Labradoodle (Standard)

This larger type of Labradoodle is more easy-going with children. But their size and strength, even before maturity, might be too much for little ones. They make wonderful companions for slightly older children who have the stamina to keep up with them!

Whilst they’re probably too strong for children to handle on a lead, running and playing in fields with them is fine – and great fun! Both the Labrador and the Standard Poodle have gundog (hunting) roots, so they may steal soft toys if given half a chance. Labradors are prone to chewing, which means valuable toys need to be kept out of reach.

Absolutely – all sizes of Labradoodle are affectionate. They love physical attention and crave play. They’re also partial to a good snuggle on the sofa, or even on your bed – if allowed! These dogs show their affectionate nature by following you around, nuzzling or leaning on you for strokes.

Yes! They love to use their noses for sniffing and finding treats, along with chasing and retrieving toys. The standard Poodle and the Labrador Retriever have gundog (hunting) roots, so it’s in these dogs’ nature to use their nose and have things in their mouth.

The Poodle in them – a very smart breed – needs lots of mental stimulation, which can be satisfied through play. So if you’re considering a Labradoodle, you’ll need to have enough time for regular play sessions.

Yes and no – it depends on the size of the dogs used in the breed mix, as this will determine the amount of noise they make.

The standard/large Labradoodle will bark to let you know that someone is at the door. But they’re not prone to nuisance barking. Whilst their size may scare off intruders, they’ll likely greet them with a toy in their mouth! So if you’re looking for a guard dog, the Labradoodle might not be for you.

This active, smart, goofy crossbreed makes a wonderful family pet or companion. But only if their needs are met, including things like training, exercise, and mental stimulation. If your Goldendoodle feels bored or frustrated, they’ll let you know. Expect nuisance barking, chewing, and/or digging holes in your garden!

Labradoodles are born entertainers. They’re also very social dogs, so they need to be socialised well to ensure they have good manners around people. This means not jumping or barking in excitement too much! Socialisation is about teaching a dog to interact in an appropriate way with people and other dogs.

Like all dogs, Labradoodles need your time, care, and attention to live their best life.

As you can imagine, the size of your Labradoodle will determine the type of home environment they need. If you choose this larger type, a good-sized garden is great for play, as well as daily access to open green spaces. It’s vital they get the opportunity to run around and have some fun!

A Labradoodle needs lots of attention and exercise, as well as time spent on grooming their beautiful coats.

They can live happily with other animals, but socialisation is the key to success!

If you meet their needs, mature Labradoodles can be left home alone for a few hours at a time. But this isn’t a dog you can ignore – they adore people!

The standard/large Labradoodle is a big bundle of energy. They need at least 90 minutes of exercise a day. This can be divided into two short walks, but daily off-lead exercise is also a must. Both of the parent breeds are excellent swimmers, which is a great form of exercise. Their gundog (hunting) roots mean they also love to use their noses and play retrieve games.

As Poodles are one of the most intelligent breeds, it’s essential their brains are exercised as well as their bodies!

Poodles are one of the brightest dog breeds. The Labrador Retriever ranks pretty highly when it comes to intelligence too! So the Labradoodle picks up training quickly. The Labradoodle loves to learn new things, with food and toys being their main sources of motivation!

Socialisation and habituation training is essential for all puppies and the Labradoodle is no exception. Socialisation is teaching a dog to interact in an appropriate way with people and other dogs. Habituation is teaching a puppy to ignore some people, other dogs, traffic, noises, livestock, etc.

Teaching these big, strong dogs recall is essential. This means they can enjoy off-lead exercise, as well as loose lead walks.

Labradoodles are ideal for all sorts of different canine sports. They’re a great way to keep them mentally stimulated!

As a tall dog which adores food, they’re known to steal bits from kitchen worktops. It’s just so easy for them – so keep an eye out!

Labradors are renowned chewers when bored, so make sure you provide them with plenty of appropriate chew toys. 

Whatever the parentage of your Labradoodle, they’ll need lots of time spent on their coats, which can be curly, wavy, fleecy, or straight.

This crossbreed isn’t a heavy shedder, but daily grooming is still important. If they’ve been crossed with a Poodle, they’ll shed less. But their curly coat will still need maintenance every day to prevent knots. The Poodle coat mats very quickly, which can pull on their skin and become painful. You’ll need to allow around 30 minutes for grooming every day. It’s also advisable to visit a professional groomer every six to eight weeks for a proper pamper, including a bath, groom, trim, ear clean and nail clipping.

Keeping your dog’s coat looking fabulous is a cost you’ll need to consider.  

Both the Poodle and the Labrador Retriever are affected by a number of genetic health issues, which a trusted breeder should test for before selling them. These include:

• Hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia: a genetic condition affecting the joints, leading to pain and mobility issues
• Eye cataracts
• Heart problems
• Thyroid issues
• Von Willebrand disease (where the blood doesn’t clot properly) 
• Cancer

You can help keep your dog in tip-top shape with regular health checks, a good diet and exercise.