Australian Labradoodle: 9 Things To Know Before Getting One

The Australian Labradoodle (not to be confused with the lively Aussiedoodle) is a highly intelligent and friendly mix of the poodle, Labrador, English Cocker Spaniel, and American Cocker Spaniel. With their soft fur, these living teddy bear dogs are sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face.

Originally bred as guide dogs for the visually impaired, these dogs are eager to please and ready to befriend everyone.

What is an Australian Labradoodle?

The Australian Labradoodle, unlike the Labradoodle, has more than just Poodle and Labrador in its heritage.

Their breeding lines often incorporate English Cocker Spaniels and American Cocker Spaniels.

These intuitive dogs were first bred by Wally Conron in the 1980s in hopes of creating a guide dog that had the low-shedding hair of a Poodle and the helpful nature of a Labrador.

However many breeders went on to add in other breeds to this hybrid’s lineage leading to what we now know as the Australian Labradoodle.

This pooch is stocky like a Labrador with the wavy, curly fur of its Poodle and Cocker Spaniel roots. Their coat comes in a variety of colors and textures and is boasted to be a low-shedding hair.

With a bright mind and a friendly personality, they make a great family dog and will get along with other humans and dogs with the proper socialization.

When it comes to training, this dog was bred for it. Expect them to take to training with ease. With the proper patience and consistency, you will get a well-mannered dog.

  • Overview: Hybrid.
  • Purpose: Service/Companionship.
  • Weight: 15-65 pounds.
  • Size: 14-24 inches.
  • Temperament: Friendly, gentle, and intelligent.

Australian Labradoodle Appearance

Australian Labradoodle

Since it is a hybrid the Australian Labradoodle does not have any breed standards.

Regardless of size, this stocky but graceful pooch is often covered in a curly coat just like their Poodle parents. Due to its fur having the more hair-like qualities of a Poodle the Australian Labradoodle is a low-shedding dog.

With soulful eyes and a dark button nose, many may mistake it as a large teddy bear if it was not for its constantly wagging tail!

Height and Weight

These pups come in a variety of sizes:

  1. Miniatures often stand around 14 to 16 inches tall, weighing 15 to 25 pounds.
  2. Mediums often stand 17 to 20 inches tall, weighing 30 to 45 pounds.
  3. Standards often stand 21 to 24 inches tall and weigh 50 to 65 pounds.

For those living in apartments or smaller homes, a Miniature or Medium would be ideal.

Colors and Coat

Australian Labradoodles often come in several shades of brown, from the milkiest cream to the silkiest dark chocolate. However, you can also find them in colors such as apricot and lavender.

Their coats often come in three types: Hair, Fleece, and Wool.

  1. Hair is the loosest among the coat types, with a texture resembling a shaggy Labrador. This coat type will shed the most and won’t be as allergy-friendly.
  2. Fleece lies somewhere in the middle, being softer and silkier than Wool but wavier than the Hair variety. This texture will shed less than the Hair type and is easy to manage.
  3. Wool is the curliest of the coat types most resembling a Poodle. This texture sheds little to none and is considered the most allergy-friendly. This texture will require regular weekly brushing and professional grooming to avoid matting.

5 Fun Facts About Australian Labradoodles

Australian Doodle

  1. Australian Labradoodles can be great therapy dogs due to their intelligence and gentle nature.
  2. Expect smooth sailing when it comes to training as all its parent breeds are famous for being eager to please.
  3. Almost all the breeds that make up the Australian Labradoodle are in the sporting group so expect your pup to be as active as its parent breeds.
  4. The Cocker Spaniel and the Labrador Retriever are both known for their friendliness, making this social pup the life of the party.
  5. Wally Conron bred the first Labradoodle after a visually impaired woman named Pat Blum contacted him. Blum wanted a guide dog but could not get one due to her husband’s allergies.

Australian Labradoodle Personality and Temperament

Australian Doodle In Snow

This hybrid is known for having the friendliness of a Labrador, the gentleness of an American Cocker Spaniel, the merriness of an English Cocker Spaniel, and the intelligence of a Poodle.

