Question about Labradoodles?

[zoe08]

Ok, I found out my neighbors want a labradoodle. They want a dog that is hypoallergenic, but they want the personality of a lab.

I have mentioned that I disagree with the "designer dogs" and I think she was not too happy about me mentioning it, and I didn't really get to explain much.

So before the subject is brought up again, I thought I should do some research on them.

I know that here in America they are all basically 1st gen, so is there even really a good chance of them getting a hypoallergenic dog with the lab personality like they want?

She is allergic to dogs, and they have a young daughter, so obviously they want a dog good with children.

Are there any other breeds to recommend? Is there any information about labradoodles, or recommended breeds that I could maybe print out to give to them? I am pretty sure she has her heart set on one, but she said all the ones she have found are too expensive.

I am pretty sure I won't change their mind, and I may not even try, because we really like our neighbors and I already feel like my comment about not agreeing with designer dogs was already a bad thing to do. But I have a hard time sitting back and letting people believe that it is actually a breed and that expecting a certain hair type/personality out of a first gen mix is not really accurate.

 

[PWCorgi]

She is allergic to dogs, and they have a young daughter, so obviously they want a dog good with children.

Has she spent time around any "hypoallergenic" dogs? Does she know what she is specifically allergic to (dander, urine, saliva)? If she is allergic to saliva or urine then it doesn't matter what breed she gets, not a good thing to learn *after* getting a puppy. Also she may still react to the dog. A lot of people also react to puppies far worse than adult dogs.

I suggest she spend time around the breed of dog, or mix, that she wants before she decides to buy one. I know a woman who couldn't be around poodles but did fine with American Hairless Terriers, so it's more complex than just finding a non-shedding breed.

 

[milos_mommy]

I'd tell her this:

LABRADOODLES ARE NOT HYPOALLERGENIC.

Many of them shed, as much, if not more than a lab.

Like PW said...she might be allergic to the dander or saliva, and not the fur at all.

Not to mention, few labradoodles I've met have had the personality of a lab. They're all very serious, kind of protective, incredibly stubborn dogs.

I would mention, if she finds out a low shedding breed would work for her family, portuguese water dogs. They're not exactly like a lab, but they seem to me to be a better family dog choice than a labradoodle.

 

[Kat09Tails]

My first question for them would be how allergic are they? No dog is hypoallergenic but certain dogs will make certain allergies worse. I'm allergic to dogs but don't react to most breeds.

What are they going to do if their allergies get worse? Allergies do evolve over time and sometimes not in a favorable way even to stuff you've been around every day.

I would not get a labradoodle. First off the likelihood of getting a anything but hairy, expensive, land mop is pretty slim. A better choice would likely be something like a chessie or a curly coat.

 

[ravennr]

If she is so set on this mix, tell her to look for older dogs in rescues (because there are plenty of them out there) that fit her rather than completely shooting in the dark. IF her allergy suits it. At least, maybe that will help her end up with something less than random. She can skip the what-if phase some.

Good luck. If she got upset because you don't like designer dogs, I'm not sure how this will go. :\

 

[Dekka]

Rescue is the best option because chances are they would be able to take the dog home and see how her allergies are with THAT particular dog. A puppy would be a bad idea as a puppy coat/dander is different than adult allergens.

 

[zoe08]

She says she was raised with poodles, but they do not want the temperament of the poodle.

I'm not sure I will even say anything else on the matter, but shall the topic come up or anything I want to be more prepared.

 

[ravennr]

Oh well she is just being a bit ridiculous then.

 

[Laurelin]

Honestly, I would just try to point her to decent labradoodle breeders.

 

[corgipower]

Honestly, I would just try to point her to decent labradoodle breeders.

^This.^

Or a rescue.

 

[Lizmo]

I've met a Labradoodle. I don't see how the fur sheds any less than that of a regular dog?

I'd go Poodle, but since she doesn't want one...she does know that a labdoodle is part Poodle? lol

 

[Romy]

My boss has a 9th generation aus. labradoodle import. She's a really sweet, good dog and turned out to be the perfect starter dog for a family with an infant and that had no dog experience.

