A Labradoodle () is a crossbreed dog created by crossing a Labrador Retriever and a Standard or Miniature Poodle. The term dates back to at least 1955 but was unpopular at the time. Labradoodles are, wrongfully so, considered a good choice for people with canine dander allergies, even though most dogs produced from this mix will shed. However, since a small number of the mixed breeds have the same or similar low shed coat of their poodle parents or grandparents, some people consider this mix a good choice. One should note before getting any dog, poodle or poodle mix, that no dog is truly hypoallergenic, since not only dander can be the source of one’s allergies. Hair, saliva, and even bodily fluids can cause allergic reactions in humans.
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. Other ailments include eye diseases and Addison's disease. Wally Conron of Australia, a breeder who helped popularize the mix, has commented that healthy Labradoodles are "few and far between" and most are "crazy or have a hereditary problem". He mistakenly took credit for naming the Labradoodle in 1989.
The Labradoodle mix had been known in the United States since the 1950s and was used in the entertainment industry in the U.S. as early as the 1960s. For example, a Labrador-Poodle mix named Fang had a recurring role on the Get Smart show starting in 1965. At the same time (in the 1950s) the Cockapoo (a mix of Cocker Spaniel and Poodle) had a rise in popularity.
Breeding history
Origins
The term "Labradoodle" was first used by Donald Campbell to describe his dog, a Labrador/Poodle cross (1955). However, the use of a Labradoodle as a guide/service dog was not common until 1989. 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.
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.
Conron has since repeatedly stated he regrets initiating the fashion for this type of crossbreed and maintains it caused "a lot of damage" together with "a lot of problems", largely stemming from the genetic unpredictability of combining breeds. He also felt he was to blame for "creating a Frankenstein", adding that problems were being bred into the dogs rather than selectively breeding away from problems and towards a recognizable standard. He is further quoted as claiming: "For every perfect one, you're going to find a lot of crazy ones." Mr. Conron was referring to the craze he initiated of unscrupulous breeders crossing Poodles with multiple other breeds to create "designer" dogs in order to take advantage of the "doodle" trend.
Follow-on guide-dog breeding programs
Currently, as with other mixed breeds, Labradoodles are not considered a purebred or breed by the AKC and other major kennel club associations in North America and across the world. Technically, they are a hybrid of two pure breeds rather than a new breed. However, in 2010 the AKC began allowing owners of mixed breeds to register their dogs through an alternative listing program to receive an AKC ID number. There are other “reputable” organizations breeders can join if they qualify and follow the breed standard, regulations and “ethical” requirements. ALAA, ALCA and the Worldwide Australian Labradoodle Association (WALA) are the three major organizations for Australian Labradoodles. However, considering the large variation between every Australian Labradoodle that’s been bred, there is no way to ethically breed them.
Guide Dogs Victoria no longer breeds Labradoodles; however, they are bred by other guide and assistance dog organizations in Australia and elsewhere. The Association for the Blind of Western Australia has introduced Labradoodles into their training program. Their first, Jonnie, graduated in November 2010. Labradoodles are now widely used around the world as guide, assistance, and therapy dogs. They are also popular family dogs.