LOOKS LIKE A DOODLE TO ME!

IMPORTANT TO KEEP IN MIND

* SIZES ARE SUBJECTIVE - One persons idea of "MEDIUM" is another person's idea of "SMALL" etc.

IN REGARDS TO "DOODLES"

 

MEDIUM = 25 lbs to 45/50 lbs.
dogs under 25 lbs (unless they have been starved and have the potential to be larger with good nutrition) are NOT mini doodles.

* Dogs should have FULL TAILS (some breeders in the south will dock standard doodle tails)

* Large, Fleshy Nose

* EARS ARE LOW ON THE HEAD AND CANNOT STICK OUT OR UP. LEATHER IS LONG


Number 1- PetFinder actually lists "cockapoo" as one of it's breeds yet labradoodle or golden doodle is not a breed search option ( we'll have to petition PetFinder to add a "Doodle" breed catagory)..So when searching for doodles on PetFinder, we all of course look under the following:

Poodle
Standard Poodle
Labrador Retriever
Golden Retriever

Many shelters and rescues especially those that are located in more rural areas where shelter techs are perhaps not so familiar with doodles will list what are obviously doodles as being "other" breed mixes..The mixed coat textures, colors and types of doodles can be confusing to an unfamiliar shelter or rescue...Especially the Parti's, Mini's and Phantoms... Mini's being one of the most unrecognizable and usually are classified as cockapoos, bichon mixes, tibetan terriers, portuguese water dog or spanial mixes etc.

You'd think an intact, long or un-docked tail, big bulbus nose and low set floppy ears would be an indication that the dog could possibly be a doodle ...but it's not always the case...Now that we know that poodle and cockapoo tails are often left intact, especially in the mid-west and that some BYB's and puppy mills DO dock doodle tails, it's made it even more difficult to determine if a dog is a doodle based on a photo.....You would actually have to see these dogs "move" as doodles have a specific gait in order to be certain.....We do our best....

Truth is that many shelters are guessing.....As much as the ALAA ( Australian Labradoodle Association of America) likes to say there is a "breed standard" for doodles of Australian lineage, there really is no solid "standard" for a doodle, especially in the case of the F1's (first generation lab to poodle breeding) and mini's.........

It's particularly difficult to identify mini's and mediums as they tend to be either more "poodley" or can look similar to cockapoos, bichon-poos etc. because of the variety of doodle coats and body types...(They can be either stocky or slight of build)......

I've seen parti's and phantoms listed as bearded collie mixes, briard mixes and even airedale mixes ( the ears on these dog breeds are set much higher than on a doodle )....I've seen standard sized  doodles especially those that are black listed as standard schnauzer mixes, black russian terrier mixes, irish wolfhound mixes and bouvier des flanders mixes.

Then you get the OTHER end of the spectrum.......Organizations posting what are CLEARLY NOT DOODLES (pointy or raised ear dogs with flat fur coats ) as labrador/poodle mixes.....

I can give you at least 6 photo examples of this currently on Petfinder.....lol

While with rescue dogs there is of course no gaurantee of lineage, one who is familiar with certain doodle characteristics can surley spot one...I have actually called some of these shelters and rescues and pointed out to them that they may have mis-classified a dog suggesting they re-classify as a doodle...I explain that by doing this they also increase that dogs chances of being adopted....I'm happy to report that they actually do this 90 percent of the time!....
So if you are looking for a rescue doodle, I strongly encourage you to search through other shaggy breeds..... For example, I have actually looked under the following breeds and found doodles:

THE BREEDS IN BOLD ARE WHERE I HAVE FOUND MOST

FOR MINI"S AND MEDIUMS:

Bearded Collie
Bichon Frise
Cockapoo
Havanese
Tibetan Terrier
Terrier
Löwchen
Portuguese Water Dog
Schnauzer
Sheepdog
Wheaten Terrier
Wirehaired Terrier

FOR MEDIUMS AND STANDARDS:

Afghan Hound
Airedale Terrier
Bearded Collie
Black Russian Terrier
Bouvier des Flanders
Briard
Giant Schnauzer
Irish Terrier
Irish Wolfhound
Italian Spinone
Komondor
Old English Sheepdog
Polish Lowland Sheepdog
Portuguese Water Dog
Sheep Dog
Wheaten Terrier
Wirehaired Terrier
German Wirehaired Pointer
Otterhound
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

More often than not, shelters especially those that are in more rural areas will list doodle dogs as other breed mixes. The following will provide you with a guide to better recognize a doodle in a shelter.

