Sunday, June 3, 2018

Finding A Reputable Australian Labradoodle Breeder

By Deborah Thompson


There are many breeders offering Labradoodle puppies as they have become extremely popular and sought after. However, finding an Australian Labradoodle breeder may not be as simple as a quick look on your favorite search engine. This true breed is not just Labrador cross poodle, but in fact a complex mix of breeds which is very different from a straight two breed cross.

When Beverly Manners and Angela, her daughter, first started the breed back in the 1980's, they were looking for a particular set of traits. To this end they bred Cocker and American Spaniels with their first crosses to enhance their coat and size. The Wheaton terrier was also added for temperament. Once they had added a dash of Portuguese Water Dog they finally had a dog they thought perfect. They have sine renamed it the Cobberdog so as distinguish it from other lines.

There are some unsavory breeders who might sell you a regular dog with a fake pedigree. This is because whenever something has value, it is likely to be copied and sold as the real thing to make a huge profit. However, there are extremely reputable breeders who can trace their bloodlines all the way back to a true Cobberdog. The Australian Labradoodle Association of America (ALAA) is the place to find those breeding true ALs.

People who breed pedigree dogs will be able to provide you with all the information about the bloodlines of the puppy. Breeding what is already a mixed dog is particularly complex and you are likely to find that one parent is pure poodle. This is to prevent genetic defects from breeding like to like too often.

When you have located a good reliable breeder, then you can go ahead and choose your puppy. The size, temperament, color and coat may all vary depending on the original parents, grandparents and so on. Shedding might be your priority so check that the puppies have sufficient poodle to accommodate this. Back breeding might dilute some traits so they are not as strong as the original cross.

The genetic diversity found in mixed breeds mean they are less likely to suffer from inherited defects. This is why mongrels are so healthy and long-lived. While ALs are mixed, they come from pure stock originally and therefore may inherit those problems common to Labradors and Poodles. These include the blood disease Von Willebrand's as well as the more common hip dysplasia (HD) and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). These conditions will affect the quality of the life the pup has and run up costly vet bills.

Do not forget that your puppy will be intelligent and will want to work and please you. These dogs need to be trained and given stimulus. A bored puppy will soon become a naughty puppy finding its own entertainment by chewing or perhaps becoming an escape artist. Training classes are widely available from basic obedience to retrieving and agility.

With a little research you should be able to find a reputable breeder who has healthy puppies. Use the information that can be found on the ALAA website and check the dam and sire are problem free. Your AL will then be a loving friend for life.




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