Why Labradoodles Make Great Pets

A Labradoodle is a cross between a Labrador and a Poodle. These are fantastic pets for a whole host of reasons, and they are pets that everyone should consider if they are looking for loyal companions that will be entertaining Labradoodles bring many of the appealing benefits of both Labradors and Poodles.

Labradors on the one hand are friendly, loyal, energetic, highly trainable, and extremely funny. On the other hand, Poodles are highly friendly, very intelligent, and sensitive. When you combine both, you get a big ball of fun who is eager to jump up and say hello. Labradoodles are very trainable, and also very smart.

Labradoodles, like both of their parents, are also very friendly with both humans and other dogs. You don’t need to worry therefore about them getting into fights, acting aggressively, or posing any risk to your or your family. This is a pet you can trust, and one that for the most part is low-maintenance.

But there is more to a Labradoodle than just that. Let’s take a further look into what makes these such great pets.

PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

Labradoodles have the rough size of a Labrador. They are generally Labradors crossed with either miniature Poodles, or standard Poodles (the medium and large sizes respectively). The result is either a “big medium” or “small standard” dog.

This is a good size for many people – not so small as to risk getting underfoot, or to easily get away. But likewise not so large as to be unwieldy, or to cause unwanted damage to your home.

These dogs also have a very attractive appearance. They have the curly hair of a Poodle, but this hair is a little straighter, giving them an unkempt mop of hair on their head, that often hangs over their eyes (don’t worry, they can see!). Add in a big lolling tongue and permanently happy expression, and you have a very fun dog to walk!

One of the big benefits of a Labradoodle is that they do not malt. Because of their curly hair, they don’t lose a lot of fur and as such, they aren’t as likely to set off allergens. In fact, their highly trainable nature combined with this lack of shedding means that they are often used as allergy-friendly guide dogs!

This also means that unlike some other cross-breeds, there are reputable organizations that offer Labradoodle breeding.

Note however that not all Labradoodles are hypoallergenic due to the variations that can occur when crossing any two breeds, and this is something you should research before making a purchase. Even those Labradoodles that do shed, however, will typically shed less than Labradors or other similarly sized dogs. This in turn means that there is a little less work for owners to do in terms of picking up hair and preventing it from spreading. There is less need for the use of a hair roller.

With that said though, these longer coats do require a little more grooming than some other breeds, and so this is something to keep in mind. But that can be a positive in itself – as it means you can enjoy giving your dog a wide range of different attractive looks!

Another benefit of having a Labradoodle coat, is that it creates less of the well-known and much-maligned dog odor. If you dislike the idea of coming home to a property that smells of dog, then a Labradoodle might be a particularly smart choice of breed.

BENEFITS OF OWNING A LABRADOODLE

Health

Getting into shape can be difficult mainly because it’s such a challenge to stick to a training program.

You’re unlikely to find that you particularly enjoy going to the gym on a regular basis, and when you combine this with the fact that it represents over an hour out of your time, and the fact that you probably have better things to do, it can be all too easy to just forget it and decide to stay home instead.

If you’re serious about staying in shape, you’re going to need to find a way to encourage yourself to stick to your goals, and to make the exercise more fun where possible. This is where having a dog can be a great benefit – and by letting them help you to stay in shape you can also help to keep them more healthy. Read on to see how you and your dog (and particularly a Labradoodle) can help each other to stay fit and healthy.

Walking

The first health benefit to owning a dog is the fact that you will have to walk them regularly. This will immediately ensure that you’re getting fresh air, and that you’re also moving your muscles around a little.

The great thing about walking a dog is that there’s a very real penalty if you try to shirk your responsibilities: in other words, if you don’t walk your dog, then they’ll be full of energy and might have an accident in the house. They need the exercise, and so do you… easy solution?

This is particularly true of Labradoodles, owing to their relatively large size and their boundless energy!

Games

Dogs love games, and this can also be a great way to get into shape. Most people will take their dog out into the park and throw a ball for them to chase, but you know what they’d actually enjoy more? If you ran too so that they could race you to the ball… Even just running and letting them chase you can be a great way for both of you to burn off some energy and to burn off some calories.

Labradoodles are highly trainable, which means they’re ideal for playing with around the house.

