What are the cons of owning an Australian Labradoodle?
A family came to visit us last month looking at puppies. The mom looked exhausted. "I'm not going to lie," she said. "Our last dog was a nightmare. We weren't prepared. This time I want to know the hard parts before we start."
I appreciated her honesty. Too many people fall in love with cute puppy pictures and don't think about the challenges. Australian Labradoodles are wonderful dogs. We love ours. But they're not easy dogs. They need work.
If you're thinking about getting an Australian Labradoodle, you need to know what you're getting into. Here are the real cons.
Grooming Costs Add Up Fast
This is the biggest ongoing expense. Australian Labradoodles need professional grooming every 6 to 8 weeks. In Anderson, that costs $60 to $80 per visit. Some places charge more.
Do the math. That's $480 to $640 per year minimum. And that's just grooming. Between visits, you need to brush them at home 2 to 3 times a week. If you don't, their coat mats. Mats are painful. They pull on the skin. Bad mats require shaving the dog completely.
We've seen families who couldn't keep up with grooming. The dog ends up looking like a dirty mop. Then they bring the dog to a groomer and get hit with a $150 bill because the groomer has to spend three hours shaving out mats.
Brushing at home takes 15 to 20 minutes each time. You need a good slicker brush. You need patience. If you hate grooming or can't afford professional grooming, don't get this breed.
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The Purchase Price Is High
Australian Labradoodles from ethical breeders cost $3,000 to $4,000. We charge $3,200. Some people think that's too much for a dog.
Here's why it costs that much. We health test every breeding dog. OFA hip and elbow X-rays cost $200 to $400 per dog. Orivet genetic testing costs $150 to $200 per dog. We do eye exams. We do heart checks. We raise puppies with Puppy Culture, which requires special equipment and tons of time.
Cheap puppies from backyard breeders or puppy mills cost $1,000 or less. But those puppies often have health problems. Hip surgery costs $3,500 to $7,000 per hip. Genetic diseases can cost $5,000 to $15,000 over the dog's lifetime.
You're making a financial commitment up front. If that's not in your budget right now, wait until it is.
They Need Daily Exercise
Australian Labradoodles need 30 to 60 minutes of exercise every day. Not just a quick trip outside to pee. Real exercise. Walks, fetch, swimming, running in a fenced yard.
If they don't get enough exercise, they get bored. Bored dogs destroy things. They chew furniture. They dig holes. They bark constantly. They find ways to entertain themselves, and you won't like their choices.
We tell families this all the time. Some people think they'll exercise the dog every day. Then life gets busy. Work runs late. Kids have activities. The weather is bad. The dog doesn't get walked. Then the dog tears up the couch cushions.
If you work 12-hour days and don't have time for daily walks, this isn't the right breed.
Crate Training Can Be Hard
Puppies whine in their crates at first. Sometimes it feels like they'll never stop. We get calls from new puppy families at 2 a.m. "He's been crying for an hour. What do I do?"
Here's our advice: let them cry it out. I know that sounds harsh. But if you open the crate every time they cry, they learn that crying gets them out. They'll cry every single night.
It's like having a baby. You have to be consistent. Put them in the crate. Walk away. Don't go back until they're quiet. The first few nights are rough. You lose sleep. But if you stay consistent, they learn within a week.
Ohio State University research shows that consistency is key. Puppies need to learn the crate is safe. If you keep letting them out when they cry, they never learn¹.
Some families can't handle the crying. They give up on crate training. Then they have a dog who can't be left alone. The dog destroys things when they leave. It becomes a huge problem.
Puppy Biting Is Intense
All puppies bite. Australian Labradoodle puppies bite ankles, fingers, cords, shoes, and anything else they can reach. This is normal puppy behavior. But it's still hard to deal with.
The biting phase lasts until they're about 4 to 5 months old. During this time, you need to redirect them constantly. They reach for your hand, you give them a toy instead. They bite your ankle, you redirect to a chew toy. Over and over and over.
This requires patience. It requires consistency. You can't give up. If you let them bite sometimes and not other times, they get confused. Everyone in the house needs to follow the same rules.
