Crossbreeds

Labradoodle

Friendly, bright and bouncy — a Lab’s heart with a Poodle’s coat (often).

Labradoodles blend the outgoing Labrador with the clever, low-shedding Poodle. They tend to be affectionate, energetic family dogs, but size, coat and temperament vary, and they need regular professional grooming.

A Labrador Retriever × Poodle cross. Not recognised by the AKC. Australian Labradoodles are a separate multigenerational type that also includes Cocker Spaniel lines.

Parent breeds: Labrador Retriever × Poodle

Height
14–24 in36–61 cm
Weight
15–65 lb7–29 kg
Life expectancy
12–15 years
Size
Medium
Group
Crossbreeds
Origin
Australia

Coat: Hair, fleece or wool coat; shedding varies. Colours: Cream, Chalk, Apricot, Red, Chocolate, Black, Caramel, Parti.

At a glance

Exercise Requirement4.0 / 5
20-30 min gentle walk2+ hours intense stamina
Indoor "Off-Switch"3.0 / 5
Restless / constantly searching for actionInstantly curls up and relaxes indoors
Trainability4.5 / 5
Strong independent thinkerEager biddable student
Mental Stimulation4.0 / 5
Content with routineNeeds a job or creates mischief
Affection Level4.5 / 5
Polite distanceConstant lap snuggler
Stranger Friendliness4.5 / 5
Naturally aloof / watchfulGreets every stranger as best friend
Child Patience & Safety4.5 / 5
Prefers quiet adultsRemarkably sturdy & patient
Other Dog Friendliness4.5 / 5
Strong solo-dog preferenceLoves pack play and multi-dog homes
Prey Drive3.0 / 5
Ignores crittersHigh pursuit instinct / fence chaser
Vocalization & Barking2.0 / 5
Nearly mute / quietWatchful alarm barker or howler
Shedding Level2.0 / 5
Minimal to non-sheddingHeavy year-round fur shedding
Grooming Burden4.0 / 5
Wash & wear coatDaily brushing + salon visits
Drool Tendency1.5 / 5
Dry-mouthedRequires dedicated slobber towels
Apartment Suitability2.5 / 5
Needs acreage or private runThrives in urban elevator apartments
Beginner Friendliness4.0 / 5
Demands experienced handlerIdeal forgiving companion for first-timers
Owner Demand Level2.0 / 5
Very forgiving for novicesRequires skilled firm handling

Ratings describe typical dogs of the breed on a 1–5 scale. Individual dogs vary with lines, upbringing and training.

Temperament

Labradoodles are usually friendly, playful and eager to please, with a love of people and other dogs. They are quick learners and enjoy games, swimming and retrieving.

They can be very energetic and excitable, especially in adolescence, and are prone to jumping up. As a cross, individuals can lean more Lab or more Poodle in personality.

Varieties

Miniature
Around 14–16 in and 15–25 lb.
Medium
Around 17–20 in and 30–45 lb.
Standard
Around 21–24 in and 50–65 lb.

Living with a Labradoodle

Exercise

Needs 60–90 minutes daily for standards; less for minis. Loves fetch and swimming.

Grooming

Brush several times a week and book professional grooming every six to eight weeks. Fleece and wool coats mat easily.

Training

Very trainable and food-motivated. Prioritise calm greetings and loose-lead walking.

Kids & other pets

Excellent with children and other pets. Adolescents jump and mouth, so teach calm greetings early and supervise play with toddlers.

Time alone

People-oriented and prone to separation stress. Build alone time gradually from puppyhood and use food puzzles for longer absences.

Home fit

Best suited to a house with secure outdoor space; apartment living is hard on this breed and its neighbours.

Is a Labradoodle right for you?

Take the Breed Fit quiz to see how a Labradoodle matches your home, schedule and tolerance for shedding, barking and exercise — or find out which breed matches your personality with Dogsona.

Take the Breed Fit quizTry Dogsona →

Health

With good breeding and care, a Labradoodle typically lives 12–15 years. These are the conditions most associated with the breed — not a prediction for any individual dog.

  • Hip and elbow dysplasia

    Inherited from both parent breeds; screened parents help.

  • Progressive retinal atrophy

    Found in both Labs and Poodles; DNA testing is available.

  • Exercise-induced collapse

    Inherited from Labrador lines; DNA testing identifies carriers.

  • Ear infections

    Hairy ears trap moisture; clean them regularly.

  • Addison’s disease

    Seen in Standard Poodle lines.

Ask a breeder for

  • Both parents: hip and elbow evaluation
  • Both parents: eye examination
  • DNA tests: prcd-PRA, EIC, von Willebrand disease

Sources: OFA health testing guidance for Labrador Retriever and Poodle; Australian Labradoodle Association of America. This is general information, not veterinary advice — talk to your vet about your own dog.

Cost to own

After the first year, expect roughly $1,200–$2,500 a year for food, routine vet care, preventives, insurance and supplies (US estimate).

  • Professional grooming every 6–8 weeks adds roughly $500–$900 a year.
  • Pet insurance for a puppy typically runs $30–$60 a month; premiums rise with age and breed risk.
See the full first-year cost breakdown →

History

Wally Conron of the Royal Guide Dogs Association of Australia bred the first well-known Labradoodles in 1989, seeking a guide dog for a blind woman whose husband was allergic to dogs. Conron later said he regretted the craze that followed.

Australian breeders developed multigenerational Australian Labradoodles in the 1990s, adding Cocker Spaniel lines to stabilise coat and temperament. Labradoodles are now bred worldwide in many sizes.

Did you know?

  • The first famous Labradoodle, Sultan, became a guide dog in Hawaii.
  • Wally Conron later called the Labradoodle craze his “life’s regret”.
  • Australian Labradoodles often include Cocker Spaniel ancestry.

Library guides for Labradoodle owners

Similar breeds

Frequently asked questions

Are Labradoodles hypoallergenic?
No dog is truly hypoallergenic, though many Labradoodles shed less than a Labrador.
How big do Labradoodles get?
Minis weigh around 15–25 lb, mediums 30–45 lb and standards 50–65 lb.
Labradoodle or Goldendoodle?
Both are friendly and trainable. Labradoodles can be slightly more energetic; Goldendoodles may be a little softer.