Breed Basics
What Is an Australian Labradoodle?
An Australian Labradoodle is a multigenerational breed that started in Australia with the Labrador and Poodle and added Cocker Spaniel and a few other breeds early on. Today they are bred Australian Labradoodle to Australian Labradoodle, so size, coat, and temperament are much more predictable than in a first-cross Labradoodle.
Where did the breed come from?
The story starts in Australia in the late 1980s. Wally Conron, who ran the breeding program at Royal Guide Dogs in Victoria, was asked for a guide dog for a woman whose husband was allergic to dogs. He crossed a Labrador with a Standard Poodle, and one of those puppies went on to do the job.
That was a first cross. The Australian Labradoodle came after. Two breeding programs in Victoria, Rutland Manor and Tegan Park, began breeding Labradoodles to Labradoodles, generation after generation. Early on they also added a few other breeds, most importantly the Cocker Spaniel, to improve temperament, size, and coat.
So is it a breed or a mix?
Every breed started as a mix. What makes something a breed is planning and time. Breeders pick dogs with the traits they want, track pedigrees, and keep doing it until the puppies look and act like their parents.
That is where Australian Labradoodles are today. They are not recognized by the AKC, but they are registered through breed groups like WALA that keep pedigrees and set health testing standards. In other words, they are a breed in the making, not a coin flip.
| Labradoodle (F1) | Australian Labradoodle | |
|---|---|---|
| Parents | Labrador and Poodle | Australian Labradoodle and Australian Labradoodle |
| Breeds in the background | Two | Labrador, Poodle, Cocker Spaniel, and a few others early on |
| Coat | Varies from puppy to puppy | Fleece or wool, more consistent |
| Predictability | Low | High |
What are Australian Labradoodles like?
- Temperament. Usually friendly, gentle, and people-focused. They like to be where their family is.
- Coat. Low-shedding fleece or wool that needs brushing and regular grooming.
- Size. Mini, medium, and standard. We raise minis (15 to 25 pounds) and mediums (26 to 50 pounds).
- Energy. Moderate. They want daily walks and play, then they are happy to settle.
Why did we choose them?
Before we bred Australian Labradoodles, we were a guardian home for nine Goldendoodle litters starting in 2022. We liked those dogs. However, we wanted to be able to describe a puppy honestly before it was born. A multigenerational breed lets us do that, because the parents already are what you are hoping to get.
Our parents' pedigrees go back to the original Australian programs at Tegan Park and Rutland Manor. Every one of them is tested and cleared for OFA hips, elbows, and eyes, plus a full Orivet genetic panel. You can see them all on our Meet the Parents page.
When is the next litter?
Puppies go home at 8 weeks old. Click here to see when our next litters are due.
Common questions about Australian Labradoodles
What is the difference between a Labradoodle and an Australian Labradoodle?
A Labradoodle is usually a Labrador and Poodle cross. An Australian Labradoodle is a multigenerational breed that also includes Cocker Spaniel and a few other breeds from its early years, and it is bred Australian Labradoodle to Australian Labradoodle.
Are Australian Labradoodles a recognized breed?
They are not recognized by the AKC. They are registered through breed groups such as WALA, which keep pedigrees and set health testing standards.
Where did Australian Labradoodles come from?
The first Labradoodles were bred in Australia in the late 1980s as allergy-friendly guide dogs. Breeding programs in Victoria, Australia then developed them into a multigenerational breed.
How big do Australian Labradoodles get?
They come in mini, medium, and standard sizes. Our minis run 15 to 25 pounds and our mediums run 26 to 50 pounds.
Do Australian Labradoodles shed?
Very little. Their fleece and wool coats hold loose hair until you brush it out. No dog is allergen-free, though.
Want to meet an Australian Labradoodle?
Come meet our parent dogs and see the breed for yourself.
Related reading: multi-gen vs. F1 Labradoodles and Goldendoodle or Australian Labradoodle?