The Australian Labradoodle
"What is a Australian Labradoodle?"
What a lot of people don't know is that the Australian Labradoodle originated in "Australia". There is no "Australian Shepard" in the Australian Labradoodle and they are not just a cross between a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle. The founding breeders of the Australian Labradoodle added other breeds of dogs into the lineage to help strengthen certain traits like allergy friendly coats, temperament, and structure. The genetic background of the Australian Labradoodle contains Labrador Retriever, Poodle, Curly Coat Retriever, Irish Water Spaniel, American and English Cocker Spaniel. Here is a brief history about the breed courtesy of the Australian Labradoodle Association of America:
"The Australian Labradoodle breed dates back to the 1980’s and was initiated by Wally Conran of Royal Guide Dogs located in Victoria Australia. The intent was to create a breed that was allergy and asthma friendly with the temperament of a service dog. This journey was inspired by a visually impaired woman in Hawaii needed a Guide Dog which wouldn’t aggravate her husband’s allergies. Of the 31 Labradoodles bred at Royal Guide Dogs, a staggering 29 made it through as Guide Dogs… an accolade of unparalleled proportion for this “new breed’ of Guide Dog.
To continue the efforts of Wally Conron, breeders in Australia began breeding Labradoodles determined to produce litters with consistent conformation, coat type, and temperament. During the 90’s, a number of other dog breeds were bred into the Labradoodle lines to assist in this effort. Most often, the English Cocker Spaniel and American Cocker Spaniel were the breeds used; however, it is reported that a few other dog breeds were also introduced into certain lines. DNA evidence of these dog breeds are still found in a few lines today, while others were bred out and not reintroduced into any other blood lines.
Currently the Australian Labradoodle is considered to be a cross between the Poodle, Cocker Spaniel and Labrador Retriever, while the Labradoodle is a cross between the Labrador Retriever and Poodle only.
Organizations have been formed to protect the continued development of the Australian Labradoodle lines, and guidelines for the continued introduction of English and American Cocker Spaniel are followed carefully. Infusion committees also discuss the merits of other possible dog breeds being allowed careful introduction into select lines. It is an exciting time to be involved in the development of this breed."