Labradoodle History

AUSTRALIAN LABRADOODLE HISTORY

The first Labradoodle litter credited for the start of the Australian Labradoodle popularity….

In 1989, the first litter of labradoodles was bred by Wally Conron, the breeding manager for GDAV Guide Dog Services in Australia. He bred this litter after a request was made by a vision impaired woman with a husband allergic to dogs. One puppy in the litter of three born had a coat suitable for this woman’s needs. This litter was the official beginning of the labradoodle. For the full story about Sultan, the puppy trained for this woman, please visit http://www.ilainc.com/LabradoodleHistory.html  The Australian Labradoodle history began with this first breeding.  

The combination of the Labrador and the Poodle produced great puppies that were very smart and easy to train, which naturally led to people in the general public becoming interested in the labradoodle as family pets. The desire for non-shedding, allergy friendly coats has also played a huge part in the success and desirability of the labradoodle. 

Many people continue to breed the Labradoodle as they did in the beginning years, by crossing a Labrador with a Poodle to produce first generation Labradoodles. This method results in dogs with a wide variety of looks and coats. Some will be allergy friendly, some will not. Some will shed, and some will not. Others have gone on to try and “fix” the non-shedding, allergy friendly coat of the Labradoodle by breeding those first crosses back to Poodles. Then, by selecting the best from their litters they breed those Labradoodles to other selected Labradoodles or to Poodles to go on to produce dogs that are more likely to not shed. Also, it is interesting to note that the Australian breeders infused other breeds, like the American and English Cocker Spaniel, into their lines to bring in other desirable traits. 

The Labradoodle as a breed is still in its development and is not yet recognized as an official breed, however breed standards are carefully managed by several labradoodle organizations. 

Click here to read“My Story: I designed a Dog” by Wally Conron.

At Spring Creek Labradoodles, we began by breeding both early generation F1 Labradoodles and F1B Labradoodles, as well as breeding Australian Labradoodle Puppies.  We are proud to be one of North America’s first Australian Labradoodle Breeders, and proud of the Australian Labradoodle puppies we produce and the reputation we’ve developed as an Australian Labradoodle Breeder of integrity.

 

F1 LABRADOODLE

F1 Labradoodles result from a lab being bred to a poodle.  “They have a variety of coat types ranging from flat hairy coats that are not very long and are very easy care to a very woolly coat which looks a lot like a poodle especially after clipping. The coats in between are various in length, thickness and texture. The coats can change quite dramatically as they grow….” (Quote taken from Kate Schoeffel’s web-site: http://www.family-pets.com/ Also, it is important to know that first cross coats range from completely non-shedding if you are lucky, to full shedding like a lab. An experienced breeder should be able to determine for you what the coat will be like. 

F1B LABRADOODLE

F1B’s are the result of a first cross labradoodles bred back to a poodle in order to produce better coats in the puppies. Many first cross dogs are slight to heavy shedders, with a variety of coat types and textures, so by breeding back to a poodle, you bring back in more of the non-shedding aspect and typically you end up with gorgeous, growing, beautiful coats. F1B coats are typically no different than the Multi-gen coats. The only real difference is the generation of the litter bred.

MULTI-GEN LABRADOODLE

Multi-gen labradoodle technically means a dog resulting from a litter where both parents were at least F1B generation or beyond.

AUSTRALIAN MULTI-GEN LABRADOODLE

Lines developed from Rutland Manor or Tegan Park lines in Australia. May be only Australian lines, or litters bred combining Australian and American lines are also designated the Australian Multi-gen term. Multi-gen coats, regardless of where the lines come from, are generally very similar. Many people wanting a Multi-gen dog are desiring of this type because they want a dog that has come from the Australian lines at RM or TP. At Spring Creek, we breed the Australian lines, and we have also developed our own Multi-gen lines which are infused with the Australian lines. This increases genetic diversity, which is very important for the Australian Labradoodle.

 

COAT TYPES

Labradoodle coat types are described by terms that are referring to primarily the texture of the coat, not degree of curl. Below are description of each coat type. Many people wrongfully assume that all wool coats will be curly, or all hair coats will be totally straight and flat. This is not the case and within each coat type varying degrees of curl can exist. When communicating with your breeder, be sure to describe the degree of curl you are interested in as well as if you have a preference for texture. At Spring Creek, we focus on producing the wavy fleece coat, but the potential for any coat type to be produced is there, depending on the genes behind the dog. We will sometimes have wool or hair coats available in a litter, but the greatest percentage will be wavy fleece. 

In general, the two coat types best for those with allergies are fleece and wool. Another assumption many people make is that the wool coat is the only coat ideal for those with allergies. This is not true, and fleece coats can be just as equally allergy friendly. An experienced breeder will be able to tell which are the best for those with allergies.

The application information each family submits to us is very important in helping us understand the coat types you are interested in.  The information you provide is critical.  We use reasonable judgment regarding the eventual adult coat of the puppy as we assess the litter, however, as sometimes unexpected situations can and do occur, this judgment does not guarantee the eventual adult coat nor is there a guarantee of the eventual allergy-friendliness, degree of shedding or color of the coat at maturity.  (For example, a dark chocolate coat color may fade to a milky chocolate color over a year or two and we are unable to know that when assessing the puppy coats.)

 

HAIR COAT – A coat that varies in thickness and length, and may be different on one part of the body compared to another. Typically straight or minimally wavy, but may also be curly. Very low maintenance as far as brushing goes, but do tend shed. Some will be heavy shedders, others very light shedders. This is not a recommended coat type for those with allergies or those who do not want to deal with shedding.

FLEECE COAT – Has a soft feel and should not feel like hair or wool. Can vary in degree of curl. There is a transition from puppy to adult coat and during that time the coat may become very high maintenance. Typically a completely non-shedding coat and a good coat type for those with allergies. Overall will require a minimal to moderate amount of grooming. Longer coats will require more maintenance than coats clipped short.

WOOL COAT – Usually a tightly curled coat that has a course texture, but may also be wavy. High maintenance when long, but can be kept trimmed short for easier maintenance. Typically a non-shedding coat and usually very allergy friendly. If you want a longer coated labradoodle, and want a wool coat, you need to be prepared for a significant amount of grooming.