DesignerAustralia

Labradoodle

The dog that started the Doodle craze.

Weight: 15–65 lbs
Height: 14–24 in
Lifespan: 12–15 yrs

In short

The Labradoodle is a cross between the Labrador Retriever and the Poodle, first bred in Australia in 1989 as a guide dog for a blind woman whose husband had dog allergies, weighing 15–65 lbs by size and living 12–15 years. Owners should know it often inherits the Lab's energy and appetite, so plan for 90–120 minutes of exercise a day.

Is it right for you?

A great match if you…

want an energetic, friendly family dog
enjoy fetch, swimming or hiking
prefer a lower-shedding coat and accept grooming bills

Think twice if you…

need a guaranteed low-shedding coat
want a calm, low-energy dog
can't budget for grooming every 6–8 weeks

The daily plan

Exercise: 90–120 min
Training: 3–5 × 5–10 min
Treat limit: 50–145 kcal

At a glance

TrainabilityQuick study9.0/10

EnergyAthlete8.5/10

Calm at homeCalm indoors9.5/10

SheddingLight shedder3.0/10

What sets it apart

01
Wide size range
Labradoodles come in miniature, medium and standard sizes, depending on the Poodle parent.
02
Variable coat
Coats range from straight and shedding to wavy fleece or tight curls; curlier coats shed less but need more grooming.
03
Retriever energy
Many inherit the Lab's drive to fetch and swim, plus its love of food.

Size & coat

Specification	Male	Female
Weight	15–65 lbs (by size)	15–60 lbs (by size)
Height	14–24 in (by size)	14–23 in (by size)
Lifespan	12–15 yrs
Coat	Hair, fleece or wool coat, from wavy to curly

Side profile 14–24 in at the shoulder

Back in stock soon

Personality

Labradoodles are friendly, social and energetic, often more like a busy Lab than a quiet lap dog. They want to be involved in family life and can be mouthy and bouncy as youngsters. Most love water and retrieving.

With kids

Usually great with kids, though big, bouncy youngsters can knock over toddlers.

With other pets

Usually friendly with dogs and cats.

With strangers

Friendly and outgoing; rarely shy.

Alone time

Many dislike long periods alone and can develop separation distress.

Training

Labradoodles learn quickly and are very food- and people-motivated, though the Poodle side can make them clever at finding loopholes. Short, varied sessions keep them engaged.

How often

Three to five short sessions a day, 5–10 minutes each.
Socialize early (8–16 weeks)

Between 8–16 weeks, focus on calm greetings and daily handling of ears, paws and coat so grooming is easy later.
Self-control

Teach calm greetings with four paws on the floor and a 'leave it' for counter-surfing; many are notorious food thieves.
What it works for

Most love food and fetch. Use small, high-value pieces kept within 10% of daily calories, and a quick retrieve as a reward.

Exercise

Labradoodles need daily vigorous exercise that includes running, fetching or swimming, plus mental work.

Exercise a day 90–120 min

CouchModerateAthlete

Good outlets

Fetch and retrieving
Swimming
Hiking or jogging once fully grown

Brain work

Scent work
Food puzzles
Trick training

Best home

Minis can adapt to apartments with lots of outings; standards do best with a house and yard.

Watch for Avoid long runs on hard ground and repetitive jumping until growth plates close; check ears after swimming.

Feeding

Adult maintenance for a typical Labradoodle (15–65 lbs) lands around 475–1,425 kcal a day. Feed to body condition, not the bag's chart alone, and keep treats inside the 10% rule.

