Info on Labrododdles

Hi W.:

Whilest I cannot give you any personal information about labradoodles, I know the breed and it's personalities as well as many others. I have had a string of various breeds and I have to say I have finally found my breed....the portaguese water dog. Yes, very different but SO WORTH IT!!!. Up until the age of two- they are like toddlers themselves. Getting into everything-BUT, after that they are the most easy trained, smart,calm,obidiant,family oriented dogs. Mine is used as a hearing dog and we are a family of six! Four small children no less. Their coat is similar to natural human hair so very little shedding. They are slightly bigger than a cocker spaniel but smaller than a German Shepard. They are a medium dog in the working sport. Males are generally bigger than the females. I have gotten so many compliments on my PWD and so many are in awe of her coat. But I will also be honest- This breed is to be found solely through the PWD rescue or a Breeder. To find one at a shelter is a hit or miss.
There is one but he is a mix. He (GUS) is located in Georgia, I believe. You can find him on Petfinder.com and type in the breed. They are will to travel him if you are interested. I cannot have him since I already have one being used as a working dog and they are required to work alone.

So on further note, I can only suggest you really know what you are getting into. Getting a dog is like getting married.I would visit the dog shelters in your area, since you can see various breeds such as labradoodles, goldendoodles, schnoodles, and all the oodles you want..hahaha. But I would reccommend the Porties (portaguese water dog) suited not only for your family but your husbands' situation as well.

Best of luck.
M.

My husband is allergic to too! We have a Bouvier de Flandres. They are wonderful dogs and are GREAT with children. My mother-in-law has 2 as well! I never worry one second when my 7 month old is crawling or pulling on their hair! Labradoodles are great but can be hyper. If you want more info let me know! Good luck!

W.,
I am so glad you asked about Labradoodles. I also have a son who is severly allergic to dogs. Someone gave us a lab several years ago and while the lab stayed on our screened porch within 2 weeks my son was covered in hives and his asthma was flaring up. We gave the dog back and we decided to get a Labradoodle. Our neighbor at the time recommended Glen Eden Labradoodles at www.labradoodles.com.

We spoke with them and told them of our needs and they matched us up with our Lily. That was 3 1/2 years ago and I have to say she is absolutely the best dog! At the time my daughter had just turned 2 and my son's were 4, 6 and 7 years old. Lily is and has always been great with the kids and all the "love" they give her. My daughter used to put her hands in Lily's mouth to look at her teeth and Lily would just lie still and let her do it and was so very patient.

She doesn't shed and I don't have time to brush her. I do take her to the groomer every 5-6 months to have her fur clipped. I have never had a problem with matting. I like the shorter look because it just looks neater. I will be happy to send you a picture of her. We just moved into this neighborhood and we have had so many complements on what a good dog she is and how pretty she is.

I will say that for the first 2 years they are active just like a toddler but as long as you throw a ball, frisby or anything else they will get exercise and they LOVE to retrieve.

She is also so very easy to train as she wants so much to please.

The history of Labradoodles started in Austalia as therapeutic dogs for people who had allergies and could not have a regular dog. www.labradoodle.com They have great, patient personalities and were initially bred to be therapy dogs.

It is, however, important to get one from a good, reputable breeder.

Let me know if you would like any more info on labradoodles or if you would like to see a picture of our Lily.

M.

I don't know too much on that breed of dog but my husband has severe alergies/asthma and my parents have pets (2dogs &2 cats). My mother works for a vet and they told her its all based on the type of food you feed them as to how much dander they produce. If you feed them cheap food they tend to have either drier or more oily skin which produces such dander. She feeds her dogs pedigree canned food and Pro-plan dry food. It seems to work. My husband does have flare ups sometimes, but that is usually when he forgets to take his alergy med. when we go over there. He use to be very sensitive to cats and that has pretty much gone away. Good luck!

I have to agree with the poster who said don't buy into the designer breed hype.

I show collies and it makes me sick that so called breeders , put two dogs together , make up a name for it and charge some astronomical amount of money.

As a previous poster stated a labradoodle is a cross between a lab (a dog who sheds greatly) and a poodle. There is no way to know which trait a pup will get, the lab or the poodle. Plus no reputable breeder would ever breed a mixed breed and put their name out there.

