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Labradoodle Breeding Standards

The Australian Labradoodle is not a Aussiedoodle, they should be gracefully athletic, yet compact with substance to their build. These amazing dogs are happy and energetic when they are free playing and soft and quiet when handled.

Candidates for service assisting and therapy dogs

Their kind willing personality and the soft non shedding luxurious coat makes these amazing dogs a candidate for service assisting and therapy dogs. They have a gentle nature, unique intuition which enables them to sense the emotional and physical needs of human beings  and to act accordingly, together they desire close human companionship which makes them keen and easy to train.

Labradoodles have a compact structure

Nothing should attract attention from the compact structure of their body. Their chest is neither broad nor narrow, with brisket level slightly above the point of elbow. Ribs sufficiently well sprung to allow adequate heart and lung room. Shoulders should have good angulation with firm elbows held close to the rib cage. The back is level and strong from withers to the start of the flanks, with a slight rise of muscle over the loins to permit a long reaching drive from the hindquarters when gaiting.

Top line should remain level with strong loin and level croup. The croup only slightly tapers to the set on of tail. Hindquarters should be of medium angulation with short strong hocks and the tuck up is sufficient to enable the hind legs to reach well forward beneath the body when gaiting. Movement when trotting should be strong, with good reach and drive, giving the appearance of “going somewhere.”  When relaxed or at play they will prance and move along the ground lightly.

Size is measured to the top of the shoulder blades (withers) while standing squarely on a level surface.

  • Miniature 10” – 17” inches tall at shoulder 10lbs up to 25lbs
  • Medium 18” – 21” inches tall at shoulder 25lbs up to 50lbs
  • Standard size over 22” inches tall at shoulder over 50lbs

Golden Xpress takes great care in breeding

Much care is needed when breeding both the large and small Australian Labradoodle. Large dogs can suffer from rapid growth that can lead to structural problems. Soundness is of utmost importance in Golden Xpress Labradoodle’s breeding program. Over size is a major fault. Care must be taken to keep the miniature Australian Labradoodle a solid athletic robust dog. The dwarfing of dogs can lead to many genetic and temperament disorders.  Minimum size attention is of the utmost importance to maintain a healthy little dog.  Most Australian Labradoodles will weigh more than their height reflects.

Expected Look of the Labradoodle breed based on Labradoodle Breeding Standards

The Australian Labradoodles head should be Slightly square and in proportion to the size of the dog. Length from tip of nose to the inner corner of the eyes only slightly shorter than from the inner corner of the eyes to the point of the occiput. Nasal bones are broad and flat, with frontal bones a similar width to the side bones which have flat muscling giving a sculptured appearance.

Skull gently rounded and of similar width to the frontal bones of the face. The stop is blunt but well defined with a very slightly indented brow between the eyes. The eyes are a distinct feature.  Expression of the eyes is open, gentle, confident, and friendly.  Round or oval, with long sweeping eyelashes and set well apart but not to the extreme side of the head.

The expression is seeking intimate contact with human eyes and is more important than exact shape. Eye color and rich pigmentation of the rims blend with the surrounding coat. Their ears are set flat against their head and should be level with the eye. Ears should be of medium thickness. Muzzle more broad than narrow, but not to excess. Lips firmly fitting and rims lined with unbroken pigment.  They have a level scissor bite, teeth are strong and white with no discoloration or signs of wear. The nose is a distinct feature, noticeably large and fleshy with open nostrils and rich pigment.

