What size Labradoodle should I get

[John B]

Spouse and I keep going back and forth on what size labradoodle we should get.  We want something big enough that can keep up with the kids and do outdoor activities, but no so big where he/she would not fit nicely into car or on bed.  We have seen alot of the 20 lb doodles and we want something a little bigger but again not too big. We are currently looking at something around 40-45lb and 20-23 but worried about this being too large.  Can anyone that has something around this size give me pro's and cons?

[Ginny Nightingale]

I have a 38 pound doodle with shorter legs than her weight implies, a 45 pound doodle and a 55 pound doodle--I like the 45 pound size and many people comment on how he is just right. The 38 pound doodle is a fantastic dog, but with her shorter legs and large body, she is not much of a runner and can't swim at all! :) The 55 pounder seems fine to me, but everyone who comes to the house who is not a dog person thinks she is BIG...and picking her up to groom or bathe her is difficult.

Agan, though, size is pretty unpredictable--it could end up being between the parents--or not. Right now, I have a litter here where 4 will most likely be 40-ish (between mom at 55 and dad at 32) but two are going to barely make it to 35--(I think). They have been consistently smaller and more petite in build.But even that is no guarantee.

As far as temperament goes, I spend day in and day out with my pups that I raise and I don't have to do a temperament test to tell you who has certain traits--I can't predict everything, but by 8 weeks, a lot of their personality comes out. You can tell who is smarter (first to use the paper, find the water bowl, etc) who is dominant, etc. I am not always on the mark, but pretty close. If the breeder is spending time with the pups, they will have a good idea of what the puppy is like. 

On the other hand, no one can pre-order a "calm, well-behanved dog"--which of course, is what everyone asks for.....training and exercise are the key. Many of my pups have turned into little monsters (temporarily) when the owners let them get away with too much for 3 or 4 months....not good. Luckily, a little training went a long way to bringing them back in line. 

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

I'm no expert.. but I would have predicted Luna to be a dominant dog from what we saw when we picked her out.  She was leading her siblings around, showing them how to get into mischief etc.  and was definitely not shy.  She turned out to be just the opposite though.  I often wonder if we squashed some of her dominant tendencies with training though.

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

Luna is about 35-38 pounds - she's roughly knee height and I think she's a perfect size.   I'm a small lady and I can pick her up and control her even when she's pulling on the leash as hard as she can ("OMG A SQUIRREL!" pulling), much larger and I wouldn't be able to.

Her dad was about 15-20 lbs, her mom was 55 pounds.. so she's right in between. 

I like that she's small enough so I can still pick her up but not so small like I feel she's fragile.  She's VERY fast and agile and quite strong.  She definitely has more of a poodle body than retriever - long, skinny legs.  

An advantage to having a smaller doodle would be easier to control for walks, training etc. depending on how big your kids are.

[John B]

Thanks for all the responses. After reading I feel I am making the right decision with a large medium, sm standard. The comment on the Red temperament through me off for a while. I spent some time going through the lineage and was able to go back pretty far. Was able to find offspring of current parents at other Aussiedoodle breeders and most are breed stock, which I take as a positive. All lines trace back to Rutland and teagan. There is red poodle way back in the lineage on sire side. Guess I am saying I am starting to over think now.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

John, Just like kids, they are all different. All you can do is your best at researching your breeder, etc. and then accept that pup for the personality they have. This is an exciting time picking out your pup. Good luck!!

[Lynda Kamrath]

I think you will be happy with a mid-sized dog.  Just be ready for all the exercise for an ALD.  They can be very active dogs.

[Kyoko]

I picked my Charlie for the possible smaller size. He parents were both 55lb-ish, not too big. And she was the smallest of the litter. ( much smaller than her litter mates ) She is a standard labradoodle and she is about 43 lbs at 5 years old.

However, like Joanne said, the temperament is much more important.....

I wanted a doodle who is not going to be 70lb, because I am not a big woman. And out of pure ignorance, I picked her based only on her size. While she is excellent with us and very obedient, she has had some fear aggression issues towards strangers ( Now on medication and doing very well). I am not sure how old your children are, but if my kids were younger and had friends over often, she would have been a problem.....( She would bark, show her teeth and lunge)

So, I think if you want some ideas to how big the puppies may become, look at the parents. If they are both 70 lbers, chances are, the puppies wont be 40lbs. If their lines are mostly 50lbers, then you may be less likely to get a puppy that will be 75 lb. - no promise, though.....

But I don't know how to know the temperament of the puppies at age 8 weeks, or earlier either.... :-(

Perhaps again look at the temperament of the parents....  you may be more likely to have a puppies whose temperament are similar to ones of its parents....?

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Let me tell you a doodle secret - since they are a mix, there is no guarantee of their size, so.... lucky you, your doodle will be perfect for you.  :-}  It is only the people who have really specific sizes in mind that get disappointed.  We have a 28 pound doodle (PERFECT), a 64 pound doodle (PERFECT, but a little heavy when he gets on your lap!), and a 50 pound Springer (also PERFECT).

[Evelyn Sorensen]

hi  our  doodles are mini , our 18 month is  16 inches  and weighs 26.5  lbs .  she is the perfect size for us as she isn't too small or too big . she loves kids and plays well with them and isn't so big that she would  bowl  them over .  now our younger doodle will be a bit bigger  , she 8 months and already 26 lbs  our breeder says she will be around 30 lbs  hope this helps

 

[Evelyn Sorensen]

oh wanted to add  a comment about temperament ,,,,,,  our first  doodle  is  a nervous dog  and the breeder said she was a calm dog . yikes not calm at all . we have had a lot of help from a trainer and she is doing well now . our second doodle I changed  breeders and  I'm tickled pick with our new pup . she is what we asked for ........ calm confident and just the sweetest little girl . We are finding our first doodle is much better now that we have our second doodle . So ask plenty of questions and do you home work when it comes to breeders

[John B]

What was the difference between first and second breeder that you felt made for a better pup? 

[Susan & Henry]

Henry is 34 pounds - he is a medium. He keeps up with us - can go on 6 mile hikes - and he is still light enough to pick up and carry around like a baby which my kids do all the time! We think he is the perfect size.