Are you thinking about bringing a Labradoodle into your home? If so, congratulations! They’re wonderful dogs who can bring a lot of love and a lot of fun into a family.
If you’ve never owned a Labradoodle before, however, you might be in for a few surprises. Labradoodles are a crossbreed between a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle. But Labradoodles are unique animals all their own. Before you purchase a Labradoodle, here are six important things you need to know:
- Labradoodles Have Unpredictable Personalities
Many first-time owners assume a Labradoodle contains only the most desirable personality traits from labs and poodles. But this isn’t really how cross-breeding works. Labradoodles can inherit a wide variety of personality traits. Some common traits found in Labradoodles include:
- High intelligence
- Easy trainability
- Friendliness around people
- Loyalty to family/“pack”
But each dog is different. It’s important to be aware that mixed-breed dogs such as Labradoodles aren’t going to have predictable personality traits based on their parent breeds.
The main thing to be aware of is that each Labradoodle will have a personality all its own.
- Labradoodles Aren’t Necessarily Hypoallergenic
Many people think Labradoodles are hypoallergenic, which makes them a good choice for people with dog allergies. Unfortunately, this isn’t really the case.
Most pet allergies are caused by pet dander, not any specific type of fur. Labradoodles will have dander. They’ll have less dander in general than many dogs, but they’re still usually a problem for people with dog allergies.
The mixed-breeding process means traits are hard to predict in Labradoodles. If you have dog allergies, try to spend some time around the dog you plan to adopt. Reputable breeders will usually accommodate you.
Many poodles have minimal “dog smell.” Some Labradoodles also have this trait, but it’s not a guarantee. Again, this is something a reputable breeder will be able to help you with.
The main thing to be aware of is while Labradoodles are great pets, they’re not as hypoallergenic as many people think.
You may also want to read: Is a Labradoodle the Right Fit for Your Personality?