The Labradoodle, a cross between a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle, was the most popular “designer dog” breed in the United States until the Puggle burst onto the hybrid dog scene in 2005. The goal of this breed mix is to retain the intelligence and non-shedding coat of the Poodle, along with the loyalty, lovability, and cheerful high energy of the Labrador.

Labradoodles were originally developed in Australia in the 1970s when the Guide Dogs Victoria tried to breed a low-allergy guide dog. Their breeding program produced inconsistent results, and the project was largely abandoned. Don Evans, who experimented with cross-breeding dogs on his Northern Victoria dog farm, is credited with continuing the experiment and producing several second and third generation Labradoodles from which other breeders continued to develop the breed.

Today’s Australian Labradoodle is different from the early crosses in that it doesn’t limit parentage to strictly the Labrador Retrieve and Poodle. Australian Labradoodles may also have Irish Water Spaniels, English and American Cocker Spaniels, and Curly Coated Retrievers among their ancestors. An ancestral mix of temperament, easy trainability, non-shedding coat, and sturdy body type is the common goal of breeders. Australian Labradoodles can have one of two coat types; wool and fleece. The wool coat is completely free of shedding, while some fleece-coated dogs may exhibit very slight shedding.

There is a movement among some breeders to block the Labradoodle from becoming a recognized breed. Labradors are genetically prone to weak hips, and it is believed these types of problems will continue to manifest in the Labradoodle. Neither the Labrador Retriever Club nor the Poodle Club of America recognize the Labradoodle, and both have issued statements against the breeding.

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