Editing Labradoodle

{{Short description|Crossbreed dog}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox dog breed
|name     = Labradoodle
|image    = File:Labradoodle-Brown-Male-SideFace.jpg
|caption  = A brown male labradoodle
|country  = [[Australia]]
|cross    = yes 
|breeds   = [[Labrador Retriever]], [[Poodle]]
|notrecognised = yes
|altname  = {{ubl|Australian labradoodle}}
<!-----Notes----->
|note =
}}
A '''labradoodle''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|l|æ|b|r|ə|d|uː|d|əl}}) is a [[crossbreed dog]] created by crossing a [[Labrador Retriever]] and a Standard or Miniature [[Poodle]]. Labradoodles were intended to be a good choice for people allergic to canine [[dander]].

The Australian Labradoodle Association, an organization run by labradoodle breeders, says they are "generally considered healthy dogs". However, they also state that hip and elbow [[dysplasia]] are common problems affecting labradoodles.<ref name=Miller-2019-article/>{{efn|name=Miller-2019-quote-3|The Australian Labradoodle Association of America,<ref name=alaa-website/> which represents Labradoodle breeders, says the animals are 'generally considered healthy dogs' but do have some common, but extreme, problems, like hip and elbow dysplasia.<ref name=Miller-2019-article/>}} Other ailments include eye diseases and [[Addison's disease]].<ref name=Oliver-Gould-2012/><ref name=Goldendoodles-Addisons-disease/> Wally Conron of Australia, who is credited with inventing the breed, has commented that healthy labradoodles are "few and far between" and most are "crazy or have a hereditary problem".<ref name="Miller-2019-article" />

== Breeding history ==
===Origins===
Australian breeder Wally Conron introduced the cross-breed to the [[Royal Guide Dog Association of Australia]] in Victoria. Conron hoped that the combination of the low-shedding coat of the poodle, along with the gentleness and trainability of a Labrador retriever, would provide a [[guide dog]] suitable for people with allergies to fur and [[dander]]. He hoped the catchy name and claims regarding allergies would offset the stigma associated with mixed breeds and thus help him sell his litter.<ref name=Hot-Dogs-2007/><ref name=AnimalWorld-Labradoodle-2008/><ref name=Conron-ReadersDigest-2007/><ref>{{Cite web |title=Witness History – The world's first labradoodle – BBC Sounds |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3ct4xfz |access-date=2023-09-26 |website=www.bbc.co.uk |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Sultan, a dog from this litter, displayed all the qualities Conron was seeking and worked as a guide dog for a woman in Hawaii for ten years.<ref name=Hot-Dogs-2007/>

Conron has since repeatedly stated that he regrets initiating the trend for this type of crossbreed and maintains it caused "a lot of damage" and "a lot of problems", largely stemming from the genetic unpredictability of combining breeds. He felt he was to blame both for the spate of unethical breeders producing labradoodle [[puppy mills]] and for creating a "[[Frankenstein's monster|Frankenstein]]", adding that problems were being bred into the dogs rather than selectively breeding away from problems and towards a recognizable standard. Conron is further quoted as claiming that "for every perfect one, you're going to find a lot of crazy ones."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Walker |first=Ben |date=February 6, 2014 |title=Labradoodle creator laments designer dog craze |url=https://apnews.com/general-news-pets-9e2dd5dcac1045ad9251743d0e0c3ee5 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424084250/https://apnews.com/general-news-pets-9e2dd5dcac1045ad9251743d0e0c3ee5 |archive-date=April 24, 2024 |access-date=January 27, 2025 |work=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref>

===Follow-on guide-dog breeding programmes===
[[Image:Labradoodle Assistance Dogs.jpg|thumb|A group of labradoodle [[assistance dog]]s]]
Currently, as with other mixed breeds, labradoodles are not considered a purebred or [[breed]] by the [[American Kennel Club|AKC]] and other major kennel club associations in North America and across the world.<ref name=AKC-breeds/> Technically, they are a hybrid of two pure breeds rather than a new breed. In 2010 the AKC began allowing owners of mixed breeds to register their dogs through an alternative listing programme to receive an AKC ID number.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.akc.org/press-releases/akc-announces-new-program-for-mixed-breeds/|title = AKC Announces New Program for Mixed Breeds}}</ref>

