Crossbreed Dogs - Explaining The Labradoodle

Narrated from: Dog Breeds

You might have heard the name Labradoodle on the news when the Obamas were choosing their “first dog”. President Obama went for a Portuguese Water Dog in the end, but it was revealed that the alternative had been a Labradoodle. Funny name, isn’t it?

What exactly is a Labradoodle?

Well, the name is sort of a hint – that it is a hybrid of a Labrador and a Poodle.
The Labradoodle is a crossbreed dog; these are also known as “designer dogs”. Don’t imagine some mutants like in the book where you could mix parts from different animals and create strange and possibly unhappy beings; having the tail of a tiger, the body of an elephant and the head of a shark, for instance.

Designer dogs are generally new breeds, developed by crossing two recognized breeds. They differ from the regular mixed breeds. Mixed breed dogs have no pedigree. Crossbreeds also aren’t recognized by most organizations, even if both parents are pure-bred, but many hybrids are a result of careful planning and long-term breeding – which means that a lot of clubs would recognize them as members of an entirely new breed.

The term originated in the late 20th century, as breeders began to cross purebred Poodles with other breeds. Why Poodles? Well, they do have a hypoallergenic coat. The initial aim of the project was to provide guide dogs for people who were vision impaired and had allergies. The idea caught on and different organizations in Australia still breed Labradoodle guide dogs.

Today the Labradoodle is one of the best known crossbreeds. A lot of celebrities have a Labradoodle companion – barring President Obama, who made a different choice; the list includes Joe Biden, Donald Campbell, Jennifer Aniston, Tiger Woods, Neil Young, David Baldacci, Rory Mcllroy, Elle Macpherson and more.

Of course, there are many crossbreeds out there. You’d be amazed. Have you ever heard of ShiChi (Shih tzu and Chihuahua cross), the Chiweenie (Chihuahua and Dachshund cross) or the Afador (Afghan Hound-Labrador Retriever cross)? It is possible to put more than two breeds into the mix – and the result would not be called a mutt! Take for example the German Chusky – which is a mix of a German Shepherd, a Chow Chow and a Husky!

So, if you thought you knew all that there is to know about dogs, be alert – who can say what new crossbreeds will hit the news next?

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