Read time: 7 mins
21 Dec 2019
Meet the affectionate and sociable Labradoodle. If someone did a study, we're pretty sure they'd be named one of the nicest-natured animals on the planet. This beautiful-looking cross-breed has been charming humans since the 1950s. Labradoodles (or "Doodles" for short) were initially bred as assistance dogs, combining the intelligent and biddable nature of the Lab with the minimal hair shedding of a Poodle.
Today, they're still found working as assistance and therapy dogs, as well as being much-loved family members. And they've got a funny name, as an added bonus.
Appetite can vary from Doodle to Doodle. While Labradors will cheerfully chow down on anything (by which we mean ANYTHING), Poodles can be pretty picky. Your Labradoodle could go either way, but they still need proper nutrition and portion control.
Based on our current customers, we estimate that adult Labradoodles need around 743 calories per day. This can vary based on your pooch’s age, weight and activity level.
What happens when you cross a Labrador with a Poodle? A Labradoodle. No joke or pun intended here, just the product of two legendary breeds brought together.
Labradoodles are bred using two of the most well-known, affectionate breeds, the lovely Labrador and the Pawsome Poodle. Their high energy and playful nature makes them a great addition to any family. They are one of few breeds recommended for first-time dog owners, due to being easy(ish) to train.
As with all dogs, you should be mindful of introducing dogs into homes with young children. Early socialisation will help to make sure that both sides are comfortable, eventually forming a bond that 007 himself couldn't break.
Doodles (still funny) thrive on company, exercise and play and are a great choice if you fancy trying your hand at agility.
Just like their pet parents, Labradoodles like to slow down with age. The fireside appeals more than the park, and your enthusiastic "walkies” voice might fall on (purposefully) deaf ears. Nevertheless, gentle exercise each day is important to prevent elderly limbs from becoming stiff, as well as helping to maintain a healthy weight.
Ageing immune systems also have different nutritional requirements. Certain nutrients, such as beta-carotene, will become increasingly more important for things like helping to maintain eye and skin health. This is found in rich vegetable sources, such as sweet potato and spinach.
Older Doodles might also need a bit more encouragement to chow down. Luckily, Butternut Box’s delicious, meat-rich recipes smell so tasty they'll have mouths watering – human mouths included. It’s human-quality after all. Altogether, this makes feeding an elderly Doodle an absolute doddle. Doodle…doddle.
As a single-coated breed, Labradoodles are not affected by seasonal shedding but can be prone to general shedding as a result of their Labrador ancestry. Rather ironically, Doodles are often bred to be hypoallergenic to humans but are prone to allergies themselves.
Some Doodle skin is sensitive to dust mites, pollen, household chemicals or insect bites. You can get a soothing topical ointment from the vet and will need to be sure you bathe your Doodle using only gentle shampoos. You can also help their skin by feeding them the right diet. The beta carotene in some vegetables, as well as natural oils and fats, can help to care for their skin and curly coats.
Skin complaints can also come about because of food sensitivities. Certain foods are known to cause allergic reactions in some dogs, and some of these allergens are common across species. Like us, dogs can be intolerant of wheat. All Butternut Box recipes are free of most potential allergy-inducing ingredients.
The great unanswerable question. Truth is, it’s really hard to know exactly what size a Labradoodle will be when he or she is fully grown. Looking at the parents is a great starting point but knowing who they’ll take after is anyone's guess.
According to Labrador Training HQ, fully-grown male Labradoodles will usually grow to be somewhere between 22 and 24 inches tall. Females, on the other hand, will sit at around 21 and 23 inches tall. Both will typically weigh 50- 65 pounds.
This is taking into account a Labradoodle bred from a standard-size Labrador and Poodle, if your Labradoodle is bred from a smaller Labrador and Miniature or Toy Poodle then the resulting pups will be much smaller. Miniature Labradoodles are estimated to grow to be between 14 and 16 inches tall and weigh 15-25 pounds.
Labradoodles need thorough grooming to keep those glamorous ringlets in check, but they also just simply appreciate a spot of pampering.
It is recommended that a Labradoodle is fully groomed every six to eight weeks to prevent matting and tangling. This involves bathing, clipping (hair, nails) and brushing. Whether this is done professionally by a groomer or by you or is your choice. Many people opt for the former to make life easier but this isn’t always an option.
Ideally, you should be light-brushing your Labradoodle every few days to make the bigger groom a lot easier. If you happen to miss a few key brushing sessions and find that your pooch has developed some tough tangles, using specialised dog-detangler spray can help to tease them out more easily.
G’day mate. You wouldn’t be alone if you thought that the logical answer to this question is simply a Labradoodle bred in Australia.
However, the actual answer is a little more complicated. A sure fire way to stump everyone at the pub quiz. A dog themed pub quiz…yes please.
Back to business. According to The Labrador Site, whilst the humble Labradoodle is bred from one Labrador parent and one Poodle parent, Australian Labradoodles can be a mix of up to six different breeds. These include: Labrador, Poodle, Cocker Spaniel, American Cocker Spaniel, Curly Coated Retriever, Irish Water Spaniel.
These breeds are selectively mixed together with the end goal of producing a pooch with all of the best qualities from each breed. It is believed that there is much more consistency in Australian Labradoodles, in terms of appearance, size and temperament, due to 35 years of selective breeding.
According to research conducted by Pets4Homes UK as of 2022, the average cost of purchasing a Labradoodle is £1,381.
First and foremost, you should ensure that you’re buying your pup from a reputable breeder or rescue centre. This will help to ensure that your dog has been bred and cared for in the right circumstances.
A sound woof of advice from us, if it seems too good to be true it’s likely that it is. A dog is a huge investment in time, money and love, so make sure that you take the time to do plenty of research before making any decisions.
As well as the cost to purchase a Labradoodle, it is impawtent to be mindful of the other expenses involved when bringing a pooch into your life.
• Vaccines / Flea and Worming Treatments (first dosage and boosters)
• Neutering / Spaying (usually from 6 months onwards)
• Equipment (collar, harness, lead, bed, bowls, brushes, poo bags, toys)
• Food
• Insurance
• Daycare / Boarding
At Butternut Box, our food is packed in perfectly portioned pouches, designed to meet a dog's daily nutritional needs, whatever its life stage. You tell us about changes and we'll adjust the portions as your dog prepares to claim their free bus paws (*wince*).
Depending on which parent they take after, Labradoodles can head down route fuss pot or route eats anything. Luckily for you, our meals are created with both eventualities in mind. Each pouch is packed full of flavour and nutrient-dense ingredients, meaning your pooch will be left feeling satisfied and licking their lips in the hope of leftovers.
We estimate that it will cost around £71 each month to feed your Labradoodle a diet of Butternut Box food. This is based on data from our current customers and can vary depending on things like age, weight and activity level.
We generally recommend dividing this into two meals per day, morning and evening, to help sustain your pooch throughout the day.
Want an exact price and plan? Answer just a few more short questions by clicking the button below.