Puppy (to 12 mo)

Daily calories: 600–1,775 kcal
Protein: 26–30%
Fat: 16–20%
Treat limit, all treats: 60–180 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 3–9 pieces a day

Adult Maintenance

Daily calories: 475–1,425 kcal
Protein: 24–28%
Fat: 14–18%
Treat limit, all treats: 50–145 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 2–7 pieces a day

Active / Working

Daily calories: 650–1,950 kcal
Protein: 26–30%
Fat: 18–22%
Treat limit, all treats: 65–195 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 3–10 pieces a day

Senior

Daily calories: 425–1,250 kcal
Protein: 24–28%
Fat: 12–16%
Treat limit, all treats: 45–125 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 2–6 pieces a day

Compare every life stage

Life stage	Daily calories	Protein	Fat	Treat limit (all treats)	Saylor's liver, suggested / day
Puppy (to 12 mo)	600–1,775 kcal	26–30%	16–20%	60–180 kcal	3–9 pieces
Adult Maintenance	475–1,425 kcal	24–28%	14–18%	50–145 kcal	2–7 pieces
Active / Working	650–1,950 kcal	26–30%	18–22%	65–195 kcal	3–10 pieces
Senior	425–1,250 kcal	24–28%	12–16%	45–125 kcal	2–6 pieces

The treat limit is the 10% rule for every treat combined. Saylor's liver is suggested at about 2% of daily calories, as a small topper: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should not become a staple. Check with your vet if your dog has a health condition or a special diet.

Health & grooming

Labradoodles can inherit hip and elbow dysplasia, eye disease and exercise-induced collapse from the Lab, plus eye and skin disorders from the Poodle. Choose a breeder who tests both parents.

Watch for	Ask the breeder or vet for	When
Hip and elbow dysplasia	OFA or PennHIP hip and OFA elbow evaluation	Once, in both parents (ask the breeder)
Progressive retinal atrophy (prcd-PRA)	PRA-prcd DNA test	Once, in both parents (ask the breeder)
Exercise-induced collapse	EIC DNA test	Once, in both parents (ask the breeder)
Inherited eye disease	Eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist (CAER)	Yearly in breeding dogs

Health tests to ask for

The Labradoodle has no CHIC program of its own, so ask for the tests the OFA requires for each parent breed.

Labrador Retriever parent

Hip evaluation
Elbow evaluation
Eye exam (ophthalmologist)
EIC (Exercise Induced Collapse)
D Locus (Dilute) DNA test

Full Labrador Retriever list on OFA.org

Poodle (Standard) parent

Hip evaluation
Eye exam (ophthalmologist)
One elective test from the breed club list

Full Poodle list on OFA.org

Grooming Low to moderate, depending on coat type

Brush 3–4 times a week down to the skin to prevent mats, and book a professional groom every 6–8 weeks. Check and dry ears weekly and after swimming, trim nails every 3–4 weeks, and brush teeth several times a week.

History

1800s–1900s

Two parent breeds

The Labrador Retriever came from Newfoundland water dogs refined in Britain; the Poodle was a German and French water retriever.
1989

Royal Guide Dogs

Wally Conron of the Royal Guide Dog Association of Australia bred the first well-known Labradoodle for a blind woman whose husband had dog allergies.
2000s–today

The doodle boom

The cross became hugely popular; Conron later said he regretted starting the craze because of irresponsible breeding.

Questions owners ask

Are Labradoodles easy to train?

Yes. They are smart and very food- and people-motivated. Short, varied sessions work best.

Are Labradoodles good with kids and other pets?

Usually, yes. Most are great with kids and friendly with other pets.

How much exercise does a Labradoodle need?

About 90–120 minutes a day, including running, fetching or swimming plus mental work.

Do Labradoodles shed?

Usually a little. Shedding varies by coat type, and no dog is truly allergen-free. Expect brushing several times a week and grooming every 6–8 weeks.

What health problems do Labradoodles have, and how long do they live?

Hip and elbow dysplasia, eye disease, exercise-induced collapse and skin problems are the main concerns. They typically live 12–15 years.

Is a Labradoodle good for apartments or first-time owners?

For first-timers, often yes if active. Apartments work only for minis with lots of exercise.

Freeze Dried Beef Liver Dog Treats

Back in stock soon

We're restocking. When it's back, a Labradoodle needs only 2–7 pieces a day, well inside the 50–145 kcal treat limit.

See the product

Where the Labradoodle ranks

Health tests follow the OFA's CHIC program. The treat limit is 10% of daily calories for all treats combined. Every dog is different, so use this as a starting point and ask your vet about yours.