Labradoodle

Good to know

• A crossbreed: a mix of Labrador Retriever and Poodle, so coat, temperament and energy vary with each dog's parents.
• Coat is a lottery: coats range from straight to wavy to curly, and not every Labradoodle is low-shedding.
• Grooming varies: wavy and curly coats often need regular brushing and professional clipping to prevent mats.
• Active parents: both parent breeds are energetic, retrieving dogs, so most need daily exercise and mental stimulation.
• A low-shedding coat. Some people with allergies find that easier to live with, but no breed is allergen-free.
• A designer breed, from crossing two purebred parents, so size, coat and temperament vary more than in a purebred.

Getting out with a Labradoodle

They need daily exercise beyond a stroll: longer trails, games of fetch and time to run at the park.

Common health considerations

Inherited conditions to ask your vet about

• Hip/elbow dysplasia
• Progressive retinal atrophy
• Exercise-induced collapse
• Addison's disease

Common issues

• Ear infections
• Skin allergies
• Joint issues

Bloat (GDV) risk: moderate. A swollen belly with retching but nothing coming up is an emergency: go to a vet straight away.

Not every Labradoodle will have these. Good breeders screen for inherited conditions, and your vet can advise on testing and check-ups.

Explore more breeds in the Designer group