Most people end up here for the same practical reasons: they’re weighing up a Labradoodle as a family dog, managing allergies in the house, or trying to work out why grooming and exercise feel more demanding than expected. With any “oodle” cross, the fine print matters—coat type, size, and health risk can vary wildly between pups, even in the same litter.
Below is a clear, grounded guide to Labradoodle care in Australia: what tends to be consistent, what can’t be guaranteed (including “hypoallergenic”), and the daily routines that keep these bright, busy dogs comfortable.
Quick facts: Labradoodle
- Type: Cross between a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle (often Standard or Miniature Poodle).
- Size: Commonly medium to large, but can range from small to large depending on the Poodle parent.
- Height: Often around 53–63 cm at the shoulder for larger Labradoodles (varies by breeding).
- Weight: Often around 23–30 kg for larger Labradoodles (varies by breeding).
- Coat: Can be straight, wavy, or curly; shedding can be low to moderate.
- Lifespan: Often around 12–15 years (varies with size and health).
Understanding Labradoodles (and why they vary so much)
“Labradoodle” describes a cross, not a single, consistent breed standard. That’s why one may look and feel like a light-shedding, curly-coated Poodle type, while another has a straighter coat and sheds more like a Labrador. Temperament can be similarly variable: many are social and quick to learn, but the balance of energy, sensitivity, and focus depends on genetics, early handling, and training.
It’s also worth knowing that “designer dog” crosses aren’t recognised as registered breeds by Dogs NSW (which recognises breeds approved by Dogs Australia / ANKC), even though individual dogs can still be wonderful companions.1
Are Labradoodles hypoallergenic?
No dog is truly hypoallergenic. Some Labradoodles may be lower-shedding and may suit some people with allergies better than others, but it isn’t guaranteed—especially in first-generation crosses where coat type can be unpredictable. If allergies are a major factor, spend time with the individual dog you’re considering (not just “the breed”), ideally indoors and over more than one visit.
History and origin
The Labradoodle’s modern story is widely linked to guide dog breeding in Australia in the late 1980s, when a Labrador was crossed with a Poodle in an effort to produce a guide dog more suitable for someone with allergies. One of the early dogs often mentioned in this origin story is “Sultan”.2
Temperament and behaviour
In the average household, a Labradoodle tends to be an observant, people-focused dog with a busy mind. Many enjoy training, games, and being close to family activity, and they often do best when they have a predictable routine.
With children and other animals
Many Labradoodles live happily with children and other pets, but don’t rely on reputation alone. Supervise introductions, teach children calm handling, and plan for training that rewards the dog for relaxed behaviour around movement, noise, and visiting friends.
As assistance or therapy dogs
Some Labradoodles are used successfully in assistance and therapy contexts, largely because they can be responsive, trainable, and socially steady. Suitability comes down to the individual dog’s temperament, health, and training—rather than the label.
Training: start early, keep it kind
Labradoodles often learn quickly, but that intelligence can cut both ways. Without guidance, they invent their own entertainment: counter-surfing, digging, chasing, or rehearsing noisy greetings. Early training gives them a job, and gentle structure helps them settle.
What works best
Reward-based training (positive reinforcement) is widely recommended because it builds reliable behaviour without escalating fear or conflict. In practice, that means setting the dog up to succeed, then rewarding what you want repeated—food, toys, or calm praise—while managing the environment so unwanted behaviour doesn’t pay off.3
Socialisation (done properly)
Think of socialisation as “safe exposure” rather than throwing your pup into the deep end. Quiet streets, gentle visitors, friendly dogs, different surfaces underfoot, car rides, grooming tools—small, calm experiences that add up.
Exercise and enrichment
Most Labradoodles need daily exercise and daily mental work. The exact amount depends on age, size, and temperament, but a bored Labradoodle is often a noisy one.
- Movement: Brisk walks, off-lead running (where safe and legal), swimming, and fetch can all suit—build up gradually in young dogs.
- Brain work: Food puzzles, scent games, short training sessions, and “find it” games inside the house.
- Rest: Teach an “off switch”. Many young doodles need help learning how to relax.
