Unique Personality
Labradoodles are an exciting mix of two great parent personalities. They combine the intelligence and thoughtfulness of the Poodle with the friendliness and trainability of the Labrador Retriever. Since both parents are sporting breeds and water dogs, Labradoodles are energetic and love having a job to do. This makes them an excellent breed for service and therapy work, but can also get them into trouble if they don’t get enough physical and mental exercise.
Preferred Lifestyle
Energy Level
With Kids
Labs are known to do very well with children.
With Other Pets
Having other pets in the household is just fine with Labs. Be sure to socialize Lab puppies with other animals to set them up for success.
Environment
They do best in a home with a yard and active family but can adapt to city life if they’re given appropriate outlets for their energy.
Average Lifespan
(Range)
12 to 15 years
Average Size
(Range)
Miniature: Under 17 inches tall at the top of the shoulders
Medium: 17 - 21 inches tall
Standard: 21 - 25 inches tall
Breed Group
Not recognized by the American Kennel Club. Both parents are Sporting group.
Similar Breeds
- Goldendoodle
- Labrador Retriever
- Standard Poodle
- Miniature Poodle
- Curly-Coated Retriever
- Lagotto Romagnolo
- Portuguese Water Dog
History of the Labradoodle
The Labradoodle is a relatively new crossbreed, introduced in the late 1980s. Though it hasn’t been definitively proven, history tells us breeder Wally Conron crossed a Labrador with a Poodle, at the request of a client to develop a hypoallergenic guide dog. Only one of the three puppies in the original litter didn’t elicit an allergic response. His name was Sultan and he went on to serve as a guide dog for Conron’s client for ten years. But that was just the beginning for this impressive breed. 29 of the first 31 Labradoodle puppies bred at the Royal Guide Dogs facility in Australia passed the program.
Initially, the public wasn’t all that excited by this new crossbreed. So Conron went on a marketing blitz and christened the breed “Labradoodle.” With just a little bit of exposure, Labradoodles quickly climbed the popularity charts. Even the Obamas considered bringing a Labradoodle to the White House.
Changes Over Time
As society tends to do, we fell in love with the Labradoodle but wanted to make it small enough to fit in our pockets. Breeders responded to requests for different sizes by crossing Labradors with Miniature Poodles or small second-generation or multigenerational doodles, giving us the three sizes found today.
Currently, Australian Labradoodle breeding is more structured than other Labradoodles, in an effort to create a standardized breed to someday be recognized by the British Kennel Club and American Kennel Club. While not an official breed yet, there are organizations such as the Australian Labradoodle Association of America and Australian Labradoodle Club of America who oversee the development of breed standards and offer membership to approved breeders. Labradoodles can’t compete in Conformation or breed shows yet. However, the AKC does allow them to register as mixed breeds so they can officially compete in other dog sports like agility, rally, and obedience.
Breeders now classify Labradoodles with the terms F1, F1B, F2, and Multigen, which tells you what breed or breed mix the puppy's parents are. Often this is done to highlight specific characteristics of one of the originating breeds, such as the curlier Poodle coat.
- F1: Labrador Retriever + Poodle
- F1B: Poodle + Labradoodle (F1)
- F2: Labradoodle (F1) + Labradoodle (F1)
- Multigen: Labradoodle + Labradoodle (F1B, Multigen) or Poodle
Labradoodle Behavior and Training
Labradoodles were created to provide working service dogs for those with allergies. They’re a great combination of the Poodle’s mind and the Lab’s work ethic. They are sweet, energetic, and love spending time with their people, making them ideal family pets. And their ability to connect with human emotions positions them perfectly to work as assistance and therapy dogs.
Plays Well with Others?
- Labradoodles are known as a very friendly breed. Positive exposure to new sights, sounds, people, dogs, and other animals as a young puppy is essential for their socialization.

TRAINER TIP
Pair meeting new people or animals with high-value training treats or a favorite toy, and keep introductions short and sweet so it doesn’t get overwhelming.
- Doodles generally fit right in with big families. Take care to introduce and socialize them with children as a young puppy to set them up for success and create a positive association. Young children and dogs should always be supervised, and it’s helpful for a dog to have their own “safe space” where they can go when they need some quiet time.
- They can also enjoy the companionship of other animals in the home, as long as they have been properly socialized and introduced.

Exercise Requirements
Size is a big factor in the amount of daily exercise needed. This breed will benefit from different types of physical activity, beyond a daily walk. Most Labradoodles love to swim, play fetch, and also make great jogging partners. Speak with your veterinarian about appropriate exercise for a Labradoodle puppy. Until they are full-grown (bone growth plates typically all close by around 12 to 18 months of age), avoid jogging or running distances with them beyond what they would do on their own. Overworking at this young age can possibly increase the risk of damage to the growing bone and cartilage and cause pain and future joint issues.

VETERINARIAN TIP
While a tired dog might be a good dog, puppy exercise shouldn’t be forced or “pushed” in any way. Follow your puppy’s lead in the amount of activity they’re able to do. If they’re slowing down, and certainly if they stop and sit down, it’s time for some rest and recovery. In some cases they might have FOMO (fear of missing out, for those of us who aren’t hip to the lingo) and try to “keep up” with you or another dog in the family, So keep a watchful eye and make sure not to let them push too far and over-exert themselves.
Mental Enrichment Needs
The Labradoodle needs daily mental stimulation and brain games to keep them happy, entertained, and out of trouble. Participating in positive reinforcement training for obedience or teaching tricks is a fantastic way to burn extra energy and keep their minds sharp.
Common Behavioral Issues
Labradoodles can develop separation anxiety if they aren’t positively exposed to alone time from puppyhood. This is one place where a little early training goes a long way. Making alone time a good experience and providing lots of mental stimulation at a young age should do the trick.

