Lab X standard poodle?

[sandi_84]

What would you be looking for / looking out for?

In laws have a lab X poodle (from before they became fashionable "Doodles") and she is everything I'd want in a dog, they also have a much younger springer X miniature poodle who is also a very lovely little dog.

They know of a flat haired litter coming up and we're asking if we'd consider one but having no exposure to poodles and their dogs being the only mixes I know, I don't really know much about them.

Can anyone give me the inside scoop please?

 

[SusieT]

generally bouncy but good natured .

 

[CorvusCorax]

Flat haired?

As above, bouncy, sometimes bolshy, happy go lucky, strong. Will need groomed.
Query hip scores in parents as both breeds can suffer dysplasia and crossing does not minimise risk.

I'd just go for a poodle myself.

 

[Cinnamontoast]

Flat haired poodle? Never heard of this. Got any pics? As poodles are originally working dogs, they might need a fair bit of exercise. What's the coat like, will it need regular visits to the groomer?

 

[sandi_84]

Oh sorry just in from work when I posted and my brain has vacated the building I meant short haired
They are like the in laws, short with a slight curl and almost wire haired feel I've been told.

I was thinking of the dysplasia from the lab sude, never knew poodles were susceptible to it too.

Any other things to watch out for from the poodle side?

Have been told they are doodle to doodle crosses so two lab x poodles have been bred together, does that make any odds one way or the other?

 

[Echo24]

Really depends on which coat the pups take. We use them at work and all the litters throw different coats! Some are very curly and wiry like the poodle and others are much more longer and flatter. In my experience most shed.

Get the right mix and they are energetic, willing, bouncy types.

 

[springtime1331]

I have a standard poodle x lab. She is fairly large - much bigger than her lab mother with a wiry coat which sheds like mad! She is a wonderful dog, easily trained, very keen to please , very quiet in the house and generally has never given us a moments trouble. I'd have another one like her in a shot, although I know being a cross its far from an exact science

 

[sandi_84]

I have a standard poodle x lab. She is fairly large - much bigger than her lab mother with a wiry coat which sheds like mad! She is a wonderful dog, easily trained, very keen to please , very quiet in the house and generally has never given us a moments trouble. I'd have another one like her in a shot, although I know being a cross its far from an exact science

This sounds very much like the in laws cross

 

[sandi_84]

P.s. I'm not worried about shedding, neither OH or I have ever had a dog that didn't shed and are quite used to the "who got the lucky dog hair" in their dinner game

I only work part time and OH is a farrier so able to take a dog to work with him if I'm not at home, we also have just been given rental of a lovely cottage that comes with a massive garden and an outdoor kennel and run that would be suitable for a couple of dogs. We don't want to use it with one dog alone but when we get round to dog number two that could also be an option for the nicer weather if I'm on a short shift.

I've had border collies before and OH has had a spaniel and the lab x poodle so we're no strangers to dogs that need a lot of exercise and stimulation

 

[Goldenstar]

My friend had one a dog hes a lovely boy but his moulting is epic .

 

[Damnation]

Be careful when going to get a lab x poodle.

Because they are "fashionable" it seems like any back street breeder looking to make a fast buck is breeding from anything. This means that the temperments can be a bit "funny".

Me personally? The ones I have met have been a bit "funny" temperment wise, as in, they have a side that I have to say seems to be quite anxious/nervy? As someone posted above, query hip & elbow scores from sire and dam, and an eye certificate for the lab as they can be prone to PRA (Progressive Retnal Atrophy). (Not sure about poodles, Labs are my thing!)

I'd rather go full breed labrador if you want a good family pet with the aptitude to learn/work. (I have two, did have 3.) My favourate breed by far.

 

[sandi_84]

It's the BYB worry that has me asking, so if I enquire about the pups (still debating) I want to be armed with some questions
The thing is I know if I'm going to enquire I'll have to do it fairly soon because I know that pups from good breeders of any breed are either booked in advance or are snapped up quick with deposits.

I haven't set my heart this litter though so it won't be the end of the world if we miss out this time but it's always good to know these things

Does anyone know any links to either pure breed or cross breed webpages that might help educate us a bit more?

 

[Trules]

hi there.
I have a lab x std poodle bitch, I will share my findings. she is 5 years now. she is the easiest loveliest dog ever very friendly, very clever, very trainable. I love the athletism that the poodle adds. she is fast and agile.
the downsides are; she can be sulky with me, no one else, she is my dog and I get the blame for everything! she was a pain as a pup, chewing my stuff up if I left her for any period of time. (never other family members belongings). and she is not a cuddle on the settee type of dog, I think mainly because she feels the heat and prefers to keep cool splayed out on the floor. she has a thick coat and does malt.
I wish she was a bit more cuddly but is my only gripe. She is no trouble at all now. absolutely loves kids, she has never ever raised a lip to growl, loves all other animals, is very gentle with the hens, great with horses and other livestock. she was very well handled as a tiny pup, bred by a close friend of mine, and well socialised by me. learnt all her lessons early on, I only had to tell her off once on any subject and she has never repeated the same mistake twice. an absolutely fabulous breed, but yes I would say a tiny bit sensitive mentally. I think a dog would be less sensitive than a bitch.
I knew nothing about poodles before, but I really like what they bring to this cross breed.

