About Labradoodles

I have always loved dogs, and while I was growing up my family always had one. There are two that I remember best though; a poodle called “Dexter” and a Labrador retriever called “Roofus.” These dogs made my life fun as a child. I would take them on walks, play fetch with them, and let them sleep in my bed with me. I am a grown up now, and I recently had a child of my own.

I want my child to experience the same sort of happiness that I did his age, so I have decided to get a new puppy. This puppy will grow with our family and help us create fond memories. When I heard of the “labradoodle” breed, I thought ‘what a great combination.’ I knew that this breed would be the best for me and my family.

Miniature dogs are special in many ways—they’re cute, portable, and they usually live longer than their larger counterparts.  Some experts have pointed out that small dogs seem to be especially hard to housetrain.  That difficulty can be compounded by their humans, who don’t seem to expect as much of them as they would a Rottweiler or Golden Retriever.   Some owners allow small dogs to remain perpetual “babies”.  Since mini Australian Labradoodles don’t leave as much waste behind as one of the bigger dogs, that may be a factor as well—until company is coming, the house stinks, and there are land mines everywhere.  Consistency is the most important part of training any dog, but lack of consistency is not the only problem facing small dog owners.  Breeders that are less than reputable don’t always take the time to build the foundations of early training, and the pups they sell sometimes learn to do everything on the paper—eat, sleep, and go to the bathroom—without understanding different locations are appropriate for different functions. 

It is important to choose an outdoor spot for your mini’s elimination where she will not feel vulnerable to attack.  It is preferable if the lawn is short in the chosen spot so the dog can navigate easily through it.  No one likes to go out in the cold and cop a squat, so consider investing in a sweater for the little guy—it can actually help with housebreaking.  Feeding on a schedule helps, as does taking the puppy to the chosen potty spot after she plays or has any kind of excitement.  Crate training is also thought to aid in successful housetraining of a small dog. Every dog makes mistakes, so don’t punish her if she has an accident—run her to her spot and show her where she is supposed to go.  When your mini is successful, following consistently with praise and a treat should do the trick in the long run.

Since our mini Australian labradoodles are all microchipped, prospective owners never have to debate whether or not to microchip—but there are many good reasons to microchip a pet.  One of the first would be the ability some pets have to wiggle out of their collars.  Some pets just don’t like to wear collars all the time, despite the best efforts of their people.  If a pet becomes lost without her collar, the microchip that has been implanted increases exponentially the likelihood she will be returned to her rightful owner.  Be sure and keep the microchip company updated with your current address and phone numbers, as well as current contact information for a backup contact should your doodle become lost.

A microchip is only about the size of a grain of rice, and they do not need to be replaced once they have been implanted in your dog.  Until 2003, there were universal scanners for pet microchips, but as technology has developed, types of pet microchips were created that are incompatible with some scanners and vice versa.   As of this writing, development of a universal pet microchip scanner is pending, but even taking this into consideration, having your pet microchipped is an important safety measure.

Naming a puppy is one of the most fun things about getting one!  You can use a name book, surf the Web for pet name websites, name the dog after your favorite actor or musician, or just get to know the puppy and see what name comes to mind.  Of course, there is no rule how many middle names a dog can have (after all, he never has to get a passport!) and when it comes to nicknames, there are no rules, either.

If you want to nod to the Australian aspect of your mini Labradoodle’s heritage, here are some Australian words for your consideration:  Ace, Banger, Barbie, Barney, Battler, Billabong, Brekkie, Bizzo, Blotto, Boozer, Bushie, Buster, Cheerio, Chrissie, Clackers, Corker, Dag, Dero, Dingo, Fair Dinkum, Howzat, Humdinger, Jackaroo, Jillaroo, Joe Bloggs, Kaput, Kero, Kiwi, Matilda, Nipper, Outback, Ozzie, Pash, Plonk, Polly, Ridgy-Didge, Ripper, Rollie, Roo, Sanger, Sheila, Shonky, Smoko, Sooky, Squizz, Stickybeak, Tas, Troppo, Tucker, Wally, Woop Woop, Wowser, Yobbo or Zack?  You’ll have to look up the meanings, but they are all everyday words related to Australia or slang used there.  The possibilities are endless!

