Origin of Laber Doodles: Where Do These Dogs Come From?

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Laber Doodles, more commonly known as Labradoodles, are among the most sought-after designer breeds. They are being compared to teddy bears because of their looks. They are popular among dog lovers looking for a hypoallergenic pet, like the Poodle, but have the excellent guiding abilities of a Labrador Retriever. Get all the interesting details about this cross in today’s post.

History

The original Labradoodle first came into the dog world sometime during the late 1980s. A dog trainer and breeder named Wally Conron worked with the Royal Guide Dog Association of Australia to develop the first ever Labradoodle.

This was after the association got a request from a blind Hawaiian lady looking for a guide dog that would not trigger her husband’s allergies. A Labrador Retriever is known for its ability to guide seniors and visually impaired individuals. However, it is notorious for shedding large amounts of hair especially during the spring and autumn seasons. Shedding is part of their preparation for the change of season.

At first, the breeder thought that developing such dog would be a fairly easy task. However, it took him three years of trial and error, working with more than 30 dogs, only to fail in the end. Conron realized that developing the Labradoodle was a difficult task because he could not come up with an ideal guide dog, just like what the blind woman was asking for.

He was tasked by the association to source a dog from Sweden, which was used for developing the designer breed. He then paired her female Lab with a Standard Poodle, and what followed was history. When they informed the media about this invention, they eventually received a lot of inquiries from people looking for a hypoallergenic dog and even from guide dog centers.

Breeders have one goal in establishing the breed and that is to come up with an all-around pet that does not shed and will be suitable for people with allergies. Shedding is not the only concern with the Lab’s coat. His fur may also attract dander or saliva, which can cause a person’s immune system to react. Dander can linger in the air for a while and it’s usually the reason why people suffer from a runny nose, itching, hives, and sneezing. This is the reason why the Poodle gene is introduced in the Lab’s gene.

A Standard Poodle is considered to be hypoallergenic because the dead hair only gets trapped in their curls instead of falling on surfaces like floors and furniture. Although it is not so easy to tell whether the offspring of a Poodle and a Lab will be non-shedding, most breeders these days found success in creating hypoallergenic Doodle dogs.

Later on, breeders did not only pair a Labrador with a Poodle. Many breeders specialized in multi-generation Doodles, which can be achieved by breeding back the Labradoodle to the Poodle or pairing a Labradoodle with another one.

Types

There are two types of Laber Doodles: the Australian Laber Doodle and the American Laber Doodle. Although they look almost similar, there is a big difference between them in terms of genetic composition. An Australian Labradoodle is a combination of the Cockapoo (Cocker Spaniel and Poodle) and the Labrador Retriever while the American variety is only a cross between the Lab and the Poodle.

Because of their genetic variation, you can expect a lot of differences in terms of the Aussie Labradoodle and the American Labradoodle features. Physically, they have a lot of resemblances but you can still see some distinctions on how they look like. They are closely related, though, so it is not going to be easy to spot these differences unless you are an expert with Doodle dogs. Personality-wise, there are only a few things that set these dogs apart.

It’s worth noting that the Cocker Spanielsused in breeding Aussie Laber Doodles come in different types themselves. There’s the American Cocker Spaniel and the English Cocker Spaniel. Both are good as sporting dogs but the English ones are bigger and more affectionate. The American type is more outgoing, though, and is usually easier to train.

Appearance

Laber Doodles come in several colors, sizes, and coat textures. Despite of the variations in their appearance, all Laber Doodles look like teddy bears that have come to life. They are known for their iconic look, consisting of dark round eyes, facial furnishings, and thick fur.

A Laber Doodle’s appearance will also depend on which generations he came from. If it is an F1 or first generation dog, you can expect a good balance of the Labrador Retriever and the Poodle traits. Some dogs may have more of the Poodle’s physical features especially if they are multi-generational or back-crossed to the Poodle gene.

In terms of size, a Laber Doodle can be medium or standard in size. The ideal weight ranges from 50-65 lbs and the dog stands up to 23 inches. There are also miniature versions which weighs no more than 25 lbs and grows up to 16-inch tall only. Like the standard type, mini Labradoodles boasts a fluffy and non-shedding coat.

A Laber Doodle’s coat can be soft and wavy, which is more like the Golden Retriever but can also be wool-like or wiry like a Poodle’s coat. The amount of grooming required will depend on the texture of their coat. This also dictates their level of shedding. Wool-like coats shed the least. In fact, it’s almost non-shedding but it’s the most challenging to groom out of all Doodle coat types.

