Doodle Temperament
What's the Most Mellow Doodle Breed to Buy?
Of the common doodle breeds, multigenerational Australian Labradoodles are usually the most predictable in temperament, which is what most families mean by mellow. However, the parents and how the puppy is raised matter more than the breed label.
What do families mean by mellow?
Most families are not asking for a couch potato. They want a dog who plays hard when it is time to play and then lies down when it is time to rest. That is what we mean by mellow, too.
What does the research say about breed and temperament?
Research shows that breeds do differ in behavior on average, and those differences are partly genetic. However, a large 2022 study of more than 18,000 dogs found that breed explains only about 9 percent of the differences between individual dogs.
In other words, breed tilts the odds, but it does not decide them. The parents, the individual puppy, and how he is raised matter at least as much.
Why are Australian Labradoodles usually steadier?
An F1 doodle combines two different breeds, and each puppy can lean toward either side. A multigenerational Australian Labradoodle comes from parents who are already the temperament you want, bred from dogs who were the same. The breed was also developed in Australia with assistance and therapy work in mind, so calm and gentle dogs were favored early on.
That does not mean every Australian Labradoodle is calm. It means you can see what you are likely to get by meeting the parents.
How does raising affect temperament?
A lot of a dog's personality is shaped in the first weeks. We follow Puppy Culture from birth, including early neurological stimulation, recorded household sounds, crate naps from about 4 weeks, and time with our three kids. Our goal is a puppy who walks into a new home with a lot less fear.
How do you find a mellow puppy?
- Meet the parentsWatch how the mom and dad act around new people. That is the best preview you will get.
- Ask about each puppyA good breeder watches the litter every day and can tell you which puppies are busier and which ones are quieter.
- Ask how the litter is raisedEarly handling, sounds, and new experiences help puppies handle a new home.
- Plan for the puppy stageNo 8-week-old puppy is mellow. Daily exercise, short training sessions, and a steady routine help him settle.
Deciding on a size? Compare our mini Australian Labradoodle puppies, 15 to 25 pounds full grown, and our medium Australian Labradoodle puppies, 26 to 50 pounds, both raised in our Anderson, Indiana home.
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 mellow doodles
What is the calmest doodle breed?
Multigenerational Australian Labradoodles are usually the most predictable, because both parents already have the temperament you are looking for. Individual puppies still vary, so meet the parents.
Are mini Australian Labradoodles calmer than mediums?
Not in any way we can promise. Energy level varies more from dog to dog than from size to size.
When do Australian Labradoodles calm down?
Every puppy is busy. Most settle a lot as they leave the puppy stage, and steady exercise and training speed that up.
Does mellow mean lazy?
No. A mellow dog still wants to play and go for walks. The difference is that he can settle when the fun is over.
Related reading: Goldendoodle or Australian Labradoodle? and do Australian Labradoodles bark a lot?
Sources
- Morrill K, et al. (2022). Ancestry-inclusive dog genomics challenges popular breed stereotypes. Science 376(6592).
- MacLean EL, et al. (2019). Highly heritable and functionally relevant breed differences in dog behaviour. Proceedings of the Royal Society B 286.