What is an Australian Labradoodle?

We forgive you if, upon hearing the breed Australian Labradoodle, you assumed they’re the Labradoodle’s long-lost cousin from down under with a preference for beach days. And before you make another wrong turn, they’re not teddy bears either.

While both logical conclusions to make, Australian Doodles are in fact fully canine, and the result of not two but up to six different dog breeds. These curly-haired cuties are a mix of the Labrador Retriever, Standard Poodle, American Cocker Spaniel, English Cocker Spaniel, Irish Water Spaniel and Curly-Coated Retriever.

Often mistaken for Labradoodles (i.e. the very cute mix of the Standard Poodle and Labrador Retriever), these fluffballs are actually their calmer counterparts. They’re still far too energetic for apartment living, but don’t require nearly as many run-abouts and games of fetch as their Labradoodle cousins. Alongside their contrasts in vigour, Australian Labradoodles are just as gentle, easy to train and make great family pets.

So, if you’re thinking about house sitting an Aussie Doodle, you’re opening your arms to a rescue pup, or you simply need extra information to pass onto your pet sitters, explore this guide to this seriously cute, melting pot breed.

What is an Australian Labradoodle?

The Aussie Labradoodle dog breed is a mix of the Cocker Spaniel, Labrador Retriever and Poodle. To understand the breed a little more, let’s rewind. They were developed from one of the most popular family dogs - the Labrador Retriever, as well as English Cocker Spaniels, American Cocker Spaniels, Irish Water Spaniels, Poodles and Curly-Coated Retrievers. The name ‘Labradoodle’ started being used from the middle of the 20th century, but Australian Labradoodles didn’t become popular until decades later. The aim of breeding became to create a breed in its own right, with its own breed standards and characteristics distinct from a first-generation Poodle-Labrador cross breed.

Australian Labradoodle breed characteristics

• Origin: Labrador Retriever, Poodle, English Cocker Spaniel, American Cocker Spaniel, Irish Water Dog, Curly-Coated Retriever.
• Size: A full-grown Australian Labradoodle can reach up to around 24 inches tall and can weigh up to 70 pounds.
• Character: Friendly, gentle and highly intelligent.
• Health needs and grooming: Groom your Doodle around once a week and check their ears and eyes and keep their nails trimmed.
• Training: Easy to train.
• Energy levels: Moderate.
• Intelligence: Highly intelligent.
• Lifespan: 13-15 years.
• Barking/howling: When provoked, Australian Labradoodles have a loud, low-pitched bark much like their Labrador Retriever parent breeds.

Australian Labradoodle appearance 

Is calling them giant teddy bears taking it too far? We don’t think so - these cuties are SO cuddle-worthy (like all of our four-legged friends, of course) and their shaggy, curly coats means they’re often thought of as teddy bear dogs. They have medium-length snouts and round, beady eyes (made for gazing into). The Australian Labradoodle size is somewhere between their Cocker Spaniel and Labrador Retriever parents, growing up to around 24 inches tall and 70 pounds.

Australian Labradoodle coat types

Aussie Doodles are found with two coat types. The fleece-textured coat can be soft and straight, wavy or spiral-curled. The wool-textured coats are curly and of course feel a lot more like wool than their fleece-textured cousins. Find chocolate Australian Labradoodles, red, white, apricot, caramel, parti, and black Australian Labradoodles.

Australian Labradoodle personality

Australian Doodles are gentle, friendly and highly energetic, which is no surprise if you think about their parent breeds. They make great family dogs and their loving personality combined with high intelligence means it’s no surprise that they’re often guide dogs and service dogs. And the same can be said for other Doodle dogs, but there are just so many! Find out the differences between the Labradoodle vs. Goldendoodle in our handy guide.

Mini Australian Labradoodles

If you thought Australian Labradoodles looked like giant teddy bears, wait til you see a Miniature Australian Labradoodle. Not only do they have the fur but they’re just the ideal size to be called a teddy bear dog (and to be cuddled like one)! While their larger counterparts are a mix of Cocker Spaniels, Labrador Retrievers and Standard Poodles, these little cuties are instead a combination of Miniature Poodles, plus the Labrador Retrievers and Cocker Spaniels - hence their smaller size.