 

[springtime1331]

hi there.
I have a lab x std poodle bitch, I will share my findings. she is 5 years now. she is the easiest loveliest dog ever very friendly, very clever, very trainable. I love the athletism that the poodle adds. she is fast and agile.
the downsides are; she can be sulky with me, no one else, she is my dog and I get the blame for everything! she was a pain as a pup, chewing my stuff up if I left her for any period of time. (never other family members belongings). and she is not a cuddle on the settee type of dog, I think mainly because she feels the heat and prefers to keep cool splayed out on the floor. she has a thick coat and does malt.
I wish she was a bit more cuddly but is my only gripe. She is no trouble at all now. absolutely loves kids, she has never ever raised a lip to growl, loves all other animals, is very gentle with the hens, great with horses and other livestock. she was very well handled as a tiny pup, bred by a close friend of mine, and well socialised by me. learnt all her lessons early on, I only had to tell her off once on any subject and she has never repeated the same mistake twice. an absolutely fabulous breed, but yes I would say a tiny bit sensitive mentally. I think a dog would be less sensitive than a bitch.
I knew nothing about poodles before, but I really like what they bring to this cross breed.

Yours sounds so like ours! Except mine is a massive mummy's girl and always wants cuddles despite being permanently roasting due to her very thick coat. Our girl is sensitive too, she hates any conflict from other dogs and takes it very much to heart on the few occasions Ive ever had to tell her off. I wonder if the toy poodle crosses have different temperaments? I've heard mini doodles are harder work.

 

[millikins]

I have a standard poodle. I'm no expert on the breed, have always admired them but he's the only one I've owned. As Trules has found with her X, he's sensitive, highly intelligent, sulks, is very wilful and aloof but brave and loyal. I think for a pedigree they are fairly free of genetic defects though I think can suffer epilepsy. Mine is 10 this year and still up for a 2 hr hack with the horses. I know several poodle/lab crosses including a 2nd generation one and all nice dogs but personally would prefer a healthy specimen of either purebred.

 

[sandi_84]

Thanks for the info folks it was very helpful

Quick update this litter is a no go, I got the coat type wrong it's not wiry and short which OH prefers it was slightly longer and soft and MIL has had a look at pictures and says about the bitch theres nothing she can put her finger on but she says there's something about how she looks that looks odd.

It obviously wasn't meant to be this time round but we're better informed for if another litter comes up and we look at this cross again

 

[Equi]

They will never look like the dog your oh wants, unfortunately. They need groomed and clipped, they don't just keep the coat they have in the pictures. The poodle in them makes the coat grow.

And just my opinion, someone breeding a lab and a poodle is looking a buck. There are people who started specializing in labradoodles years ago, and have bred them with temperament and body in mind from originally healthy Labradors and poodles, bred to other unrelated labxpoodle pups to make a pure cross of labradoodle (if that makes sense). Essentially trying to make a new, healthy, and temperamentally sound breed of dog. Im not a fan of the cashing in of crosses, but i think that this makes a good sound cross when done correct.

 

[MurphysMinder]

Done correctly I agree with you, but those who breed this cross correctly are very much in the minority. It is sad that the person who first created the cross, to create a guide dog, has stated that he regrets opening "a pandoras box" by doing so.

 

[sandi_84]

They will never look like the dog your oh wants, unfortunately. They need groomed and clipped, they don't just keep the coat they have in the pictures. The poodle in them makes the coat grow

The in laws lab x poodle is medium to short haired, it's wavy rather than curly and is pretty wiry. She enjoys a fuss and a groom but doesn't need clipped at all so they do exist

 

[Pearlsasinger]

There is a 'Labradoodle' Rescue Society, apparently they get a lot from homes which thought they were getting a dog which didn't shed because someone in the family had an allergy and were disappointed. I would be very wary if poodles are prone to epilepsy, as Labs can be too.
If you really want a 'Labradoodle', I suggest contacting the rescue, otherwise why not choose a specific breed? That way you will have a better idea of what you are getting

 

[HashRouge]

I'm the first to admit that I'm not very knowledgeable about dogs so I'll leave the more informed comments to those who know more. But I do know two lab x poodles and they are adorable. Bouncy and good natured, good with kids, horses, sheep, chickens (you name it!); just two lovely, friendly dogs.

 

[sandi_84]

There is a 'Labradoodle' Rescue Society, apparently they get a lot from homes which thought they were getting a dog which didn't shed because someone in the family had an allergy and were disappointed. I would be very wary if poodles are prone to epilepsy, as Labs can be too.
If you really want a 'Labradoodle', I suggest contacting the rescue, otherwise why not choose a specific breed? That way you will have a better idea of what you are getting

Thanks Pearlsasinger, OH doesn't want a rescue dog sadly. I've only had rescues so I'm keen on another for myself but he just equates rescue to lots of problems and baggage even for puppies. I've tried to talk him round using my mum's current bithch as a good example of a rescue dog (picked up as a puppy from SSPCA and no problems at all, couldn't ask for a happier, people friendly dog, good with kids - want's to play ball but will take herself off if she's not getting the attention she wants) but to no avail So we've made a compromise he can have a puppy from a breeder and I can have a rescue cat.

As to which breed, neither of us have set our hearts on one particular breed. We both like a few breeds but the main thing we are looking for is a dog that will fit well with a family environment when we eventually have children.