Comprehensive Guide to Australian Labradoodles: Facts, Sizes, Coats, and Care Tips
The Australian Labradoodle is different from all other labradoodles.
Australian Labradoodles, including Oregon Australian Labradoodles, have a rich and unique history. Originally, the Labradoodle was a simple cross between a Labrador Retriever and a Standard Poodle. These early generations were often bred with each other over time, leading to what is sometimes referred to as Multi-generational Labradoodles.
In the late 1980s, Tegan Park and Rutland Manor refined the Labradoodle into the "Australian Labradoodle" we know today by carefully introducing other breeds into the gene pool. This selective breeding process aimed to improve key traits such as temperament, coat quality, conformation, and size. The breeds infused into the Australian Labradoodle line included the Irish Water Spaniel and both the American and English Cocker Spaniels. These additions resulted in the distinct and desirable characteristics that set Australian Labradoodles apart.
Modern Oregon Australian Labradoodles exemplify the intelligence, gentle nature, and lush, allergy-friendly coats that these dogs are known for. Unlike first-generation Labradoodle crosses or multi-generational Labradoodles without infused breeds, Australian Labradoodles have a more consistent low-to-non-shedding coat and a predictable temperament. This makes them an excellent choice for families and individuals seeking a loyal and hypoallergenic companion. The infusion of additional breeds into their lineage ensures that Australian Labradoodles maintain their exceptional qualities, distinguishing them from other Labradoodle variations.
In the late 1980s, Tegan Park and Rutland Manor refined the Labradoodle into the "Australian Labradoodle" we know today by carefully introducing other breeds into the gene pool. This selective breeding process aimed to improve key traits such as temperament, coat quality, conformation, and size. The breeds infused into the Australian Labradoodle line included the Irish Water Spaniel and both the American and English Cocker Spaniels. These additions resulted in the distinct and desirable characteristics that set Australian Labradoodles apart.
Modern Oregon Australian Labradoodles exemplify the intelligence, gentle nature, and lush, allergy-friendly coats that these dogs are known for. Unlike first-generation Labradoodle crosses or multi-generational Labradoodles without infused breeds, Australian Labradoodles have a more consistent low-to-non-shedding coat and a predictable temperament. This makes them an excellent choice for families and individuals seeking a loyal and hypoallergenic companion. The infusion of additional breeds into their lineage ensures that Australian Labradoodles maintain their exceptional qualities, distinguishing them from other Labradoodle variations.
General Appearance: Key Traits of the Australian Labradoodle
The Australian Labradoodle should be athletic and graceful, yet compact with substance and medium boning. Joyful and energetic when free, soft and quiet when handled. They should approach people in a happy friendly manner with eye to eye contact. Keen to learn and easy to train. They have a free flowing wavy or curly coat that does not shed and is possibly non-allergenic.
Australian Labradoodle Sizes
Sizes range from miniature (mini), medium, and large. Size is measured to the top of the shoulder blades (withers) while standing squarely on a level surface.
Mini's weigh 10-18 pounds. Large mini's weigh 18-25 pounds. Small mediums weigh 26-31 pounds. Mediums weigh 32-38 pounds. Standards weigh 40+ pounds.
Much care is needed when breeding both the large and small dogs. Large dogs can suffer from rapid growth that can lead to structural problems. Soundness is of utmost importance. Care must be taken to keep the miniature Australian Labradoodle a solid athletic robust dog. Minimum size attention is of the utmost importance to maintain a healthy little dog. Most Australian Labradoodles will weigh more than their height reflects.
Mini's weigh 10-18 pounds. Large mini's weigh 18-25 pounds. Small mediums weigh 26-31 pounds. Mediums weigh 32-38 pounds. Standards weigh 40+ pounds.
Much care is needed when breeding both the large and small dogs. Large dogs can suffer from rapid growth that can lead to structural problems. Soundness is of utmost importance. Care must be taken to keep the miniature Australian Labradoodle a solid athletic robust dog. Minimum size attention is of the utmost importance to maintain a healthy little dog. Most Australian Labradoodles will weigh more than their height reflects.