Laber Doodle Grooming

Maintaining the coat of a Laber Doodle will be challenging, especially if you have never owned one before. It requires regular brushing, since Laber Doodles are quite prone to developing knots and tangles. You will find it helpful to have a combo brush handy, which is a combination of a pin brush and a bristle brush.

The pin brush is used for minimizing knots and tangles while the other side is ideal for stimulating the Labradoodle’s natural oils. If you want to add some fluff to your pet’s coat, brush him with a dematting comb. It’s like a comb and a rake in one, making it suitable for the Labradoodle’s thick and long coat.

In addition to regular brushing, it is also recommended to bring your pooch to a professional groomer every eight weeks. You may opt for a “teddy bear” trim to give your Labradoodle a dapper look. This type of cut gives dogs a clean look because it maintains one length all over the body.

Part of grooming Laber Doodles involves cleaning the ears using an ear cleaning solution on a weekly basis. Because of their floppy ears, they tend to develop infections easier than dogs with cropped ears. When the ears are warm and moist, they become more prone to infection. The dog’s ears need to be checked for wax build-up on a regular basis.

Apart from checking the ears for signs of wax build-up, owners of Labradoodles also need to be aware that these dogs may develop periodontal diseases if they were not brushed regularly. Use a toothbrush intended for canines, including toothpaste products that are safe for them. There are toothpaste products that come in delicious flavours like peanut butter and beef, so you will not have a hard time brushing your dog’s teeth.

Personality

Aussie Laber Doodles and American Laber Doodles are both great family pets. They are both good-tempered although the Aussie types are known for their much calmer temperament compared to the American Laber Doodles. It’s just that early generation Doodles are more hyperactive and livelier than their Aussie counterparts. Despite of their differences, both types of dogs are adored by many because of their positive traits and impeccable looks.

Labradoodles are easy-going, social, and not aggressive, which make them good candidates as service dogs. By definition, a service dog is any type of dog that undergoes a special training so it can provide assistance particularly to the disabled individuals or those with special needs. Aside from being good service dogs, they can be a good addition to any household. They will please you with their even temperament.

There are various types of service dogs. Labradoodles are only used for guiding blind people, but they can also be used for assisting people with other special needs like individuals with hearing problems or those with mobility limitations.

Like their Standard Poodle and the Labrador Retriever parents,Laber Doodlesare fond of interacting with humans and this makes them ideal as family pets.  The wonderful disposition and calm temperament of the Laber Doodles are just of two of the reasons why they won the hearts of many people.

Laber Doodle Caring Tips

Do your research about the best food for your pet. This will depend on his weight, lifestyle, and activity levels. There are Labradoodles that are picky eaters or have sensitive stomachs. If this is the case with your Laber Doodle, talk to your vet to come up with an ideal diet plan for your dog. You may offer pure kibble, as per your vet’s advice or mix it with homecooked meals.

Caring for a Laber Doodle also involves exercising them on a regular basis. Make sure your pet gets to walk daily or have lots of time playing freely. Bring him with you to a dog park where he can socialize with other pets. This will help stimulate his brains. You can also enroll him to puppy classes where he can learn a lot of new skills, like obedience training. This includes sitting and staying in place. Socialization is very important for dog especially at an early age.

Important Reminders before Getting a Laber Doodle

If you are eager to adopt or buy a Laber Doodle, research first about the breeder or the kennel from where you are planning to get your dog. The average price of a Laber Doodle will range from $1,500 to $3,000 depending on the breeder and pedigree. Doodles from champion bloodlines are obviously more expensive than standard Doodle dogs. While they are normally expensive, don’t be fooled by breeders asking for large sums for deposit because some of them may be doing it just for the sake of money. It’s a norm to pay a down payment but better check your potential breeder’s reputation first before making any decision.

If you find it too expensive to buy one, consider adopting one from shelters. They are as beautiful as the ones being sold by breeders, but for less cost. These dogs only need a bit more TLC and training because they may not have a good experience or they were neglected by their previous owners. Some dogs may even have health problems. Adopting a LaberDoodle dog may only cost you less than $500. The amount is just to cover the expenses of caring for the dog before the pup is turned over to you.

Responsible breeders offer DNA health testing to assure potential pet parents that the pups were free from any possible condition related to the breed. You will also be offered a health guarantee which allows you to have the dog checked in a span of 2 to 3 days. The dog will be tested by the vet of your choice. It is worth noting that different breeds will come up with different health guarantees, so better ask your breeder first regarding that.

Conclusion

A Laber Doodle, or the Labradoodle like what it is usually called, is an ideal family pet. Many people fall for the Laber Doodle’s non-shedding and allergy-friendly coat. It looks like a teddy bear, that you want to hug night and day. But more than that, their kindness and temperament are the reasons why anyone would want to have them as pets.

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