A cross between the nation’s much-loved Labrador and Poodle breeds, Labradoodles are kind and affectionate with plenty of energy and a playful nature, making them an ideal family dog. High energy, these active dogs are best suited to families who can take them for long, interesting walks of up to an hour a day. Labradoodles are very playful and can remain puppy-like well into their senior years.
Facts & advice
Labradoodle
These easy going and energetic dogs are a top choice for first-time owners
Vital stats
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| Size: | Medium to large |
| Coat: | Three types: hair coat, wool coat and fleece coat. Hypoallergenic |
| Exercise | 1 hour a day |
| Life span: | 12-15 years |
| Breed group: | Crossbreed (Gundog and Utility) |
| Temperament: | Intelligent, friendly, curious |
Labradoodle temperament & personality
Extremely friendly and outgoing, the Labradoodle’s characteristics are similar to that of a small child – playful, busy, eager to please and curious about the world around them.
- Easy going and keen to be friends with everyone.
- Suitable for households with other pets and young children, so long as their tendency for boisterous play is kept in check.
- These dogs aren’t afraid to be vocal when they need your attention and may bark when they are stressed, anxious, or bored.
- Ideal for confident first time owners or families with some dog experience.
- Naturally curious, they can be destructive if they become bored so benefit from plenty of mental stimulation.
- Labradoodles can tolerate being alone for short periods but can suffer from separation anxiety.
Labradoodle training & exercise
Fun-loving Labradoodles have lots of energy and tend to be easy to train. For a high-energy Labradoodle, exercise should include at least an hour of physical activity each day. Making games a part of your Labradoodle training plan will help exercise their minds and prevent boredom too.
Training tips
- Labradoodles respond well to consistency and positive reinforcement; they’re extremely motivated by food!
- Petplan’s veterinary expert, Brian Faulkner, recommends Labradoodle socialisation begins from a young age to prevent dominant behaviours developing.
Game ideas
- Labradoodles excel in lots of canine sports and will enjoy agility courses that include tunnel running, jumping hurdles and pole weaving.
- With their Poodle and Labrador ancestors both bred as gundogs, it’s only natural that Labradoodle have strong retrieval instincts. Try “magic tricks”, like hiding a treat under one of three cups, mixing them up and letting your dog guess where the treat is hiding.
- As they are highly motivated by food, Labradoodles will enjoy puzzle feeders stuffed with their favourite treat to keep them entertained.
Keeping them happy
- Spend some extra time on recall! Due to their Labrador heritage, most Labradoodles can be taught excellent recall so they can enjoy time off the lead to explore.
- Since Labradors and Poodles are both very intelligent, mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise, and behaviour problems can develop if they become bored.
Exercise
- Adult Labradoodles need at least an hour of physical exercise each day.
- Labradoodles need plenty of outside space to stretch their legs, ideally a well-fenced, secure garden.
- Labradoodle’s are usually great swimmers and love water. Swimming is also low impact, making it a great choice for senior Labradoodles or those with joint problems.
Common Labradoodle health conditions
There are certain health conditions that affect Labradoodles more frequently than other dog breeds. We’ve outlined some of our recent claims data to help you understand some of the health issues we see more in Labradoodles than in other dog breeds. If you’re buying a puppy, you can increase your chances of having a happy and healthy dog by choosing a reputable Labradoodle breeder.
Given the hairy nature of Poodle ears, ear conditions in Poodle crosses like Labradoodles are not uncommon. They are most commonly caused by allergies, infections or foreign materials. Irritation can lead to a condition called otitis, which simply means ‘inflammation of the ear canal’. This condition is characterised by the inflammation of the ear canal, which causes intense itching and irritation. The treatment for Labradoodle ear problems depends on the cause but can range from topical drops to long term allergy and infection control. In some cases, lifetime treatment is necessary.
Like all dogs, Labradoodles can develop lumps and bumps like warts, cysts and tumours. Masses can occur anywhere on the body and some are harmless, while others are more serious. “It is impossible for even an experienced vet to tell exactly what a lump is just by feeling it,” explains Petplan veterinary expert Brian Faulkner, “Guessing incorrectly can have serious consequences.” Treatment of lumps depends on their size, location and exact nature, but almost always involves surgical removal.
All dogs can develop allergies, and Labradoodles are no exception. Common Labradoodle allergies can be divided into three main types:
- Contact allergies: These occur as a result of your dog coming into contact with an allergen such as a specific substance or fabric.
- Food allergies: Caused by something in your Labradoodle’s diet or something they’ve eaten without you knowing.
- Environmental allergies: These refer to airborne allergens in your environment, such as pollens from grasses, weeds and trees.
Allergies result in dermatitis which can often lead to secondary skin infections. Labradoodles can suffer from other skin conditions as a result of parasites and hormonal changes inside the body. Treatment varies according to the severity, but skin disorders can be managed using various treatments, usually required long-term, which means your dog can get on with enjoying life.
Labradoodles, like all dogs, can suffer from problems affecting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The GI tract is a long, winding tube that starts at the mouth and ends at the anus, with various twists and turns along the way. Conditions such as gastroenteritis or an obstruction within the bowel (due the dog to eating stones, cloth or string, for example) commonly cause vomiting and/or diarrhoea. Because of their big appetites, Labradoodles are particularly prone to eating things they shouldn’t, in which case veterinary advice should be quickly sought. Surgical removal of obstructions usually means a dog will go on to lead a normal life.
