The Breed

WHAT IS AN ORIGINAL AUSTRALIAN LABRADOODLE?

Click on the below link for a great article that explains how Australian Labradoodles are different from the others . . . . . . . . . 

Are Australian Labradoodles really different from others, click here to better understand the differences?

In the early days, the Australian Labradoodle was simply a cross between a Labrador Retriever and a Standard Poodle.  Dogs from this cross typically were bred to each other over future generations, whereby the Australian dogs are also know as “Multi-generational” Labradoodles.

Then, in the late 1980’s, Tegan Park and Rutland Manor (established kennels in Australia), the two founders of the Australian Labradoodle as we know it today, began carefully infusing several other breeds into early generations of their Lab/Poodle crosses, to improve temperament, coat, conformation, and size.  The infused breeds include Irish Water Spaniel as well as the American and English Cocker Spaniel.  The resulting labradoodles subsequently have been bred to each other, continuing the multi-generational tradition.

Today, Australian Labradoodles are wonderful, intelligent dogs with lush coats that are more reliably low to non-shedding and allergy friendly than other types of Labradoodles such as first generation Lab/Poodle crosses, or first generation crosses bred back to Poodles.  Even when the other types of Labradoodles are bred on for generations, the result is not an Australian Labradoodle, as the attributes of the infused breeds were not included in their ancestry.

Coat Types and Colors:

Labradoodle variations are distinguished by their genetic comprise and therefore assorted traits, such as their temperament, coat type and physical conformation. Various breeds and Labrador Retriever to include the Irish Water Spaniel, Curly Coat Retreiver, and American or English Cocker Spaniel. These breeds have been carefully selected and limitedly infused into Australian Multigenerational  Labradoodle bloodline originated in Australia in the breeding programs of Tegan Park and Rutland Manor.

There is incredible diversity in coat possibilities from chalk-white to indulgent cream, gold, apricot, beautiful reds, chocolate, cafe`, striking black and everything in between. It is important to note that slight variations in color will occur and a pup may not retain his original puppy color. At times, a puppy’s coat will lighten with age but, may to everyone’s surprise even darken. Unfortunately, there isn’t an exact science as to what exact color your puppy will eventually become. Coat color will range in shade and intensity.
 
Coat types can be categorized into three key types: wool, fleece and hair. Wool and fleece coats tend to be non-shedding while hair coats will have slight shedding tendencies. To select the best coat for you, the extent of allergies in your home must be assessed.
 
Fleece: This is the coat that most people associate with a Labradoodle. The feel should be silky and soft. It can range from being almost striaght, (straight/open fleece) or with just a few waves in it (wavy fleece). Regardless, of the wave or curl this coat must be groomed in order to be mat free. Most often this coat is on-shedding, however, it is typical to find the occasional “dust bunny” around the house. This coat is frequently acceptable for people with allergies.

     Fleece Types: Open Fleece coat – non-shedding; Wavy Fleece coat – non-shedding; Curly Fleece coat – non-shedding

Wool: This is very dense and curly like a poodle. A wool coat typically has more cotton-like feel. It can be kept long but requires more grooming in this style. If it is kept short this coat is easy to maintain and usually non-shedding and allergy friendly. 

     Wool Types: Wool, non-shedding

Hair: This coat is usually seen in early generation dogs. Tends to be straighter or slightly wavy and texture can be course to the feel. This coat may have that doggy odor and varying degrees of shedding. Typically this is lower maintenance coat. Compatibility with allergy suffers varies greatly because some shed immensely, others minimally.

     Hair Types: Hair, Slight shedding 

Sizes:

Australian Multigenerational Labradoodles have an average life expectancy of 12-15 years. They become in a variety of sizes ranging from 15 to 65 pounds and 14 to 24 inches, spanning from the wither to the ground. They are classified into three major sizes including miniature, medium and standard. The prerequisites for each are shown below.
 
  • MINI sized Labrdoodles range from 13 -16 inches tall and they are typically 15-25 lbs.
  • MEDIUM sized Labdradoodles range from 17-20 inches tall and they are typically 25-45 lbs.
  • STANDARD sized Labdradoodles range from 21-25 inches tall and they range from in weight from 50-65 lbs.
What is the difference between an F1, F1B and the various types of Australian Labradoodles? How are Labradoodles graded?

F1: The “F” stands for “filial generation”. “F1” means “first generation” and is a common scientific term. This, in the Labradoodle breed, is the coding for first-cross, purebred poodle to purebred Labrador Retriever. The results are mixed, as this is not the breeding of two “like” dogs, or dogs that resemble each other. F1 Labradoodles typically are moderate- to low- shedding and have a sparse-hair to fleece coat.

F1B: The additional “B” refers to backcross — an F1 Labradoodle, as defined above, bred (or backcrossed) to a purebred Poodle. Again, the results are mixed, as this is not the breeding of two “like” dogs. F1B Labradoodles typically are low- to non-shedding (or as much as any dog can be non-shedding) and often have a hair or fleece coat.

Australian Labradoodle: The Australian Labradoodle carries the DNA of the Labrador, Poodle, and Cocker Spaniel (American or English). The resulting offspring share characteristics, though some pairings of parent dogs will produce a more mixed litter. An Australian Labradoodle can be created by crossing a Poodle to another Australian Labradoodle, a Cockapoo to a Labradoodle, a Labradoodle to a Cocker Spaniel and the like, resulting in the three-breed combination.

Multigen Australian Labradoodle (Multigenerational): A Multigenerational (Multigen) Australian Labradoodle comes about from the breeding of one Australian Labradoodle to another. Multigen Australian Labradoodles typically have a non-shedding coat (as much as a dog can be non shedding) if both parents are also non shedding.

Purebred Australian Labradoodle: The Merriam-Webster Dictionary first defined “purebred” in 1852 as “bred from members of a recognized breed, strain, or kind without admixture of other blood over many generations.” The AKC, meanwhile, requires four generations of like-to-like matings in their foundation service.

The land Down Under used to be best known for kangaroos and boomerangs, but that was before the Australian Labradoodle wagged his tail onto the scene. This dinky pooch isn’t your average designer dog. In fact, he’s technically not a standard hybrid. He started off as a simple cross of a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle, but then the recipe got complicated. A dash of Irish Water Spaniel, a dollop of Curly Coated Retriever” (these two are no longer used and not in all pedigrees), “and a sprinkling of English and/or American Cocker Spaniels went into the mix. Now the breed has 3 worldwide clubs: The Australian Labradoodle Club of America (ALCA), the Australian Labradoodle Association of America (ALAA) and the Worldwide Australian Labradoodle Association (WALA) working to promote the Australian Labradoodle as a legitimate breed in development.

For more information about the breed and breed standards, please click on the picture below. It will direct you to the Australian Labradoodle Club of America where you will find a wealth of information on the Australian Labradoodle and the club standards.