Waking Up

Another great thing about dogs is that they love waking up early in the morning and licking your face until get up. Now this might frustrate you, but remember that dogs are full of energy and are descended from wolves – they’re used to having wide-open expanses that they can run around in which means they don’t particularly appreciate lie-ins the way that you do. But this is a good thing if you want to get into good habits and if you want to fall into a good routine. Let your dog wake you up, take them out walking, and benefit from the early morning yourself!

Company

Another thing to consider when looking at getting any pet – and especially a dog – is just what excellent company they can provide. Because Labradoodles are so smart and so good natured, they make particularly good companions who will sense when you’re having a bad day and keep you company.

Their good nature is excellent for raising spirits too and in general they are an excellent help for loneliness or even depression.

Help

Finally, remember that these highly trainable dogs can also be used as guide dogs in some cases. That makes them ideal for training for a whole range of purposes – whether you are struggling with mobility and need someone to fetch your slippers, or whether you need more hands-on help around the house for things like opening the washing machine.

LABRADOODLES AND YOUR FAMILY

Labradoodles are excellent additions to any family home. They are one of the best choices for a pet to get for a family with young children, partly due to the larger size of the Labradoodles, and partly due to their intelligence and their good nature.

When you have small children, you need to avoid very large bounding dogs that might knock them over.

At the same time though, you also need to avoid very small dogs that can get underfoot and cause tripping – or which might get inadvertently hurt by your children if they aren’t gentle.

A Labradoodle is perfect in this case, because it will be large enough not to get underfoot, but also small enough and sensible enough not to hurt your child. Because they are intelligent and kind dogs by nature, this means they can recognize that you have your own “puppy” and that they need to be more gentle around them. These dogs also play very nicely with cats in many cases, though we recommend introducing them when your dog is a puppy just to make that transition a little easier!

And because Labradoodles are so smart and love playing, they really do make excellent friends for growing children. As an added bonus, did you know that recent research has shown that having a dog in the home actually leads to children with stronger immune systems? This gives your children exposure to just the right amount of bacteria to help them develop tougher immunity!

TIDINESS

Dogs aren’t particularly known for their cleanliness or tidiness. They have a bad habit of bringing in all manner of dead things from the garden, of running around the carpet with muddy paws, and generally causing chaos wherever they go. If you’re someone who is very house-proud, then you might not think that a dog is a good choice.

Is it possible to have a tidy home and a dog? Yes: as long as you choose the right dog!

First of all, you need to address the source of the problem – your canine companion. If you are still at the point of choosing your pup, then you have a few options available to you that can help you to keep your environment tidier. One thing to consider right off the bat is getting a Poodle or some kind of short- haired friend. This is a great move as it will stop you from having fine hairs all over everything. This is where having a Labradoodle comes in so handy – and actually it makes all the difference when it comes to your home. Having to constantly clean hairs off of everything might seem like a small thing, but it can actually be highly time consuming and rather upsetting if you’ve just bought a new couch! This is one of the real selling points of a Labradoodle and a great reason to get one.

You also need to think about training your dog. The earlier the better, but it is never too late. Ensure that your dog knows not urinate on the carpet or bite at the sofa and use something like a prong collar to quickly stop any destructive behaviors. Again, Labradoodles are a great choice here because they are highly trainable and very intelligent. That way, you can easily teach them not to urinate in the home. Did you know that both Poodles and Labradors are considered among the most intelligent dogs?

Rugs and blankets are very useful as a way to create a barrier between your pooch and the floor/sofa.

Most likely your dog will have a place that they sit regularly, so all you then have to do is to lay a blanket or bed there and that will in turn prevent them from making too much mess underneath. Then when you have polite company you can simply lift up the blankets. And the good news is that these should be machine washable too.

Another big benefit of a Labradoodle when it comes cleanliness is that the lack of shedding means you also don’t get hair on your clothes. This is a huge advantage, and just one more reason to consider a Labradoodle over the many other lovely breeds of dog. Combine that with the reduced bad odor and
you have a real win!

CONCLUSION

Any breed of dog brings a whole host of benefits and there is an awful lot to like. The Labradoodle though is a particularly excellent choice for a variety of people thanks to numerous factors. First and foremost, their great nature, high intelligence, and lack of shedding makes them practical and friendly choices. Add to that the fact that they respond well to training, and that they are a good medium size and you have a dog that will be a great addition to any family, or a good companion for anyone else!