LABRADOODLE GENERATIONAL GLOSSARY

To help you understand the generation and breeding terminology we have provided the following glossary and explanations. A Labradoodle is a cross between the Labrador and the Poodle (usually the Standard Poodle). In general we will call the first purebred "purebred-A", and the second "purebred-B".

F1 ( Chocolate) & F1B ( Creme) Labradoodles

F1

F1= 1st generation puppy - 50% purebred-A and 50% purebred-B - for example, a Labrador to Poodle cross, this is first generation, resulting in healthier offspring. In this particular Labradoodle cross hair type can be smooth like a Labrador, fleece/wooly like a Poodle.

F1B

F1B= backcross puppy - 25% purebred-A and 75% purebred-B. For example, an F1 Labradoodle and Poodle cross; this is Labradoodle bred back to Poodle.

F2

F2 = second generation puppy - F1 hybrid crossed with an F1 hybrid - for example, an F1 Labradoodle crossed with an F1 Labradoodle. This combination you get the same percentage of purebred-A as purebred-B as you would an F1 hybrid.

F2B

F2B= second generation backcross puppy = F1 bred to a F1b (hybrid backcross)

F3

F3= F2 hybrid to F2 hybrid

Multi-generation or Multi-gen

Multi-gen = F3 or higher generation hybrid crossed with F3 or higher generation hybrid

EXAMPLE: F2B MINIATURE LABRADOODLES

ALAA LABRADOODLE TRAITS AND STANDARDS

GENERAL APPEARANCE: Should be athletic and graceful, yet compact with substance and medium boning with a free flowing wavy or curling coat that does not shed. Joyful and energetic when free, soft and quiet when handled. They should approach people in a happy friendly manner with eye-to-eye contact, keen to learn and easy to train.

LABRADOODLE SIZE:

Standard

21 to 24 (not over 25) inches (or about 53-63 cm) from the wither to ground measurement.

The ideal size for the female is 21-23 inches and the male is 22-24 inches.

Weight range tends toward 23-30 kg (about 50-65 lbs).

Oversize is a major fault.

Medium

17 to 20 (not over 21) inches (or about 43-52 cm) from the wither to ground measurement.

The ideal size for the female is 17-19 inches and the male is 18-20 inches.

Weight range tends toward 13-20 kg or (about 30-45 lbs).

Miniature

14 to 16 (not over 17) inches (or about 35-42 cm) from the wither to ground measurement.

There is no correlation between height and sex in the Miniature size.

Weight range tends toward 7-12 kg or (about 15-25 lbs).

Undersize is a Major fault.

BODY

Height (to wither) as to length (from sternum to point of buttock) should appear square and compact. Shoulders should have good angulation with firm elbows held close to the rib cage. Upright shoulders is a fault. Hindquarters should be of medium angulation with short strong hocks. Top line should remain level with strong loin and level croup. They are a galloping dog therefore flanks should rise up from a brisket set just below the elbows, but should not be excessively deep. Ribs should be well sprung but not barreled. Overall they should appear square, balanced, athletic with good muscling.

Movement

When trotting should be purposeful, strong and elastic with good reach and drive, giving the appearance of "going somewhere". When relaxed, happy or at play they will prance and skim the ground lightly. Excessive tightness in the hip will produce a stilted action and is considered a fault. Top line should remain level with strong loin and croup.

Tail
Is relatively high and is preferred to be carried saber. It is allowed to be carried below the top line or gaily above. Tightly curled possum type or teapot tails are undesirable and a fault.

Neck
Firm well muscled neck should be moderately long, slightly arched and flow into well angled shoulders with no appearance of abruptness. The neck should not be coarse or stumpy and should lend an air of elegance to the dog. A short or thick neck is a fault.

Head
Sculptured, Broad, well-defined eyebrows, medium stop, eyes set well apart. Foreface shorter than skull. The head should be clean and chiseled, and fully coated as on the body, legs and tail. A long, narrow or blockhead is a fault.

Ears
Set moderately flat against head and should be level with eye. Leather should be of medium thickness, when gently drawn forward should reach the top canine tooth. Ear leather reaching beyond the tip of the nose is considered a server fault. Ear canal should be free of excessive hair and not thick or bulbous. When inquisitive or alert the ear should rise to the top of the head. Thick, heavy ear leather is a fault.

Eyes
Slightly round, large and expressive, always offering eye-to-eye contact when engaged in activity with humans. Protruding or sunken eyes are a fault. Watery or tearful eyes are a fault. Wide round or narrow almond shape is considered a fault.

Teeth
Scissor bite. Undershot or overshot bite is a major fault. Crowding teeth in miniatures is a fault.

Nose
Large, square, and fleshy.

