Animals

Labradoodle

The Labradoodle is a cross between the Labrador Retriever and the Poodle. As a hybrid, the Labradoodle can have similar characteristics from either of its parent breeds, but is not necessarily a 50/50 split.

The term "Labradoodle" was first used in Sir Donald Campbell's 1955 book, Into the Water Barrier, to describe his Labrador/Poodle cross. However, the Labradoodle did not truly come into the limelight until 1988, when Australian breeder Wally Conron crossed the Labrador Retriever and Standard Poodle. Conron had hoped to create a guide dog for the blind that would also be suitable for people with allergies to fur and dander.

Soon Labradoodles were being bred around the world not only for their "hypoallergenic" characteristics, but also for their intelligence, friendliness and overall appearance. Today you can find Labradoodles serving as alert dogs, assistance dogs, guide dogs and family pets.

Much like the Poodle, there are three main sizes for the Labradoodle: standard, medium and miniature. Due to its hybrid nature, however, the physical characteristics of a Labradoodle may vary. For instance, a Labradoodle's coat may be wiry, wooly, wavy, curly or fleece-like. The color of the coat also varies, including cream, gold, red, black, chocolate, brindle and multi-patterned. Contrary to belief, some Labradoodles do shed, though far less, and with less odor than that of a Labrador Retriever.

Labradoodles may suffer from health issues commonly seen in its parent breeds. This includes, but is not limited to, hip dysplasia, Addison's disease, and eye disorders such as progressive retinal atrophy (PRA).