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: 

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.

Overall, the Labradoodle is a fun loving, quiet, calm yet comical, loving companion for families as well as a fantastic service animal, being easily trainable, loyal and intelligent. 

The Labradoodle is not a recognized breed as yet, however, many breeders are working towards developing a breed standard for the future recognition of the Labradoodle. The newly formed Australian Labradoodle Association of North America (ALANA) and the newly rejuvenated Labradoodle Association of Australia (LAA) have been formed to provide a place to register and record the Labradoodle to strive to maintain the soundness and integrity of the breed.