Freshwater ponds, creeks, lakes, rivers and streams can contain blue-green algae-borne toxins that are fatal to dogs.  If the water where your mini Australian Labradoodle swims looks cloudy with a green or blue-green tint, you should suspect an overabundance of blue-green algae and keep your dog out.  Blue-green algae have been documented as causing the deaths of several dogs as well as livestock and humans.

A very specific combination of environmental conditions that most commonly occurs in late summer or early fall can expediate rapid population growth of a blue-green algae family called cyanobacteria. This type of algae thrives in many aquatic environments year-round, but can reproduce out of control during sustained times of warm weather in shallow, nutrient-rich bodies of water.  This variety of blue-green algae produces a toxin that is one of the most potent natural poisons known.  The algae blooms may resemble foam, scum, or mats on the water’s surface, appearing to be blue, bright green, brown, or red.  The water may or may not smell bad, since algae usually do not produce a negative odor until they are breaking down and beginning to die out.   The only way to know for certain if water is contaminated by the bad algae is to have it tested by an expert, and to further muddy the issue, not all algae blooms are toxic.  When an algae bloom IS toxic, it can kill or sicken an animal within 15 or 20 minutes of ingestion, targeting the liver and nervous system.  Symptoms of toxic algae ingestion include skin irritation or lesions, vomiting, diarrhea, labored breathing, weakness, convulsions, and in severe cases, paralysis and respiratory failure.  If you suspect your pet has come in contact with toxic algae, wash his coat immediately and call a veterinarian as quickly as possible. 
 

Happy Labor Day weekend!  Hopefully you have plans to have a great time and take your Labradoodle with you.  Here are a few tips to keep that darling doodle happy and safe over the holiday.  A common Labor Day outing is a picnic—who doesn’t love a picnic?  Be careful that your dog doesn’t follow her nose too enthusiastically and ingest chicken bones or pieces of aluminum foil used to wrap picnic foods.  Summer is the season for insects, so protect your dog against fleas, ticks and heartworm.  The warm weather also promotes allergies to pollen and plants.  If your dog is chewing on himself, seek veterinary attention.


The hot sun can dehydrate a dog or even result in heatstroke—be sure she has a source of fresh drinking water (consider a spill-proof water bowl), ventilated moving air, and shade.    A dog with a fresh water source is less likely to drink sea water, contaminated or chemically lake or pool water, or automobile chemicals on the ground, which can make him ill.  If your dog is in a pen, consider purchasing a fan or a dog cooling mat to keep her comfortable.  Some dog grooming sprays include a sunscreen, and you can apply hypoallergenic sunscreen suitable for babies (30 SPF or higher) on exposed skin areas.  Dog noses are especially prone to sunburn.    If your dog is not a swimmer, supervise him closely—even strong swimmers drown when exhausted.  Never leave your dog in a parked car, where temperatures can reach over 150 degrees Fahrenheit even with a window cracked. (It is a common misconception that this is sufficient prevention of heatstroke or even death in dogs.)  Limit exercise periods to the coolest parts of the day, avoiding surfaces such as sidewalks, asphalt or sand, which may absorb the heat and burn your dog’s paws.  The most common signs of heatstroke in a dog are rapid panting, twitching muscles, skin that feels hot to the touch, and a dazed look.  If any of these symptoms occur, contact a vet immediately and attempt to cool the dog by using towels soaked in cool (not cold) water, hosing her down, or giving him a cool bath. Allow her to lick ice cubes or sip cool water.  In the event of heatstroke, a trip to the vet may save your dog’s life.


 

Researchers have recently discovered a reason why dogs have the largest variation in size of any land animal species.  As it turns out, more petite dogs, such as the miniature Labradoodle, have a strand of DNA that regulates their growth gene, blocking its effects altogether.  This DNA was probably inherited from a miniature wolf about 15,000 years ago, although it is no longer present in the wolf population.  Human intervention has aided the spread of this DNA throughout the domestic dog world.

“All dogs under 20 pounds have this—all of them,” said one researcher, University of Utah biologist K. Gordon Lark.  Learning how canine growth is controlled could potentially improve understanding of 200 to 300 diseases dogs have in common with humans, including high blood pressure, autoimmune disorders, and cancer.  Since dogs and humans also share the same environment, influences of an environmental nature that trigger disease in either species can also be noted.  This will add to data from past studies and possibly leading to cures and treatment of these diseases in both dogs and people.

