically no grooming at all. Both coat types repel dirt and
moisture, and are self cleaning. Too frequent bathing destroys these
qualities in their coat.
Labradoodle Special Care Needed:
The ears of the Labradoodle need to be clipped or scissored underneath,
so as to provide a channel for better air circulation. This prevents the
steamy ear syndrome which can lead to ear infections or mites. A once a
month clean with a good ear cleaner is needed to keep the ears healthy.
No other special care is needed.
Is The Labradoodle Breed For You?
If you have the time to put into training your dog, and if you are
prepared for your dog to live as a member of your family, then the
Labradoodle could be for you. If you have asthma or dog related
allergies and the above applies, the Labradoodle could be for you.
If you want a dog to stay outside in the yard, to throw a meal to each
day, and to bark at the burglars, then the Labradoodle is definitely not
the dog for you.
The Labradoodle was originally created to be the eyes of a blind human
being. To separate your Labradoodle from the family is to have a
frustrated, bored, destructive and attention-seeking nuisance. To
include it as a family member, with all the responsibilities that go
with it, can provide an exceptionally devoted, and clever companion
which is a continual delight.
Closing Statement:
People Oriented, Clowns with a good sense of humour, devoted and wanting
nothing more than to please you, the Labradoodle has a lot to offer to
the family or individual who is prepared to allow it to share their
lives.
Do not need excessive physical exercise, but do need mental stimulation.
Other Comments:
The Labradoodle is in danger of over-popularity. Many people are
breeding various mixed breeds and claiming them to be Labradoodles. When
seeking your Labradoodle, ask lots of questions of the breeder. Insist
on a pedigree, health guarantee and ask to see the parents, or at least
photographs of them.
If you are interested in a Labradoodle as a status symbol please choose
another breed.
Thanks goes to Beverly Manners from Australia
for sending in this Labradoodle breed information above. |
