- Their Health can be Uncertain
Generally speaking, a Labradoodle is a healthy dog. Their average life expectancy is about 12 to 15 years. However, there are still some health issues you’ll want to watch out for.
Labradoodles run the risk of health problems found in both labs and poodles. Hip dysplasia is a common ailment, especially as the dog ages. These dogs are also susceptible to eye disorders including cataracts and progressive atrophy.
You and your vet will need to work together to identify any signs of genetic illness. With supplements and care, your dog can live a long, healthy life. Just be aware that mixed-breed dogs don’t necessarily remove any of the health problems found in the parent breeds.
Plus, the long-term health needs of Labradoodles are relatively uncertain. Labradoodles were first created in the 1950s, so there simply isn’t enough data out there to draw many accurate scientific conclusions. While individual dogs can be (and are) perfectly healthy, the overall health of the breed is relatively unknown.
The main thing to be aware of is labradoodles may suffer from unexpected genetic problems, so you’ll need to always pay attention to their health.
- Not All Labradoodles Look Alike
If you have a specific image of a Labradoodle in mind, you might be surprised. Labradoodles actually have a huge variation in appearance. You should be aware that your Labradoodle puppy may grow up and look completely different from Labradoodles you’ve seen elsewhere.
This is mainly due to cross-breeding. A purebred dog will generally have a predictable look, temperament and behavior traits. But a cross-bred dog can be a bit more unpredictable. A Labradoodle is a cross between a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle – and sometimes the traits of those two dogs are expressed in unexpected ways.
Labradoodles don’t have very consistent physical traits. Their coat might be wavy, wiry, curly or even fleece-like. Their coat color varies as well. Labradoodles can be red, brown, brindle, gold, cream-colored or more. Puppies within the same litter can even look dramatically different from one another, with some puppies looking like Labs and others looking more like Poodles.
The main thing to be aware of here is there’s no one “correct” look for a labradoodle.
You may also want to read: Is a Labradoodle the Right Fit for Your Personality?