Are the parents being tested for all the genetic diseases common in these two breeds, before the pups are bred? What is the temperment? What if the pup get the lab traits and your husband is allergic, then what?

There are many other breeds out there that may fityour lifestyle better. And a reputable breeder will always take their pup back, if for some reason it doesn't work out with your family.

Good Luck

Hi W.,

Get fish.

D.

I just wanted to agree with a few other posters that labrodoodles are not gauranteed to be non-shedding. My husband is a veterinarian and has told me MANY times that labrodoodles, goldendoodles, and ANY cross breed that is touted as non-shedding and less allergenic, are "crapshoots" genetically. Any puppy of any mated pair can be a shedder, even if it's litter mates are not, and even if it's parents are not. He said that every "doodle" he's ever seen in his clinic is different than the next - no standard look, personality, or especially, coat. So, doodles are not necessarily any more likely to be good with your kids and non-shedding than any mixed breed out there. I wouldn't pay a lot of money for a doodle anything, because it's a rip-off. If you want a non-shedder, get a poodle, bichon frise, etc. Whatever dog you decide to get, take an obedience class with the dog...that's about the best way I know to be sure your dog will be "good with kids". Petfinder.com is a great resource for adopting a dog. By the way, we're not breeders and have nothing against doodles. I'm sure many are wonderful dogs! I just wanted you to know the facts. Best wishes for finding a great dog for your family!

I have a six year old daughter and a three year old son. Our next door neighbor has a labrododdle, Sam. Sam is a fairly large dog (tall) and spends his day running around their two acre property and swimming in their pool. Don't know if you have that kind of space. While a friendly dog - it is always jumping up and would much rather play tug of war with my children than sit and allow them to pet him. Visits to our neighbors house always have to include someone closely monitoring Sam so that he doesn't accidentally knock one of the kids over.

W.,

Labradoodles, like any dog, can be nice. There tends to be a great variety of coats depending on how they were bred, what generation they are, which breed they actually take after, etc. It is a myth that they don't shed. They do shed, it just collects in the coat like a poodle's coat would. It is extremely important to maintain the coat because as the dead hair collects in the coat, if it's not brushed it will matt.

I was a groomer for a few years and I had several that came in on a regular basis. There was one that was very matted every time it came in. She frequently had sores where the mats had started to pull away from the skin and always had to be shaved down very close.

Any dog can be good with children, it just depends on how you raise them and how much time you put into socializing them and training them. We have a rottweiler who is wonderful with them. That being said, labradors tend to be very good with children in general and poodles can be. Poodles also tend to be highly intelligent and need to be challenged and kept in line.

Good luck with your decision.

S.

Hi W.,

We have a labradoodle also because of similiar reasons. His name is Sam. And he is a mix of black lab and standard poodle, which means that he is very large. At his last check-up he was 90 pounds. Most don't get as big as him, plus it depends on the type of poodle that they bred the lab with. As for the dander, he has none. However, he does tend to shed a little bit. I have a 5 year old and a 1 year old and they can do whatever to Sam. He is very well trained and stayes right with us where ever we go. He will be 3 in November. My kids tend to think that he is a play toy, and he has never even growled at them. In fact, just the other day I went out of the room and my 1 year old was using him as a step to get on the couch. We love Sam, and we are glad that we got him, not only for the kids, but for the overall family. I hope that this helps. He was from a breeder in NY.

Hi, I don't know how labrodoodles are with young children, but we had the same problem as you do. My husband, my younger son and I are all allergic to dogs. My son gets asthma, running nose, sneezing, red itchy eyes, you name it. But the kids really wanted a dog so we started looking at Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (my parents have 3 and we liked the temperament). Well, we found Cavapoos (or Cavadoodles) depending on the name you like. They are the mix between the spaniel and the miniature poodle. And ours is just a lovely little boy. His temperament is WONDERFUL with children, babies, other dogs, people, you name it. He is smart, is doing great with his training and really loves to please. If you are serious about looking for a hypoallergenic dog, I would urge you to contact Colleen Slaughter at www.diamonddoodles.com (our breeder) and ask about cavadoodles. Please let her know I referred you. My name is L. Whalen. We have had absolutely NO problem with any allergic reaction at all since we got our dog. Hope this helps.

