This classic example of logical and planned cross breeding was created in Australia in the 1980's. The goal was and still is to create a new "breed" with the best attributes of the original breeds. The objective was to produce assistance dogs that do not shed hair. The Labradoodle started out as a simple cross between the Labrador retriever and Standard Poodle or Miniature Poodle and is still widely the case in North America. To accomplish these goals, further development was done with parent breed infusions added to the already blooming Labrador x Poodle cross lines. The developers of the breed sought out the best way in which to compliment the Australian Labradoodle breed, and to develop the qualities that they find and love in these dogs.
The Australian Labradoodle currently consists of 6 different breeds in its origin. The Confirmed and Approved Parent Breeds of the Australian Labradoodle is the Poodle i.e. Standard, Miniature, Toy, Labrador retriever, Irish Water Spaniel, Curly Coat Retriever, American Cocker Spaniel and English Cocker Spaniel.
There are two types of Labradoodles, the Poodle/Labrador mix, and the Australian Labradoodle, which consists of 6 different breeds. The Labrador/Poodle Labradoodles body is slightly heavier than that of a Standard Poodle. The head is broad, well-defined eyebrows, medium stop, eyes set well apart, nose to eye longer than eye to occiput. The head should be clean and chiseled. Eyes are slightly round, large and expressive. The nose is large, square, and fleshy. Tail is preferred low set and saber like; a high set "gay tail" is permissible. The ears are set just above the eye level. The muzzle is slightly narrower than a Labrador retriever. Coat colors include: chalk, cream, apricot/gold, chocolate, café and silver. Chalk, cream and apricot/gold can have rose or black pigment. Chocolate and Café`must have rose pigment blending in with their coat color. Black and silver dogs must have black pigment and dark brown eyes.