Designer dogs have been around for a few years, and so, their numbers are growing. In fact, their popularity is growing as well. People are discovering that designer dogs glean the best traits from both breeds in their parentage, making the crossbreed a better pet in some cases than the purebred.
Even the fact that these designer dogs are quite often more expensive than purebreds, people still clamor for them. In fact, demand can sometimes exceed the supply. Perhaps, this is one of the root causes for more crossbreeds turning up in more areas of the country than ever before.
Labradoodles, recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club, have been around since the 1970s. Requests for allergy friendly companion dogs helped the labradoodle to evolve. Attempts were made to produce a steady supply of these dogs especially to people with special needs. However, crossbreeding labradoodles encountered some initial setbacks, and it wasn’t until later on that the practice of crossbreeding labradoodles actually picked up intensity.
A labradoodle is a cross between a Labrador retriever and a poodle that exhibits characteristics of each breed. However, the labradoodle appears to be without some of the more annoying characteristics of each breed.
The typical labradoodle exhibits the intelligence and slight frame of the poodle. Labradoodles are often aloof in a manner quite similar to the aloof nature of a purebred poodle.
The typical labradoodle also exhibits the loyalty of Labrador retrievers. Moreover, they are lovable and friendly like Labrador retrievers. Additionally, they are not prone to the medical problems of either breed.
Additionally, the labradoodle seems to have also inherited the non-shedding characteristic of the poodle as well as being regarded as having a low allergy risk. However, a crossbred labradoodle that is one part Labrador retriever and three parts poodle has the best chances of producing a low shedding dog that will be a good match for people with severe allergies. However, a crossbred that is not a balanced 50-50 of the two breeds is not as healthy as a crossbred that is 50-50.
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Aug 26, 2008
Designer Dogs: the Labradoodle
Posted by Retail Therapy Lounge on 6:07 PM
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3 comments:
Interesting that a 50/50 cross is healthier than other ratios... any idea why?
Interesting post. I didn't know Labradoodles had been around for that long. I thought it was a 21st century type of thing.
They certainly are cute though but it pains me that people will go out and request a dog that has to be bred instead of saving one from a shelter or local rescue.
Jaime
Thanks for the interesting info on the Labradoodle. I just might look into one of these crosses :)
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