Skip to content

DOG BREEDS

Labradoodles: Temperament & Traits

Labradoodles At-A-Glance

  • Labradoodles, a mix between Labrador Retrievers and Poodles, are adorable but might not be the best dog breeds for families.
  • Some of these dogs don’t shed, making them a good fit for those with allergies, but they require lots of grooming.
  • Labradoodles are easy to train and friendly with children, but they do need plenty of outdoor time.
  • Wally Conron, the Australian who claims to have invented the breed, has stated the dog is “a Frankenstein monster” prone to illness.
  • Labradoodles are prone to food allergies, and it could take time to find a diet they can tolerate.

You can’t deny it: Labradoodles are the world’s most adorable dogs. This cross between Labrador Retrievers and poodles love to get attention from their owners and strangers alike. They come in many charming shapes and sizes, which is one of the many reasons that these cute canines are one of the best breeds for families. They’re kind, very active, and friendly around children. And if you have a pool, chances are you’re going to find this breed swimming inside it.

There are some drawbacks to owning a labradoodle. While we’ll discuss them as a breed, most major kennel club organizations do not recognize labradoodles. They are a crossbreed, which means potential owners might not get what they expect, such as a hypoallergenic coat (great for those who are allergic to dogs) or an outgoing personality. There is a wider range of traits possible with a labradoodle than there is with a purebred dog, and that might not be a good thing.

In fact, Wally Conron, the Australian who popularized the dog in 1989, has gone on the record several times stating that he regrets breeding the dog, saying he “released a Frankenstein monster.” He believes that other breeders have been unscrupulous by selling dogs that have developed many health troubles, including eye problems, ear infections, and food allergies. Some labradoodles suffer from a degenerative condition known as dysplasia. It afflicts the hips and elbows and leads to arthritis, pain in the limbs, and a limp. This could lead to some high veterinary bills down the road.

What is the perfect home for a labradoodle?

Labradoodles are energetic dogs, so if they have a big yard or a nearby park to run around in, they will thrive. Labradoodles are one of the best dog breeds for active families. They’ll need anywhere from 60 to 90 minutes of active time throughout the day for exercise and bathroom breaks. If you don’t have the time to take your labradoodle outside, then they’ll take out their energy on your furniture. And if you live in an apartment, you’ll have to slowly acclimate it to all the stimulus that comes with that lifestyle: kids, strangers, and loud traffic noises, to name a few.

Feeding your labradoodle

One of the most important things to remember when feeding any dog is to give them food around the same time twice daily to keep late-night walks to a minimum. And how much you put in your dog’s bowl will depend on their size, age, and energy level. If you have an active canine, you’ll want to feed them more so they maintain a healthy weight.

How much you feed your labradoodle also depends on the kind of food you give it. Using a cheaper kibble filled with fillers means your feeding your dog fewer calories and nutrients, which puts them at risk of being underfed. Labradoodles are also prone to skin allergies, and feeding them cheap food with grains will exacerbate them.

To know what you’re feeding your dog, give some thought to a raw food diet. It will give your dog a shinier coat, bolster its immune system, and help keep its weight in check. If you are ready to make the switch, you’ll need a week to help get its digestive system acclimated.

Living in Arizona

Most labradoodles have a thick coat, so these dogs will really feel the heat during the summer months when the temperature soars into triple digits. You’ll need to provide them shade, give them fresh water, and keep them indoors in the middle of the day when the mercury is at its highest.

And labradoodles are great swimmers. If possible, let them join you for a refreshing dip in the pool once in a while. Dogs can get sunburned, so be sure to apply sunscreen to their nose and the skin around their mouth if they’re going to be outdoors for an extended amount of time.

One disease to look out for in Arizona is Coccidioidomycosis, better known as Valley Fever, caused by breathing in soil-dwelling spores. Most of the time, it will go away on its own, but if your labradoodle has a compromised immune system, the symptoms of Valley Fever can be severe.

The lifecycle of a labradoodle

Around two months into its life, labradoodles start to bond with their human owners. It’s also the time when they become curious and start getting into everything. If there’s any furniture that you would like to stay intact, you’ll need to start laying down ground rules for your dog. But you mustn’t punish them. That will make them anxious and fearful. This is a good time to start taking them to a training class. And you can start feeding your labradoodle dog food at this time.

Labradoodles will keep up that playful behavior through their adolescence, and you’ll start to notice growth spurts until they reach two years of age. They’ll begin using their adult teeth, so be sure to have plenty of chew toys handy. Your dog will also become very territorial, so you may notice them barking much more than they usually do.

They should start calming down when they turn three years old and might develop joint and bone issues as they reach nine-years-old. They’ll also suffer from bad breath, lethargy, skin conditions, and seizures, so speak with your veterinarian if you notice any odd symptoms from your labradoodle.

Training

If you have an active household looking for an adorable friend, then a labradoodle might be one of the best dog breeds for your family. It’s important to remember that because labradoodles are a crossbreed, the behavior can be inconsistent, so you’ll need to give them the attention it needs, and training can be difficult.

To ensure that you and your labradoodle make the most of their time together, the experienced staff at Desert Sky K9 can help create the bond between you and your family’s new pet. Our licensed and certified trainer Mark Govoni has over 27 years of experience and can assist you with your training needs. And we are so confident in our results for our clients we provide lifetime handling lessons at no charge for all of our clients. 

Please feel free to call us at 602-510-5877 or schedule a complimentary consultation so we can learn more about your needs.

you might also like...