Labradoodle - Top 10 Interesting Facts

It’s not surprising that the Labradoodle has gained such popularity so quickly. Originally developed to be hypoallergenic guide dogs, the first planned crosses of Poodles and Labrador Retrievers were arranged by the Royal Guide Dogs Association of Australia.
There are TOP 10 interesting facts about Labradoodle.

1) Origin

The labradoodle entered the limelight in 1988, when an Australian breeder successfully crossed the Labrador retriever and standard poodle to create a guide dog for the blind that might also be attractive to those allergic to fur and dander. Introduced to American breeders soon afterward, the breed gained skyrocketing popularity because of its calm guide dog demeanor and hypoallergenic nature.

2) Temperament

Blessed with the outstanding qualities found firmly ingrained in the genes of their parent breeds, labradoodles are naturally intuitive, social, loving and easily trained. They crave stimulation, require companionship and have proven themselves to be great dogs for families, especially those with young children.

3) Swimmers

The poodle is actually a water dog, and the Labrador retriever is also very at home on water as well as on land, often retrieving in lakes and streams as well as through the rough! This means that the offspring of two dogs of this type such as the Labradoodle will usually be a keen swimmer and never miss a chance to get their paws wet, and if they inherit the poodle-style coat, they will also be rather water repellent and easy to dry off as well!

4) Celebrity Dog

Labradoodles are becoming so popular even celebrities are welcoming them into their family. Celebrity owners include Jennifer Aniston, Christie Brinkley, Tiger Woods, Hugh Panaro, and Joe Biden.

5) Size

Like the poodle, the labradoodle is available in three distinct sizes -- standard, medium or miniature. The standard labradoodle stands at least 22 inches at the shoulders and weighs more than 45 pounds at maturity. Medium labradoodles reach a height of 17 to 31 inches and a weight of 25 to 45 pounds. Labradoodle miniatures measure 14 to 16 inches high, while gently gracing the scales at less than 25 pounds.

6) Easy Training

Dog training can be great fun, and with the Labradoodle's high intelligence and loyal nature, regular short training and play sessions are perfect for bonding with this dog. Labradoodles sometimes undergo gundog training and can benefit hugely from the discipline involved in this type of dog training.

7) Family Dog

Labradoodle is excellent choice for families with children and other pets. It likes to play and spend time with members of its family.

8) Coat

Due to its hybrid nature, the texture and colors of labradoodle coats vary. A labradoodle coat texture might be wiry, wavy, tightly curled or soft like fleece. The color of the coat could be tan, gold, red, black, brown or brindle. Most labradoodles have odorless, low to non-shedding coats, though some with strong Labrador genes do shed lightly and with less odor than Labradors.

9) Tracking Skills

It appears that Labradoodles have amazing tracking skills, as a Labradoodle in America, who is a companion dog to a boy with autism, travelled across two counties recently, in search of his owner. The dog had been left with relatives who lived twelve miles away, but he jumped a 6' fence, negotiated two interstate highways and avoided numerous coyotes on his way back. He was found about a mile from his home, and then he slept for three days solid!

10) Shedding

Labradoodle with fleece-like fur is odorless and it sheds minimally, but its coat has tendency to tangle and mat. Labradoodle with hairy fur sheds the most and it requires one or two brushing per week, like many other types of medium shedders.

Source:
http://pets.thenest.com/fun-labradoodles-6516.html
http://ezinearticles.com/?Labradoodles---Ten-Facts-to-Convince-You-That-They-Are-Not-Just-Any-Old-Designer-Dog!&id=2453624
http://www.softschools.com/facts/dogs/labradoodle_facts/2439/