BREED STANDARD of the  LABRADOODLE 1997

Temperament and Soundness are the two KEY elements in a good family companion; they must not be sacrificed for any reason.

General Appearance: should be athletic and graceful yet compact with substance and medium boning. Joyful and energetic when free and soft and quiet when handled. They should approach people in a happy friendly manner with eye to eye contact, Keen and easy to train. They have a free flowing wavy or curly coat that does not shed and is possibly non-allergenic.

Size: Standards- 21' to 24 inches. Females- 20 to 27 kg. Males- 25 to 35 kg.

Miniatures: 17 to 20- inches. 12 to 20 kg. Males being the larger.

Body: height to length ratio should be 10 to 12 [being slightly longer in leg, than body.] But still appearing compact.

Shoulders should have good angulation with firm elbows.  Hindquarters should be of medium angulation with short strong hocks. Movement when trotting should be strong, with good reach and drive, giving the appearance of "going somewhere" When relaxed or at play they will prance and skim the ground lightly.

Topline should remain level with strong loin and level croup. They are also a galloping dog; therefore flanks should rise up from a brisket set just below the elbows, but should not be excessively deep.  Ribs should be well sprung but not barrelled.

Tail is preferred low set and sabre like, a high set "gay tail is permissible. Possum type tails are a undesirable. Padded, heavy or course appearance is undesirable.  

Head: Sculptured, Broad, well-defined eyebrows, medium stop, eyes set well apart, nose to eye longer than eye to occiput, The head should be clean and chiselled. 

Eyes: slightly round, large and expressive. Protruding or sunken eyes are a fault. Watery or tearful eyes are a fault.

Teeth scissor bite acceptable only.   miniatures must never have Crowding teeth .

Nose: large square and fleshy.

Pigment: black or rose. Pigment should be strong

Black pigment dogs must have dark brown eyes. Pink spots or patches on nose, lips, eye rims, or pads are a fault. Dogs with rose pigment can have golden hazel or brown eyes. Eye rims should be rose as should nose, lips and pads. Pink spots or patches are a server fault.

Colour: chalk, cream. Apricot/Gold, Chocolate, Café` Black and Silver. Cafe` should be a definite even Smokey silver chocolate.

Chocolate is preferred to be rich with minimal silver hairs, these hairs are referred to as kemp, a course individual fibre that is  white from root to tip.

Chalk, cream and apricot/gold can have rose or black pigment.

Chocolate and Café` must have rose pigment blending in with there coat colour.

Black and silver dogs must have black pigment and dark brown eyes.

Coat/Fleece: There are two coat patterns, Wavy and Curly. Length is 3 to 5 inches long. The wavy coat Texture should be quite similar to that of an Angora goat. " Appearing "to contain a silky lanolin". It should be wavy and forming light loose spirals. Leg and belly hair should not be thick or excessively long. The less kemp the more prizes the coat. It should not be thick and dense nor should it be fluffy or fuzzy, It should be a single coat. A wavy coat after clipping will grow back wavy.

 The Curly coat is  thicker and more " wool" textured.  It should also Flow  loosely After clipping the Curly coat will tighten and usually will not grow out. Curly coats if clipped will need trimming every few months.

There should be no body odour. Or "shedding" It is acceptable to "change coats"  From puppy to adult, also during Hormonal changes in fertile Bitches. This coat must not shed, but should be groomed out.

IT is important that the coat gives the impression of being a fleece rather than dog hair.

There is no Scientific Laboratory proof that the Labradoodle is Hypoallergenic.

Practical research has given the impression that it is highly possible that the fleece and wool textures of the Labradoodle ARE very successful with Athsma AND Allergy Sufferers.

In these infant years of breeding the Labradoodle many first cross {F1} and through backs with a wiry, sparse or half and half shedding type coats are not to be discarded but assessed on there soundness of body and temperament, many of these individuals offer valuable hybrid genetics and will breed on to an exhalent Labradoodle. In order to produce a breed of quality haste must be made SLOWLY,

Genetic resources must be kept broad to protect the Labradoodle breed from the disasters that many other breeds are suffering, "the genetic dead end"

Temperament: Extremely clever, sociable and joyful. Easily trained. Quick to learn unusual or special tasks. Active, a little comical at times. Can attempt to out smart their owners if undisciplined. Friendly though obviously loyal to own family. Non Aggressive. 

Special attention must be directed to soundness. Any Bloodline found to exhibit HD, PRA. VonWilabrands, Elbow or patella disorders should be terminated. It is the Responsibility of conscientious breeders to test there dogs and protect the Labradoodle from developing these or other genetic disorders. It is Good to Keep in mind that the labradoodle is a family companion. We do not want the heartache of illness, and the expense of a less than sound dogs.

   Compiled by A Cunningham 1995 revised 1997 Registrar LAA Inc  revised 2000 Registrar LAA Inc