The cruciate ligaments are found inside the knee joint, they hold it stable and are essential for supporting your dog’s weight. These ligaments can fray and rupture, causing the knee to become unstable. This can be the result of a physical injury, like landing awkwardly when running and jumping. It can also happen more gradually, where the ligament slowly degenerates and weakens over time, particularly if the dog is overweight. Your vet will be able to recommend the best treatment, but surgery is usually required to stabilise the knee joint.
Labradoodle grooming
Labradoodle coat type can vary depending on the dominance of their parents’ genes. All coat types are considered non to low shedding, but regular maintenance is essential.
- Labradoodles come in three coat varieties: hair coat, which is similar to the fur seen in shedding breeds; wool coat, which is denser, hangs in long curls and is non-shedding; and fleece coat, which is soft, silky and curly.
- Bred to be hypoallergenic, Labradoodles may be a good pet for someone with allergies as they shed less than other dogs.
- Your Labradoodle’s grooming requirements will vary depending on the length and type of their coat. Aim to brush twice a week with a trip to the groomer’s two to four times per year.
- Bathe your Labradoodle only when they are visibly dirty or smelly. Bathing too frequently could dry out their skin and cause them to become itchy.
- Check for lumps, bumps and parasites whilst grooming.
- Brush your Labradoodle’s teeth as often as possible to prevent gum disease and associated issues.
Labradoodle nutrition
Labradoodles love food and eating and will happily try to eat anything that they find, even if it’s not edible!
- Labradoodle puppies should be fed a restricted diet to slow their growth. Growing too quickly puts them at greater risk of developing joint problems. Your vet will be able to advise on the best diet for your dog.
- Your Labradoodle may not be fussy, but it is still important to feed them a high quality diet of a feed that meets all of their nutritional requirements.
- Keep a close eye on your Labradoodle’s weight by using portion control and limiting snacks.
- Adult Labradoodles should be fed twice a day to spread their daily calorie intake across meals.
What to know before you buy or rehome a Labradoodle
Considering offering a Labradoodle puppy a home? Before you buy or adopt a Labradoodle, here are a few crucial things to take into consideration.
- Labradoodles are easy going, adaptable dogs that will suit most lifestyles but they are big, energetic dogs who need mental and physical stimulation to stop them getting bored.
- Labradoodles can master new tricks quickly, making them fun to train; just ask Petplan Veterinary Expert Brian Faulker, who has two! But they are naturally confident, so let them know who’s in charge early on.
- Be fussy about the Labradoodle breeder you choose if you’re buying a puppy. ‘Lucy’s Law’ dictates that new puppies or kittens must be bought directly from a breeder or adopted from rescue. Third party sellers are illegal.
- Choose a licensed and reputable breeder who will be able to provide proof of genetic testing, like hip and elbow scores, for both parents to help you choose a healthy dog. Any good breeder will want to ensure that their puppies are going to good homes – so expect to be ‘interviewed’ so they can assess your suitability as Labradoodle parents.
- “As crossbreeds, Labradoodle characteristics aren’t as ingrained as their parents,” explains Petplan’s veterinary expert Brian Faulkner, “So it’s important to see both mum and dad to obtain an accurate idea of personality, size and colour.”
Labradoodle frequently asked questions
Labradoodles have famously gentle, even tempers and are not generally considered to be aggressive. In fact, Labradoodles are an increasingly popular choice for a family pet, due to their affectionate natures and playful spirit. The breed tends to get on well with people and other animals alike and they’re always ready to make new friends.
As well as craving companionship, Labradoodles are naturally intelligent and can easily become bored. For these reasons, Labradoodles don’t tend to tolerate being left alone very well and these sociable dogs can be prone to separation anxiety. If you do have to leave your Labradoodle alone for a few hours, make sure they have plenty of toys and games to keep them occupied and consider having someone check in on them.
Labradoodles are generally sociable dogs who are friendly with people and animals alike, including cats. However, it’s best to introduce your Labradoodle to you cat carefully and from an early age, to make sure both animals are happy in each other’s company.
As a cross between water-loving Labradors and Poodles, Labradoodles are instinctive swimmers. This breed usually loves water and this is a great form of low-impact exercise, especially for older dogs or those with joint issues.
As a cross between two active and intelligent breeds, it’s no surprise that Labradoodles have energy to spare. Whilst this playful breed can stay active well into their adult years, most owners see their Labradoodle calm down slightly at around 2 or 3 years old. However, even after this time, it’s important to make sure your dog gets plenty of physical exercise and playtime to help burn off excess energy and avoid any behavioural issues.
A high intelligence level combined with an eagerness to please make Labradoodles a very trainable breed. Learning the basics is generally an easy task and Labradoodles also tend to be quick learners when it comes to more complex tricks. Just like their Labrador parents, Labradoodles are extremely food-motivated but be careful not to overdo it on the treats to avoid unhealthy weight gain.
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Labradoodle insurance considerations
Labradoodles sometimes suffer with certain health conditions and may require treatment. Petplan dog insurance offers peace of mind that they will always be protected.
We always offer these things as standard:
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy & pet therapies
Along with physiotherapy, which is covered within the Vet Bills benefit, we also cover Pet Therapies like herbal medicine, homeopathy and acupuncture. You can also claim for hydrotherapy, up to £500 per illness/injury in dogs and cats (no additional limit for rabbits).
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