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Writer's pictureKatie Gorman

Unraveling the Mystery: What is an Australian Labradoodle a Mix of?

Updated: Jun 12

Red and white australian labradoodle sitting

What is an Australian Labradoodle

When it comes to choosing a family pet, many people are drawn to the charm and charisma of the Australian Labradoodle. Known for their friendly nature, intelligence, and allergy friendly coats, these dogs have become increasingly popular in recent years. It can be overwhelming with all of the poodle crosses. I get a lot of questions from people about what breeds contribute to its unique characteristics? Let's delve into the fascinating history and genetics of this lovable breed.

The Origin of the Australian Labradoodle

The story of the this breed begins in the 1980s in Australia. The breed was initially developed by Wally Conron, who was working for Royal Guide Dogs at the time. The aim was to create a guide dog suitable for people with allergies, hence combining the intelligence and trainability of a Labrador Retriever with the hypoallergenic coat of a Poodle. This successful crossbreed resulted in what we now know as the first generation or F1 Labradoodles.

However, an ALD is not just a simple cross between these two breeds. Over time, breeders wanted to enhance certain traits like coat type, temperament, and size. This led them to introduce other breeds into the mix, eventually creating what we now a new breed.

What breeds?

While there may be some variation depending on specific breeding programs, generally speaking, it is a blend of six parent breeds: Labrador Retriever, Poodle (Standard or Miniature), Irish Water Spaniel, Curly Coat Retriever, American Cocker Spaniel and English Cocker Spaniel.

  • Labrador Retriever: Known for their loyalty and versatility as working dogs.

  • Poodle: Chosen for their intelligence, allergy-friendly coat, and variety in size.

  • Irish Water Spaniel: Introduced to reinforce the hypoallergenic coat and add a robust nature.

  • Curly Coat Retriever: Used to enhance the non-shedding coat and strong retrieving instincts.

  • American Cocker Spaniel and English Cocker Spaniel: These breeds were included to reduce size, improve the coat texture, and enhance the breed's overall sociability and companionship traits.

The Unique Traits

The result of this careful breeding is a dog that is friendly, intelligent, and relatively easy to train. They are known for their sociability, making them excellent family pets or therapy dogs. No dog has a fully hypoallergenic coat. The Australian Labradoodle's hypoallergenic coat is more of a low allergy coat. Their low allergy coats come in a variety of colors and can range from wavy to curly. Are Australian Labradoodles hypoallergenic? I would be lying to you if I said, yes. In fact no breeder can promise you that. You can rest assured that the this breed has been bred over generations to focus on the best and most allergy friendly coat possible to get as close to possible to a hypoallergenic coat.

They are also known for their athleticism. They love to play and require regular exercise to keep them healthy and happy. Despite their energy levels, they are also quite adaptable and can thrive in both apartments or houses with yards as long as they get enough physical activity.

Conclusion

In conclusion, when you ask, what is an ALD? The answer is a carefully selected blend of six different breeds each contributing its unique traits to create this charming and versatile breed. Over time most the three main breeds in them is the labrador retriever, the poodle, and the spaniel. Two major organizations oversee the breed, the Australian Labradoodle Association of America and the World Wide Australian Labradoodle Association. Both of these are committed to the preservation and health of the breed. If you are looking for an one, check out their website to select a reputable breeder.

Whether you're drawn by their Australian labradoodle hypoallergenic , low allergy coats, their friendly personalities, or their intelligence and trainability, there's no denying that Australian Labradoodles make excellent companions. However, like all dogs, they require commitment in terms of time for training, exercise, socialization, grooming needs etc., so it's essential to consider these factors before bringing one into your home.

Remember that while we've outlined what is an Australian Labradoodle here; individual dogs may vary due to differences in breeding programs or individual genetics. Always do your research and choose a reputable breeder if you're considering adding puppy to your family. Shasta Royal Monroe is a Platinum member of the ALAA. Check out our available puppies page to get on our list now.



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