COAT

Labradoodle coats are generally divided into 3 categories: Hair, Fleece and Wool. These 3 catagories are also broken down further into subcategories. See below for a complete guide.

HAIR COAT-or Hair (which can be curly, straight or wavy, but is more similar in texture to a Labrador's coat).

FLEECE COAT-Fleece (soft and free-flowing, with a kinked or wavy appearance);

WOOL COAT-Wool (with tight curls, and similar in appearance to that of a Poodle, but with a softer texture);

There are three coat wave "levels"
The three coat wave levels are:
Curly, the strands loop over themselves in a curl about 1 inch in diameter
Wavy, the strand waves and wiggles back and forth not looping over
Straight, this can be long to about 5 inches or a short 2 inches in length

EXAMPLE: VARIATIONS OF FLEECE AND WOOL COATS

Length should be 4-6 inches long. It should be straight, wavy or forming spirals and should naturally grow in staples with a soft texture. It should not be too thick or dense nor should it be fluffy or fuzzy. It should be a single coat, any sign of a double coat is a fault. The ideal Fleece and Wool coats can be spun successfully. Hair coat [Hair texture that sheds] is undesirable and is a major fault.

It is important that the coat gives the impression of being "fleece" in type rather than dog hair.

FLEECE COAT

Texture should be light and silky similar to the texture of the Angora Goat. Appearing to contain a silky lanolin in texture. Appearance can range from an almost straight loosely waved to an obviously waved coat, Kemp is often found around eyes and along the top line. The absence of Kemp is highly prized.will need to be brushed/combed thoroughly about every two-three weeks. This coat usually requires trimming one-two times a year.

WOOL COAT

Texture is denser than that of the Fleece with a similar texture to that of Lambs Wool. Appearing to contain a sheep lanolin in texture. The ideal wool coat should hang in loose hollow spirals. It is acceptable to exhibit a spring appearance rather than spiral but a sprung wool coat is undesirable. An overly thick or dense coat is also undesirable. There should be no body odor or shedding in the Fleece and Wool coat.
Has the highest rate of success of the three coat types for being allergy and asthma friendly. It will need to be brushed/combed thoroughly about once a week. This coat also requires trimming about three-four times a year.

HAIR COAT

Which both has odor and sheds in varying degrees, (usually seen in the early generation dogs). It is acceptable to see a coat change from the puppy to adult coat, and also during hormonal changes in fertile bitches.Will need a quick brushing/combing about once a month depending on the density and length of the coat. NEVER shave your hair coat's body. A light trimming might be required with scissors but usually not.

PIGMENT
Black or Rose. Pigment should be strong pink spots or patches on nose, lips, eye rims, or pads are a fault. Dogs with rose pigment should have eye rims, lips, nose and pads with rose pigment. Pink spots or patches are a severe fault. [Rose should be a rich liver colour].

EYE COLOR
Should complement and blend with the coat colour. Black, Blue, Red, Chocolate and Silver dogs must have dark brown eyes. Café, Gold, Cream, Chalk should have Hazel to Brown eyes If they have black pigment. Caramel, Lavender, Parchment and dogs with Rose pigment should have Brown or “ghost” eyes. [Ghost is a Hazel colour range much the same as it is in humans]. Flecking with different shades of Hazel with Green - Blue make this eye colour quite unique. Ghost eyes must remain soft in appearance. Cold, staring, expressionless appearance in all eye colour is a major fault.

AN EXAMPLE OF ROSE(LIVER) PIGMENT AND "GHOST EYES" (GREEN,AQUA)

COAT COLOURS-Labradoodles come in a wide variety of colours, including chocolate, cafe, parchment, cream, gold, apricot, red, black, silver, chalk, parti colours and generally all the colours that can be found in Poodles.

There are 3 groups of colors that belong to the Australian Labradoodle.

SHADED: is the the group that have a blend of tones to make the color you see. Silver, Apricot Cream, Cafe` , Lavender, Gold , Parchment, Phantom, Agouti and Sable are included in this group.

SOLID: is the group that are an even solid color all over. [sun bleaching is not penalized not grouped into the Shaded section] Raven [Black] Chocolate, Caramel Ice, Chalk, Red are included in this group.

PARTY: is the group that have white on the face and or body, Pied - Patches of any above color and patches of white over the whole body. Parti- is a shaded or solid dog with white markings on the face, feet and chest, or just on the face or just on the face and feet.

THE FOLLOWING ARE EXAMPLES OF LABRADOODLE COAT COLORS

CHALK

This colour should be a white colour but when compared to white is rather a chalky white in colour. Nose pigment to be Black or Rose.

CREAM

This colour should be a creamy colouring sometimes with apricot/gold hinting, all shades of cream are acceptable. Nose pigment to be Black or Rose.