Vibrant Colors of Australian Labradoodles
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One of the many things about Australian Labradoodles is the wide variety of colors within the breed. Labradoodles come in many colors to suit everyone's taste. There are solid colors, mismatched colors, parti-colors (two colors), and phantoms just to name a few. New colors are being identified all the time as slight variations in colors come about. And just to keep us guessing, puppies might fade or darken as they mature. Our dark apricot girl is turning red and our black dog is starting to turn silver and he is almost 3 years old! Above are a variety of the many colors.
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Fleece vs. Wool Characteristics and Care
Coat types are also still very sporadic with many dogs showing a combination of multiple types. As the genetic values stabilize, we hope the "Ideal" coats are as follows:
Fleece
Length is usually around 5 inches long. The Fleece coat texture should be light and silky quite similar to that of an Angora goat. Appearing "to contain a silky lanolin", the fleece coat can be from loosely waved giving an almost straight appearance to deeply waved. Kemp is often found around the eyes and topline. The absence of kemp is highly prized. Fleece coats rarely if ever shed. A slight shedding may occur but doesn't disperse the way most dogs shed - all over your clothes and furniture. Instead, the Australian Labradoodle coat tends to fall out in clumps which you will find on your floor and can very easily pick up. The less curly, the more chance of slight shedding. During the age of 8-12 months, during the adolescent/maturing time you will need to groom your fleece every week. After this "transition" period, the coat will settle down and maintenance will return to normal, requiring a comb out every 3-4 weeks. The fleece coat has been found to be allergy friendly. |
Wool
These wool coats are more dense to the touch and feel like a sheep's wool. The "ideal" wool coat should "hang" in loose hollow spirals. Most wool coats are still exhibiting a good texture but take the appearance of a Spring not a Spiral. The Australian Labradoodle has a single coat. Both the Fleece and the Wool coat should naturally grow in "staples" and be of a soft texture. Both the "ideal" Fleece and Wool coats spin successfully. Hair coats (Hair texture that shed) is a fault and are undesirable. It is extremely rare for a wool coat to shed, and is the preferred coat type for families with severe allergies. To keep the wool coat long and flowing will require more maintenance. The wool coat looks beautiful cut shorter and is very easy to maintain. Regular grooming every 6-8 weeks with a professional and a trim or clip 3-4 times a year is all that is required to keep the short wool coat looking great. To ensure tangle free hair, initial brushing of 20 minutes per day is needed and to get ready for grooming visits. |
Essential Grooming Tools and Schedule for Australian Labradoodles
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Tools
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Shampoos
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Schedule
Brush twenty minutes per week initially to check for matting and to get the dog ready for grooming visits (to keep your grooming cost down). Grooming appointments should be every 6-8 weeks depending on the size of the dog and other factors such as at-home grooming and how active and dirty they get outside. When brushing through the coat, go through with the Le Pooche brush and then go through with the metal comb or untangler comb. Areas to watch for are behind the ears, around the tail, the back of the thighs, and tuck up areas (belly).
Please remember to clean the ears weekly with a good ear cleaner that includes a drying agent. Squirt the cleaner in the ear and wipe with a cotton ball. This helps prevent ear infections. I also clean the ears after bathing the puppy to reduce any moisture that may have gotten into the eardrum.
Brush twenty minutes per week initially to check for matting and to get the dog ready for grooming visits (to keep your grooming cost down). Grooming appointments should be every 6-8 weeks depending on the size of the dog and other factors such as at-home grooming and how active and dirty they get outside. When brushing through the coat, go through with the Le Pooche brush and then go through with the metal comb or untangler comb. Areas to watch for are behind the ears, around the tail, the back of the thighs, and tuck up areas (belly).
Please remember to clean the ears weekly with a good ear cleaner that includes a drying agent. Squirt the cleaner in the ear and wipe with a cotton ball. This helps prevent ear infections. I also clean the ears after bathing the puppy to reduce any moisture that may have gotten into the eardrum.