Because of these qualities, they are the perfect family pet – energetic enough for the kids to play with and entertaining to watch in action.

Due to their high intelligence, you will have fun finding creative ways to stimulate their minds. A fun family activity can be training them a variety of tricks or creating puzzle games for your furry little Einstein to solve.

With proper training and socialization, they should be able to get along with all animals and humans.

They are moderately active thanks to their parent breeds.

Whether you are an on-the-go family or a sporty pet parent, this pooch should be able to keep up with you on all your hikes and runs. However, it will happily cuddle on the couch with you after a long day.

Noise-wise, this dog is not known for being yappy.

This dog can be a lot to handle for first-time owners and can get bored without enough mental and physical stimulation. However smaller Australian Labradoodles can thrive in an apartment or condo if given the right amount of exercise and entertainment.

If you can put in the time to train and exercise you will be rewarded with a friend for a lifetime.

Caring for an Australian Labradoodle

Boy Australian Labradoodle

Caring for an Australian Labradoodle requires a fair amount of time and effort due to their high intelligence and reasonable activity level.

An active family or pet parent with time to dedicate to their physical and mental stimulation is best suited for this mix.

As well as basic hygiene their unique coat requires professional grooming. Depending on their coat texture this may vary, but they will need regular appointments to a groomer to trim their coat and regular brushing to avoid mats.

Grooming and adequate mental stimulation are very important and lead to a happy and healthy pup.

Exercise Requirements

With a lineage of active breeds, the Australian Labradoodle requires a reasonable amount of exercise.

A minimum 45-minute long walk would be enough for an adult, but several shorter walks throughout the day can also work.

However, your pooch would not complain if you also added 30 minutes of off-leash play.

They will enjoy the basic doggie games of fetch and tug-of-war, but feel free to be creative with this lively breed. With its Labrador roots, try taking fetch to the next level by teaching them to fetch in the water. The added activity of swimming back and forth will require more energy than your average park playdate.

Taking your pup hiking can help with mental stimulation as your pup is introduced to new sights and smells.

Agility training can also be a great option for those with backyards. Making your own hurdles out of PVC Pipes or taking your kid’s play tunnels outside can introduce variety to their play sessions.

All in all, a happy dog is a tired dog, and making sure to properly exercise your furry friend can prevent boredom and destructive behavior.

  • Number of Walks Per Day: 2-3.
  • Total Exercise Needed Per Day: 45-60 minutes.

Walking Australian Labradoodle

Grooming and Shedding

For an Australian Labradoodle, grooming can look different depending on the coat type they have.

Hair-type coats will need weekly brushing to prevent odor and tangles. As this coat type sheds on its own it is likely that your dog will need fewer visits to the groomer.

Fleece-type coats will need longer and more thorough weekly brushing sessions. Your furry friend will need a weekly bath and an appointment with a professional groomer every 4-6 weeks.

Wool-type coats are most manageable when kept short, with weekly brushing and grooming appointments every month to keep your pooch looking smart. In addition to the above, cleaning their ears once a month will help prevent infection.

To prevent eye infections make sure that the hair around your dog’s eyes is carefully trimmed. Using eye wipes can keep bacteria-filled gunk away but be sure to look for a brand that does not contain irritants.

Feeding and Diet

Your dog’s diet will vary depending on its size, weight, and activity level.

However, a good rule of thumb when choosing kibble is to avoid a brand that overuses byproducts and fillers. A good kibble brand will be complete and balanced with the necessary nutrients your dog needs to be healthy.

You should consider feeding your Australian Labradoodle a grain-free formula dog food as research has found this could be better for your pup.

When calculating the number of calories your dog will need, consider energy level and weight. A general rule is to add 25-30 calories for every pound your dog weighs. Of course, getting the advice of your vet is always key if you are ever unsure.

Calories Per Day:Cups of Kibble Per Day:
1200~2

Known Health Problems

Unfortunately, these pups are prone to several genetic diseases:

  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy: This occurs when the cells of a dog’s retina deteriorate over time, eventually leading to blindness.
  • Hip Dysplasia: Usual with most medium to large dogs where the hip joint becomes unstable and causes bone spurs and limping.
  • Addison’s Disease: Also known as hypoadrenocorticism which occurs when a dog’s adrenal glands fail to produce hormones.
  • Von Willebrand’s Disease: A blood disease whereby the blood fails to clot properly and causes excessive bleeding.