Some families get frustrated. They yell at the puppy. They push the puppy away. Neither works. Yelling makes some puppies more excited. They think it's a game.
The only thing that works is consistent, calm redirection. Every single time.
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Training Takes Time Every Day
Australian Labradoodles are smart. That's good and bad. Smart dogs learn quickly. But they also get bored easily. They need mental stimulation.
You need to train them 20 to 30 minutes every day. Basic commands like sit, stay, come. Leash training. Impulse control. It adds up.
Some people think they can skip training. "He'll figure it out." No, he won't. Untrained Australian Labradoodles can be headstrong. They pull on the leash. They jump on people. They don't come when called.
Training isn't hard, but it requires consistency. If you train three days then skip four days, the dog forgets. You start over. Daily training is how you end up with a well-behaved dog.
If you don't have 20 to 30 minutes a day for training, you'll struggle with this breed.
They Don't Do Well Alone All Day
Australian Labradoodles are people-oriented dogs. They want to be with their families. They don't do well being left alone for 8 to 10 hours while everyone's at work and school.
Some dogs handle being alone okay. Australian Labradoodles really don't. Even with proper Puppy Culture training, they prefer company. Long hours alone can lead to destructive behavior or excessive barking.
If everyone in your house works full-time and the dog would be alone 8+ hours a day, you need a plan. Doggy daycare, a dog walker, a neighbor who can visit. Something.
We had a family return a puppy once because they didn't realize this. Both parents worked long hours. The puppy was alone 10 hours a day. He destroyed their kitchen. It wasn't his fault. He was lonely and bored.
The Initial Costs Are More Than Just The Puppy
You pay $3,200 for the puppy. But that's just the start. Your first year costs include:
Crate: $50 to $150
Food and water bowls: $20 to $40
Collar, leash, harness: $40 to $80
Food (first year): $300 to $600
Vet visits (first year): $200 to $400
Vaccinations and preventatives: $200 to $300
Toys and chews: $50 to $100
Grooming supplies: $50 to $100
Training classes: $100 to $300
That's $1,010 to $2,070 in addition to the purchase price. Some families aren't prepared for this. They buy the puppy then realize they can't afford everything else.
They're Not Guard Dogs
If you want a dog that will protect your house, get a different breed. Australian Labradoodles love everyone. They might bark when someone comes to the door. But they'll greet a burglar with a wagging tail.
This isn't a con if you want a friendly dog. But some families are surprised. They expect the dog to be protective. Australian Labradoodles just aren't wired that way.
Coat Color and Type Can Vary
Even from good breeders, individual puppies can have slightly different coat textures. Most have fleece or wool coats that don't shed much. But occasionally a puppy has more hair-like coat that sheds more.
This is rare in multi-generational Australian Labradoodles. But it can happen. If your main reason for getting this breed is allergies, understand there's a small chance the dog might shed more than expected.
They're Not For Everyone
Australian Labradoodles are wonderful dogs for the right families. But they're high-maintenance. They need grooming, exercise, training, and companionship. They cost money. They take time.
If you can provide all of that, you'll have an amazing dog. If you can't, you'll both be miserable.
Before you get one, honestly ask yourself:
Can I afford $60 to $80 grooming every 6 to 8 weeks?
Can I brush the dog 2 to 3 times per week at home?
Can I exercise the dog 30 to 60 minutes every day?
Can I train the dog 20 to 30 minutes every day?
Can I handle crate training and puppy biting?
Is someone home during the day, or can I afford daycare or a walker?
Can I afford the purchase price plus first-year costs?
If you answered no to any of these, wait. Save more money. Wait until your schedule is less busy. Wait until you're truly ready.
The worst thing you can do is get a dog you're not prepared for. The dog suffers. You're stressed. Nobody's happy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the most mellow doodle breed to buy?
Find out if Australian Labradoodles are mellow, hyper, or lazy here.
References
¹ Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine Indoor Pet Initiative. (n.d.). Crate Training. Indoor Pet Initiative. https://indoorpet.osu.edu/dogs/puppy/crate-training