Labradoodle

Personality

Labradoodles are typically outgoing, energetic and eager to please. They inherit the Labrador's friendliness and enthusiasm and the Poodle's intelligence, producing a dog that loves people, play and learning new things. Most are good with children and other dogs when well socialized.

They are usually exuberant, particularly as youngsters, and can take a few years to settle. A young Labradoodle may jump on visitors, grab toys and bounce around the house unless taught calm manners. Many remain playful well into adulthood.

Temperament varies by puppy, because the mix of two breeds isn't predictable. Some lean toward the Lab's easy-going nature, others toward the Poodle's sensitivity and alertness. They are generally poor guard dogs, as most would rather greet a stranger than challenge one. Like both parents, they crave company and may struggle if left alone for long stretches.

History

The Labradoodle was developed in Australia in 1989 by Wally Conron, who worked for the Royal Guide Dogs Association of Australia. A blind woman in Hawaii needed a guide dog that would not trigger her husband's allergy to dog hair, so Conron crossed a Labrador Retriever with a Standard Poodle, hoping to combine the Labrador's gentleness with a low-shedding coat. One puppy from that first litter went on to work as a guide dog in Hawaii.

The idea attracted huge interest, and the cross spread widely as a family pet. Conron has since said he regrets starting the trend and has blamed unethical breeders and puppy mills for what followed.

Today, "Labradoodle" generally refers to a Labrador and Poodle cross, and "Australian Labradoodle" is another name for it. A related, separately named line, the Australian Cobberdog, was later developed from Labradoodles. The American Kennel Club does not recognize any of them. Breeders speak of generations such as F1 and F1b, which change the odds of coat type but not the unpredictability.

Appearance, coat & colors

There is no breed standard, so size depends mainly on the Poodle parent and the generation. Typical reports describe miniature Labradoodles at about 18-28 lb (8-13 kg), medium dogs at about 26-45 lb (12-20 kg) and standard dogs at about 45-75 lb (20-34 kg), with heights up to roughly 24 in (61 cm). These are typical, variable ranges, not guarantees.

Coats vary from straight and smooth, which can shed like a Labrador, through wavy, to dense curls. Texture can change as the dog matures. Colors include cream, apricot, red, black, chocolate and parti patterns.

The overall impression is a sturdy, athletic dog with a friendly face, feathered drop ears and a tail that is nearly always in motion. Some Labradoodles look strongly like Labradors, while others look much more like Poodles. Ask to see both parents to get an idea of the likely size and look.

Training

Labradoodles are among the more trainable crosses. They are bright, motivated by food and praise, and generally eager to work with their handler. Positive reinforcement training is effective, and most dogs learn basic cues quickly.

Because they are strong and enthusiastic, teaching manners early is important. Focus on loose-leash walking, polite greetings, a dependable recall and settling on a mat. Retriever ancestry means mouthiness is common, so provide appropriate chew toys and teach a "drop it".

Puppy classes and thoughtful socialization help shape confident, friendly adults. Labradoodles can be slow to mature, so don't be surprised if adolescence is boisterous. Practice short absences to build independence, and use crate training if it suits your household; see our crate training guide. Many excel in activities like agility, scent work and therapy-dog training.

Exercise

Expect to give a Labradoodle at least an hour of exercise daily, with standard-sized dogs often needing more. They love fetch, swimming, hiking and any game that involves running around with their people. Mental stimulation is equally important; training games, puzzle feeders and scent work help prevent boredom.

A bored, under-exercised Labradoodle can become destructive or noisy. Conversely, they settle well indoors once they have burned off energy.

Growing puppies should avoid long runs and repeated jumping, since joints are still developing, and Labs are known for hip and elbow problems. Rinse and dry the coat after swimming, and bring water in warm weather. For general guidance see our guide on how much exercise a dog needs. Older dogs usually slow down but still enjoy regular walks, which keep weight and joints healthier.

Grooming

Many people choose Labradoodles hoping for low maintenance, but the coat usually needs real effort. Wavy and curly coats mat easily, so brush down to the skin several times a week and schedule a professional groom about every 6-8 weeks, or as your groomer recommends. Straighter coats need less trimming but shed more.

Shedding varies significantly between puppies, which is why promises of non-shedding coats should be treated cautiously. Even curly coats release some hair and dander.

