Labradoodle Dogs 101 – A Complete Guide About Mini Labradoodle

labradoodle guide

Labradoodle dogs are the result of breeding a Labrador and a Poodle. Among the Poodle mix, they are one of the favorites. So, if you want to have one of these charming fur babies, then read on to learn more about this canine breed.

Origin of Labradoodle

The original intent of the Labradoodle breed’s creator Wally Conron, (Australian), was to develop a guide dog with hypoallergenic traits. He was a member of the Australian Royal Guide Dogs and the person in charge of the breeding program. The first result of the crossbreeding of a Labrador Retriever and a Standard Poodle was the Sultan dog. The dog has the necessary traits like a good personality, aptitude, and intelligence, and a hypoallergenic coat. Sultan became an excellent guide dog for a Hawaiian woman for ten years.

The success of this mixed breed led others to be Labrador-Poodle breeders. Today you can find poodle labrador mix dogs serving as guide dogs and therapy pets. This breed has also grown to become a favorite family pet.

mini labradoodle

Labradoodle Temperament

When appropriately trained, this breed can become a devoted family pet. They have an easygoing personalities, gentle, joyful, happy, and exuberant. Most importantly, they are energetic and loves playtime.

However, the Labrador Poodle Mix canine temperament is affected by several factors. Training, socialization, and heredity influence their traits and temperament. Likewise, these factors affect both adults and puppies of this breed. For instance, you can find labrador poodle mix puppies with excellent character, playful, curious, and are not afraid of humans.

To get a labrador poodle mix puppy or adult that has these typical traits, meet its parents and siblings to see how they act. Hereditary factors often determine Labradoodle’s personality.

Different Generations of Labradoodles

Depending on what generation a Labradoodle belongs to, Labradoodle puppies may inherit different kinds of coat types. So far, the dog breed has three-generation categories:

  • F1 – The name itself indicates that these canines result from the initial breeding of a Poodle and a Labrador Retriever. First-generation Labradoodles have fleece or shaggy coat, and the dog sheds hair like a lamb. The coat requires minimal grooming due to the coarseness of the fur.
  • F1b – The second generation is F1b Labradoodles that are the result of F1 Labradoodles and a Poodle. The coat of the F1b breed looks fleecy and sheds lightly. It is due to the influx of genes from the Poodle side. Like other Labrador-Poodle mixes, their coat needs grooming and sheds hair.
  • F1b.b – Cross-breeding F1b Labradoodles with Poodles produces F1b.b Labradoodles. They are also called F2b Labradoodles, and the next generations of the dog are F3B, F4b, and F5b, and so on. Their pup’s coat is similar to a Poodle, and it has the personality of a Labrador. As a result, the F1b.b Labradoodles is more popular with the general public.

A breeder can get Labradoodle pups by crossbreeding F1 Labradoodles with F1b.b Labradoodles (and the next generations) though they back-cross the puppies. Back-crossing methods are a means to maintain the desired low-shedding Poodle-like coat of the next generation of dogs.

People commonly mistake Goldendoodles to be similar to Labradoodles. Though they share the same breed in one part of their bloodline, they are very different. Additionally, they have identical colors, but they are different from each other.

chocolate labradoodle puppy

Labradoodle Colors

The Labrador-Poodle coat comes in a variety of colors. Here is the list of colors:

  • White
  • Apricot
  • Silver beige
  • Black
  • Silver
  • Blue
  • Red
  • Brown
  • Gray
  • Cream
  • Caramel
  • Gold
  • Chalk white
  • Café
  • Parchment
  • Yellow

If the Labrador genes are dominant, the results are chocolate, black, or yellow-colored pups. Red Labradoodle and brown labrador poodle mix dogs have solid or bicolored coats. More so, this coloring is due to the dominant Poodle genes. Additionally, some of these dogs have a dark background coat with patches, or a bicolored dog is considered particolored.

Overall Stats

  • Height: 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder.
  • Weight: 50 to 65 pounds
  • Lifespan: 12 to 14 years (It is possible to extend a Labradoodle lifespan by caring and looking after its health.)

A Labradoodle weight and height may differ due to the breed’s different variations:

  • Standard Labradoodles are 22 to 24 inches for males while females are 21 to 23 inches, and both are weighing at 50 to 60 pounds.
  • Male medium Labradoodles are 18 to 20 inches high, and females are 17 to 19 inches. Both weigh 30 to 45 pounds.
  • Miniature Labradoodle or Mini Labradoodle dogs have a height of 14 to 16 inches for both males and females. Both also have the same weight, which is 15 to 25 pounds.
  • The Toy Labradoodle dog is less than 14 inches at the shoulder and weighs 15 to 20 pounds at maximum. Both height and weight apply to all genders.

