Labradoodle

There's a reason Labradoodles turn up in so many Australian homes. Here's what wins people over:

• A coat that's kind to allergy sufferers. The Poodle side gives many Labradoodles a coat that drops very little hair and produces less of the dander most people react to. While no dog is fully hypoallergenic, plenty of families who can't keep other breeds manage well with a Labradoodle.
• Easy to teach. With a Labrador and a Poodle behind them, Labradoodles are bright and keen to work with you, which makes house training and basic obedience come along nicely. That same aptitude is why the breed is a favourite for assistance and therapy work.
• Warm and sociable by nature. Labradoodles tend to be outgoing, gentle dogs that thrive on company. They're wonderful around children and generally welcome other animals into the mix, which makes them a comfortable choice for a busy household.
• Energy to share. These are active dogs that enjoy a good walk, a swim, or a game in the yard. If your family likes getting out and about, a Labradoodle will happily come along for the ride and settle down contentedly once the exercise is done.
  

Questions to Put to Your Labradoodle Breeder

Breeders vary a great deal, and working out the good ones from the rest takes a bit of digging. Careless breeding can leave puppies with health problems that a responsible approach would have avoided, so a few well-chosen questions go a long way. Here's what to ask any Labradoodle breeder before you commit:

• Have the parents been health-tested? Since Labradoodles draw from Labradors and Poodles, they can inherit conditions like hip and elbow trouble or eye disease from either line, so careful breeders screen the parents first. 
• Are the puppies vaccinated? Responsible breeders begin vaccinations before a puppy goes home. When yours leaves us, its vaccination card goes with it.
• How long have they been breeding? Time in the game says a lot about how well a breeder knows their dogs, so ask about their experience before you decide.
• How are the puppies socialised? A puppy's early weeks shape the temperament it carries for life. We raise ours to the Victorian Code of Practice, with regular audits of our facilities and animal welfare.