Standards for Labradoodles

The Labradoodle is a cross between a poodle and a Labrador retriever. The Australian Labradoodle Association of America determines the standards that ensure the purity of the breed. The Labradoodle standard helps breeders select stud dogs and female dogs that will reproduce the breed's finest characteristics. The Labradoodle standard can be used as a guideline for pet owners in choosing a Labradoodle, whether you want a show dog or a family pet.

  1. Accepted Sizes

    • Three sizes of Labradoodle are accepted by the Labradoodle standard. Miniature Labradoodles grow up to 16 inches, measured from withers (shoulders) to ground, but cannot exceed 17 inches. The medium-size Labradoodle grows up to 20 inches and cannot be more than 21 inches. Medium-size male Labradoodles should be 18 to 20 inches while females should be 17 to 19 inches. The standard for standard (the largest size) Labradoodles ranges from 21 to 24 (not over 25) inches. Ideally, the standard Labradoodle female is 21 to 23 inches, while the standard male Labradoodle ranges from 22 to 24 inches.

    Coat

    • The Labradoodle's coat is 4 to 6 inches long and silky, though and variably wavy or straight. Seven colors are accepted by the Labradoodle standard. The "parti" coloring is half white with solid blotches of any other color. Speckling of the white with the solid color is accepted by the Labradoodle standard, but is frowned upon. Similar to "parti" is "abstract" coloring. Labradoodle standard requires "abstract" coloring to be less than half white with the rest of the coat any other solid color.

      "Solid" coloring should be even with no other markings except a small white patch on the chest, tail or feet.

      The Labradoodle standard also accepts "phantom" coloring, which is one color with a second color over each eye, on each side of the muzzle, on the cheek, beneath the ears, running from the throat down to the chest, on the feet and under the tail.

      A tiger-striped pattern of black hairs layered with lighter colors is called "brindle." The combination of certain colors makes the tiger pattern. The colors are usually cream, chalk, gold and red or parchment, lavender and café.

      Colors or pattern in various colors is known as "multi" in the Labradoodle standard. This color can be a mixture of various patterns like "parti" and "sable," for instance.

      Any solid color coat with black tipping is considered "sable" coloring. The ideal standard is even tipping throughout the coat, but the Labradoodle standard does not penalize uneven tipping.

    Head

    • According to the Labradoodle standard, the head should be broad and well sculpted, with noticeable eyebrows. The eyes should be large and round, set far apart. Labradoodles should not have watery, sunken or protruding eyes. The ears lie flat against the side of the head and should be even with the eyes. If pulled forward, the ears should touch the canine tooth.

    Temperament

    • The Labradoodle is an intelligent, lively dog that combines the intelligence of the poodle with the comical qualities and loyalty of the labrador. An excellent family dog, the Labradoodle takes quickly to training.