TRAINER TIP
Any time you leave your Labradoodle alone, pull out a frozen stuffed Kong or other yummy treat toy. When you return (even if only after thirty seconds), put it away until next time. This will help your Doodle learn that when you’re gone, awesome stuff happens, and they’ll make a positive association with your absence.
Fun Activities the Labradoodle Enjoys
Beyond basic training and socialization, Labrador Retrievers excel in a variety of dog sports and activities, including:
- Dock Diving
- Hunting
- Nose and Scent Work
- Trail Hiking
- Therapy Work
- Agility
- Rally Obedience
Labradoodle Coat Type
Labradoodles may have one of three coats, depending on the genes they inherit from their parents. All are single-layer, low shedding, and allergy-friendly.
Wooly coats resemble that of a Poodle, but tend to be softer and less wiry. This is common in the first generation breeding of a Labradoodle, or if a Labradoodle is bred back with a Poodle.
Fleece coats are unique to Doodles and can be straight or wavy with swirls and loops, with a very soft, fleece-like feel.
Hair coats are less common, resembling a Labrador Retriever’s coat and only found in early generations of the breed.
Labradoodles can be any color in the Poodle family, including chocolate, cream, apricot, red, black, and silver. You might even see coat patterns such as tri-colored, white markings, particolored (white base coat of more than 50% with a secondary color), or phantom (bi-colored with the same markings as a Doberman).
Shedding Level

1 out of 5 piles of fur
Grooming Requirements
- Daily Maintenance
- Professional Grooming Required

Labradoodle grooming can be a bit tricky to qualify because it’s entirely dependent on each individual Doodle’s coat. In most cases, daily brushing is needed to prevent matting and regular professional grooming helps keep the length manageable. If left to grow, things can get a little...hairy (yes, we went there). Just remember, mats can quickly become a painful problem if they develop close to the skin. The curlier the coat, the more prone to matting.
Set yourself and your Labradoodle up for success by introducing them to the brushing and grooming process as a puppy and in a positive way. And schedule regular professional grooming at least every 8 to 12 weeks (or more frequently if you prefer a shorter coat length).
Best brush for Labradoodles: Pin comb, Slicker brush
Famous Owners of the Labradoodle
- Ariana Grande (Singer)
- Jennifer Aniston (Actress)
- Carter Oosterhouse and Amy Smart (TV Host, Actress)
- Jamie Lee Curtis (Actress)
- Jeremy Irons (Actor)
- Lady Gaga (Singer)
- Kate Middleton (Duchess of England)
- Barbara Eden (Actress)
- Neil Young (Singer)
- Henry Winkler (Actor)
Non-Endorsement Statement: The social media posts displayed here do not imply any endorsement of these people or products, nor does it imply they endorse Trupanion or our product.
Common Health Conditions for the Labradoodle Breed
Use the chart of Trupanion claims data below to find out what health conditions happen most frequently for Labradoodles. Every Labradoodle is unique, but understanding what health conditions are likelier to occur can help you be a more prepared pet owner.
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dog-loving members say about Trupanion

Kelly
Groton, CT
Condition: Sarcoma
The Trupanion policy paid: $18,522.39
"My golden Kelly was young when I found a softball-sized lump on Kelly’s left hind leg. Four weeks straight of radiation, six rounds of chemo and checkups every three months, including x-rays and full blood panel were needed. Because of Trupanion, I didn’t have to address the biggest deciding factor that most people face—can I afford this? I can honestly say Kelly is alive today because of the financial support Trupanion provided."
- Lori

Axl
Ontario, Canada
Condition: Pneumonia, Hip Dysplasia, Lameness
The Trupanion policy paid: $2,084.01
"At two, our German shepherd Axl was diagnosed with pneumonia. Trupanion took care of all our financial concerns. At four, his hip issues led to pain medications, rehabilitation and rest, which all resulted in improved pain-free movement. I’m so grateful that we chose a plan that not only covers the cost of his treatment but also any physical therapy or rehabilitation he may need."
- Nanette K.
Bella
Ellijay, GA
Condition: Cushing’s disease, tumor, cruciate rupture
The Trupanion policy paid: $15,283.83
"Bella was treated for Cushing’s disease and a pituitary tumor with radiation therapy. Had we not had insurance for her, the decision for her medical care would have been more difficult, as each treatment was expensive. However, because we have Trupanion, these decisions were easier. Rather, we could focus our attention on her treatment and recovery instead of the financial impact these procedures would have on our family."
- Jason P.
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Sources
The information in the Trupanion Breed Guide is robust and always expanding. You can learn more about this breed by exploring this list of all the resources used in its creation:
https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/
http://www.fci.be/en/Nomenclature/
https://www.wikipedia.org/
https://dogtime.com/dog-breeds
http://www.vetstreet.com/
https://www.petfinder.com/
https://www.hillspet.com/
https://www.ckc.ca/en#
http://ankc.org.au/
https://www.ukcdogs.com/
https://wagwalking.com/breed/
http://www.animalplanet.com/breed-selector/dog-breeds/all-breeds-a-z.html
https://www.dogster.com/dog-breeds/
https://www.youtube.com/user/AnimalPlanetTV
https://www.youtube.com/user/NationalGeographic
https://adbadog.com/
https://ckcusa.com/
https://alaa-labradoodles.com/
https://thelabradorclub.com/
https://poodleclubofamerica.org/