The Labradoodle Community

The Labradoodle is a cross between a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle and is one of the original and most popular crossbreeds in the UK. It is not a Kennel Club recognised breed and is not eligible for KC registration. The cross was first deliberately developed in Australia in the 1980s with the intention of creating a guide dog with a lower-shedding coat, and its popularity has grown significantly since then. Coat type and size vary considerably between individuals, depending on generation and which Poodle type was used as the parent. Standard Labradoodles (Standard Poodle parent) are large dogs, 25 to 40kg. Medium Labradoodles are smaller, and Miniature Labradoodles use a Miniature Poodle parent. An F1 Labradoodle (first-generation cross) may have a wide range of coat types. F1b dogs (backcrossed to Poodle) are typically wavier or curlier and lower-shedding. No Labradoodle is truly hypoallergenic. Allergens are present in dander and saliva, not only in coat, and no cross can guarantee not to trigger allergies. F1b dogs shed less than F1 dogs in most cases, but this is not a guarantee for allergy sufferers. Read our full guide to [F1, F2 and F1b generations explained](/breeds/crossbreeds/f1-f2-generations) and [are doodles and crossbreeds really hypoallergenic?](/breeds/crossbreeds/are-doodles-hypoallergenic) for more detail. Health testing is the most critical factor when buying a Labradoodle. The Labrador parent carries a significant hereditary health burden including hip and elbow dysplasia, Exercise-Induced Collapse (EIC) and Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA). The Poodle parent also carries PRA and hip dysplasia risk. Responsible breeders should test both parents for all relevant conditions and provide results. The unregulated nature of the crossbreed market means many Labradoodle breeders do not test: ask to see documentation and walk away from anyone who cannot provide it. Purchase prices from reputable health-tested breeders typically range from £1,500 to £3,500. Lifespan is typically 12 to 14 years. For owners who do their research, verify health testing and choose a well-bred dog from a responsible breeder, the Labradoodle can be an excellent family companion: sociable, trainable, active and affectionate. The single most important variable in a Labradoodle's long-term health is the quality of its parents' health screening. This is the decision that determines more about your future dog's wellbeing than any other. Invest the time to find a breeder who tests properly and you will have a rewarding companion for the next 12 to 14 years. The unregulated crossbreed market means that Labradoodle quality varies enormously. A well-bred Labradoodle from health-tested parents is a genuinely excellent dog. One from an untested, irresponsible breeder carries significant hidden health risk at a very high purchase price.