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Mini Labradoodlesby people whoown them

The Mini can be a Labradorcrossed with either aMiniature (middle sized)Poodle or a Toy (smallest)Poodle. But a Mini can also be aLabradoodle crossed with asmaller Poodle or even aMini Labradoodle crossedwith a small Poodle... A first cross is called an F1.A Labradoodle mated to aLabradoodle is called F2. Third generation F3 etc. Which breeds make up a Mini Labradoodle?(There are also F1b, F2b etc when aLabradoodle is mated back to aLab or a Poodle. But let's concentrate on a firstcross for now!) Well, that is harder toanswer than it sounds!A Labradoodle usuallyinvolves a Labrador and aStandard Poodle (which isnormally taller than a Lab).

Where did the Doodle come from? (If you are allergic to doghair, a 100% Poodle will be amuch better choice, but F2/3Doodles have morepredictability on coat typesthan F1 if you aredetermined. But beware, it'soften the case that people areallergic to dander or saliva,not fur - so do try to spendtime with very similar dogsbefore going ahead.)Back in the 1980s, someone was trying to create aguide dog for people who were allergic to dog hair.The Labradoodle was born, but crucially only someof the pups inherited the Poodle coat that didn'tshed. However, it was the public that really fell inlove with the blend.

Dogs Today believes theDoodle's popularity ispartly due to peoplefalling back in love withthe Poodle, a breed thatwas always a great pet –and also partly due to thepublic craving dogs bredpurely with the objectiveof being great pets. Is the Doodle just a rebrand of the Poodle? How dare you!Maybe the Poodle fellfrom popularity dueto people not seeingpast the eccentric haircuts?

What else might youcall a MiniLabradoodle?LabradiddlydoodleLabradoodlebugLabradolittleLabradiddleLabradinkydoodleGroan

Why are they so popular?

What five words sum up MiniLabradoodles?. LovingIntelligentPlayfulHappyLoving

What were the most popular names?Daisy, Dexter, Doodle, Lola, Mabel, Noodle, Teddy.

Why do those surveyed say they love their Mini Labradoodles?(In 20 words or less!) "He’s not our 'dog' - he’s our family. He is kind, loving,wonderful and perfect.He’s just the mostimportant part of ourfamily.""He’s got so muchcharacter and his lovefor life is infectious." "We have had dogs allour lives, but this one isvery different. Only sixmonths old, but has ahuge personality.""He changed myopinion of dogs. I lovehim wholeheartedly;he is my best friend."

"A few years ago, mymental health was in theworst place, but he gaveme so much love.""The biggest, kindest heart- without a mean bone inher body.""They are family-friendly andjust a joy to have.""She can be crazy fun,predictably unpredictable,cute and loving, too. She keeps me active andloving life." "Difficult to say why,but he’s always happy,so lifts my spirits aswell.""She didn’t have the best start in life. She was really scared whenwe adopted her. Not groomed, underweight,ear infection and rottenteeth. But she has developed intothe most loving, trustingdog you could everimagine."

How tall are Mini Labradoodles?Well, it varies... a lot! Remember these dogs are progeny of both Miniature and Toy Poodles

Remember these dogs are progeny of both Miniature and Toy Poodles How much do they weigh?

What is their average exercise need?

How healthy are they?

What sort of healthissues did the 4%experience? "He’s epileptic. But, other than that,he’s healthy. He just suffers seizuresbut at seven still acts like a puppy.""Been very healthy with a stomachof iron (luckily). Only now startingto show minor stiffness after over-exertion at nine years old." "He’s 10 and has arthritis." "Ear problems."

How smart are Mini Labradoodles?

How well behavedare Mini Labradoodles?

What are their typical qualities?

Which breed is theirtemperament mostlike?(It's a bit of a lottery!)

What type ofhair does aMiniLabradoodle have?(Guess what?It's a bit of a lottery!)

How often doyou need togroom at home?(Obviously, it dependswhat type of coat youend up with...)

How often do you need to visitthe groomer?Well, it depends what type of coat you end up with...

When two breeds combine, there is somegenetic advantage - thetwo dogs' family trees willdefinitely be totallyunrelated. But both parents shouldstill be tested for thehealth issues found intheir respective breeds. Which health tests should breeders do?

Hip dysplasia affects a number ofbreeds. A Labrador's hips shouldbe X-rayed and assessed underhe KC/BVA scheme beforebreeding. Their average score is 10.6 - soless than that would be ideal. Hip scoring is essential for thelong-term health of dogs, but itis still possible for a low-scoringdog's offspring to have theproblem, so please do make sureyou have excellent 'cover for life'pet insurance. Plus, owners canhelp limit risk by not allowinggrowing pups to damage theirjoints by not over-exercising orletting them get overweight.Elbows should also be scored. 0 isthe best score, those with a 2shouldn't be bred from. Which tests for skeletal problems should Labs have?

Which other tests should Labs have? The only essentialDNA test listed by theKennel Club AssuredBreeder scheme is aDNA test for the eyeconditionprcd-PRA.There are now manyother DNA tests, oftenoffered within acombination packageprice. There are some eyeconditions that don'tyet have DNA testsand an annual clearphysical testcertificate is needed,as there can be lateonset.

Which tests should Poodles have? Poodles can have the same nasty eye defectas Labradors - so it's very important bothparents have a clear DNA test for prcd-PRA. Poodles should also have their eyes screenedunder the KC/ BVA testing scheme.There are now various other DNA tests,which can often be obtained for a discountfor a combined package of tests.The KC Assured Breeder Scheme only insiststhat the Standard Poodle, the largestvariety, have their hips tested under theofficial scheme. The average hip score for Standards is 11.6. Much fewer Miniatures and Toys have beentested; their average scores are 12.1 and 8.4respectively. As Labs also have hip issues,lower-than-average scores are alwayspreferred.The more tests the better, obviously.

Our survey revealed12.5 is the averageage of a MiniLabradoodle. But two people told us of adog who lived to 26 years!

Who might be anideal owner?

Obviously no one is 'perfect'.

You have to work at relationships!

What advice would our owners give to others thinking of getting a Miniature Labradoodle?"Make sure you can keep up with them!""Do it. Best thing to come from2020 for us as a family!""Have a lot of time and patience todedicate to training. Be aware ofthe hyperactivity in the first fewyears."

"Do your research intothe coat types. Someshed, some don’t. Non-shedders needmore management andgrooming costs."

"They chew everything as a puppyand need tons of exercise. Our puppywas hard work - do your research, itwas not easy.""They are very intelligent and, likeother dogs, puppyhood is likehaving a toddler - so they are hardwork. Not to be entered intolightly."

"Be prepared for the grooming.""Great family pets, but be prepared for lots ofexercise. They may be small, but they havebags of energy!"

"Get all the health checks on the parents. They’re bright dogs, sobe prepared to be outsmarted. And buying lots and lots of toys!"

to everyone whocontributed to thisreport. On the nextfew pages are justsome of the MiniLabradoodles whohelped us with ourresearch. This project is on-going, so please docontribute to thenext owner survey ifyou go ahead and geta dog of this type!

Here are some of the MiniLabradoodles mentioned bytheir owners in our research.

Please add your experience to our research: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/Labradoodlesmall