These fun-sized Aussie Doodles are similar in many other ways to their standard-sized cousins. They’re easy-going, friendly and have bags of energy to burn. They’re slightly better suited to apartment living than standard Australian Labradoodles, but they’d be happier in a home with a garden.

Unlike many other Doodles, Mini Australian Labradoodles shed, so be sure to brush these cuties regularly to avoid following them around with the vac. Like their larger cousins, they aren’t hypoallergenic (especially if they’re first-generation Doodles), but can be better suited to people with allergies than many other malting dogs. With that said though, if you’re allergic, take caution with any of your four-legged friends.

Australian Labradoodle vs. Labradoodle: what’s the difference? 

Labradoodles are considered as ‘F1’ dogs, which means they’re the first generation born from a Labrador Retriever and a Standard Poodle. So, Labradoodles are a cross of two parent breeds, and two parent breeds only. 

Australian Labradoodles on the other hand can be a mix of up to six different breeds, including the Labrador Retriever, the Standard Poodle, the English Cocker Spaniel, American Cocker Spaniel, Irish Water Spaniel and Curly-Coated Retriever.

And it’s not just their parent breeds that differ - Australian Doodles tend to be calmer than their dual parent breed counterparts, with Labradoodles having a lot more spare energy to burn.

Australian Labradoodle breeders and rescue 

Like any other breeder, make sure you go to a reputable breeder if you’re set on welcoming Australian Labradoodle puppies. But before searching for an Australian Labradoodle breeder, find out if your local shelter has any Aussie Doodles looking for a forever home.

While it can be tempting for many to go seek out new puppies, there’s not always the guarantee that the breeders are practising ethically. So, check out your local shelter to find out if any pooches are waiting for a loving forever family and remember, they’re likely to have already got all their necessary jabs and health checks done.

Tips for training an Australian Labradoodle  

These cuties are quick to learn, highly intelligent and eager to please, so it’s no wonder that they’re popular choices for service and guide dogs. Despite being easy to train, like with any of our four-legged friends, Australian Labradoodles need consistency from a young age, as well as socialisation with our two and four-legged buddies.

Many agree that reward-based training is a great way to create a positive training experience, plus it’s a lot more enjoyable for you and your pup. Incorporate things they love (like treats, cuddles or their favourite toy) and reinforce that positive behaviour you’re after time and time again.

What’s the ideal home and human for an Australian Labradoodle?

Like their parent breed, Australian Doodles are friendly, gentle and highly intelligent. They’re great with children, so you've got nothing to worry about if you’re thinking about introducing one of these cuties to a nearly-full house. Like with any dog though, it’s worth always supervising them around children as our four-legged friends can sometimes be sensitive to loud noises and rapid movements. 

And if you trace your mind back to their parent breeds, it’s no surprise that Aussie Doodles are badly suited for apartment living. If you’re welcoming one of these teddy bear canines into your life, make sure you’ve got a securely-fenced garden for games of fetch and fun with the family.

Along with their gentle nature comes moderate energy levels, so make sure you’ve got the time (and of course vigour) to give these cuties the exercise they need (which up to an hour per day).

Australian Labradoodle health 

If you decide to head to a rescue centre to find the Aussie Doodle of your dreams, it’s likely they’ve had all the necessary inoculations and health tests that are needed. And in terms of health problems, many believe that they’re less likely to experience them because of their larger gene pool. Whether this is correct or not, it’s definitely true that these cuties can unfortunately inherit the health problems of their ancestors, like any other dog. These can include elbow and hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy and Von Willebrand’s Disease. While many health issues in dogs are hereditary, it’s important you keep them active, stimulated, and nourished with healthy dog food.

Interested in learning about other Doodles?

With so many Poodle mixes popular at the moment, it can be hard to keep up! Here’s everything you need to know about Goldendoodles.