Dog breed

Labradoodle

The Labradoodle is a cross between a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle, first bred in Australia in 1989 as a guide dog for a person with allergies. It is friendly, cheerful and usually easy to train. Its size and coat type depend on whether a Standard or Miniature Poodle was used in the cross, and on which parent the dog takes after.

Low shedding
Not FCI-recognised
a Labrador Retriever × Poodle cross, not recognized by the FCI

Weight: 14–34 kg
Height: 41–64 cm
Lifespan: 12–15 years
Origin: Australia

How much food for this breed?Compare with another breed

Photo: Anton Porsche, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Temperament

A typical Labradoodle combines the Labrador's sociability with the Poodle's smarts. It is friendly toward people, children and other dogs, rarely barks without reason and loves learning new things: it does well in obedience and tricks, and even as a therapy dog. It has plenty of energy and a strong need for contact: without activity and company it gets bored quickly, and long hours alone can lead to separation anxiety, destructiveness or howling. It won't work as a guard dog, since it usually greets strangers with enthusiasm. Keep in mind that this is a cross, not an established breed: a single litter can include calmer, Labrador-type puppies and more excitable, sensitive Poodle-like ones. That's why it's worth meeting both parents and asking the breeder about their temperaments.

Energy: calmvery energetic
Affection: independentvelcro pet
With children: not idealgreat
With other pets: difficultgreat
Trainability: stubborneager to learn
For first-time owners: for experienced ownersyes
With strangers: waryoutgoing
Playfulness: dignifiedeternal puppy
Shedding: minimalheavy
Grooming: easydemanding
Being left alone: strugglescopes well
Apartment living: needs a house and yardgreat in a flat
Barking: quietvocal
With other dogs: difficultgreat
Protectiveness: lowhigh
Drooling: hardly anya lot
Cold tolerance: feels the coldexcellent
Heat tolerance: strugglescopes well

Scores of 1–5 compare the breed with other breeds of the same species, based on the sources at the bottom of the page. Every animal is different. How we score traits

Who is the Labradoodle for?

The Labradoodle suits an active family that wants a friendly dog for the kids and for walks, and has the time or budget for regular coat care. It's often chosen by allergy sufferers because many dogs shed little, but no dog is fully hypoallergenic, and shedding in Labradoodles can be unpredictable. We don't recommend it for people who are away from home all day or for those who expect the predictability of an FCI-registered pedigree breed.

Pros

very friendly toward people, children and dogs
easy to train
often sheds little
rarely barks

Challenges

unpredictable size, coat and temperament
needs regular grooming and groomer visits
copes poorly with being alone
many breeders skip health testing

Size and looks

Size and looks: Labradoodle
Height at the withers	males 41–64 cm, females 41–64 cm
Weight	males 14–34 kg, females 14–34 kg
Lifespan	12–15 years
Coat	curly
Colors	cream, apricot, red, chocolate, black, white
Country of origin	Australia
Classification	a Labrador Retriever × Poodle cross, not recognized by the FCI
Also known as	Australian Labradoodle, Mini Labradoodle

Care and exercise

60–90minof exercise a day

4/5grooming needs

2/5shedding

A Labradoodle needs at least an hour of exercise a day, and young, energetic dogs happily take more: fetch, swimming, walks in open country and scent games all work well. Coats vary widely, from wavy to tightly curled, but most dogs need brushing down to the skin several times a week, because the coat mats easily, especially behind the ears and in the armpits. A trip to the groomer every two to three months is a good idea. Check and clean the ears regularly, especially after a bath. Feed an adult dog two meals a day and watch its weight, since Labradors gain easily. Reward-based training usually goes smoothly, but from the start, teach calm greetings and get the dog used to being alone.

How much should the Labradoodle eat?The calculator starts from this breed’s typical weight: calories and grams a day.

Health and breed-related conditions

The Labradoodle usually lives 12–15 years. As a cross, it can inherit the diseases of both parent breeds: hip and elbow dysplasia, eye diseases such as progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts and glaucoma, heart disease and bloat. Hairy, floppy ears encourage chronic ear infections. Crossing two breeds doesn't guarantee better health: what counts is whether the parents were health tested. The cross's creator himself warned that the Labradoodle craze attracted irresponsible breeders. Ask for the joint X-ray, eye exam and DNA test results of both parents, and avoid sellers offering puppies “ready to go” without paperwork.

hip dysplasiaInherited from both parent breeds; it can cause lameness and trouble with stairs.
progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)Inherited retinal degeneration leading to blindness; both parent breeds have DNA tests.
cataracts and glaucomaEye diseases reported in Labradoodles that can impair vision.
heart diseaseIncluding valve degeneration, arrhythmias and dilated cardiomyopathy.
ear infectionsHairy, floppy ears encourage recurring infections.
gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat, GDV)The risk mainly affects larger, deep-chested dogs.

Health tests to ask the breeder about

hip and elbow X-rays (HD/ED, both parents)
eye exam (ECVO)
PRA-prcd DNA test
heart exam

This is general breed information, not a diagnosis. If something worries you, talk to your veterinarian.

Breed history

The first Labradoodles were bred in 1989 by Wally Conron, breeding manager at Royal Guide Dogs Victoria in Australia. He was looking for a guide dog for a blind woman in Hawaii whose husband was allergic to dog hair. None of the 33 Poodles he tested worked out in the role, so Conron crossed a Poodle with a Labrador. Of the three puppies, one went to Hawaii, and the others kicked off the “doodle” craze in Australia. The cross quickly became popular worldwide. In 2019, however, Conron called it the biggest mistake of his life, criticizing people who breed these dogs without regard for their health.

Fun facts

The cross's creator, Wally Conron, tested 33 Poodles before deciding to cross a Poodle with a Labrador.
The first Labradoodle litter had three puppies, one of which went to Hawaii as a guide dog.
In 2019 Conron called the Labradoodle the biggest mistake of his life and compared the craze for the cross to Frankenstein's monster.
Miniature Labradoodles, bred from Miniature Poodles, usually stand 41–51 cm at the withers, and Standard ones 61–64 cm.

Frequently asked questions

Are Labradoodles hypoallergenic?

No dog is fully hypoallergenic. Many Labradoodles shed little, but it depends on whether the dog inherited the Poodle's coat or the Labrador's. Allergens are also found in saliva and dander, so allergy sufferers should spend time with the specific dog before deciding.

How big do Labradoodles get?

It depends on the Poodle used in the cross. A Standard Labradoodle stands about 61–64 cm and weighs 23–34 kg, while a Miniature stands about 41–51 cm and weighs a dozen or so kilograms. There are also dogs of intermediate size in between.

How long do Labradoodles live?

Most often 12–15 years. Lifespan depends above all on the parents' health, keeping the dog lean, and regular checks of the joints, eyes and heart.

Can a Labradoodle have a pedigree?

Not in the FCI or Polish Kennel Club sense: it's a cross, not a recognized breed. Some breeder associations keep their own registries, but these are not the same as an FCI pedigree. The parents' health test results matter more than paperwork.