Guide Dogs Victoria no longer breeds labradoodles,<ref name=Hot-Dogs-2007/> although they are bred by other guide and assistance dog organizations in Australia and elsewhere.<ref name=guidedogswa-2010-09-07/> The Association for the Blind of Western Australia has introduced labradoodles into their training programme. Their first, Jonnie, graduated in November 2010.<ref name=guidedogswa-2010-11/><ref name=guidedogswa-2010-09-02/> Labradoodles are now widely used around the world as [[guide dog|guide]], [[Assistance dog|assistance]], and [[therapy dog]]s.<ref name=Colchester-GazetteNews-2008/><ref name=Altonn-2004/> They are also popular family dogs.<ref name=Hot-Dogs-2007/>

==Appearance and temperament==
[[File:A dog sitting.jpg|thumb|A female labradoodle]]
Because the labradoodle is a cross between two dog breeds and not a [[dog breed|breed]] itself, puppies in the early mixed generations do not have consistently predictable characteristics. The first crossing of a poodle with a labrador results in variations in appearance, size, coat, and temperament. So while most labradoodles share some common traits, their appearance and behavioural characteristics are widely variable.<ref name=Hot-Dogs-2007/>

Labradoodles' hair can be anywhere from wiry to soft, and may be straight, wavy, or curly.<ref name=Hot-Dogs-2007/>{{efn|name=coats|Straight-coated Labradoodles are said to have "''hair''" coats, wavy-coated dogs have "''fleece''" coats, and curly-coated dogs have "''wool''" coats. ''Wool'' coats have tight curls, and similar in appearance to that of a poodle, but with a softer texture. ''Fleece'' coats are soft and free-flowing, with a kinked or wavy appearance. ''Hair'' coats can be curly, straight or wavy, but are more similar in texture to a Labrador's coat.<ref name=Hot-Dogs-2007/>}} Labradoodles often display an affinity for water and strong swimming ability from their parent breeds.<ref name=Hot-Dogs-2007/> Like most Labrador retrievers and poodles, labradoodles are generally friendly, energetic, and good with families and children.<ref name=Hot-Dogs-2007/>

However, since this mix is a mix of two very smart dogs, they themselves are highly intelligent and likely to destroy or chew if not properly mentally and physically fulfilled.{{citation needed|date=August 2024}}

==Types==

===Breeding line issues===

[[File:Gävle S, Sweden - panoramio (1).jpg|thumb|right|upright|Black Labradoodle]]
Others are breeding labradoodle to labradoodle over successive generations, and trying to establish a new dog breed. These dogs are usually referred to as ''multigenerational'' (multigen) labradoodles or multigeneration Australian labradoodles.<ref name=Hot-Dogs-2007/><ref name=Goldendoodles-Aus-Labradoodle/> 

===Australian labradoodle breeding programme===
Australian labradoodles also differ from labradoodles in general, in that they may also have other breeds in their ancestry. English and American [[cocker spaniel]] × [[poodle]] crosses (i.e. [[cockapoo]]s). Two [[Irish water spaniel]]s and [[soft-coated Wheaten Terrier]]s were used in some Australian labradoodle lines. [[Curly Coated Retriever]]s were used too, but these lines were unsatisfactory and are no longer used for breeding. Disagreements within the programme have led to some groups continuing with different lines as in the case of the [[Australian Cobberdog]].<ref name=goldendoodles-faq/>

===Coat texture and color===
Labradoodle coats are divided into three categories: wool, fleece, or hair.<ref name=coats group=lower-alpha/><ref name=Hot-Dogs-2007/>

Labradoodles' coat colors include chocolate, cafe, parchment, cream, gold, apricot, red, black, silver, chalk, lavender, and blue-ish gray. Coat patterns can be solid, white abstract markings, parti, phantom, or tri-coloured.<ref name=IALA-2007/>
[[File:Labradoodle Flowers.jpg|thumb|Fleece Coated]]

===Size===
Labradoodles can be different sizes, depending on the size of sire and dam used, and their size-names generally follow the names used for poodles: miniature, medium, and standard. Miniature labradoodles typically weigh around 18-28 lbs, medium around 26-45 pounds and standard can be from 45-75 lbs.<ref name=Hot-Dogs-2007/>

==Health==
Labradoodles can have problems common to their parent breeds. Poodles and Labrador retrievers can have [[Hip dysplasia (canine)|hip dysplasia]]. The parent breeds can also have a number of eye disorders.<ref name=Lust-et-al-1993/> There have also been cases of neurological disorders, including epilepsy.