Elsa doesn't shed. She gets pro groomed very regularly. I have not seen a single, solitary one of her hairs around the house. The coat is not fixed in the breed yet though. I kind of doubt it ever will be. Even wirehaired pointing griffons, who have been around 400 years or so don't produce consistent coats. It's one of those things that drives the breeders crazy.

Some labradoodles shed a poodle amount. Some shed closer to a lab. It's still a bit of a crapshoot. Also, allergies are highly individual. I used to work as a nanny for a girl who was HIGHLY allergic to dogs. She spent some time with standard poodles and within an hour her eyes swelled shut. Yet, she never reacted to Strider in the two years I worked with her, and she had daily prolonged contact with him. Borzois are not a hypoallergenic breed either.

If someone has allergies, I'd recommend testing out individual dogs to gauge the reaction to the dog's dander. It's a much safer, more sure way of ensuring a good match.

 

[Tankstar]

Like every one else has said. its a chance they will shed.

We have tons and tons of labradoodles and goldendoodle that come in for grooming. None I have met seem to be very...Stable I want to say. All have some issue, be it aloof, very stubborn or just plain agressive. Who knows may just be the owners, or the breeders. I would say 85% shed like crazy when I blow dry them the back wall is covered in hair.

Australian labradoodles are a whole different story IMO. they are rec. over there supposidly (never really looked in tot hem) and breed much more true then the BYB ones on this continent.

 

[JennSLK]

Have they thought about a Portie?

Also, Jazz's breeders wife was verry alergic to dogs, but 3-5 dobes in the house didnt bother her. I brought Emma in and she reacted badly. They should spend some time around different dog breeds to see.

 

[Bigpoodleperson]

Not only are labradoodles Part poodle, alot of them are as much as 70% poodle as they have to keep breeding back to poodles to keep the nonshedding. If she doesnt like poodles, then perhaps a labradoodle wouldnt be such a good choice.

 

[Island dog]

Not only are labradoodles Part poodle, alot of them are as much as 70% poodle as they have to keep breeding back to poodles to keep the nonshedding. If she doesnt like poodles, then perhaps a labradoodle wouldnt be such a good choice.

Exactly. Anyone looking for a non shedding dog because of allergies should stick to the proven breeds. Even the breeders of these mixes cannot guarantee no shedding. Pups within the same litter differ greatly. Although Molly doesn't shed, she requires daily grooming. I don't have allergies, but I bet her being a big hairy dog, would probably set off something in a person with allergies, especially if they had to groom her every day.

 

[zoe08]

Have they thought about a Portie?

Also, Jazz's breeders wife was verry alergic to dogs, but 3-5 dobes in the house didnt bother her. I brought Emma in and she reacted badly. They should spend some time around different dog breeds to see.

a Portie? What's that?

From what my husband has said (he works with her husband) she is set on a labradoodle. I am sure she has in her head the she will get a poodle coat with a lab personality.

They most definitely will not be importing from Australia, she has already said the ones in the area she has found are too expensive. I think they are looking in shelters, and I just hope they end up going that route and finding a dog in a shelter, because I am pretty sure they aren't going to find a reputable labradoodle breeder in this area.

I actually know a couple that I think drove all the way to North Carolina to get a labradoodle. But my neighbors don't strike me as the type of people that would do that.

 

[Dekka]

Portuguese water dog. Everyone I have met is a lot of dog, but I am sure there are more laid back ones out there.

 

[milos_mommy]

Portuguese water dog. Everyone I have met is a lot of dog, but I am sure there are more laid back ones out there.

So is a lab.

 

[dachshunds4me]

We had a Portuguese in rescue and she was a handful but also very clingy, apparently that breed tends to be. Must have contact with you at all times, aka Velcro dog.
Plus the coat held a lot of dirt so you're trading hair for dirt.
As others mentioned, "hypoallergenic" only works if you are somehow irritated (not allergic) by regular dog fur.

We put on all our Poodle mixes that there is no guarantee these dogs will be hypoallergenic and won't be adopted to you because you are attracted to them because they might be.