The Australian Labradoodle is a designer breed that differs somewhat from the standard Labradoodle found elsewhere in the globe. This is a much more standardised breed that probably already deserves official recognition as a purebred dog in its own right.

Whether you are looking for a mini Labradoodle puppy or perhaps considering a Labradoodle vs Golden Doodle, it’s vital to properly research and understand the breed. 

When you properly understand the breed’s pros and cons, you are in a better position to judge whether the Australian Labradoodle is the right breed for you and your lifestyle. 

What is the Australian Labradoodle?

The Australian Labradoodle is a mixed breed dog bred since the 1980s to become a consistent type with identifiable features. Much like the Groodle, they are famous for their “teddy bear” looks.

Although they are not yet formally recognised, they are very close to purebred as they have their own registry and association. They even have a very specific breed standard. 

So, it’s important to ensure you get an Australian Labradoodle from an accredited breeder. If you’re lucky, you may find one in a rescue or shelter.

The Australian Labradoodle first appeared as a cross between Labradors and Poodles for the Royal Guide Dogs. Initially, 31 dogs were bred, and 29 made it as guide dogs, which is an excellent result. This highlights the extreme trainability of this poodle mix breed. 

However, despite the name, the Australian Labradoodle is not only descended from Labradors and Poodles. They have a variety of other hunting breeds in their background, such as Irish Water Spaniels, Flat-coated Retrievers, and Cocker Spaniels.

This ancestry means this breed may have some residual hunting instinct and a love of water!

What does the Labradoodle look like?

The most distinctive feature of Australian Labradoodles is their coat, which is bred to be low-shedding and relatively hypoallergenic.

The coat comes in two basic types. It can be fleece textured, which is soft and can be straight, wavy, or spiral like a Poodles’. Or it can be the denser wool variety that may also curl.

They have pronounced eyebrows that need to be trimmed to see properly. Their eyes are usually soft, alert, and dark brown. They have a good, compact square shape and folded ears. 

The Labradoodle vs Australian Labradoodle

The standard Labradoodle, mainly found in Europe or in North America, can be a standard F1 (first generation) cross between a Labrador and a Poodle. Some Labradoodle breeders breed for multiple generations; usually there isn’t much oversight as to what goes into the regular Labradoodle mix that you’ll find in online classifieds like Gumtree, Trading Post etc. 

Since they are famous for their good looks, the average Labradoodle is sometimes the result of questionable breeding practices to meet the demand for “designer breeds”.

The key difference is that the Australian Labradoodle is bred far more selectively to meet a breed standard, pass health screenings, and be the ideal temperament. They also have a broader gene pool with English and American Cocker Spaniels, Curly Coated Retrievers, and Irish Water Spaniels in their lineage.

Some of the best breeders and associations have put decades of effort into creating an ethical, standardised dog breed.

Australian Labradoodle colours include:

• Black
• Cream
• Chalk
• Apricot
• Red
• Siver
• Gold
• Blue
• Phantom
• Parti-colour
• Merle
• Chocolate

The rarest colour for a Labradoodle is the deep red seen in Irish Setters. Most Labradoodles with a reddish hue are a lighter apricot and will often fade.

Fading in poodle mix breeds is associated with the fading gene, which most poodles carry. Rich colours like mahogany red, chocolate, and merle generally start fading from around age of 18 months.

How big does the Australian Labradoodle get?

The Australian Labradoodle comes in the following sizes:

The Standard Australian Labradoodle

Height: 21″ – 24″ or 53 – 63 cm 

Weight: 50 lbs – 65 lbs or 23 – 30 kg

The Medium Australian Labradoodle

Height: 17″ – 20″ or 43 – 52 cm 

Weight: 30 lbs – 45 lbs or 13 – 20 kg

The Miniature or Mini Labradoodle

Height: 14″ – 16″ or 35 – 42 cm

Weight: 15 lbs – 25 lbs or 7 – 13kg

General Care of the Australian Labradoodle

How much exercise does an Australian Labradoodle need?

The amount of exercise an Australian Labradoodle needs depends somewhat on their size. The smaller varieties are generally okay with 30 to 45 minutes of daily walks and playtime. The larger Labradoodles will need about 45 to 60 minutes of daily exercise. 

Raising an Australian Labradoodle puppy

A new Australian Labradoodle owner should first be aware that these gorgeous puppies thrive on attention. They need to be at the centre of things from the day you bring them home. This is usually not an independent puppy that will be okay with long hours home alone while you go to work. And they can develop severe separation anxiety as a result. 

Nevertheless, severe anxiety issues seem more prevalent when the dogs are badly bred or bred only for their looks.

So finding a responsible Labradoodle breeder who breeds for a more laid-back temperament can help you get a more easy-going puppy.