===Joint dysplasia===
[[Elbow dysplasia]] is a known common issue in the parent breeds, similar to hip dysplasia. This issue becomes more prevalent as a result of rapid growth during the puppy stage.<ref name=labradoodlemix-common-health-issues/><ref name="Mäki-et-al-2001"/>

===Congenital eye diseases===

One study has found that UK labradoodles have a higher incidence (4.6%) of multifocal [[retinal dysplasia]] (MRA) compared to Labrador retrievers. [[Cataract]]s are common as well (3.7%) but prevalence is comparable to that of Labradors.<ref name=Oliver-Gould-2012/>

===Addison's disease===
There is evidence of some occurrence of [[Addison's disease]] in the Australian labradoodle.<ref name=Goldendoodles-Addisons-disease/><ref name=ilainc-Addisons-disease/>

===Ear infections===
Labradoodles are very prone to [[ear infections]] due to their long floppy ears.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hospital |first=My Vet Animal |date=2016-12-12 |title=Ear infections in Dogs – Tips on Prevention and Treatment |url=https://myvetanimalhospital.com.au/ear-infections-dogs-tips-prevention-treatment/ |access-date=2022-12-01 |website=My Vet Animal Hospital |language=en-US}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Goldendoodle]]
*[[Cockapoo]]

==Footnotes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist|refs=

<ref name=AKC-breeds>
{{cite web
 |title=Dog Breeds – Types of Dogs
 |website=American Kennel Club
 |language=en
 |url=https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/
 |access-date=2020-06-17
}}
</ref>

<ref name=alaa-website>
{{cite web
 |title=Australian Labradoodle Association of America
 |url=https://alaa-labradoodles.com/
}}
</ref>

<!-- UNUSED REF <ref name=AKC-allergy>
{{cite web
 |title=Hypoallergenic Dogs: Does such a thing really exist?
 |url=https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeds/do-hypoallergenic-dog-exist/
 |website=American Kennel Club
 |language=en
 |access-date=2022-01-27
}}
</ref> -->

<ref name=Altonn-2004>{{cite news
 |last=Altonn
 |first=Helen
 |date=2004-06-28
 |newspaper=Star-Bulletin
 |location=Honolulu, Hawaii
 |title=What do you get when you breed Labradors with poodles?
 |url=http://starbulletin.com/2004/06/28/news/story6.html
 |access-date=2012-12-18
 |archive-date=8 January 2008
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080108230445/http://starbulletin.com/2004/06/28/news/story6.html
 |url-status=dead
 }}</ref>

<ref name=AnimalWorld-Labradoodle-2008>
{{cite web
 |title=Labradoodle
 |date=2008-01-01
 |website=Animal World
 |url=http://animal-world.com/dogs/Mixed-Dog-Breeds/Labradoodle.php
 |access-date=2008-10-16 |url-status=dead
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121213015958/http://animal-world.com/dogs/Mixed-Dog-Breeds/Labradoodle.php
 |archive-date=13 December 2012
}}
</ref>

<!-- <ref name=Campbell-1955>
{{cite book
 |last=Campbell |first=Donald
 |year=1955
 |title=Into the Water Barrier: The development of the jet-propelled motor-boat
 |pages=2, 125, 151
 |publisher=Odhams Press |place=London, UK
 |oclc=17992992
 |quote=Labradoodle
}} {{full citation |date=November 2020 |reason=quote from book needs to be longer; also should have yet another citation to attest to this particular use being first}}
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<ref name=Colchester-GazetteNews-2008>
{{cite news
 |title=Colchester: More than puppy love!
 |date=2008-06-17
 |newspaper=Gazette-News |location=England, UK
 |url=http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/local/display.var.2347446.0.colchester_more_than_puppy_love.php
 |access-date=2012-12-18
}}
</ref>

<ref name=Conron-ReadersDigest-2007>
{{cite magazine
 |last=Conron |first=Wally
 |date=10 July 2007
 |title=I designed a dog
 |department=My Story
 |magazine=Reader's Digest
 |url=http://www.readersdigest.com.au/article/16022%26pageno%3D1
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314061218/http://www.readersdigest.com.au/article/16022%26pageno%3D1
 |archive-date=2012-03-14
}}
</ref>