My sister has a labrodoodle, and while he is a sweet dog, he is VERY headstrong. If your children are small, I would not recommend it. His legs are VERY long, which makes him a very big dog. Numerous times, the dog has upended, knocked over, flipped and bowled over my 18 month old and 4 1/2 year old. We have 3 dogs, and I have very big kids - so they are used to dogs and can hold their own...but this dog just has no desire to listen or "get" that these are small kids. He loves them, but he unintentionally hurts them ALL the time. It does not help that my sister does not discipline him - he is her first "baby." We have labs and a golden retriever and nothing beats a good, old fashioned labrador retriever when it comes to kids and family.

I have a labrodoodle that we got as a puppy and is about 3 years old now. He's always been really great with my son, who's 2. I have owned mostly labrador retrievers before getting this dog. I bought him because I heard this breed has a personality that's really similar to a lab's (gentle, intelligent, good family dog) but didn't shed or have a lot of dander. In my personal opinion, all this is true. My son and our dog play together all the time, and our dog is very patient with him. I will say that these dogs should be walked pretty regularly (like 45min-1 hour a day), especially when they're young or else they can be a little hyper. I know labs are the same way. They just get too much energy built up and will run around the house, or jump around or chew things up. Even with that in mind, I personally think this is one of the best family dogs available.

A friend of our went to all lengths to get a non shedding, good with kids labradoodle. It's a nice dog but very difficult them. The dog must be put away when they have guests b/c of size and barking. I think they have been in contact with a labradoodle rescue to see if they might be able to find a home. Good luck!

Hi W.,
I am not sure about Labradoodles but I can say that Cockapoos are wonderful dogs. Mine is almost 4 and he is the most loyal, loving dog I've ever had. He is obedient and does not shed or have allergens. I also have 2 Shih Tzus and they also have hair not fur so they don't shed either. My Cockapoo is somewhere between 25 and 30 pounds, still small enough to pick up if you need to but big enough that you don't worry you will step on him and hurt him.

I would check the AKC site for the breed specific details, I'm just not sure how long the labradoodle has been around and if they have AKC breed registration or not.

I wish you luck with your search.

L.

I am highly allergic and asthmatic...I have tried to be around several kinds of dogs but I found a dog cockapoo that I was slightly allergic to in the first week or so but now I actually have two of them.

My aunt (who has terrible allergies) and uncle have a Labradoodle. They have ad her for a little while now and everything is working out wonderfully. My aunts allergies aren't out of control and they have a good dog. They also have two children and the dog is great with them. I know that when they bring the dog to my mom's house and my son is there the dog is fine. But, let me say this; the way a dog acts largely depends on it training. I am a firm believer that any dog can be vicious if trained to be that way. I have three pitbulls and a rottweiler and a high energy four year old son and they're great together! Anyway...try to get as much information as you can before you adopt any dog. Call some breeders and ask them questions and then decided what's best for your family. Good luck, having dogs is great!! :)

My sister has one and it is not good with kids. It was not raised around children so I am sure that has a lot to do with it. I would make sure you check out the parents of the dog you are purchasing and try to get one that's parents are around and good with kids. Also he does shed. Not a lot but I don't have pets so when he leaves my house I do notice a fair amount of hair.

I agree with prior posts . . . the Schnoodle is a great recommendation. The Labradoodle is a high energy dog, and because its breeding is still in the making, its characteristics and traits are still questionable. You could get one that's more lab, which would shed a lot. Good luck!

W.,
My friend has a schnoodle. Cross of poodle and schaunzer. She is a great dog. Smaller size. her husband has allergies and the dog has been a good fit for their family. The dog also has the same traits of low dander and does not shed. They get these traits from the poodle. I grew up with a poodle and I never had any issues with my allergies either. My friends dog is wonderful with her child also. I hope this helps.
L.

I have a close friend who had one labradoodle that was wonderful with everyone, but unfortunately was hit by a car. She now has 2 goldendoodles that are even more mellow. She teaches and is verbusy/active so they fit her life style. She does have some one come and walk them for her during the day because they are young and like to be active. I had no problem having her bring them to my sons 2nd birthday party. Cute dogs too! I really think that it is more the owner than the dog that make a great pet. Good luck with your quest!