The Chocolate Labradoodle can make a great dog for the right person! But is this mixture the right choice for you and your family? Let’s find out!
The Chocolate Labradoodle
Tbe Chocolate Labradoodle is a mix breed between a Labrador Retriever with a standard Poodle. The “Chocolate” part refers to the coat color of this dog. Just like with any other crossbreed, they will inherit characteristics from both parent breeds.
So let’s first take a look at where the individual dog breeds come from.
Origins of the Labrador Retriever
The Labrador retriever is the most popular dog breed in the world. These are usually heavy dogs, with a weight between 55 to 80 lbs and 21.5 to 24.5 cm tall.
The Labrador Retriever origins are in Newfoundland (Canada). They were was a well-kept secret until English nobles visited the area. But unsurprisingly, when they noticed the dogs and took some of these puppies home with them!
These dogs are open, happy and active, they like to run and swim. They are great work, service and therapy dogs.
Labradors are natural athletes who are characterized by dog sports.This includes mobility, rally, dock diving, tracking, search and rescue and other events.
Laboratories have very special coats that are waterproof. Thick at the top, yet super soft and insulating.
Their tail is often referred to as “otter-like”, which helps them swim.
Nowadays, there are many different types of Labrador retriever, including a work dog line and a show dog line.
It can be helpful to learn as much as possible about the purebred line from which the parents of your Labradoodle puppy come, so that you know what you can expect from your own Chocolate Labrador puppy!
Labrador retrievers have three main colors: yellow, black and brown colored.
Origins of the Poodle
The Poodle is available in three sizes: standard, miniature and toy size.
It is usually the standard Poodle size that is mixed with a Labrador to make a Chocolate Labradoodle.
Poodles have some of the most signature hairstyles in the world. But among all these curly hairs, they are amazingly smart and natural athletes.
Poodles were bred to be working dogs and they have the tendency to fit in together very easily.
Additionally, they shed very little, which is why they are sometimes described as “hypoallergenic”. However, if you have allergies to pets, it is important to know that there really isn’t a 100% hypoallergenic dog.
But poodles can be a better choice if you or someone in your family suffers from animal allergies.
You have fewer cleaning tasks and a lower chance of coming into contact with the protein on the perch that causes allergy symptoms.
Poodles can have many different opaque colors and have firm, two-tone or partial (multicolored) coats.
Brown is one of the most common coat colors that represent poodles.
Chocolate Labradoodle – Breed info
The size of your Chocolate Labradoodle depends on whether your poodle parent is a standard, miniature or toy poodle.
For this reason, it is really helpful if you can meet both parents of your pup to get a better understanding of the size of your Labradoodle puppy.
These are the three typical sizes that breeders use to describe the size of the Labradoodles they breed.
These chocolate colored puppies can either have a light or dark brown coat.
Standard size (standard poodle parent)
A standard Chocolate labradoodle usually weighs 50 to 65 pounds, with the males predominating the females.
You can expect a height of 21 to 24 inches.
Medium size (miniature poodle parent)
A medium-sized Chocolate Labradoodle usually weighs 30 to 45 pounds.
They are between 17 and 20 inches everywhere.
Miniature size (toy poodle parent)
A miniature Chocolate Labradoodle usually weighs between 15 and 25 pounds.
They stand between 14 and 16 inches high everywhere.
Chocolate Labradoodle Temperament
The typical Poodle Labrador mix dog has a friendly and playful temperament.
Labradoodles can be a little reserved for strangers, depending on how much poodle affects a puppy.
Chocolate Labradoodle Training
Labradoodles are intelligent, high-energy, active and playful dogs.
Therefore, they need a consistent, positive reinforcement training.
This will help your dog to behave well around guests, young children and other animals.
Grooming
Up to the age of 8 to 12 months, your Labradoodle has a puppy coat and brushing it is pretty quick and easy.
Daily brushing can facilitate the transition from puppy coat to adult dog fur.
Your Labradoodle benefits from regular brushing two to three times a week.
Also expect a visit to the dog salon every six weeks to keep the short and nice.
Health Issues of the Chocolate Labradoodle
The Labradoodle is a hybrid dog breed and can inherit health problems from both purebred parents.
The possible hereditary health problems can vary depending on a number of factors.
Including the genetic influence that both parent dogs have on your puppy.
F1 Labradoodles
The first hybrid litters are known as F1 Chocolate Labradoodle puppies.
You have a purebred Labrador Retriever parent and a purebred Poodle parent
Therefore, it is difficult to predict the level of genetic influence of one of the two parent dogs.
It is not possible to guess how every purebred dog parent passes on certain characteristics.
F1b chocolate labradoodles
Starting with the F1b generation, predicting health problems becomes a little easier.
F1b puppies usually have a purebred parent and a Labradoodle parent.
F2, F3, et al. Labradoodles
Later generations of Labradoodle litters come from the mating of two Labradoodles.
Labradoodle Health Test
The search for a healthy chocolate Labradoodle puppy begins with the selection of the right breeder.
Make sure that your labradoodle breeders have thoroughly checked the parent dogs for all known hereditary health problems.
Your breeder should be happy to prove these tests.
This ensures that the entire breeding stock is free from the known health problems. That’s why you should always buy from a reputable breeder.
It’s recommended to the test for the following health conditions common in Labrador Retrievers:
- Hip dysplasia
- Elbow dysplasia
- Eye problems
- Exercise-related collapse
When it comes to Poodles, the most common health issues are:
- Heart problems
- Addison’s diseases
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Patella dislocation
- Eye problems
Is the chocolate labradoodle a good family dog?
The chocolate labradoodle can make an amazing family pets for the right family!
Typically, Labradoodles are not considered ideal dogs for families with infants, very young children or other vulnerable pets. This is not due to aggression, but simply to exuberance.
The ideal home for a chocolate labradoodle puppy is a family with older children. Also with either no other pets or well-socialized tolerant pets.
Labradoodles need an active family that has a lot of time to play, run, interact and enjoy. These dogs will not perform well if they are often left alone!