Owning a Labradoodle pros and cons
As Labradoodle dogs are gaining popularity among dog owners, more and more people wonder what are the pros and cons of owning a Lab Poodle Mix dog. Labradoodle is a hybrid between two well known dog breeds (Poodle and Labrador Retriever) and Labradoodle puppies inherit some of the genetics from the Poodle and some from Labrador dogs, resulting in some advantages as well as some challenges that are presented below.
What are the pros of owning a Labradoodle? One of the reasons why this hybrid dog was created was to add the hypoallergenic and low shedding poodle's coat to the winning personality of Labrador Retriever thus creating a dog that doesn't shed as much as Labrador and at the same time has the best qualities from both of these breeds. Labradoodles are very versatile in sizes because Poodles come in three different sizes and the size of Labradoodle dog depends on which Poodle type was bred into the mix. If it's a Standard Poodle, the puppies will grow to be on the large side, while Miniature Poodle and Labrador Mix puppies are smaller in size and are more suitable as apartment dogs than Standard size Labradoodles. Although all Labradoodles are active dogs that have a lot of energy, smaller Labradoodles may be more comfortable living in smaller space than larger Labradoodles. Overall, Labradoodles are more suitable for a life in a house with a large fenced yard where the energetic dog can run and play during the day to let off some steam. One of the cons to owning a Labradoodle is that this dog requires a lot of exercise every day. At least a couple of hours are necessary to spend walking, playing and providing the dog with physical and mental stimulation. Labradoodles really enjoy toys that they can chew on or fetch. Swimming is other activity that most Labradoodles really enjoy. Labradoodles are not ideal dogs for people who don't like to walk for hours every day with their active pet. Lab Poodles that don't receive sufficient exercise may start developing various undesirable behavior problems out of boredom and that is another reason why this dog is not for everyone.
How trainable are Labradoodles? One of the most valued qualities in Labradoodle dogs is their ability to learn. Highly intelligent Lab Poodle Mix dogs are eager to please their owners and enjoy being training, especially when the training process is reward-based. The Labradoodle pro is that this dog has an endless capacity for learning and can be trained to a high standard. Because Labradoodles are easily trainable, this hybrid dog is suitable even for people who are new dog owners. After reading a couple of books on dog training even someone who has never trained a dog before can get good results with training a Labradoodle dog which is another positive quality of Lab Poodle mix dogs.
Are Labradoodles easy to groom? That depends on the coat texture of your unique Labradoodle. Some Labradoodles are easier to groom and need a few good coat brushing sessions each week, while others may need more extensive grooming especially with more challenging coat textures that resemble the Poodle's coat. Overall Labradoodles shed significantly less than Labrador Retrievers and that is yet another pro for choosing this dog. People with pet allergies may find that Labradoodles don't trigger their allergic reaction when around the dog since Labradoodles produce less pet allergens than many other dog breeds. But each case is different and for someone with severe pet allergies even a Labradoodle may not be a suitable dog. Always spend some time with the dog prior to making a final commitment to be sure that your pet allergies aren't triggered by a Labradoodle dog.
Are Labradoodles expensive dogs go keep? A larger dog such as the Labradoodle can be expensive to acquire and to maintain, which is a con. Labradoodle puppies can be costly, health care of the dog, getting all the necessary vaccinations, professional training and grooming, plus dog food and supplies can add up to a small fortune. Labradoodles are not for people with limited means - this dog can be expensive not only in terms of money, but taking good care of the dog and spending the time that this demanding dog requires every day is something that anyone who is considering this dog should think about prior to getting a Labradoodle puppy home.
Are Labradoodles good family dogs? One of the reasons why Labradoodles are so popular is their happy and friendly temperament that fits most family situations. Lab Poodle Mix dog makes a great family pet because Labradoodles are intelligent, easily trainable, tend to have fewer health issues than purebred dogs and they love being around older kids that they can play with. Families with very young children may need to wait until kids get older as keeping a pet such as the Labradoodle often requires more time and effort than a family with young children can afford to spend on a dog.
What are the cons to owning a Labradoodle dog? Labradoodles tend to be large in size and not suitable for city living or for an apartment living. Labradoodle needs lots of space to exercise and to live comfortably. Other disadvantages to owning a Labradoodle is the high maintenance cost. Labradoodles need a lot of exercise and not all people can keep up with this energetic pet, which is also a con. There are some health issues that Labradoodles are prone to and potential owners need to be aware of.
Pros of Having a Labradoodle
Labradoodles are hypoallergenic since they don't shed much.
Lab Poodles are excellent dogs for family setups, thanks to a family friendly temperament they have.
Lab Poodle mix dogs are very intelligent and easy to train.
Labradoodle dogs are playful and sociable.
Labradoodles are generally healthy dogs.
Cons of Having a Labradoodle
Labradoodle crossbreeds tend to be big dogs and need lots of space to exercise.
Lab-Poodle mix dogs are high-energy and need frequent exercise.
Lab Poodles are susceptible to several health issues you need to consider.
Labradoodle dogs are expensive to buy.
Labradoodles are associated with relatively high costs of maintenance.
Labradoodle health problems
Labradoodles have hybrid robustness, giving them the advantage of enjoying better health than their parent breeds. However, Labradoodles still get affected by some common diseases that affect all dogs.
What are Labradoodle health issues? Some of the health problems Labradoodles experience include ear infections that can be avoided with proper ear care. Other diseases that affect Labradoodle dogs include:
Epilepsy: Brings seizures to your dog, it being a neurological disease.
Allergies: Usually caused by interaction with outside materials that they are unfamiliar with.
Joint problems: the likes of hip, knees and elbow dysplasia.
Von Willebrand's disease: A hereditary disease that bars frequent protein clotting of the blood.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy: results in the degeneration of the two sides retina leading to the continuous diminishing of vision and eventually blindness.
Sebaceous Adenitis: Though rare, this disease affects the dog's skin and hair follicles leading to hair loss. It mainly affects standard Labradoodle.
Diabetes Mellitus: This leads to the scarcity of insulin in the dog's body.
Hypothyroidism: This leads to loss of dog's fur, weight gain, laziness, and cold intolerance.
The life-threatening Von Willebrand's disease
Take your Labradoodle to the veterinary clinic for frequent checkups. Veterinarians may be able to diagnose your Lab Poodle Mix dog's present and future health by conducting DNA tests, X-rays and blood tests.
Labradoodle
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Owning Poodle
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