Are Labradoodle Dogs Hypoallergenic?

A lot of people are interested in having a Labradoodle due to their hypoallergenic properties. Hypoallergenic dogs don’t cause allergies. Thus, they are favorite pets for people with allergies. So is the canine’s coat hypoallergenic?

No dog is 100% hypoallergenic when it comes to their hair coat. It is more accurate to say that some of the canines are less likely to trigger allergies. Labradoodle that is F1b or later generations have less chance of triggering allergies.

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cute black labradoodle

Labradoodle’s Health Issues

Dog breeds like the Labradoodle are generally healthy. However, they are prone to specific health problems. Here are at least five health issues that affect this canine breed:

  • Ear infection – The ears of a full-grown Labrador-Poodle mix are big and floppy. Also, it tends to accumulate dirt and moisture. If not properly cleaned, bacteria will fester in the dog’s ear. Thus, it is crucial to check and clean their ears regularly. A trip to the veterinarian can also find out if the canine’s ear infection is severe or not.
  • Allergies – Allergies are prevalent in dogs. Food allergies are due to various food that a dog eats. Either the food itself or an ingredient causes the allergies. Inhalant allergies are due to airborne allergens coming from mildew, pollen, and dust. Finally, contact allergies are a biological reaction to substances such as flea powder, dog shampoos, bedding, and other chemicals.
  • Hip dysplasia – A condition where a dog shows signs of lameness or pain in its rear legs. In some circumstances, the problem is apparent. More so, hip dysplasia occurs when a canine’s thighbone doesn’t fit right in the hip joint. This particular health problem is hereditary.
  • Diabetes mellitus  – A canine with diabetes mellitus can no longer regulate its body’s blood sugar levels. They are likely to eat more to compensate for the imbalance and provide the necessary energy to the cells. So, if a canine is eating more without gaining weight, they might have diabetes mellitus. Similar to humans, regular insulin administration and diet can mitigate the effects of diabetes mellitus in canines.
  • Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) – It is a disease that affects a dog’s eyes that causes a gradual deterioration of the retina. Night-blindness, limited or lost vision, are the results of progressive retinal atrophy. Remarkably, dogs can adapt well to their missing or limited sight as long as the surroundings remain unchanged.

Some of the health issues affecting a Labradoodle can be easily prevented or mitigated. Some health problems can reduce the dog’s lifespan. Other health problems tend to be hereditary. Therefore, regular visit a vet for a check-up, monitoring, and early prevention is necessary to keep them healthy and happy. 

Grooming Tips for Labradoodle Dogs

Grooming a Labradoodle is necessary to maintain their coat and prevent them from becoming too dirty. Depending on each canine and its fur, grooming requirements are different.

  • Coat Maintenance – This dog’s coat only needs brushing once or twice per week. Trimming or clipping the coat hair can be done every six to eight weeks. Likewise, brushing and trimming make the dog’s coat easy to maintain. Also, while bathing the dog is essential, it should be done only when necessary.
  • Ear Cleaning – More so, the ear of the canine must be cleaned to prevent infections. After each bathing or swimming, dry and clean the dog’s ears. Also, check the ears once a week for dirt, bad odor, and redness. Any of these may indicate an ear infection. To clean the ears, use a damp cotton ball and a gentle, pH-balanced ear cleaner. Additionally, the dog’s teeth are vulnerable to tartar buildup and bacteria. Brush the teeth at least two or three times a week. However, if you want to prevent dental issues, like bad breath and gum disease, brush the canine’s teeth daily.
  • Nail Trimming – Trimming a dog’s nails is another vital aspect of taking care of your pet, which you can perform once or twice a month. The dog will usually wear down its nails naturally, but sometimes the nails tend to grow fast. To check if the nails are too long, listen carefully to your dog when it walks. If you can hear the nails clicking on the floor, then they have become too long. Be careful not to cut too far into the nails since it will damage the blood vessels and cause bleeding. Canines that suffer from nail bleeding may be less cooperative in the next nail trimming session. If you feel up to the task, then you should hire a professional groomer.

Activity Requirements and Training Tips

A Labradoodle needs physical exercises every day for 30 to 60 minutes. Ideally, a backyard with a fence is a great play area for them. Otherwise, you can take them along with you during jogging or walks. Remember to use a leash when going out with your pet.

Likewise, be sure to include mental stimulation in their daily activities. Labrador-Poodles mixed dogs are intelligent and energetic. Thus, any inactivity for them is annoying. Likewise, bored canines tend to develop destructive behaviors.

Apartments are not suitable environments for the dog, even if it can adapt to its surroundings. On the other hand, city or suburban environments are ideal for the canine. Though they are capable of being working dogs, they are still primarily companion pets.  

