Saturday, August 31, 2013

Australian Labradoodles Differ From Other Labradoodles

Australian Labradoodles Differ From Other Labradoodles

By Gloria Mason


There are three different types of Labradoodles currently being bred. These three types are the Australian Labradoodles bred in Australia and the United States and the American Labradoodle. Breeders are breeding various types of Poodle and Labrador crosses to meet demand for this new crossbreed originally introduced in Australia in the 1980s.

The search should begin by first deciding the desirable variety. Research in advance will illuminate the options more clearly. A place to start is learning about the prior history of the new hybrid. This history starts in Melbourne with Wally Conron. Wally was the breeding manager at the Royal Guide Dogs Association. His attempt to fulfill the practical needs of a client began a whole new breeding industry.

The goal was to produce a guide dog suitable for people allergic to dander and fur. In 1989, in response to a request for a guide dog that would be acceptable for someone with allergies, a Poodle and Labrador mix was produced by Wally Conron. Until then a deliberate of these two breeds had not been attempted. He decided to mix the two breeds, when he was unable to produce a successful result from Poodle stock alone.

He chose the Poodle for its low shedding coat and intelligence and the Labrador for its good nature. After numerous failed results, he succeeded in producing one offspring that was allergy friendly. But replication of this success was not as easy. In the succeeding litter only three of ten puppies had allergy friendly coats.

In order to increase the number of dogs in a litter with the desirable coats, different generation crosses were mated with each other. The results were identified based on the generation to which they belonged. They were described as Double or Tri Doodles and proved disappointing overall. They typically lacked suitable temperaments for families and their coats did not live up to expectations.

A New South Wales vet by the name of Kate Shoeffel and other breeders devoted themselves to improving the Labradoodle after Wally Conron abandoned his effort. She bred first generation crosses and backcrossed them to Poodles. Her stock was among the first examples exported to the United States. Beverley Manners of Rutland Manor and her daughter Angela Wetzel Cunningham of Tegan Park were among the early breeders.

The Australian doodles of today differ from those bred earlier in the fact they have other breeds mixed in their bloodlines as well. They are products of programs dedicated to establishing a breed standard.The primary differences between different Poodle and Lab crosses and the Australians lie in the predictability of coat, body type and temperament. The cross breeding has to date developed fleece and wool coats. Wool coats have been recommended for severe allergies. A responsible breeder will offer hair and saliva samples for testing if acute allergies are a problem.

The ancestry of the selected puppy should be unsullied. The ALAA is the registry for this hybrid in Australia and the ILA covers the international market. Both organizations are a reliable source of guidance for unfamiliar buyers. To avoid regrets, buyers are advised to go to trustworthy breeders of Australian Labradoodles.




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