Do you own a Labradoodle?

Question

What are the pros and cons of this breed? I'm thinking about getting one. Do you have a full size or a miniature?

Answer 1

I do not personally have a labradoodle, but I know two people who do. I've never met someone who has a miniature version; I don't think that a toy poodle should be bred with a dog as big as a lab. I recommend sticking with the regular version.

First, the pros. One labradoodle is healthy, well-adjusted, and very smart. It seems to have picked up the best traits of it's parents.

Now, the cons: The other labradoodle has hip problems (it's 3 years old), skin allergies, and likes to eat the paint off the walls. Contrary to popular belief, labradoodles are NOT hypoallergenic, and they do still shed.

Because the breeding of labradoodles is unregulated (meaning that anyone can do it and doesn't have to answer to an organization like the AKC), there are a lot of "designer puppy" breeders who really don't know what they're doing or who don't care what they're doing and just want to make some money. Thus, the second dog I described.

There are other breeders, though, who have consistently bred labs and who get together with others who have consistently bred poodles. These breeders tend to result in better pups.

The moral of this story is that the pros/cons of the specific dog you get will depend on the specifics of how it was bred and how you train it (never underestimate how much you influence your pup's temprament). Before buying a dog, any dog, research the breeders and call past customers.

Before commiting to a labradoodle, you might want to ask yourself why you have chosen this particular type of dog. Is it because the hair is supposedly hypoallergenic (it isn't)? Or because it is supposed to be a very smart dog (it can be, but it can dumb too)? Is it because it is cute (it is, but so are a lot of other dogs)? As many people will tell you, labradoodles are overpriced for what is basically a mutt (a fancy mutt, but a mutt nonetheless), and there a lot of scams out there that will result in you having a dog that is all con and no pro. Be careful that you don't fall victim to one of these scams.

Best of luck to you!

Answer 2

My cousin and her husband have one that is a full size. The dog is very gentle with my cousins child, and i think that comes from the Labrador side of the breed. Good choice for a family dog. I am a Labrador person myself, so I think it is a wonderful choice. The poodle without the yip bark, and the loyalty of a lab.

Answer 3

I've known two (full size), and they are excellent dogs but require a lot of training. They were originally developed for use as companion dogs for people with allergies to regular dogs. They are extremely smart, but you have to spend a lot of time with them. I have an Eskipoo puppy (8 1/2 months old), cross between an American Eskimo and poodle; she's much smaller (about 12 pounds) but just as smart. I've spent a lot of time socializing her to people and places (including ones with lots of noise), to the point where I can take her anywhere (including on the subway) and nothing really frightens her. But again, it takes a lot of time.

Answer 4

It is not a breed. It is a cross breed. A mutt. Please don't 'buy' one. There are plenty in rescues.

There is nothing wrong with either of the two breeds as a breed.

MUCH ADO ABOUT POO
http://www.canismajor.com/dog/poodogs.html

CROSSBREEDS
http://www.netpets.com/dogs/newsroom/crossbreeds1.html

Hybrids
http://members.tripod.com/antique_fcr/goodbreeder.html#cockapoo

Cockerpoos
http://www.faqs.org/faqs/dogs-faq/mixed-breeds/cockapoos/

Buying a mutt
http://www.learntobreed.com/mutts.html

Answer 5

Full size.Nice dog.

Answer 6

For the ninty-three GAZILLIONTH TIME!!!
THERE'S *NO SUCH THING*!!!

That's a STUPID *MUTT/MONGREL*!!!
Made by CROOKS to SCAM/CON/RIP-OFF****OUTRAGEOUS***amounts of MONEY from the foolish & IGNORANT & GULLIBLE!!!

NOT a "breed"!!! ***NEVER*** WILL BE!
They are a ***FAILED*** experiment,at best.