<ref name=Goldendoodles-Addisons-disease>
{{cite web
 |title=Addison's Disease
 |publisher=Goldendoodles.com
 |url=http://www.goldendoodles.com/health_hereditary/addisons_disease.htm
 |access-date=2011-01-02
}}
</ref>

<ref name=goldendoodles-faq>
{{cite web
 |series=FAQ |title=Australian Labradoodles
 |website=Goldendoodles.com
 |url=http://www.goldendoodles.com/faqs/australian_labradoodle.htm
 |access-date=2011-01-02
}}
</ref>

<ref name=Goldendoodles-Aus-Labradoodle>
{{cite web
 |title=The Australian Labradoodle
 |website=Goldendoodles.com
 |url=http://www.goldendoodles.com/faqs/australian_labradoodle.htm
 |access-date=2011-01-02
}}
</ref>

<ref name=guidedogswa-2010-09-02>
{{cite web
 |title=New dog in town
 |date=2010-09-02
 |publisher=Association for the Blind of Western Australia
 |agency=Guide Dogs Western Australia
 |url=http://www.guidedogswa.com.au/resources/Jonnie-Training-Press-Release-final_Sep-2010.pdf
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706104529/http://www.guidedogswa.com.au/resources/Jonnie-Training-Press-Release-final_Sep-2010.pdf
 |archive-date=2011-07-06
}}
</ref>

<ref name=guidedogswa-2010-09-07>
{{cite press release
 |title=A guide dog with a difference
 |date=2010-09-07
 |publisher=Association for the Blind of Western Australia
 |agency=Guide Dogs Western Australia
 |url=http://www.guidedogswa.com.au/resources/Wickham_Press-Release_Sep-2010.pdf
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706104513/http://www.guidedogswa.com.au/resources/Wickham_Press-Release_Sep-2010.pdf
 |archive-date=2011-07-06
}}
</ref>

<ref name=guidedogswa-2010-11>
{{cite web
 |title=Busselton guide dog graduation
 |date=November 2010
 |publisher=Association for the Blind of Western Australia
 |agency=Guide Dogs Western Australia
 |website=guidedogswa.com.au
 |url=http://www.guidedogswa.com.au/articles/latest-news/busselton-guide-dog-graduation
 |url-status=dead |access-date=2012-12-18
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110217091124/http://www.guidedogswa.com.au/articles/latest-news/busselton-guide-dog-graduation
 |archive-date=17 February 2011
}}
</ref>

<ref name=Hot-Dogs-2007>
{{cite book
 |title=Hot Dogs!
 |year=2007
 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/hotdogsfourteeno0000benn/page/20 20–29]
 |publisher=Barron's
 |isbn=978-0-7641-3512-5
 |url=https://archive.org/details/hotdogsfourteeno0000benn/page/20
 |url-access=registration |via=archive.org
}}
</ref>

<ref name=IALA-2007>
{{cite web
 |title=IALA Breed Standard
 |edition=revised |year=2007 |orig-year=1997
 |publisher=International Australian Labradoodle Association
 |url=http://www.ilainc.com/IALA/ALabradoodleBreedStandard.html
 |url-status=dead
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024233755/http://www.ilainc.com/IALA/ALabradoodleBreedStandard.html
 |archive-date=24 October 2012
}}
</ref>

<ref name=ilainc-Addisons-disease>
{{cite web
 |title=Addison's and the Labradoodle
 |publisher=ilainc.com
 |url=http://www.ilainc.com/AddisonsAndTheLabradoodle.html
 |access-date=2012-04-28 |url-status=dead
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090504195337/http://www.ilainc.com/AddisonsAndTheLabradoodle.html
 |archive-date=4 May 2009
}}
</ref>

<!---ref name=Kirberger-Fourie-1998>
{{cite journal
 |last1=Kirberger |first1=R.M.
 |last2=Fourie |first2=S.L.
 |date=1998-06-01
 |title=Elbow dysplasia in the dog: Pathophysiology, diagnosis, and control
 |journal=Journal of the South African Veterinary Association
 |volume=69 |issue=2 |pages=43–54
 |pmid=9760396
 |doi=10.4102/jsava.v69i2.814 |doi-access=free
 |url=https://journals.co.za/content/savet/69/2/EJC99219
}}
</ref--->