Generally, these pups are either excitable and exuberant or more reserved “deep thinkers” who take their training very seriously.

Well-bred Australian Labradoodles are mostly relatively easy dogs to raise. However, like any breed, they need enough exercise, socialisation, sleep, and early training to become good canine citizens.

They can be pretty energetic but generally settle down and mature after adolescence at around two years of age. The larger Labradoodle can take a bit longer to “calm down.” Keeping an active lifestyle will keep these guys on their best behaviour. 

Australian Labradoodle Grooming Requirements

Labradoodles are reasonably high-maintenance when it comes to grooming. It is possible to trim them to have a shorter coat to make things easier, but you will lose much of their stunning looks when doing so.

To maintain the gorgeous longer coat, you need to be ready to brush them thoroughly with a pin or slicker brush at least three times a week. You should also use a metal comb and a de-shedding tool to check the coat for mats.

Pay special attention to areas that are prone to matting, such as behind the ears and around the chest and under arms.

They can be washed about once a month to every six weeks. Regular visits to the doggy parlour are also best to make the most of their Instagram-worthy good looks.

Remember to clean their ears regularly to prevent ear infections and keep their nails trimmed. Brushing their teeth is also vital for their long-term health. They love chewing on raw meaty bones; these will keep their teeth clean too! 

Australian Labradoodle Space Requirements

Smaller Australian Labradoodles can adjust to apartments and small spaces with adequate walks and exercise. However, for the bigger varieties, it is better to have some kind of yard for them to romp in. 

Australian Labradoodle Health Concerns:

Australian Labradoodle Associations promote ethical practices that screen dogs for health problems before breeding. However, genetic health problems can always pop up in any breed, so be sure to check for the following:

• Hip and elbow dysplasia
• Addison’s Disease
• Eye problems such as PRA
• Patellar Luxation in the smaller Australian Labradoodles
• Epilepsy
• Allergies
• Ear Infections
• DNA testing of parents for genetic diseases

Labrador Retrievers struggle with a deleted POMC gene that essentially makes them hungry all the time. This makes them highly trainable, as they are happy to work for food, but also leaves them very vulnerable to obesity. 

Since the Australian Labradoodle is descended from the Labrador, it is possible that they can inherit this. This means they may be prone to overeating and gaining weight. So be very careful to manage their diet as obesity in dogs leads to many related health problems. 

What is the Australian Labradoodle’s life expectancy?

The smaller Australian Labradoodles generally live well into their teens, between 12 and 16 years. However, the larger types are more likely to live between 10 and 14 years. 

Australian Labradoodle Temperament

The ideal Australian Labradoodle is friendly, playful, intelligent, and sensitive. These empathetic dogs make naturally good therapy or service dogs but are also adaptable enough to be ideal companions. They are not aggressive, but bad breeding can sometimes result in hyper attachment problems such as separation anxiety or neuroticism.

However, most Australian Labradoodles are simply attention-loving, devoted family members. They are bred to “know” or be extremely intuitive about what their human needs from them.

They are highly trainable and excel when they have a job to do. So any sort of activity such as agility or obedience is the best way to build a bond with your Labradoodle. 

Does the Australian Labradoodle get along with other animals?

Yes, the Australian Labradoodle is usually good with other animals. However, remember that genetically this dog has plenty of hunting dogs in their ancestry. This means they can be high in prey drive and may want to chase smaller animals or moving objects such as bicycles. Be sure to socialise your Labradoodle from a young age to prevent hamster, cat, or guinea pig-related tragedies. 

Are Australian Labradoodles good dogs for families?

Australian Labradoodles make great family dogs and usually love children. Since they love attention, they must be kept indoors as family members, and a relatively active lifestyle should keep them out of trouble.

However, supervising dogs and children together is a must, as it is with any breed of dog. This is especially true when they are young, to avoid unnecessary bad experiences for either the dog or the child. 

Other poodle mix breeds to consider if you’re looking for the best medium to large size family dogs are the bordoodle and the groodle.

How much does an Australian Labradoodle Mix cost?

Provided you buy your puppy from an accredited breeder, an Australian Labradoodle should cost $2,000–$5,000 (AUD). The better the bloodlines, the more the puppy will cost.

Of course, we always encourage adopting where possible. As the Labradoodle is becoming increasingly popular, it is sometimes possible to find them on rescue groups online or at local shelters. 

Conclusion

The Australian Labradoodle is more established than the average Labradoodle mix bred elsewhere. They are heart-meltingly gorgeous, trainable, and excellent family dogs.

Many of them are relatively hypoallergenic, but it is essential to seek out a reputable and accredited breeder if you’re looking for Australian Labradoodle puppies for sale.

They are fantastic family dogs but need plenty of attention and grooming. If you are looking for a devoted “shadow” to follow you everywhere and you can meet their needs, this is the dog for you.

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