These dogs are smart and are eager to please their owners. Thus, training them is going to be easy. As long as the trainer uses positive reinforcements and stay consistent in training, the dog will learn quickly. Their pleasant personality makes them excellent companions for first-time dog owners.

Socialization for Labradoodle Dog

The Labrador-Poodle puppy must learn how to socialize as early as possible. It will avoid conflicts with other dogs or pets. Likewise, socialization also helps the canine in dealing with different people. More so, they also get used to various sights, sounds, and experiences. Puppies can also be trained to become accustomed to being brushed and examined. It will make the pup more accepting of grooming sessions. Likewise, this saves the veterinarian the hassle of dealing with a dog’s uncooperative attitude.

Additionally, young Labradoodles can benefit from crate training to avoid accidents or unfortunate circumstances. They will become accustomed to staying inside a crate if they are hospitalized and transported. On the other hand, do not put the dog in the container all day or for long periods. Except during sleep time, dogs should only spend a few hours inside a crate.

These dogs get along with other pets and children. However, due to their size, they can knock down kids by accident. Also, children can sometimes be too exuberant in their interactions with the dog. Likewise, a child may pull or bite a dog’s ear or tail and disturb it during sleep or mealtime. They are not aggressive; adult supervision is necessary when dogs and kids are interacting.

Australian labradoodle Pup

Recognized Rescue Clubs

Labradoodles, like other dog breeds, are also abandoned or surrendered by their owners. But luckily, there are rescue groups that take them in and rehabilitate them.

Poo-Mix Rescue – This doggie rescue group coordinate with shelters to take in and rehabilitate Poodle mixed breeds. Usually, Labrador-Poodle rescue groups have their facilities, but PMR is a virtual rescue operation. Thus, they lack physical housing for dogs. Nonetheless, PMR has hardworking volunteers who can direct you to doggie shelters that have a labradoodle in need of adoption.

Australian Labradoodle Club of America – A kennel club that provides education, information, and mentorship to enthusiasts, future owners, and breeders. The group also strives to maintain the integrity and quality of the breed. ALCA has connections to doggie shelters for Labrador-Poodle mix breeds.

Where Can I Buy Mini Labradoodle?

If you prefer to have a Mini Labradoodle, be sure to contact ethical breeders in your location. There are many miniature puppies for sale though you still have to be careful in choosing breeders. Likewise, Poodle Mix breeds can be expensive, so make sure that you can afford one. There are many Labrador-Poodle Breed associations and clubs that can recommend respectable breeders.

Moreover, check if the breeder has the credentials of being responsible and honest. Some of these breeders are recommended by dog groups or people who bought high-quality puppies from them. Additionally, resist the temptation to buy a puppy with a low price tag.

You cannot guarantee proper veterinary care and health testing with this price. Aside from unscrupulous breeders, also avoid purchasing pups from puppy mills and pet stores. A Mini Labradoodle costs $1200 as a base price, and the maximum is $1400.

These puppies are expensive, but you will save money from unnecessary treatments and medicines in the long run. Low-quality or unhealthy puppies can lead to useless treatments and medicine. 

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Caring for Your Labradoodle Puppies

Puppies can be fragile, so knowing how to take care of it will ensure that they grow up to be healthy pets.

The first thing to do is to get the pup some vaccinations. Vaccination comes in three parts. Once the process is over, you can take the puppy outdoors in public. Make sure that you ask for a certification that confirms the vaccination of the puppy before adopting one.

Additionally, place the puppy away from busy areas in the home. The pup can get trampled or stepped on by accident, so put them somewhere safe to prevent such a disaster.

Once the puppy is weaned, you need to feed it high-quality dog food. Avoid giving your puppies cheap and unhealthy dog foods. High-quality dog foods are expensive, but they contain the necessary minerals and nutrients the puppy needs. 

As mentioned earlier, training a puppy to sleep in a crate is vital in keeping them safe. Also, have some chew toys for the puppy to play and gnaw. Finally, get a sturdy non-retractable leash with a suitable clasp. Your pet should get used to leash and collar since you’ll need it to restrain and lead the pup when going out.

Conclusion

 If you think that this breed is the pet for you and your family, then you made the right choice. You can buy a Labradoodle from a breeder. But if your funds are low, then adoption is another choice. You won’t regret getting this breed as a pet. Likewise, you will find that the dog is not just a pet also but a lovable family member.

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2 thoughts on “Labradoodle Dogs 101 – A Complete Guide About Mini Labradoodle”

  1. Looove the article! Labradoodles are incredibly cute. Really hope I can have one one day! Thanks for the article!

  2. Pingback: 20 Best and Cute Low Maintenance Dog Breeds For First Time Owners

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