Information compiled from Seattle Times, AP, LA Times and Baltimore Sun

Source:  Marin Independent-Journal (CA)
August 8, 2008
Adapted from the original story by Jennifer Upshaw

10-year-old Isabella Scott sat on the floor in the children’s room at San Rafael, California, Public Library, reading aloud to a captive audience.  Snuggled between Isabella and reading specialist Leslie Park, Bumps takes in each word.  Bumps is a Labradoodle, a specially trained assistance dog who helps young readers feel at ease.

“Reading to a dog is a little goofy,” says Hollie Stanaland, the San Rafaelchildren’s librarian. “Because it’s goofy, because it’s silly, because it’s ridiculous, these kids are in a relaxed state.  

“The heart of children is the heart of a dog,” Stanaland continues. “They’re one and the same.”

The program that sponsors Bumps is part of Reading Education Assistance Dogs, a national organization based in Salt Lake City that improves literacy skills using therapy assistance animals.  “He is excited about every kid that comes in,” says Park.

Seated on a quilt surrounded by books starring dogs, with titles such as Dogzilla, Dog Breath: The Horrible Troubles with Hally Tosis, and One Nosy Pup, Isabella considers the difference between reading to people and reading to dogs.  “It’s strange, but it made you feel good,” she says. “He doesn’t say ‘you didn’t say this right, say this again’ - he just listens.”

Myth #1—A yard is an absolute requirement for every Labradoodle. Dogs are pack animals who want to be with you.  The majority of the time a dog spends in the yard is hanging around the door, waiting to come back where you are.  Even in a huge house, the dog tends to be right under your feet.  A yard is not going to make a dog get his cardio!  His people need to be walking him, running with him, taking him to the beach or the dog park.  Activities like this make you both healthier, encourage socialization, and improve your bond, whether or not you share a yard. 

Myth #2—Avoid playing tug-of-war or your Labradoodle becomes overly aggressive.  As long as you have rules and boundaries when you play this game, the wild side of your dog has a healthy outlet.  This game represents the final stage of the hunt, when the pack leader ends up with the food and cements his position as leader.  As long as you end up with the toy, rope, or sock, tug-of-war is a fun way to establish yourself as the pack leader.

Myth #3—Never disturb a Labradoodle who is eating.  One of the most common situations that results in dog bites are when her food is disturbed, but that is because the dog sees people, even her own, as a threat.  Dogs should look forward to being interrupted while eating in the expectation of a treat.  To accomplish this, shift his bowl or food in some way, starting from above and working down until sticking your hand in her bowl.  That way, the dog will learn when the bowl is inadvertently bumped or reached into, she won’t respond as if her meal is threatened.

Myth #4—A wagging tail always means a friendly Labradoodle.   Dog tail wagging is actually a complicated system of communication, with three levels of height.  90 degrees high with small wags means the dog should be avoided, as he is trying to establish dominance and appear threatening.  If the tail is very low between the dog’s legs, the dog is afraid and feels defensive and should be given a wide berth.  A friendly dog’s tail is somewhere in the middle wagging loosely with a “smiling” face.  There are other canine body language cues to watch when meeting a dog—position of ears and head, hackles, and expression to name a few.  The safest thing to do is ask the dog’s person if it is okay before getting any closer than you have to!

Do you have to spell out “R-I-D-E” in front of your dog?   Many dogs love to take a car ride with their people—after all, a lot of drive-through places have dog biscuits these days.  Most people know that their Labradoodle can’t be left inside a parked car on a baking summer day, but many don’t know how high or how fast the temperature rises inside the vehicle.  Parking in the shade or cracking a window does little to alleviate this process, since the windows will absorb light.  For example, on an 85-degree day, the temperature inside a car with cracked windows can reach 102 degrees within a ten-minute period of time.    After thirty minutes, that possibility rises to 120 degrees.  Pets are at danger of heatstroke at 100 degrees.  The temperature in a car parked in direct sunlight may elevate more than 30 degrees per minute.  Dogs can suffer organ and brain damage after about 15 minutes in this situation, and it can prove lethal not long after.

A dog’s natural design conserves heat.  The sweat glands on their noses and foot pads do not provide adequate cooling for a hot summer day inside a vehicle.  Panting and drinking water does help them, but not if they are only breathing overheated air in a confined space.   Short-nosed breeds such as pugs and bulldogs, puppies, senior pets, and pets with health problems are particularly vulnerable in hot weather.