The True Australian Labradoodle (they are not Aussiedoodles) Coats and Colors

All Colors

  • Parti – Colors have the same colored eye and lip rims, and eye color as their predominating color.
  • Merle – Coloring comes in a variety of colors, chocolate merle, blue merle, black merle, etc.  a combination of  irregularly shaped patches by gray’s and creams. Merle is the gray or lighter part of the coat’s coloring, not the black, red or chocolate patches. They also have green, blue and or dark eye coloring.
  • Black dogs have black eye and lip rims, black noses and dark brown to black eyes
  • Silver dogs have black eye and lip rims, black noses and dark brown to black eyes
  • Cream dogs have black eye and lip rims, black noses and shades of brown eyes
  • Apricot dogs have black eye and lip rims, black noses and dark brown eyes
  • Red dogs have either black or red eye and lip rims and noses, and dark brown eyes
  • Chocolate, Café and Parchment dogs have liver eye and lip rims and noses, and hazel to amber eyes
  • Caramel dogs have liver eye and lip rims, noses, and hazel to amber eyes
  • Blue dogs appear black but have blue skin, and blue eye and lip rims. Eyes brown
  • Lavender is extremely rare and has pinkish to mauve skin, eye and lip rims and nose. Eyes hazel.
  • Phantom dogs a solid base color with sharply defined markings of a second color appearing above each eye, on the sides of the muzzle, on the throat/ forechest, on all four legs and feet, and below the tail. Many color combinations are acceptable for this coloring.

The Australian Labradoodle coat should have no body odor or “shedding”. It is acceptable to “change coats” from puppy to adult, seasonally, and during hormonal changes in fertile bitches. This coat does not shed, but should be groomed out. It is important that the coat gives the impression of being a fleece rather than dog hair.

Are Labradoodles Hypoallergenic?

There is no Scientific Laboratory proof that the Labradoodle is Hypoallergenic. Practical research has given the impression that it is highly possible that the fleece and wool textures of the Labradoodle are very successful with asthma and allergy sufferers.  We do recommend that if you have the opportunity to meet one of these wonderful dogs in person that you should check to see if you have any reactions before you make your decision in purchasing your new puppy.

Golden Xpress recommends that any family or person who suffers from dog related allergies or asthma should look into a Wool/curly fleece or combination coated Australian Labradoodles as they have the highest success rate.  The Australian Labradoodle has been very successful with being allergy and asthma friendly but they are not 100% guaranteed. They have had an extremely high success rate so far!

Please note, no dog is truly hypoallergenic, some breeds are better for people with allergies and some are not. First, you must determine if you or a family member are in fact allergic to dogs (hair and dander) and that is best determined by a doctor. You may be allergic to what a dog naturally brings in from the outside, grass, dust and pollen on their coat versus the dog itself. In that case, all dogs will increase your allergy symptoms. If you believe you are allergic to dogs the best way to determine if you are allergic to labradoodles is to be around one for at least 24 hours or more. Remember there are Labradoodles (flat coated, fleece coated, wool coated) and Australian Labradoodles (fleece coated and wool coated).  No refunds due to allergies.

Their are newly formed Australian Labradoodle registries that have been formed to provide a registry to record the True Australian Labradoodle, they strive to maintain the soundness and integrity of the breed.

Make sure you find an experienced Labradoodle breeder

Not all breeders are experienced in selecting coat types so make sure that you find a breeder who not only knows the look but also the correct texture of the coat type you are looking for.  Golden Xpress Labradoodles has been raising these wonderful dogs for 13 years.  Because the breed is still in the development stages we are still are seeing some variations within the three coat types themselves.

Some breeders are working on a “new style” wool or “loose” wool coat that is easier to maintain and not as thick as the original wool but it still has the same texture, curl and high success with being allergy and asthma friendly like the “original” wool coat. Also your fleece coats while over all are softer than your wool coats in texture they still have some texture variation within the fleece coat type.

Not all Australian Labradoodles are allergy and asthma friendly

The Australian Labradoodle has been very successful with being allergy and asthma friendly but they are not 100% guaranteed. They have had an extremely high success rate so far! We do recommend that if you have the opportunity to meet one of these wonderful dogs in person that you should check to see if you have any reactions before you make your decision in purchasing your new puppy. We recommend that any family or person who suffers from dog related allergies or asthma should look into a Wool coated labradoodle as they have the highest success rate.

