Labradoodle History

The Labradoodle is a cross between a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle. In the late 1980's the Guide Dog Association of Australia set out to produce a non-shedding dog suitable for service training.  Mr. Wally Conren was the driving force behind this program, and the goal was to produce a non-shedding guide dog by using a Labrador Retriever and a Standard Poodle. 

The result of this cross produced intelligent, easily trainable puppies that were the beginning of the Labradoodle as we now know it.  Crossing these two breeds also gave the Labradoodle a hybrid vigor and a variety of coat types: 

Over the years both American Cocker Spaniel and English Cocker Spaniel as well as Irish Water Spaniel have been added to the equation, this has resulted in the Australian Labradoodle that we know and love today.

The Wooly Coat:  Somewhat poodle like which requires regular grooming is non-shedding and allergy and asthma friendly. 

The Fleece Coat:  The ultimate coat that is easily maintained, non-shedding, allergy and asthma friendly and somewhat like that of an Angora Goat. 

The Hair Coat:  Anything from flat and straight to curls down the back and possibly wavy and minimally to profusely shedding, that is less likely to be allergy and asthma friendly.

Coat in general:   Labradoodles usually have no body odor, require minimal bathing and brushing and rarely, if ever, attract fleas.  They seldom shed hair but will need to be groomed.

Temperament:    The Labradoodle is very intelligent, bright and bubbly.  They have a great desire to be part of the family making them very easy to train.  Labradoodles are great watchdogs but are void of aggression.  They are sociable with other animals and are very patient with children of all ages.