PARENT BREEDS

The Australian Labradoodle is not a simple cross between a Labrador and a poodle. Six different breeds have been infused into the Australian Labradoodle over the years.  Trial and error,  back crossing and careful selection over many years has led to the delightful dogs we know and love today. This complicated process, dependent on so many decisions and the selection of individual dogs, is impossible to exactly replicate. The following dog breed are considered “parent breeds” to the Australian Labradoodle:

• Poodle (standard, medium and miniature)
• Labrador Retriever
• Irish Water Spaniel
• Curly Coated Retriever
• American Cocker Spaniel
• English Cocker Spaniel

The Irish Water Spaniel was the first breed that was infused into the original Lab, Poodle cross.  The water spaniel helped to reinforce the non-shedding coat of the Australian labradoodle.
The Curly Coated Retriever strengthened the retriever traits of the labradoodle. Unfortunately the Curly Coated Retriever has very short hair on his muzzle and passed this characteristic along to the Australian Labradoodle.  This trait has been mostly erradicated.

The English and American Cocker Spaniels were infused into the Australian Labradoodle for his lovely bone structure, smaller size and his happy go lucky temperament.  His coat, though extremely silky, is shedding and his long ears often lead to infections, two traits which Australian Labradoodles breed away from.

The six breeds mentioned above are the only breeds that are present in the Pedigree of Australian Labradoodles registered with the ALAEU.  Any dog with additional breed infusions in the Pedigree will not be recognized as an Australian Labradoodle by the ALAEU and can not be registered with the ALAEU.

The ALAEU currently uses the generation scheme described by the ALA. This grading scheme is based on three breeds on the assumption that three breeds are now used to make the Australian Labradoodle. In the US, Australia and Europe these breeds are considered to be the Labrador, Poodle and Cocker Spaniel.  At this point in time these are the only three breeds which may still be infused into the Australian Labradoodle according to ALAEU rules and regulations.  For the construction of the generation scheme, please refer to the generation scheme on the ALA.