Labradoodle History

Labradoodles are a cross between the Standard Poodle and Labrador Retriever. Wally Cochran first started this cross breed in Australia in the 1970's. He was prompted to do this by a blind woman who suffered from allergies to dogs. The first mating between the Standard Poodle and Labrador Retriever was successful and produced three low allergy pups. It became readily apparent that the hybrid produced was able to surpass the best qualities of both breeds. This provoked a surge of Labradoodle breeders in Australia. But, as the first crosses continued, the results were inconsistent with some of the offspring,  being low shedding and allergy resistant while others were not. In the 1980's two research facilities (Tegan Park and Rutland Manor) were developed in Australia to further develop successful Labradoodles. Today both are successfully exporting Labradoodles all over the world to asthma and allergy sufferers.

Labradoodles combine the best of the 2 base breeds that went onto their development.

1. Labradoodles are known to posses the gentle, sweet disposition of the retrievers combined with the intelligence and allergy friendly coats of the poodles. Labradoodles are wonderful with children and people who have special needs. They are non-aggressive, highly intelligent dogs that are extremely easy to train. They want nothing more than to please their people.
2. Labradoodles coats vary. First cross or F1 labradoodles have a very high percentage of shedding coats. There is a well over 50% probability that they will shed. Back cross labradoodles (aka F1Bs) tend to be lighter shedding because of the higher % of poodle in their genes. Multi-generational (aka multi-gen)  doodles tend to be the best for people with allergies or someone who is looking for a non-shedding dog.
3. The Labradoodle can vary in size:

Color: Color varies from chalk (milky white), shades of cream, apricot/cream, gold, black, chocolate, Cafe au lait, red, caramel and silver.

Coat: Labradoodles usually require minimal bathing and brushing. They seldom shed hair but will need to be groomed. There are three coat varieties:

Wooly: Somewhat like a poodle. Requires regular grooming and is allergy friendly.

Fleecey: The ultimate coat. It is easily maintained, non shedding, allergy and asthma friendly.

Hair: Anything from flat and straight to curls down the back and possibly wavy. It can vary from minimally to profusely shedding. Not likely to be allergy friendly.

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.