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A GREAT ALL-ROUND DOG

labradoodle iconLabradoodles are purpose bred to be the perfect family pet and due to being developed in first in Australia, they are called Australian Labradoodles.

They are comical, affectionate, loyal, perfect combo of active/ laid-back, intelligent, versatile, intuitive, attractive and they do not shed their coats like normal dogs.

They come in miniature, medium and standard sizes; in a multitude of colors.  They are being used around the world as first and foremost family pets, but also as seizure alert dogs, obedience dogs, agility dogs, assistance dogs to the physically and mentally impaired, guide dogs and field trial dogs.  Labradoodles are the great all-around dog.

LABRADOODLE HISTORY

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THE FIRST LABRADOODLE

labradoodle icon In the 1980’s Wally Conran the breeding manager of the of the Australian Guide Dogs Assoc in Victoria, first purposely mated a Poodle and a Labrador Retriever to produce a hypo-allergenic guide dog, for a visually impaired woman in Hawaii. Of the three resulting offspring, only one puppy, Sultan proved to be suitable. Sultan’s allergy-friendly coat, trainability and temperament produced the first officially purpose bred Labradoodle.

MULTI GENERATION

labradoodle icon Tegan Park and Rutland Manor introduced other breed infusions into Labradoodles and went on to further develop, promote and market the non-shedding Multi-Generation Labradoodle, selling many breeding labradoodles worldwide.  Kate Schoeffel a veterinarian  of Condobolin, NSW; was the first to introduce and breed miniature labradoodles in 1994. 

WORLDWIDE POPULARITY

Labradoodles reached great popularity worldwide, especially with the advent of the internet.  Recommended Breeder websites were set up to provide information and encourage health testing and provide a forum for discussion and sharing of knowledge; with the earliest being Blue Sterlings Goldendoodle site.  This public breed community has developed into one of the largest in the dog breeding world and has come to the aid of many a breeder, family or pet in need.

THE FIRST LABRADOODLE ASSOCIATIONS

labradoodle icon Breed Associations were set-up; first in Australia and then in the United States; to uphold ethics, monitor the development of the breed and maintain a pedigree database registry.  Two of these Associations (ALA and ALAA) joined forces to create a shared vision and work cooperatively on an International Association (IALA) Breed Standard, Grading Scheme and the sharing of Registry pedigree information.

COMPULSARY HEALTH TESTING

labradoodle icon The Breed Associations introduced a new of level compulsory health testing (hips, elbows, PRA eye, DNA parentage verification) requirements, previously unheard of in the pure-bred dog world.  The Internet created access to a new level of information, which has led to  more knowledgeable pet buyers.  Testing was expensive and further increased the price of Labradoodles, but the newly educated public, via the internet, embraced, expected and encouraged this new level of responsible breeding via health testing.  Breeders provided Written Health Guarantees and Lifetime Re-homing for their Labradoodles.

THE PERFECT LABRADOODLE

labradoodle icon The recipe for the perfect Labradoodle is still being developed and monitored adapted by these associations.  Labradoodles are becoming very consistent in type and now breeding true, but of course new lines are still needed to ensure the genetic diversity of the Australian Labradoodle.  It will only be a few short years before the required criteria is met; to become a recognized breed with the International Kennel Clubs.

For a new breed to become recognized it must be more than the combination of two breeds.  Labradoodles in the past are known to have in addition to Poodle and Labrador Retriever; American/English Cocker Spaniel,  Golden Retriever, Curly Coated Retriever and Irish Water Spaniel.

It appears that the Curly Coated Retriever and Irish Water Spaniel were very minor contributors to the breed and will probably never be used further.  Though the name Labradoodle is a bit of a misnomer, it is the name that everyone knows and recognizes and to change names now would only create confusion.