In order to produce a breed of quality, haste must be made slowly.  Genetic resources must be kept broad to protect the Australian Labradoodle breed from the disasters from which many other breeds suffer, “The Genetic Dead End.”  This is our responsibility to be conscientious of our breeding dogs and all their testing and protect the Australian Labradoodle from developing these or other genetic disorders. It is a good idea to keep in mind that the Australian Labradoodle is a family companion. We do not want the heartache of illness and the expense of a less than sound dog.

Golden Xpress Australian Labradoodle puppy coats

As your Australian Labradoodle puppy develops their adult coat and out of their puppy coat at about 6 to 12 months. The coat change can last anywhere from a week to several weeks. (This is usually the time when owners decide that their beautiful furry doodle needs a shorter look). Because they do not “shed out” the old coat you must groom the old dead coat out or it will cause severe matting in the new coat. During their coat change it is recommended that you groom them daily.

The Australian Labradoodle coat will start to thicken and mat, this is the time to start grooming. IMPORTANT to Cut the Puppy coat off with Scissors.  When pup coat is changing to adult, the coat may lose a little hair and the coat may become lightened or darkened. A change in curl will happen as the coat gets longer. When your Labradoodle is about 12 to 17 months old they will have their adult coat.

Mini Australian Labradoodle

Know your groomer

Most important is to know your groomer or have a groomer that is recommended. Your groomer should be easy to talk with and be OK with you staying with your doodle and watching etc… if you ask to stay with your Doodle and watch and they don’t want you to or will not let you stay…. I wouldn’t use that groomer.  Ask to see photos of other Doodles they have groomed, etc. You don’t want to over shampoo your Doodle, only bath when needed or one every 4-5 weeks or so.

Golden Xpress Labradoodles breeding dogs with a variety of coat types wavy, fleece and wool.

While these photos are excellent examples of the difference coat types of their “look,” it is key to remember that there are variations still found within the coat types themselves, it is not just the “look” of a coat that determines the coat type but most importantly the texture and the haircut of the coat determines this.

The Australian Labradoodle requires different degrees of grooming depending on their coat type. There are three main coat types (Hair/Fleece/Wool) with some variation found within the coat types noted below.

Normal Fleece

(Soft Angora type texture wavy or loose spiraling coat) is an allergy and asthma friendly coat and will need to be brushed/combed thoroughly about every two-three weeks. This coat usually requires trimming 3 to 4 times a year.

Micro Fine Fleece

(Supper soft and fine texture in wavy or spiraling coat) is an allergy and asthma friendly coat, if kept well groomed. Because this coat is finer and softer if it gets mats that aren’t brushed out regularly eventually some of the mats will ball up into little “tumble weeds” and come out of the coat. It is recommended to thoroughly brush/comb this coat about once a week and don’t let the coat length to get past about three inches in length with trimming 3 to 4 times a year.

Original Wool

(Dense curly coat with a lambs wool texture) is an allergy and asthma friendly coat with the highest rate of success of the three coat types (Hair/Fleece/Wool). It will need to be brushed/combed thoroughly about once a week. This coat also requires trimming about 3 to 4 times a year.

Cotton Wool

(Super dense curly-straight coat with a softer texture than the original wool or loose wool coats) This coat is reminiscent of a giant cotton ball when groomed out and is so dense that it almost keeps it self standing straight up. This coat is an allergy and asthma friendly coat with the highest rate of success of the three coat types (Hair/Fleece/Wool). It will need to be brushed/combed thoroughly once a week. This coat also requires trimming about 3 to 4 times a year.

The Loose or New Style Wool

(spiraling coat that easily opens to the skin with a lambs wool texture) is an allergy and asthma friendly coat with the highest rate of success of the three coat types (Hair/Fleece/Wool). It will need to be brushed/combed thoroughly about every two to three weeks. This coat usually requires trimming 3 to 4 times a year.

Do you have questions on Labradoodle Breeding Standards?
Contact Stacey

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