Picking our Labradoodle

[Marcy, Apollo & Phoebe]

Hey! I'm new to this site. We go to pick out our chocolate Labradoodle in a few weeks. It looks like some of the pups will have curly fleece and some will have soft wool. Our breeder will help us decide, but I'm wondering what your experiences have been w/ either coat. I'd love to see pics of your dogs to compare. I'm leaning toward the soft wool, as we have allergies/asthma. Thanks in advance!

[BG and Gavin]

I don't want to take the science out of it for you, but I bet when you handle them, one will pick you.

[Christine & Camus]

Like!

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

I agree-they all need brushing!!

[Marcy, Apollo & Phoebe]

Thanks. I'm sure I am excited and overthinking things. The right puppy will choose us. I'd still welcome advice on maintaining and caring for the different coats.

[Becka]

If you haven't done so already, be sure to join the grooming group (search for it under "Groups" on the main page)--you'll find lots of helpful information and pictures, too!

[Marcy, Apollo & Phoebe]

Will do! Thanks.

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

My thoughts exactly!  Your pup will pick you!   

[Christine & Shelby]

Agreed.... coat may not be a factor after the one chooses you!

[Ginny Nightingale]

When you meet the pups, if you get to handle them all, discreetly tug on the hairs on the back above the tail and see how many come out in your hand. There are always a few hairs, but a puppy that will shed more will lose more when you do that. (At least, that is what I have been told and it seems to work with the pups I have raised. ) I find the softer, straighter hair to be easier to deal with. There have been lots of discussions on DK about the allergy/asthma issue--search for them and you might find some interesting reading.

The bottom line is that no dog is hypoallergenic and choosing a coat based on the idea that you might be less allergic to one over the other may not be very accurate. There has actually been some solid research done that showed no difference in allergic reactions based on coat type alone (shedding vs. non-shedding in different breeds).  However, the less extra hair you have around, the better it might be to keep the hairs cleaned up and the dander and dust that go with them. 

Is the Labradoodle an F1 or is it multigen or F1b? In other words, are the parents a lab and a poodle or are they both labradoodles? Or is one a poodle and one a labradoodle? That makes a difference in what the breeder is expecting the coats to be like. 

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

Cooper (Australian labradoodle) does not shed but i can pull out tufts of fur if I wish to. She has a wool coat which is thick and coarse on her back but soft on her head and legs. She barely mats at all. I brush her once a month, and keep her fur around 6 inches

[Christine & Shelby]

Shelby is an Australian Labradoodle who has a wavy fleece coat.  I am extremely allergic to dogs and am so happy to have found my Shelby as I have no reaction to her.   I love her wavy fleece coat - she is so soft.  Like other said - she requires brushing and professional grooming (she matts a lot, mostly due to her love for the water and swimming).  Check out the photos on my page and you will see her at various stages.... puppy, shaved, grown out... might help give you an idea of what a wavy fleece would look like.   Good luck and have fun picking the puppy.... or should I say allowign the puppy to pick you!

[Rhonda, Marabelle & Jeriki]

Both my ALD's do not shed at all, and they are fleece. I am allergic as well I have had no reactions to either Marabelle or Jeriki.  So excited for you.

Cheers,

 

Rhonda