Learn about LabraDoodles - what they are, their good points and their bad points - before you go see a litter of puppies.
They're not purebred
Despite what some people might say, a LabraDoodle is a crossbreed, just like the so-called "Silver Labs."
It's a marketing ploy. They slap a cute name on something (like "LabraDoodle", "Puggle" or "Poochon") and charge a high price to make you think it's special or a "designer" breed.
What they are is a cross between a Poodle and some other breed, such as the Labrador Retriever.
Unfortunately when you cross two different breeds, you get a mish-mash of genes.
Mixed genetics = lots of unknowns
They don't come out the same way each time. It's unpredictable - looks, coat, behavior and health.
You might get a puppy that looks like a Lab, but acts like a Poodle. You might get a tall one or a short one.
It could have a coat that's wiry or soft, or curly, wavy, or straight. Many doodles do shed and some need to be shaved every 6-8 weeks.
The good, the bad, and the ugly
The good
LabraDoodles and other Poodle crosses can be adorable. So cute and fluffy you want to cuddle them.
Each dog is unique. Some might get the Poodle coat while other dogs have a Labrador coat. Same with temperament.
The bad
You don't know what you're getting. One Doodle might have a Labrador temperament, while another is more Poodle-like.
Owners are often surprised to find they are allergic to their dogs
You may also get a puppy that inherited the genetic problems or diseases from BOTH breeds.
Or you might get poor temperament despite the docile Lab temperament that is often advertised.
LabraDoodles tend to be noisy. Some LabraDoodles are high-strung and may not be good with children.
They can also be needy and crave attention which makes them a poor choice if there is no one home during the day.
Depending on the size of the Poodle parent, Doodles can be small-ish or can be 80-pounders.
All of them need special grooming. It's not bad if they got the coat of one parent or the other, but some might have a mixed coat.
Many groomers refuse Doodles, but for the groomers who do accept them expect to pay $125-200 for each session.
Some boarding kennels refuse them.
You'll need to brush them often and make regular grooming appointments. Start this while they are still puppies or you might not find a groomer willing to work on your dog.
If Doodles aren't groomed every week - down to the skin, not just the surface fur - they may need to be shaved. Dogs don't like this. Groomers don't like this.
The ugly
Without proper socialization and training, LabraDoodles can be terrors. They can scream and bite.
They tend to be mouthy, so provide plenty of chew toys.
And, yes, it can get ugly when they get lonely or bored.
Pulling back the curtain
After paying 2-4 times the cost of a purebred Lab or Poodle, owners sometimes dump them at shelters. Too often it's due to aggression towards children.
“Designer dog breeds that most end up in shelters are poodle mixes [like] labradoodles, goldendoodles, [and] cockapoos). It’s mostly because they are adopted by busy owners who are not ready for their high energy levels" according to AZ Animals.
Because of the high price people are willing to pay, Doodles are the "breed" of choice for many puppy mills.
The man credited with creating them said he regrets introducing this mix-bred dog to the world. He was trying to breed a guide dog that was also hypoallergenic, but he failed over and over.
I opened a Pandora's box, that's what I did. I released a Frankenstein. So many people are just breeding for the money. So many of these dogs have physical problems, and a lot of them are just crazy.
In a nutshell
If you want a LabraDoodle, do your homework. Meet the breeder and the parents of the puppy you're considering buying. Check temperament and trainability. Check for health certifications.
When your puppy is old enough, enroll him in a Puppy Kindergarten class. It's good for basic training and socialization.
