So, Is a Labradoodle right for Me? You might have fallen in love with America’s favorite Doodle, the Labradoodle. They are fun, caring, and adorable. You could be wondering what it takes to be a great Labradoodle owner. Does it take a particular type of owner to own a Labradoodle? Let’s go through all the fantastic qualities of Labradoodles to determine if one is right for your home.
Charming Temperaments
The most crucial factor to see if a Labradoodle is right for you is temperament. Your Labradoodle will naturally be very charismatic. They are very loyal and always excited to see their owners. Paired with high intelligence and eagerness to please, these Doodles are trained for almost anything. Owning a Labradoodle is having a best friend that knows how to bring a smile to your face.
You know a Labradoodle is an excellent choice for you when you can take all the love and excitement.
Size Differences
Size is always an essential factor to consider with any breed. And, lucky for you, Labradoodles come in three sizes for any home.
Mini Labradoodles are all the fun of a full-sized Doodle, in an adorable miniature. These minis are only 15-20 pounds and still have all the energy and personality you have come to know and love. These Mini Labradoodles can fair well in small houses and apartments with regular walks. Smaller dogs can also be useful for children that are easily knocked over by large breeds.
Labradoodles also come in a medium size that weighs between 30-40 pounds. And the known and loved Standard that gets between 50-60 pounds. No matter what your living arrangement is, there is a Labradoodle to fit into our lifestyle.
Grooming Needs
Owning a Labradoodle means that you will have to invest a lot into grooming. Not only will you be spending time every day to brush your Doodle, but you will also need to invest financially. No matter what the size or age of your Labradoodle, you will need to invest in home grooming supplies. You will need things like brushes, combs, shampoos and conditioners, nail clippers, and other various supplies.
You will also need to invest in a professional dog groomer every 6-12 weeks. This extra cost will last for a lifetime. So, you will know if a Labradoodle is a good fit for you if you do not mind investing in a pampered pooch.
But, never fear, these grooming sessions between you and your dog will be almost therapeutic. Nothing will calm a tired soul faster than brushing and petting your Doodle’s soft locks. Not to mention your dog will love the extra love and care.
Shedding
A Labradoodle is the right pet for you if you want a low to a non-shedding dog. There are many reasons for wanting a non-shedding dog. Some ideas can be you do not want to clean up hair messes, have allergies, or even asthmatic.
Labradoodles with curly coats have little to no shedding. While curly coats have almost an utterly shed-free coat, both of these are great options, no matter what your reasons are for having a hypoallergenic Doodle. But be warned, hypoallergenic does not mean that you will not be allergic to these Doodles. People allergic to dogs will likely still be allergic to Labradoodles.
High Energy
Labradoodles are known for their enthusiasm for life. They are like your cheerleader that loves to tag along. Labradoodles need to have a fair amount of exercise daily. Taking one-hour-long walks at least once a day will help your dog from feeling antsy. They love to be outdoors, playing, and enjoying any activity that you do.
A Labradoodle is an excellent choice for you if you have a very active lifestyle. They will love keeping up and exploring with you. They make great companions for any outdoorsman or woman.
Training Needs
Another high point to consider is training your Labradoodle. While all Doodles are highly intelligent, they all have unique personalities that can be a challenge. Labradoodles have very high energy levels, and short attention spans as puppies. This hyperactivity can make them a little challenging to train at first. With a small amount of planning and patience, they will be doing tricks in no time.
Labradoodles are perfect for you if you have the time to do some high-energy play right before training. The point is to wear them down a little, so they can concentrate and sit still. A good game of tug-of-war 20 minutes before training is a great place to start.
Labradoodles will also need to train in short bursts at first. Remember that short attention span? If you notice your puppy has lost interest, take a 30-minute break, and start again.
Once your Labradoodle has matured, they will still love learning new tricks. They become social butterflies. Nothing pleases them more than making you happy.
Is a Labradoodle good for me if I am gone a lot?
One essential aspect of a Labradoodle’s personality is that they thrive off social interactions. If your Labradoodle is left alone for too long, you will notice bad behaviors starting to creep in. They will chew to relieve anxiety, mark from stress, and even digging to curb boredom. Labradoodles need a lot of attention and love to stay healthy and can suffer from extreme separation anxiety.
A Labradoodle is right for you if you have the time and dedication to them.
Patience Needed
Labradoodles are very slow to mature. It comes in part by how large Standards get, and partly because they are hyper. Larger breeds of dogs do not become fully mature until they are 2-3 years old. Two or more years can seem like a long time to have an immature dog. They will take a lot of patience for training and correcting behaviors.
For some, waiting for maturity just isn’t doable. But, a Labradoodle is the right choice for people who have a lot of patience and love the puppy phases the most.
Labradoodle Good With Kids
If your home has children, the Labradoodle is the perfect choice for you. While Labradoodles can bound for joy at times, they are also known to hold back around younger children. Your Labradoodle will know and understand what is acceptable around your children.
And as a bonus, smaller Labradoodles can be another plus for children. Mini-Doodles are least likely to knock over a toddler by accident, or even scare children. Since Labradoodles come in several sizes, you can tailor your needs to your child’s needs.
Common Breed
Since Labradoodles are very common, you won’t have to look far to find one. The commonality is excellent for people because it cuts back on the cost, waiting lists, and transportation of puppies. All you will need to do is a little research into your breeder.
Being popular isn’t always a good thing. It also leads to inbred, overbred, and genetic mutations from irresponsible breeders. You will need to check your breeder to verify are not purchasing from a puppy mill or backyard breeder. These people contribute to higher-priced puppies and the decline of breeds.
Also, since Labradoodles are so standard, you can often find them in shelters and rescues. You might never know these dogs’ past or medical history, but they can still make great pets.
Labradoodles could be an excellent match for an owner that does his homework on where to buy or adopt.
Cost Of Labradoodles
The average cost of a Labradoodle bred by a reputable breeder is $1,000-$3,000. These dogs might seem overpriced, but a Labradoodle at this high of a price should come with a few assurances.
Your Labradoodle will come with vet checks, shots, and dewormed. Your puppy’s parents will have medical testing done to prove that there is little chance of passing down diseases. They will also come with proper coats and excellent temperaments. The facilities will be clean, and all the dogs in good health and temperament.
Your Labradoodle will never come with any AKC documents or other documents claiming that they are a pure breed. Papers are a gimmick by backyard breeders to hike up the price.
If you do not mind spending a little extra for a properly bred dog, a Labradoodle might be for you.
Medical Concerns
As always, considering future medical conditions is still a good idea. You would not want to purchase a puppy that has a high chance of developing a disease that you can not afford. Labradoodles can be prone to developing eye diseases, hip and elbow dysplasia, and blood clotting disorders. While you can get genetic testing done on the parents, even low chances can produce pups with a genetic disorder.
You should always have an emergency fund just for your puppy’s medical needs. And, you may also want to consider investing in pet insurance.
If you have the means to take care of your Labradoodle no matter what, this might be the perfect match for you.
In Conclusion:
Is A Labradoodle Good For Me? If you have gotten at the end of this list, and nothing has turned you away- the Labradoodle is right for you. You will truly enjoy every moment with your beloved friend without doubting for a second your choice. Are there any critical factors you would consider before getting a Labradoodle? Let us know!
Below is a Pinterest friendly photo…. so you can pin it to your Doodle Board!!