The good news is that buying from a reputable breeder can decrease the likelihood of your dog inheriting these diseases. Having pet insurance could save you the headache of going to the vets.

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How Long Does an Australian Labradoodle Live?

A healthy Australian Labradoodle should live well into old age at around 12 to 15 years.

How Much Does an Australian Labradoodle Cost?

You should expect the price to vary based on breeder anywhere from $1250 to $3000.

How To Train an Australian Labradoodle

Australian Labradoodle Playing

Australian Labradoodles were bred to be guide dogs because their intelligence and eagerness to please lends to easy training.

Your pup’s training should start at 8 weeks.

Training should focus on basic obedience and socialization as this gives them the mental stimulation they need and can prevent behavioral issues later in life.

The proper training will make the difference between an unruly, out-of-control dog and a well-behaved, well-adjusted one.

Obedience classes have the bonus of allowing your puppy to socialize with other dogs and people. Plus your training instructor may even teach you some new tricks when it comes to training your dog efficiently.

Clicker training and positive reinforcement are both great for them. For moments when your dog does something especially good, a quick click and reward can let them know that they have done a great job.

Avoid any punishment or training that involves asserting dominance. These techniques only encourage aggression and fear and may make the unwanted behavior even worse.

Their lineage consists of breeds that were bred for specific jobs, so expect a lot of mental energy to accompany that physical energy. Once you have surpassed the basics try adding in mental puzzles throughout your dog’s daily life (such as food puzzles at mealtime or learning advanced tricks).

What you dedicate in time and energy you get in return a happy, well-mannered Australian Labradoodle.

Pros and Cons

ProsCons
Little to no shedding.
Coat requires regular professional grooming.
Great family companion.
High energy levels can be hard to manage.
Friendly towards people and other dogs.
Expensive
Very trainable and intelligent.
Coat can mat easily if not brushed.
Comes in a variety of sizes (Miniature, Medium and Standard).

Quick Breed Summary Table

Breed Characteristics
Size:14-24 inches
Weight:15-65lb
Lifespan:12-15 years
Coat:Hair, Fleece, or Wool
Color:White, cream, chocolate, and black
Do They Shed:Minimal shedding
Temperament:Friendly, merry, gentle, and intelligent
Intelligence:High
Socialization:Easy to socialize
Destructive Behavior:Only when under-stimulated
People Skills:Friendly and outgoing around people
Good with Children:Yes
Activity Levels:Moderate

Summary

These dogs are best suited for an active family.

They are friendly and outgoing and tend to get along with other humans and dogs.

For those looking for a family-friendly addition to your home, look no more.

With the proper care and attention, these pooches are sure to be a delight in any environment they find themselves in.

More Poodle, Cocker Spaniel, and Labrador Retriever Mixes

Want a Poodle mix, Cocker Spaniel mix, or Labrador Retriever mix but aren’t keen on the Australian Labradoodle? Check out these other hybrid dog breeds:

Poodle Mixes

Cocker Spaniel Mixes

Labrador Retriever Mixes

Australian Labradoodle FAQs

About Thomas Woods 224 Articles
Thomas has been a dog lover since he was 6 years old when his parents got him a rescue Labrador. Since then his love for dogs has lead him to study Animal Behavior & Welfare. He now keeps a six year old English Bullmastiff and educates pet parents through his online publication Perfect Dog Breeds.

1 Comment

  1. We recently acquired a trained 5 year old Australian Labradoodle. The dog was a gift from neighbors of my daughter in Colorado. They have an autistic son who was afraid of the dog. We live in Ohio. We visited my daughter in Boulder and I walked the dog every day for about a week. Because of her sweet disposition and excellent training we decided to adopt. The lineage provided shows she is multi-generational. I had no idea that there was such a breed and the differences with an American Labradoodle. Thanks for explaining so well in your article!

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