Labradoodles
Labradoodles are created from crossing labrador retrievers and poodles. The first recorded breeding was in Australia in the 1980's by Wally Cochran at the Royal Guide Dog Association.His aim was to provide a guide dog with an allergy friendly coat. These first generation (F1) labradoodles were found to be well suited for special work such as therapy, assistance, hearing ear, seizure alert and guide dogs. Since that time, Labradoodles have enjoyed popularity in Australia and are widely bred there, not only as a first generation cross, but also with many people choosing to breed second and third generation labradoodles (F2&F3). Labradoodles are now a well established breed there.
The offspring of the first generation crossing of two different breeds tend to have superior health, inheriting the best of both parents. This is known as hybrid vigour.
The attributes of the poodle and the lab come together to make an awsome family pet, being very well suited to families with children. They are very unagressive, confident, joyful, vivacious, clownlike in their play, sociable, and very clever. They respond very well to positive training methods. Most love water and are natural retrievers and swimmers. They are very active, atheletic dogs when playing, but also loving and mellow as when cuddled and touched by people.
It is because of these positive personality traits that the Labradoodle is now becoming popular in North America as a pet.