<!-- UNUSED REF <ref name=kjendis-2009>{{cite web
 |title=Her er kronprinsparets nye kjæledegge
 |date=3 July 2009
 |lang=Norwegian
 |url=http://www.kjendis.no/2009/07/03/kjendis/kongefamilen/kronprins_haakon/kronprinsesse_mette-marit/skaugum/7033442/
 |quote=When it became known that the Crown Prince couple's new dog would be a so-called "Labradoodle" there was no lack of critical voices
 |access-date=17 May 2013
 |archive-date=6 October 2015
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151006191640/http://www.kjendis.no/2009/07/03/kjendis/kongefamilen/kronprins_haakon/kronprinsesse_mette-marit/skaugum/7033442/
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<!-- UNUSED REF <ref name=Krupnick-2012>
{{cite news
 |first=Ellie |last=Krupnick
 |date=17 May 2012
 |title=Norway's royal family gets decked out for Norwegian Constitution Day
 |website=The Huffington Post
 |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/17/norway-royal-family-norwegian-constitution-day_n_1525115.html
}}
</ref> -->

<ref name=labradoodlemix-common-health-issues>
{{cite web
 |title=Common health issues and life expectancy of the Labradoodle
 |website=labradoodlemix.com
 |publisher=Lab Land
 |url=http://labradoodlemix.com/common-health-issues-and-life-expectancy-of-the-labradoodle/
 |access-date=2017-03-19
}}
</ref>

<ref name=Lust-et-al-1993>
{{cite journal
 |last1=Lust       |first1=G.
 |last2=Williams   |first2=A.J.
 |last3=Burton-Wurster |first3=N.
 |last4=Pijanowski |first4=G.J.
 |last5=Beck       |first5=K.A.
 |last6=Rubin      |first6=G.
 |last7=Smith      |first7=G.K.
 |year=1993
 |title=Joint laxity and its association with hip dysplasia in Labrador retrievers
 |journal=American Journal of Veterinary Research
 |volume=54 |issue=12 |pages=1990–1999
 |doi=10.2460/ajvr.1993.54.12.1990
 |pmid=8116927
}}
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<ref name="Mäki-et-al-2001">
{{Cite journal
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 |last3=Liinamo  |first3=A.-E.
 |last4=Ojala    |first4=M.
 |date=2001-10-01
 |title=Population structure, inbreeding trend and their association with hip and elbow dysplasia in dogs
 |journal=Animal Science |volume=73 |issue=2 |pages=217–228
 |doi=10.1017/S1357729800058197
}}
</ref>

<ref name=Miller-2019-article>
{{cite news
 |last=Miller |first=Ryan W.
 |date=26 September 2019
 |title='A Frankenstein monster': Why the Labradoodle creator regrets breeding the dogs
 |publisher=USA Today
 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2019/09/26/dog-breeder-who-created-labradoodle-regrets-frankenstein-monster/3772586002/
 |access-date=27 September 2019
}}
</ref>

<ref name=Oliver-Gould-2012>
{{cite journal
 |last1=Oliver |first1=J.A.C.
 |last2=Gould |first2=D.J.
 |year=2012
 |title=Survey of ophthalmic abnormalities in the Labradoodle in the UK
 |journal=Veterinary Record |volume=170 |issue=15 |pages=390
 |pmid=22278634 |doi=10.1136/vr.100361
|s2cid=5932838
 }}
</ref>

}}

== Further reading ==
*
* {{cite news
 |title=Dogs made to order
 |website=Fox News
 |url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/dogs-made-to-order
}}
* {{cite magazine
 |last=Rubin |first=Alex
 |date=8 July 2002
 |title=Dogs: I'm a 'Labradoodle' dandy: The appeal of mix-and-match pups
 |magazine=Newsweek
 |url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/100605
}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{cite web |title=Australian Labradoodle Association of America |url=https://alaa-labradoodles.com/}}
<!-- DO NOT ADD PRIVATE BREEDERS OR ADVERTISING; IT WILL BE REMOVED -->
* {{cite web |title= Worldwide Australian Labradoodle Association (WALA) |url=https://www.wala-labradoodles.org/copy-of-home-1}}
<!--Editors: breed registry, club, rescue, and kennel information links are placed on DMOZ, not here-->

[[Category:Companion dogs]]
[[Category:Dog crossbreeds]]