Labradoodle
Hybrid / Designer Dog · #1 Most Popular Doodle · Low-Shedding Family Dog
15–65 lbsWeight
14–24"Height
12–15 yrsLifespan
Labrador + PoodleParents
★★★★★Family Dog
Hybrid / Designer Dog · #1 Most Popular Doodle · Low-Shedding Family Dog
Watch this video for a quick overview of the Labradoodle — see the hybrid in action before diving into the details.
The Labradoodle is the hybrid that started the designer dog revolution. In 1989, Australian breeder Wally Conron crossed a Labrador Retriever with a Standard Poodle to create a low-shedding guide dog for a blind woman whose husband had dog allergies. The result was so appealing — friendly, trainable, and low-shedding — that demand exploded worldwide almost overnight.
Today the Labradoodle is the most popular designer dog in the world, coming in three sizes (miniature, medium, standard) and a range of coat types. They combine the Labrador's legendary temperament with the Poodle's intelligence and low-shedding coat — making them one of the most versatile and sought-after family dogs available.
Real Labradoodles — coat types and colors vary widely depending on which parent's genes dominate.
Labradoodles are friendly, energetic, and deeply social — inheriting the best traits of both parent breeds. They love everyone: children, strangers, other dogs, cats. Their people-oriented nature makes them exceptional therapy and service dogs, and genuinely joyful family companions.
Labradoodles need significant daily exercise — at least 1 hour for standard-sized dogs, less for miniatures. They love swimming (inherited from both parents), fetch, and running. Without adequate exercise they become hyperactive and destructive indoors.
Mini Labradoodles (under 25 lbs) can fly in-cabin on most airlines. Standards must travel as cargo or by car. Their adaptable, social temperament makes them generally good travelers — they settle well in new environments.
Labradoodle grooming depends heavily on coat type. Curlier coats (more Poodle) shed less but mat easily and need professional grooming every 6–8 weeks. Wavy coats are easier to maintain. Straight coats shed more like a Labrador and need less intensive grooming.
Labradoodles are among the easiest dogs to train — combining the Lab's eagerness to please with the Poodle's sharp intelligence. They excel in obedience, agility, therapy work, and service dog roles. Start early and keep sessions fun and reward-based.
Labradoodles generally benefit from hybrid vigor, but they can inherit health issues from either parent. Hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, and exercise-induced collapse (from the Lab side) are the primary concerns. Buying from health-tested breeders dramatically reduces these risks.
Labradoodles are ideal for active families, allergy sufferers (especially F1B+ generations), first-time owners, and anyone who wants a friendly, trainable companion. They need regular grooming investment and significant daily exercise. Not ideal for owners who are away all day or want a low-maintenance coat.
Feed based on your Labradoodle's size — miniatures eat like small breeds, standards like large breeds. Both parent breeds love food and can become overweight easily, so portion control matters. Choose high-quality protein-first kibble appropriate for your dog's size category.
| Life Stage | Daily Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mini Puppy (2–12 mo) | ¾ – 1½ cups/day | Small-breed puppy formula; 3 meals/day |
| Standard Puppy (2–12 mo) | 2 – 3 cups/day | Large-breed puppy formula; 3 meals/day |
| Mini Adult | 1 – 1½ cups/day | 2 meals/day; monitor weight carefully |
| Standard Adult | 2½ – 3½ cups/day | 2 meals/day; adjust for activity level |
Always provide fresh water. Keep treats to ≤10% of daily calories. Avoid chocolate, grapes, onions, and xylitol — all toxic to dogs.
| Expense | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Puppy from Breeder | $1,500 – $3,500 |
| Monthly Food | $50 – $90 |
| Annual Vet Care | $600 – $1,400 |
| Professional Grooming | $75 – $150/visit (every 6–10 weeks) |
| Annual Grooming Total | $600 – $1,800/year |
| Hip/Eye Health Screening | $200 – $400 (recommended) |
Adopt from a Doodle rescue for $200–$500. Grooming is the biggest ongoing cost — learn basic home trimming to extend time between professional appointments. Always buy from breeders who health-test both parents for hip dysplasia and eye conditions.
Labradoodle generations describe the percentage of Labrador vs Poodle genetics in the dog. Generation significantly affects coat type, shedding level, and allergen production. Understanding generations helps you choose the right dog for your household.
| Generation | Makeup | Shedding | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | 50% Lab + 50% Poodle | Low–Moderate | People who want a friendly family dog and can tolerate some shedding |
| F1B | 25% Lab + 75% Poodle | Very Low | Allergy sufferers; best non-shedding generation |
| F2 | 50% Lab + 50% Poodle (2nd gen) | Unpredictable | Variable — coat type harder to predict |
| Multigen | Multiple Doodle generations | Very Low–None | Most consistent coat; bred for lowest shedding |
For allergy sufferers, choose F1B or multigen Labradoodles — they have the most Poodle genetics and shed the least. For a family pet without allergy concerns, F1 Labradoodles are often the healthiest due to maximum hybrid vigor.
In 1989, Australian guide dog trainer Wally Conron created the first deliberate Labradoodle for a blind Hawaiian woman whose husband had severe dog allergies. The resulting puppy, Sultan, became a successful guide dog — and accidentally ignited the global designer dog industry.
Wally Conron has publicly stated he regrets creating the Labradoodle — not because the dogs are bad, but because the explosion of unregulated breeding led to thousands of poorly bred Doodles with behavioral and health problems. "I released a Frankenstein," he said in 2019.
Labradoodles are now used as guide dogs, therapy dogs, psychiatric service dogs, and allergy-detection dogs worldwide. Their combination of trainability, low-shedding coats, and calm temperament makes them ideal for people who need a working dog but can't tolerate shedding.
Labradoodles come in miniature (15–25 lbs), medium (25–45 lbs), and standard (45–65 lbs) sizes depending on whether a Miniature or Standard Poodle was used. All three are called "Labradoodle" — always clarify which size you're getting.
No dog is completely hypoallergenic — all dogs produce the Fel d 1 protein that triggers allergies. But Labradoodles (especially F1B+ generations) shed far less dander than most breeds, making them significantly more tolerable for most allergy sufferers.