• Size

The height of the Labradoodle depends on the size of the parents. However, as usual, representatives of both genders of the breed stand around 30-70 centimeters in height. As for other physical data, their length ranges from 36 to 67 centimeters.

• Weight 

Individual cases of Labradoodle weight vary according to genetics, diet, and health status. But still, as a rule, adult representatives of the breed weigh from 5 to 40 kilograms.

• Lifespan

A Labradoodle’s life expectancy ranges from 12 to 15 years and is roughly equivalent to a human lifespan of 69-83 years. Yet, remember, these figures are only conditional, and the life longing of your important family members depends on a healthy lifestyle and a harmonious living environment.

• Fur

The Labradoodle is a hybrid breed, so the texture and length of its fur can vary significantly between individuals. The color of these important family members also depends on the color of the parents’ fur. Yet, you will find representatives of the breed mainly in blue, black, beige, and brown colors. 

The hypoallergenic nature of the fur mainly depends on the specific coat type and the dog’s genetics. Because of the Poodle gene, Labradoodles rarely shed, which is a big plus for allergy sufferers. Despite being hypoallergenic, the Labradoodle’s curly or wavy fur requires regular grooming. It’s desirable to brush them daily.

The Labradoodle combines the best qualities of the Labrador Retriever and the Poodle. These important family members are usually very social and love to be around people. Charming and playful Labradoodles have an exceptionally loving personality which makes them desirable pals for everyone. They’re especially suitable for people with allergies who are looking for a dog with low shedding. 

Cheerful and energetic Labradoodles require proper mental stimulation along with regular physical exercise to avoid boredom and maintain a balanced temperament. The intelligence inherited from their parents makes them relatively easy to guide toward good behavior, however, consistent and positive training methods work best. Remember, a Labradoodle learns bad habits just as quickly as good ones, so it’s best to start reward-based training early and continue throughout life. 

Despite this generality, there are generally three different types of Labradoodles:

• 50% Labrador, 50% Poodle
• 75% Poodle, 25% Labrador
• 87% Poodle, 13% Labrador

Depending on how they were bred, the personality and character of the breed can vary greatly.

Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is one of the most common pathologies among the deformities of the musculoskeletal system. As usual, this condition is caused by underdevelopment of the hip joint. 

To alleviate the condition, it’s important to keep your companion animal’s weight within the optimal range. Additionally, ensure a balanced diet and try to avoid excessive physical activity. Choose a competent veterinarian who will regularly screen the hip and properly guide the treatment process.

Heart Diseases

Regular exercise is crucial to maintaining cardiovascular health and improving blood circulation. We should also pay special attention to nutrition as foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids will significantly reduce the risk of developing heart diseases. For thorough monitoring of heart health, schedule regular veterinary examinations and pay much more attention to the process as your Labradoodle gets old.

Hereditary Myopathy

Myopathy develops as a result of improper functioning of muscle tissues and causes muscle weakness. Depending on the underlying cause, targeted treatment of the problem may require drug therapy, physical therapy, massage, or surgical intervention. 

To avoid the problem, we advise deciding on a breeder who tests companion animals for genetic diseases before mating. High-quality dog ​​food, which contains an adequate amount of protein, will also significantly contribute to the proper development of muscles.

Bloating

While bloating is a harmless problem for humans, the condition can be fatal in dogs. To prevent the problem, it’s important to pay close attention to symptoms such as vomiting, a full stomach, or excessive salivation. As soon as any symptoms appear, it’s advisable to contact the veterinarian immediately. 

To avoid bloat, divide your faithful companion’s daily ration into at least two meals and give preference to special bowls with a raised center. You can buy them at any pet store near your home.

Retinal Atrophy

Retinal atrophy, a degenerative disease that can affect vision, is often inherited in companion animals. Before welcoming a new furry family member, it’s essential to research their genetic background to ensure they don’t carry a predisposition to vision problems. For breeds like Labradoodles, regular eye check-ups and a balanced, vitamin-rich diet play a key role in maintaining retinal health and preventing potential problems.

Hereditary cataract

Cataracts cause a gradual deterioration of the companion animal’s vision. At this time, the crystal, which is transparent in a healthy eye, acquires a grayish or milky color. Congenital cataracts are usually caused by an infectious disease or birth trauma acquired during the mother’s pregnancy. 

Although managing congenital diseases is often beyond our control, providing foods rich in vitamins C and E can greatly improve the eye health of your companion animal. As a competent parent, further, remember that regular veterinary check-ups and protecting the eyes from the harmful effects of the sun are prerequisites for effective disease management.

Dry Eye Syndrome 

During dry eye syndrome, the lacrimal gland can’t produce enough tears which causes discomfort, inflammation, and damage to the cornea. To avoid the problem, veterinarians often recommend the usage of artificial tears. Nevertheless, in certain cases, surgical intervention may be further necessary to improve tear drainage.

When meeting a Labradoodle’s nutritional needs, consider its age, size, activity level, and health condition. Due to the hybrid origin, the energy requirements of the representatives of the breed often differ. Therefore, it’s advisable to consult a nutritionist for personal advice.

The daily feeding frequency of a companion animal may vary based on individual needs. However, as a rule, an adult Labradoodle should eat twice a day. Regarding the early stage of development, the daily amount of food recommended for puppies should be divided into at least three meals. The recommendations put on the product packaging will help you to correctly determine the relevant timing and amount of nutrition. 

Labradoodles are often prone to gaining excess weight. Providing high-quality balanced food with a predefined schedule can help prevent the problem. Eating small portions will also prevent an important member of your family from experiencing bloated discomfort. As a competent parent, further, remember to never feed your Labradoodle cooked bones or scraps. Harmless food with a thought, may turn out to be life-threatening for our furry friends.

In the 1980s, Australian breeder Wally Conron, working with the Guide Dog Association, agreed on the creation of the Labradoodle in response to a special request – a blind woman searched for a hypoallergenic guide companion that would shed less. With that in mind, Conron crossed a Labrador Retriever with a Standard Poodle and combined the Labrador’s intelligence with the Poodle’s low-shedding, hypoallergenic coat. Consequently, in 1989 this pairing resulted in the creation of the first Labradoodle, named Sultan.

A warm and loving personality made the Labradoodle the best companion for people with autism and physical disabilities. Nevertheless, its friendly temperament, attractive appearance, and intelligence quickly made the breed an important family member all around the world. Jennifer Aniston, Tiger Woods, Joe Biden and Norway’s Prince Haakon Magnus hold a place of honor in the list of Labradoodle parents.