CREAM CARAMEL

This colour should be a creamy colouring sometimes with apricot/gold hinting, all shades of cream are acceptable. Nose pigment to be Black or Rose.

GOLD

This colour has also been referred to as “apricot” should be the colour of the inside of a ripe apricot to varying shades of rich Gold in colour. A true Gold will not have a lighter root than the outer coat and preferable have an even colouration over the entire body. This colour may fade as the dog grows older, senior dogs should not be penalized for paling of coat colour. Nose pigment to be Black in colour.

CARAMEL

This colour ranges from a rich gold through to a deep red the preferred colour is very much the same colour as its namesake "caramel" with even colouration over the entire body. Nose pigment to be Rose in colour.

RED

This colour should be a solid even rich red in colour. A true red must not be lighter at the root than the outer coat. Reds can fade as the dog grows older, senior dogs should not be penalized for paling of coat colour. Nose pigment to be Black. [Rare colour group].

BLACK

This colour should be a solid black in colour with no sprinkling of any other colour through the coat. Nose pigment to be Black.

SILVER

This colour can range in shades from very light pewter in colour to a dark charcoal in colour it is preferred to see an even colour through the coat but acceptable to see uneven layering of colour in the coat. Silvers are born Black with the coat colour developing over time (1-3 yrs). Nose pigment to be Black.

BLUE

This colour should be a dark to medium smoky blue in colour. Blues are born Black but will have a Blue/Grey skin pigment. The blue coat colour will develop over time (1-3yrs) but as a developed adult should have an even coat colour, any other colour throughout the Blue is undesirable. Nose pigment to be Blue/Grey [matching the skin pigmentation]. [Rare colour group].

CHOCOLATE

This colour should be a dark rich chocolate in colour. True chocolates are born almost black in colour and maintain the rich dark colour throughout their lifetime. Colour should be even, any other colour in the coat is undesirable. Nose pigment to be Rose in colour [matching the coat colour]. [Rare colour group].

CAFE

This colour ranges from a milk chocolate to silver-beige in colour and will develop over time (1-3yrs). Nose pigment to be Rose in colour [matching the coat colour].

LAVENDER

This colour has a definite smoky lavender chocolate colour giving an almost pink to lilac appearance. Lavender dogs are born chocolate and will develop over time (1-3yrs). Any other colour in the coat is undesirable. Nose pigment to be Rose in colour [matching the coat colour]. [Rare colour group].

PARCHMENT

This colour is a creamy beige chocolate colour reminiscent of a cup of coffee with a generous addition of milk. Parchment dogs are born milk chocolate and will develop over time (1-3yrs). From a distance adult dogs can be mistaken for a dark or smoky cream. Nose pigment to be Rose in colour. [Rare colour group].

PARTI FACTORED

The body colour must be a solid dark colour with defined markings of a second lighter colour or combination of 2 colours mixed together [Not White or Chalk] [Usually gold, red, cream or silver or a combination of two.] as follows: above each eye, on the cheek, on the throat to chest, or in a chin and chest pattern, on the feet and up the legs, and under the tail. The Second colour is permissible on the inside of the leg ,flank and chest/tummy, on the sides of the muzzle, on the underside of the ears, and should not be penalized. Markings are preferred to be clear and defined. Face markings of the second colour with the entire face coloured is highly undesirable. if the other required body markings are present. Any of the solid colours combination is acceptable excluding Chalk. Pigment and eye colour to be that of its clear colour counterpart. This color belongs to the Parti group.

SEE [Patched], Phantom, Brindle and Sable colours.

PHANTOM

BRINDLE

A Brindle has a pattern of dark and light striping in the fur. There are black, chocolate, red & silver brindles.

MERLE

A Merle dog has a base coat of a solid colour with patches and mottled areas of other colours.

SABLE

Chocolate, Gold, Raven or Red with rust or black ticking evenly throughout the body, Slightly darker ears acceptable. A small white flash no larger than 2.5cm in diameter can appear on the chest is permissible. Pigment and eye colour to be that of its clear colour counterpart. This color belongs to the Parti group. Belongs to the Rare color group.

AGOUTI
Should have an even and equal distribution of the colours with layering of black fibers in regions of lighter colours (usually, /gold/red, ) producing a tiger-striped pattern. This color belongs to the Parti group. Belongs to the Rare color group.

PIED
Any colour with white patching. White not to exceed 50% of the body. Freckling or white over the eye area is highly undesirable. No set pattern is required but symmetrical markings are highly desirable. Pigment and eye colour to be that of its clear colour counterpart. This color belongs to the Parti group.