Hairy drop ears are prone to infection, so check and clean them regularly and dry after swimming or bathing. Brush teeth, trim nails and keep hair around the eyes and paws tidy. Some owners keep the coat in a short "puppy cut" to ease upkeep. Begin grooming practice early so handling is stress-free, and watch for skin irritation under mats.

Feeding

Feed a complete, balanced diet suited to your dog's size and age. Standard-sized dogs often do best on a large-breed puppy formula during growth, while smaller types suit regular puppy food. Ask your vet to help choose and set portions.

Labradoodles often inherit the Labrador's love of food, and obesity is a real risk. Measure meals, keep treats to roughly 10 percent of daily calories and avoid free-feeding. Our dog food calculator offers a starting point, and our guide to spotting an overweight dog helps with body-condition checks.

Larger, deep-chested dogs can be at risk of bloat, so consider two meals daily and avoid hard exercise right around mealtimes. Keep fresh water available. If your dog has recurring itching or digestive problems, consult your vet rather than switching foods repeatedly.

Health

Labradoodles can inherit issues from both parent breeds. From Labradors: hip and elbow dysplasia, exercise-induced collapse, progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts and obesity. From Poodles: Addison's disease, sebaceous adenitis, allergic skin disease and, in toys and miniatures, patellar luxation and progressive retinal atrophy; in standards, hip dysplasia, von Willebrand disease and bloat. Floppy ears make ear infections common. One UK study found multifocal retinal dysplasia in 4.6 percent of Labradoodles and cataracts in 3.7 percent.

Mixing breeds does not remove risk. Choose a breeder who health tests both parents and can show proof. The Labrador parent club recommends hip and elbow evaluations, an eye exam, and DNA tests for EIC, centronuclear myopathy and PRA-prcd, and the Poodle Club of America lists tests by Poodle size.

Lifespan is commonly reported at about 12 to 14 years. Keep your dog lean, maintain vet checkups, dental care and ear hygiene, and see your vet quickly for lameness, collapse after exercise, a swollen belly or vision changes.

Health conditions to know about

• Hip and elbow dysplasia — Joint malformation reported in Labradors and Poodles; screen both parents.
• Exercise-induced collapse (EIC) — A Labrador-linked genetic condition; DNA test available.
• Progressive retinal atrophy and other eye disease — Inherited eye disease that can lead to blindness; DNA test (PRA-prcd) available.
• Ear infections — Floppy, hairy ears trap moisture and wax.
• Obesity — Labrador food drive makes weight gain easy and stresses joints.
• Bloat (GDV) — A life-threatening emergency in large, deep-chested dogs; also listed as a concern in Poodles.

Health tests to ask a breeder about

• Hip evaluation (OFA or PennHIP)
• Elbow evaluation
• Eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist
• EIC DNA test
• Centronuclear myopathy (CNM) DNA test
• PRA-prcd DNA test
• von Willebrand disease DNA test (standard Poodle parent)

Written from veterinary sources by the Pawsplained editorial team. Not yet reviewed by a veterinarian; this is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Updated Oct 25, 2026. Editorial policy

Living with a Labradoodle

A Labradoodle can live in an apartment if exercised extensively, but most do better with a house and yard or ready access to open space. Large dogs need room to move and sturdy furniture, and enthusiastic tail-wagging can clear coffee tables.

They are social dogs that do not enjoy being left alone for long. Households where someone is home much of the day, or where daycare or a walker is available, suit them best.

They generally cope with mild weather, but thick coats can overheat in summer and wet coats need drying in winter. Water-loving Labradoodles may head for any pond or puddle, so expect muddy paws. They usually get along well with children, though big, boisterous dogs should be supervised with toddlers. Secure fencing and good recall matter for dogs who love to explore.

Puppies, breeders & rescue

Labradoodle prices vary widely depending on region, size and breeder, and the price alone does not signal quality. Focus on the breeder. A responsible one will let you meet the mother, provide health test results for both parents (OFA hips and elbows, eye exams and DNA tests such as EIC and PRA) and explain the generation and size they are producing.

Puppies should remain with their mother until at least eight weeks. A written contract, a health guarantee and a policy of taking the dog back at any age are positive signs. Avoid sellers who guarantee "hypoallergenic" or "non-shedding" coats, offer constant availability or sell through third parties.

Consider rescue as well. Labrador and Poodle rescues and local shelters sometimes have Labradoodles or similar mixes, and adult dogs have known temperaments and energy levels that can help you choose well.