Origin	The first Labradoodle was bred by Wally Conron, head breeder for the Australian Guide Dog Association in 1989. The following is an article by the AGDA - "The story began in 1988 when our manager of Guide Dogs, was in Hawaii on holiday and met Pat Blum. She told him of her dream to have a Guide Dog but this remained unfulfilled because of her husband's allergy to dog hair. She had heard that Standard Poodles had been trained for Guide Dog work in Australia and asked if their was any chance that this could be tried again. Thus began the Association's quest to find more non allergic dogs which could be trained for Guide Dog work. After a long and unsuccessful search for a suitable Standard Poodle, Harley the Standard Poodle was mated with Brandy the female Labrador Retriever with a proven ability to produce Guide Dogs. The hope was to produce the fine temperament of the Labrador with the non shedding coat of the Poodle. The result of the union was three very cute Labradoodles, Sultan, Sheik and Simon. Sheik and Simon did not qualify but Sultan began his Guide Dog training. Samples of hair were flown to Hawaii, and much to Pat's delight, and allergy test showed no reaction. Pat and Sultan were trained together and formed a strong bond." The Guide Dog Association of Australia * for more details, read Wally's story online - ReadersDigest.com.au
First pet Labradoodle breeder	Dr. Kate Schoeffel, a geneticist and Veterinarian in Condoblyn, New South Wales, a friend of the AGDA's head breeder Wally Conron, began crossing Miniature Poodles with Labrador Retrievers as family pets around 1990.
Description	The Labradoodle's body is slightly heavier than that of a Standard Poodle. The forelimbs are robust and muscular. The muzzle is slightly narrower than a Labrador Retriever. The length of the coat is anywhere from 4 to 6 inches (10-15 cm.) long. Coat colors include: chalk, cream, apricot, chocolate, café, black and silver. Chalk, cream and apricot/gold can have rose or black pigment. Almost half of all Labradoodles don't shed, or shed lightly, and most live easily with families with MILD allergies. - see Dood Database
Generations	A first generation Labradoodle is the product of a standard Poodle crossed with a Labrador Retriever. About half of all first generation Labradoodles either don't shed or shed lightly, and most are compatible for most families with mild allergies. (source- Dood Database) The backcross (F1B) Labradoodle is produced by crossing an F1 Labradoodle with a Poodle. These dogs will have a higher success rate for non-shedding, and are recommended for families with moderate to severe allergies. Technically a multigeneration Labradoodle should be the product of a Labradoodle crossed with a Labradoodle. However, most multigeneration breeders breed Labradoodles to other Labradoodles, Labradoodle backcrosses, or Poodles. For a more detailed description of the generations - click here For a detailed description of the Australian Labradoodle - click here
Temperament	The Labradoodle is good with children and are easy to train. They get along well with other dogs. They are extremely clever, sociable and well tempered.
Height, Weight	Miniature 13-17 inches and weigh between 25 - 45 lbs Medium 18-21 inches and weigh between 30 lbs and 45 lbs Standard 22+ inches The typical mature weight is 45-75 lbs. Some standard sized Labradoodles are even larger, and can weigh over 90 pounds.
Health Concerns	HD, PRA, VonWillebrand's, Elbow and patella disorders.
Living Conditions & Exercise	Labradoodles require a moderate amount of exercise and their coats are generally low maintenance. They can live in the city or on a farm. They are social dogs and they are happiest when they are with people.
Life Expectancy	About 15 years
Grooming	First generation Labradoodles tend to have a low maintenance, shaggy dog look, the hair on the body usually about 2 inches long. Labradoodle backcrosses and multigens tend to have longer fur (4 - 7 inches), and require regular grooming.
Group	Service dogs, field dogs