Health and lifespan
Labradoodles can be robust dogs, but they can also inherit problems seen in Poodles and Labradors. Good breeding and good everyday care both matter.
Common issues to watch for
- Hip dysplasia: A common inherited developmental problem in medium and large dogs that can lead to arthritis and chronic pain. Keeping your dog lean and avoiding excessive growth in puppies helps reduce pressure on developing joints.4
- Ear infections (otitis externa): Dogs with pendulous (floppy) ears, hair in the ear canal, allergies, and frequent moisture exposure (including swimming) can be more prone. Head shaking, odour, redness, discharge, or discomfort are common signs—see your vet rather than guessing with home remedies.5
- Allergies and skin irritation: Often linked with itching, recurrent ear trouble, paw-licking, or recurrent skin infections. Your vet can help work out whether food allergy, environmental allergy, parasites, or infection is involved.
Health testing and breeder checks
If you’re buying a puppy, ask what health testing has been done on the parents. In Australia, hip and elbow screening may be done through schemes such as Dogs Australia’s Canine Hip and Elbow Dysplasia Scheme (CHEDS). Testing doesn’t guarantee a perfect dog, but it reduces avoidable risk.6
Grooming and coat care
Labradoodle coats often look effortless—until they aren’t. Wavy and curly coats can mat close to the skin, especially behind the ears, under the collar, in the armpits, and around the tail base. Mats aren’t just cosmetic; they can pull at the skin and trap moisture.
A practical routine
- Brush and comb: Several times a week for most coats; daily during high-friction periods (wet weather, swimming, winter jumpers, lots of play).
- Professional grooming: Many owners book every 6–10 weeks, depending on coat type and preferred length.
- Ears: Keep ears dry after swims and baths. If your dog is prone to infections, ask your vet about an appropriate ear-care plan.
Diet and nutrition
Choose a complete and balanced diet that suits your dog’s life stage (puppy, adult, senior) and body condition. Labradoodles can be enthusiastic eaters, and extra weight quietly loads the joints and can worsen orthopaedic problems over time.
Human foods to avoid
Some common household foods can make dogs seriously unwell. In Australia, animal welfare authorities and pet-care organisations consistently warn against:
- Chocolate
- Grapes, raisins, sultanas (risk of kidney failure)
- Onion, garlic, chives (can damage red blood cells)
- Xylitol (in some sugar-free products)
- Alcohol and caffeine products
If you think your dog has eaten something dangerous, contact your vet immediately.7, 8
Dental care (small habit, big payoff)
Dental disease is common in dogs, and prevention mostly comes down to regular home care. Veterinary dental guidelines emphasise that tooth brushing needs to be frequent—ideally daily—to be most effective, because it removes plaque before it hardens into calculus (tartar).9
If brushing is new in your household, start slowly: a finger rub, then a soft brush, then brief sessions focused along the gumline. Your vet can also advise on dental diets and products.
Final thoughts
A Labradoodle can be a steady, lively companion: bright-eyed on the morning walk, nose down in the grass, then quietly near your feet once their needs are met. The care isn’t complicated, but it is consistent—training that rewards calm choices, exercise that matches the dog in front of you, and grooming that prevents problems rather than chasing them.
References
- Dogs Life (includes Dogs NSW perspective): Breeding designer dogs
- GQ: Man Who Invented the Labradoodle Plagued With Deep and Constant Regret (background on origin story, including Sultan)
- RSPCA Knowledgebase: Reward-based dog training and why the RSPCA supports it
- Morris Animal Foundation: Hip dysplasia in dogs (updated April 4, 2024)
- Merck Veterinary Manual (Professional): Otitis externa in animals (revised/modified Sept 2025)
- Dogs Australia: CHEDS (Canine Hip and Elbow Dysplasia Scheme)
- RSPCA Pet Insurance: Fruit and vegetables (and other foods) to avoid feeding your dog
- Agriculture Victoria (Animal Welfare Victoria): Human foods to avoid for cats and dogs
- AAHA: 2019 Dental Care Guidelines – recommending home oral hygiene and products
Veterinary Advisor, Veterinarian London Area, United Kingdom