The Labradoodle originated in Australia in the 1970’s when the Guide Dog Association began breeding programs, lead by Dr. Wally Conran, in search of a guide dog that would be allergy friendly. Most of the Guide Dogs were Labrador Retrievers. This breed was selected by the Guide Dog Association because they were easy to train, had a great desire to please, and had the right temperament and personality to be Guide Dogs.
A vision-impaired woman in Hawaii needed a Guide Dog that would not aggravate her husband’s allergies. Over a period of two years many possible dog hair and saliva samples from Labrador Retrievers were sent to Hawaii to test for allergic reaction with the lady’s husband. All were unsuccessful attempts so Mr. Conran approached the Manager of the Royal Guide Dogs In Victoria, Australia, with a suggestion that they try crossing one of their Labrador Retrievers with a Standard Poodle. He agreed. Thus the beginning of this extraordinary new hybrid.
The first litter only had three pups of which only one’s hair and saliva resulted in a successful test. He had to have a name for them so he called them Labradoodles. Mr. Conran bred Labradoodles to other Labradoodles and called the offspring Double Doodles and then mated Double Doodles to other Double Doodles and the offspring of these matings were called Tri Doodles. Now referred to Multi-Generation Labradoodles.
Initially this hybrid was not accepted but as their repetition became more widespread there became a huge demand for this fascinating dog with the joyful intuitive personality and the non-shedding allergy friendly coat.
When Wally Conran retired, a country vet in Condoblin New South Wales, Australia was in constant touch with Mr. Conran and started her own breeding program mating Miniature Poodles with Labrador Retrievers. She was very successful and as of 2004 was still breeding her Miniature first generation Labradoodles.
Also a gentleman named Don Evans in Northern Victoria had begun breeding Labradoodles through the generations, following the lead of Wally Conran. He also called his bird dog crosses between the Labrador Retriever and the Poodle, Labradoodles.
Two Breeding and Research Centers for the Labradoodle located in the state of Victoria continued on from where the Guide Dog Association left off with the intention of breeding through successive generations of Labradoodle bred to Labradoodle. Both of these Centers acquired their breeding stock from Don Evans when he scaled down his activities pending retirement.
Over the years, other breeds have been infused into some of the lines of the Multi-Generation Australian Labradoodle. These breeds were carefully chosen to enhance specific characteristics in the Labradoodle. The infused breeds include the Irish Water Spaniel, Curly Coated Retriever and the English and American Cocker Spaniel.
The Australian Labradoodle has experienced an explosion of popularity with a huge demand in countries all over the world. The demand continues for this amazing dog that offers it’s owner such a tremendous combination of many wonderful traits. However, breeding any Poodle to any Labrador does not make it a quality pet. Color, size, and coat type are what initially catch the eye but it’s very important to understand the Pedigree and Health of the Labradoodle you are buying. Genetics and temperament should be first and foremost! You will want to select a dog that will be the best longtime companion and family member. It’s recommended that you make sure that the parents of your puppy have been tested and that the hips are OFA certified GOOD or EXCELLENT and the eyes are CERF certified as CLEAR and NORMAL and are PRA (Progressive Retnal Atrophy) CLEAR. In addition, there are many other tests that the Blue Star Australian Labradoodles must pass to be part of my Breeding Program. Only Sires and Dams with the Best of the Best Temperament and Health will be bred.