About the breed
The dog
The Australian Labradoodle is a playful, sensitive, loyal, and intelligent companion – a friend for life with a cute appearance and an incredibly sweet nature. Before you acquire one, there's more you need to know about this dog, so read on!
Types and appearance
The Australian Labradoodle is athletic and supple, with abundant hair and soft, kind eyes. They come in three sizes: the mini is quite small, measuring no more than 42 centimetres in height, the standard starts at 53 centimetres and can reach up to 63 centimetres in height and weigh thirty kilograms, while the medium-sized type falls in between. There is also plenty of choice in terms of colour and coat; Labradoodles can be plain, bi-coloured, or multicoloured.
Sociable animal
The Australian Labradoodle is friendly and sociable towards people and animals. It is very curious and will always come to the door, often seeking attention and showing gratitude. This dog is tolerant of children and makes a great companion for them, enjoying playtime. They can sense children’s moods very well.
Australian Labradoodles are curious and friendly towards other dogs, rarely displaying dominance. They prefer playing and having a good romp and may not necessarily like all dogs but avoid conflicts and prefer to steer clear of ones they don’t like.
The Australian Labradoodle as an assistance dog
The Australian Labradoodle is used as an assistance or therapy dog overseas and, on a smaller scale, in the Netherlands, for people who need different types of support. For example, the dog can stimulate children with autism spectrum disorder in terms of speech and empathy.
A commitment of many years
If you are considering getting an Australian Labradoodle, it's important to understand that you are entering into a long-term commitment. This four-legged friend will be a companion for thirteen to fifteen years, requiring regular care and attention, including grooming and proper training to prevent mischievous behaviour.
“If you are looking for a small, hypoallergenic dog with a big personality, the mini Australian labradoodle is an excellent choice”
Know who you are buying from
Interested in an Australian Labradoodle? Conduct thorough research on where to buy a puppy. Two associations are active in the Netherlands: WALA (Worldwide Australian Labradoodle Association) and ALAEU (Australian Labradoodle Association Europe, www.alaeu.com), with most breeders affiliated. Purchasing from an ALAEU-affiliated breeder ensures a well-socialized and healthy puppy.
The breed
The Australian Labradoodle is not an ordinary cross between a Labrador and a Poodle. Six breeds were used to create the dog: Poodle, Labrador Retriever, Irish Water Spaniel, Curly Coated Retriever, American Cocker Spaniel, and English Cocker Spaniel.
Dogs registered with the ALAEU can only have these six breeds in their family tree. Any other breed is not recognized by the ALAEU.