what do you think?

[Ginny Nightingale]

I saw this online today while looking up a local labradoodle breeder--

 

"There are two distinct types of Labradoodles, the Australian Labradoodle and the American Labradoodle. Australian Labradoodles are purebred dogs, while the American Labradoodle is a hybrid dog."

I think it is unfortunate that people are willing to spread this kind of lie in order to sell their australian labradoodles at a higher price--doodles are all wonderful dogs and I love them to pieces, but they are not "purebreds", in my opinion. A lot of people think that the American Kennel Club has recognized them as such because of this. Many American labradoodles are just as "purebred" as the australians are since people have been breeding mulitgens for years now.

What does everyone else think? I would be interested to know if I am totally wrong about this! But let's keep it civil, OK? 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I agree with you, Ginny. And I also know that there are many people who do believe that labradoodles are a breed, because of this kind of statement.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Wow, it's surprising to me that anyone would think that ALDs are "purebred" dogs.  I have two of them, and that never even crossed my mind.

[Diana Erhart]

I agree and disagree.  For people looking for a labradoodle because of allergy problems, I think in the general population there is a misunderstanding about the coats that they can have.  At least in the people I have met, they think that just a cross between a lab and a poodle will always get you the allergy-friendly woolish coat when you say labradoodle.  They are not understanding that lots of labradoodles in a first generation cross can be more lab-like.  For those of us who understand the labradoodles it may seem like a "slight" but I would like to think it is meant as more of an education about them.  I don't agree with the way they describe the dogs in this instance as "hybrid" and "purebred" but I would like to think it was just a poor word choice on their part.  Maybe I give people too much benefit of the doubt.

[Carol Brand]

To date, no international registry has recognized the ALD as a purebred dog.  Purebred status is hard to get.  As far as AKC recognition goes here is information from the AKC web site:

The AKC Board of Directors has the authority to add a breed to the list of AKC-registerable breeds if, in its opinion, sufficient evidence is presented to justify such action.

There are a number of factors the Board considers in making this decision, including documentation that the breed in question has been breeding true for many generations, with accurate record keeping; evidence that there is sufficient interest in the breed throughout the United States; and a national club in place that meets AKC requirements to act as the parent club for the breed.

There are a number of reasons why some breeds might not be registerable with the AKC. They could include such things as lack of sufficient interest in the breed in the U.S., registry records that fail to meet AKC requirements, the absence of a national club that meets AKC requirements or no desire on the part of enough dog owners to become affiliated with the AKC.

 

There are a number of hurdles to cross.  Clearly there is enough interest in ALDs nation wide.  However, I would not say that they are currently "breeding true for many generations."  Many ALDS still have parent breeds (Poodles and Cockers) in their first 3 generations.  Accurate record keeping is going to be a problem since there were some well known pedigree shenanigans in the early days.  Not mentioned in the above is the requirement that the national breed club needs to hold Specialty Shows where ALDs are exhibited.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I particularly wanted an Australian Labradoodle because there was just enough consistency in the breeding.  I didn't want a pure bred dog and actually don't think this will be a plus factor in the future.  I did pay a lot for Riley but I got what I paid for which in my opinion is cheap for a dog which I hope lives a healthy life for many years. When people ask me (which is very often) I tell them he's a planned mutt.  It's easier than a whole long explanation.

I actually don't know what an American Labradoodle is?

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Nicky, in brief, an ALD has other breeds mixed in besides just poodle and lab. The American Labradoodles have only poodle and lab and may be first cross (lab to poodle breeding) or multi-gen (labradoodle to poodle, etc.). That is my understanding. Someone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong!!

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

I do believe that some day - years from now ALD's will be a recognized breed.

"The AUSTRALIAN LABRADOODLE CLUB OF AMERICA was formed by the breeders of the Australian Labradoodle in America as the “Parent Club” striving toward  “purebred” recognition of the breed.   We are committed to protecting the health and well-being of  the Australian Labradoodle by upholding the Breed Standards and maintaining the integrity of the breed as established by the breed developers in Australia.  Our goal for the future is to always strive for excellence in our breeding practices in order to maintain the integrity of the breed and protect the Australian Labradoodle now and into the future."

As far as the "parent" breed - here is what the ALD Club has to say about that issue.

"The dog being certified must have no more than a total of one Poodle infusion behind the dog being certified for the first three generations of its pedigree.  Infusion of any other foundation breeds are not acceptable for Australian Labradoodle Certification."

I do have Rooney's pedigree and have first hand knowledge that he did indeed come from Rutlands & Tegan Park Great Grandparents & Great Great Grandparents but who really cares in my book.  Stuart is straight out of a puppy mill and although he does shed a little bit - we love them both the same.  They are both a joy to own and I could never pick one over the other.  We laugh and say that they are both very expensive mutts.  Just my 2 cents. 

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Sorry about the bold - a clitch from my copy/paste that I couldn't shut off.

 

[Carol Brand]

"The dog being certified must have no more than a total of one Poodle infusion behind the dog being certified for the first three generations of its pedigree.  Infusion of any other foundation breeds are not acceptable for Australian Labradoodle Certification."

 

That must be a pretty recent rule because I definitely found ALCA registered dogs who had parent breeds in their 1st three generations. I found one ALCA registered stud dog who was just whelped in 2009 who has Poodle, Cockapoo and Lab in the 1st three generations. 

 

Confusing this issue is the fact that there are at least two (maybe more?) ALD breed organizations in the US.  I found The Australian Labradoodle Association of America and The Australian Labradoodle Club of America.  I don't know how they differ of if they have separate goals. Maybe someone could talk about that.

 

[Adina P]

That's one club.  There's also: The ALAA http://www.ilainc.com/index.html

[Cindy M, Zachary & the Frenchies]

I've looked at several web pages of ALD breeders. What I find troublesome is the attempt to market their dogs as somehow "better than." That is my only issue. I think what type and generation of dog to get is a personal choice. I think American doodles and ALDs are both wonderful dogs and each have merits to consider. Zach is multigen American Dood which was my choice. When I was considering breeders I immediately eliminated breeders who pulled up their dogs by pulling down other dogs.

[GBK]

I agree with you Cindy about the marketing.  I also have a multigen American Doodle :)