In the summer of 2005, my sweet cocker spaniel, Jax, was stolen and never returned. It was devastating. I absolutely loved that dog and missed the companionship that we shared. In September, my boss went to New Orleans to aid in Hurricane Katrina relief. While he was there, he came across a newly born breed of labradoodle puppies that had lost their home and owner. Naturally, he couldn’t leave them, so he brought all of those cute little puppies home to East Texas with him the next week, knowing that I would be likely to take one home.
I was in love. There was one playful little blond labradoodle in particular that caught my eye. After spending a few hours playing with her, I claimed her as my own. We named her Daisey and she quickly became a playful part of the family. However, we did not regard the differences between her and our previous dog Jax. Had we payed attention to a few small intricacies, it would have saved us a lot of work and frustration.
TEMPERAMENT: Labradoodles are very sweet dogs. Most people purchase them because they have the love of a Labrador Retriever, and the somewhat hypo-allergenic coat of a Poodle. However, There is something that most people don’t know: Labradoodles are little geniuses. That’s right. They are brilliant! They must be challenged on a day to day basis to avoid boredom. I think everybody knows what happens to a bored dog. They generally tend to cause trouble. Early training is important to this aspect. The good news is Labradoodles are very easy to train and not very stubborn at all.
GROOMING: This is a big one. And that is probably an understatement. Labradoodles have a very thick coat, many of them quite curly. Depending on what generation labradoodle you own, the fur can grow between 2 and 6 inches long. By the time they are six months old, you will see the fullness of the coat coming in. If not properly taken care of, the fur can quickly become matted and tangled, making the grooming process a nightmare. Labradoodles can cost up to $150 for a basic grooming, so if you want to tackle this cost yourself, you will need to remember a few things. First, brush your dog frequently. I would recommend at least three times a week if your dog is outside a lot. This will keep it from getting matted up. Also, be sure to wash your dog on a regular basis. Find a good dog shampoo that will soften the hair and make it more manageable.
Labradoodles grow to an average size of 45-50 lbs and live upwards of fifteen years. They are very good with children and families. In fact, they thrive in these social situations.
I have to say, owning Daisey is not quite what I expected. It’s better. Though we have had our share of frustrations, she is a perfect family dog. A Labradoodle is not lap dog by any stretch, though some of the more playful ones may think they are. But if you want lots of good memories, and a fantastic relationship with your pet, I don’t think you will be disappointed with one of these great canines.
