About Labradooldes-About Labradoodles

About Labradoodles

Labradoodles were originally a purpose-bred therapy dog.  A dog bred for this type of work also makes an excellent family companion.

Labradoodles are known and cherished for their:

  • exceptional therapy and service work
  • charming, loving, goofy, playful and gentle nature
  • great with kids and other animals
  • allergy friendly, low to no shedding coats
  • generally a lower doggie odor than most shedding dogs
  • health and temperament tested breeding dogs

History

In 1988, Wally Cochran of The Royal Guide Dogs in Victoria, Australia produced the first litter of labradoodles. The litter was in response to a request from a blind lady in Hawaii who needed a guide dog that wouldn’t aggravate her husband’s allergies.  Hair and salivia samples from dozens of poodles were sent to the couple to see if they would cause an allergic reaction. Unfortunately, they all bothered him.  With permission from the management of The Royal Guide Dogs, Mr. Cochran crossed one of their labs with a Standard Poodle.  The cross produced their first litter of labradoodles.  Three puppies were born, one of which didn’t bother the husband’s allergies.  This pup went on to be a wonderful guide dog and companion for the couple.

Temperament

Extremely clever, sociable, comical, joyful, energetic, while soft and quiet when handled. They approach people in a happy, friendly manner, are keen, and easy to train.  They display an intuition about their family members’ or handler’s current emotional state or needs.  This ability to “know” is what has made the labradoodle an excellent dog for individuals with special needs.

Sizes

  • Miniature is 14-16 inches at the shoulder and weighs approx 15-25 lbs
  • Medium is 17-20 inches at the shoulder and weighs approx 30-45 lbs
  • Standard is 21-24 inches at the shoulder and weighs approx 50-65 lbs

This is an example of red.  This is the one and only red puppy we have produced as it is very rare for a red puppy to stay red as an adult.  We do NOT guarantee color.

Colors

  • Caramel – A rich gold to deep red color usually much the color of its namesake.  Some caramel colored puppies fade to a lighter caramel (almost cream) over time.  Pigment is liver with honey, hazel, or amber eyes.
  • Red – The color is typically deeper than caramel but the pigment is black.  Rare.
  • Apricot – The color of the inside of an apricot and the pigment is black.
  • Cream – A warm creamy color, almost white, with black or liver pigment.
  • Chocolate – Rich chocolate brown color.  Most chocolates lighten up to a variety of chocolate shades.  Most turn cafe over time.  True chocolate is a rare color and puppies are born very dark, almost black.  Pigment is liver or chocolate and eyes can be hazel, amber, or brown.
  • Cafe – The color of a latte, but born chocolate.  It can take up to 1-3 years to completely develop.  Pigment is liver or chocolate with hazel, amber, or brown eyes.
  • Lavender – This is a rare color and is a silvery cafe color with undertones of lavendar, giving a pink/lilac appearance.  Pigment is liver or chocolate with hazel, amber, or brown eyes.
  • Parchment – Puppies are born milk chocolate and turn a smokey cream beige.  The color change can begin as soon as 6 weeks.  Parchment is a part of the rare color group.
  • Black
  • Silver – Silver puppies are born black and turn silver the first year.
  • Blue – Blue puppies are born black and fade or they are born blue.  It is a dark gray color, almost like slate.

Patterns

  • Parti – At least 50% white and the remainder one of the colors listed above.
  • Phantom – Tan points on face, chest, legs, and bum. Only applicable with black and chocolate colors.
  • Sable – Only applies to black and chocolate colors. Sables will get lighter with time and groomings. Hair underneath is lighter, hair on top is darker. This picture of Granite is a good example of sable.

Coats

  • Wool – Like the texture of lamb’s wool, the coat is soft, not harsh or course, and curly to loose waves.  It is typically more dense to the feel than a fleece coat.
  • Fleece – Soft textured coat, like an Angora goat, that can range from straight wavy to spiral curls.  It should not feel harsh or course.  Also good for allergy suffers.
  • Hair – Straighter and some shedding and not allergy friendly.  Limited availability from Blueberry Cottage Labradoodles.