Are most (all) ALDs hyperactive?

[Lynda Kamrath]

My ALD is over a year old now and still just as hyperactive as he was as a puppy.  I expected he would settle down a little after a year old, but no, he is still a very active dog.  Is this common with ALDs, or did I just get one of the very active little guy?

[Ginny Nightingale]

There is no way you can generalize ALDs since they all have such different backgrounds--of course, I don;t think that people should attribute a personality to any breed, even labs or golden retrievers. There are exceptions to every rule! I know CRAZY labs and laid-back labs! And my daughter was once bitten by a Golden retriever!  My ALD is very calm and so is her son. As a matter of fact, at 10 months old he sleeps more than his mom! So, I think it really varies. Yours will calm down--just make sure that he gets plenty of exercise!

[Lynda Kamrath]

Thanks.  You are right of course.  He does get plenty of exercise and I get plenty of exercise along with him.  He is ready to go every day and do whatever we have on our schedules.  This guy is pure energy.

[Sherri Halvorson]

Hi Linda,

We have found that some of our Australian lines are definitely more high energy than others.   these we always recommend to families/singles who are very active and might have an interest in training and competing in agility or just a lot of hiking, etc.   They generally are up and ready anytime for anything, but even our high energy bloodline will fall asleep on our laps or at our feet when it is time to "chill".   A year old is still a puppy in many respects as they don't count a dog mature enough for a formal OFA certification until they are two, so there is always the expectation that you little guy will mellow out.   Even so doesn't he keep you smiling!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Both of my ALDs are full of energy.  They really need lots of exercise and mental stimulation.  I still consider them to be puppies (under three) though, so it is possible that they will not be as active as they get a little older.  I agree that it's not a breed specific thing....they're all different.

[Patti]

Funny you should ask this question today. Our Willow is very active at 10 months, but she is also very "hyper sensitive" and has what they call "stranger danger" anything out of her element, she is afraid of.  HOWEVER... last night we had an earthquake, 4.7 and for a hour before it hit, Willow was running around the living room, jumping up on sofa's and chair's trying to look out the windows.  I couldn't figure it out because usually at this time of night she would be asleep.  When the quake hit, I knew, that she knew that something was up, and it was.

 

By the way, Willow's brother a pure-bred Lab is VERY HYPER ACTIVE at five years old. just his breeding. 

[Summer Promisloff]

Hi Lynda,

I was so tickled to read your comment this morning about your hyperactive one year old ALD.  Our ALD, Sammi, was TOTALLY hyper, read "puppy brain", until he was around 2 years old.  I thought that stage would NEVER end and that we would have to struggle with Sammi being over amped forever; I had to race him up and down 3 flights of stairs it seemed like dozens of times a day, plus we took him on daily walks and played fetch the ball til we were exhausted and Sammi was just getting warmed up.  Eventually, I had to rely on "doggie play care" twice a week to manage his enthusiasm, la.  The change in Sammi occurred so gradually, or I was just too worn out to notice it, but suddenly people were remarking to us what a mellow dog we had and asking us if he had always been such a calm and well behaved Doodle.  Sammi still has that wonderful, puppy brain, energy level and loves to play but there is definitely more of a calmness to him.  If you can survive the puppy brain stage of your ALD (and of course I'm typing that tongue in cheek) I would bet that your amazing ALD will hit two and start to calm for you as well.  I'm not trying to minimize your feelings or experience, just offering a little bit of hope and commiserating with your sometimes overwhelming experience.  Summer Smiles! 

[Lynda Kamrath]

Glad there is some hope for the future.  We went to the beach today and Harpo was running circle around everyone else.  He didn't ever stop running until I put him back on leash.  I can't believe his energy level.

[Summer Promisloff]

Love, Love, Love your Doodle's name!  "Harpo" is one of my all time favs......Yep, there is hope.  Has Harpo buried himself in the sand yet, digging Doodle sized holes?  Sammi still does that when ever he gets to the beach, la.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Ned is not cuddly  - he is more cat-like in his attitudes/behavior. Ned is not hyperactive at all and never was, but he is definitely not shy or reserved.  He does have zoomies - less now that he is 3 1/2.  Ned does get excited mostly in the mornings - he prances around on and off the bed and chortles - usually with a toy in his mouth.  He also gets in-your-face and prances around when he wants to take the attention away from another dog getting attention or when he is trying to tell you one of them (dogs) needs attention - like going outside.

Our Springer, at eight, is still hyper and always raring to go.

[Lynda Kamrath]

Yes, I guess they all do have their own special personalities.  Are you still out traveling in your travel trailer this fall?  Be sure to stop by here if you are up north.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

We are trying to get away, but so far we haven't been able to because of my mom's fall, surgery and subsequent placement in assisted living.  We are hoping to get somewhere/anywhere in So. Cal for a week or so when we have our grass re-seeded.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

When we first contacted our breeder she asked what we were looking for in a puppy and also about our lifestyle.  When we picked up Charlie we were thrilled he was so cute but we had no idea that she had picked the perfect puppy for us.  He is very laid back, but also extremely intelligent and curious.  He loves everyone, but not every dog!  The dogs he chooses to play with are more laid back like he is - I find that interesting.  Maybe the rambunctious ones scare him??