8 Things You Should Consider Before Purchasing A Labradoodle

Are you planning to bring a dog home? The sheer number of dog breeds can confuse you with so many wonderful dog breeds to choose from.

However, if you start looking for one with a good character overall, does not shed a lot, and does not make your kids suffer from allergies – you may face a dilemma in choosing between a Poodle and a Labrador.

Perhaps, you want a combination of these breeds. For the same qualities, you can go for Labradoodle. However, it is essential to check out a few significant things. 

Choosing the perfect dog

First, you should know that buying the best dog does not mean buying based on appearance.

It is certainly not the way when you are looking for a dog who would suit you the best. It is not the beauty but the characteristic traits of a dog that you should be looking for when you get one. It is a lot like selecting your life partner.

Your lifestyle needs to match the breed you choose and its requirements. You can always start with the dog breeds you like, but it’s still advisable to study them properly and be completely honest when evaluating your possibilities with them in your life.

1. The characteristics of a Labradoodle 

The first thing to look for when you see a labradoodle puppy for sale is that it comes in three sizes – standard, little, and medium. Their hair tends to be wavy and long with a delicate surface. It looks like fleece that has been structured into tight twists and gives these babies the look of a Poodle rather than a Labrador. The thing with this breed is that it does not shed. Hence, regarded as a hypoallergenic dog. They come in several colors:

• Golden
• Chocolate
• Brown
• Black 
• Red 
• Blue 
• Caramel 
• Apricot
• White
• Parti-Colored 

2. Grooming Labradoodles 

How often you have to brush the hair of your Labradoodle would depend on the length of their skin. Usually, you need to brush their hair twice a week to make them look perfect – this ensures that knobs do not form in their furs.

You should follow a proper routine for cutting nails and brushing your dog’s teeth a few times every week to ensure you are expelling microorganisms and scales. Keep their ears clean and dry. An ear infection is a significant issue with this dog breed. 

3. The temperament of a Labradoodle

When you have a hybrid dog in your life, you have to understand that their temperament will be unpredictable, to some extent or the other. The good thing about these dogs is that they inherited a good temper from their ancestors.

They are energetic and friendly individuals who work well with kids and families. In any case, Labradors and Poodles are supposed to be the most intelligent dogs. Hence, this particular breed is supposed to be so smart.

4. Training a Labradoodle

You can be sure that you will get more information from Labradoodle breeders. The good thing is that it is not so difficult to train them. They are intelligent animals. Labradoodles can learn new commands quickly.

However, please remember they are sensitive to the tone of voice and would not respond well if you treat them harshly. Thus, when you are training them, use techniques of positive reinforcement. 

5. The shedding of a Labradoodle

Labradoodles are an option for people who suffer from allergies, but that does not mean they all are hypoallergenic. This breed usually has three coat types:

• Straight
• Wavy 
• Curly 

The straight coat is also called hair coat – Labradoodles with such coat shed the most. Hence, most breeders avoid them.

A wavy coat is also known as a fleece coat. Expect them to have silky waves and shedding between low and non-existent. Labradoodles with curly coats have thick and dense curls that do not shed at all and have no odor.  

6. Sizes of Labradoodle

Please know that these dogs come in three size variations:

• Standard – maximum weight of 65 pounds and 24 inches tall
• Miniature – maximum weight of 25 pounds and 16 inches tall
• Medium – maximum weight of 20 pounds and 20 inches tall

There is one more size, “Mini” Labradoodle. It is a combination of a Miniature Poodle and a Labradoodle. If you are looking for any particular size, always visit the breeder and talk to them about it in great depth. Tell them what you want.

7. Labradoodle and Goldendoodle are not the same things

You may be confused between choosing a Labradoodle and a Goldendoodle. Well, both come from a Poodle mix, but there are several areas of difference between both. In the case of a Labradoodle, one of the parents is a Labrador Retriever, while for a Goldendoodle, one of their parents is a Golden Retriever.

Labradoodles usually have shorter coats, while a coat of a Goldendoodle is longer and shaggier, which they inherit from their Golden Retriever parents. 

Both breeds are friendly, but Goldendoodles are immensely social and not shy of running up to just about everyone. 

8. Labradoodles are smart, playful, and sweet 

With them, it is as if all these virtues have been wrapped up in a neat package. They would always be ready to greet you at the door with plenty of kisses or wag their tails with a ball in their mouth so that you both together have some fun.

On those movie nights, they would like to be curled up in the middle of the family with the kids – they would not want to miss a single second of the time they spend with their human families.

Some other things to keep in mind in this regard

These dogs have inherited fantastic genes from their parent breeds – Poodles are immensely intelligent, and Labradors are highly sporty! They have a long lifespan of 12 to 16 years. Also, always be wary of puppy mills when you get such a dog. 

Conclusion 

Wondering if Labradoodles are the right breed for you? Here is a checklist for you. If you say yes to most of this checklist, you should go for one of these babies:

• A lover rather than a fighter
• Playful and active
• The appearance of a stuffed animal
• Sleeps with you
• Smart and quick learner
• Negligible shedding
• Loves kids