Mini Labradoodle

Published A Few Days Ago
ADVERTISEMENT
fast facts

About Mini Labradoodle

Height
12-15 inches
Lifespan
10-15 years
Group
Not Applicable
Best Suited For
active families with kids, other dogs or small pets, owners seeking a low-shedding dog, house or apartment dwellers.
Temperament
affectionate, loyal, confident, energetic
Comparable Breeds
Labrador Retriever, Poodle
ADVERTISEMENT

Mini Labradoodle Basics

The Mini Labradoodle (also known as Petite Labradoodle) is a sweet-natured and fun-loving family dog who loves to play and receive loads of attention from his human pack. His eager-to-please personality and high level of intelligence make him a snap to train and for that reason you will often see him used as a service dog.

The Mini Labradoodle is a mixture of Labrador Retriever, Cocker Spaniel, and Toy or Miniature Poodle.

Origin

Designer dogs have been a hot commodity for the past 30 years and the Mini Labradoodle answers the call for a smaller version of the Labradoodle ( Labrador Retriever and Standard Poodle) that was originally developed in Australia back in the 1970s. To achieve the smaller size, breeders crossed a Labrador Retriever with a Cocker Spaniel (which produces a Spanador) and then bred that dog to a Toy or Miniature poodle to introduce the sought-after hypo-allergenic characteristics of a poodle.

Pedigree

ADVERTISEMENT

Because he is a cross-breed, the Mini Labradoodle is unable to join the American Kennel Club’s (AKC) roster of purebred dogs however he does come from good stock that is recognized among the best. They include the Labrador retriever who joined the AKC’s “sporting” group back in 1917, the Cocker spaniel which became an AKC member in 1878 and also joined the clubs sporting group as well as the Toy or Miniature poodle which are both members of AKC’s toy group.

Food/Diet

Don’t let the small name fool you; the Mini Labradoodle is still a medium sized dog and will require between 1.5 and 2 cups of a quality dry food each day. Be sure his food is specifically geared to his age and activity level and because the Labrador retriever side of your dog is a known overeater, don’t plan to free-feed him. Space his meals over two or more feedings and be sure to avoid fillers such as carbs and grains that will make him want to eat more in order to feel full. Because of the Poodle DNA in your dog, your dog may be prone to two digestive diseases: pancreatitis and hemorrhagic gastroenteritis when they hit middle age. High fat meals and treats are a big no-no.

The Mini Labradoodle is a loyal, obedient dog with a playful, energetic side and an air of confidence.

Training

The Mini Labradoodle is an intelligent dog who requires a firm leader when it comes to training but they are eager-to-please and learn quickly without much need for repetition. Both obedience and socialization training should take place when he is a puppy in order to bring out the best of this breed. As with most dogs, rewards-based training with lots of praise and treats of your choice will get the results you are looking for.

Weight

The weight of a Mini Labradoodle can range between 15 and 25 pounds depending on whether his lineage includes a Toy or Miniature poodle.

Temperament/Behavior

The Mini Labradoodle is a loyal, obedient dog with a playful, energetic side and an air of confidence that makes him highly entertaining. His friendly and keen-to-impress personality makes him a truly social pooch who will comfortably take his place alongside other family pets. Because he has a high degree of intelligence, he is easy to train and often appears in competitions that include agility and tricks.

Common Health Problems

Health issues that present in purebreds can often bypass the hybrid however potential pet parents need to do their homework to learn what their new pet may inherit. With the Mini Labradoodle, you have three breeds contributing; Labradors can be prone to hip or joint dysplasia and cataracts, Cocker spaniels can suffer from eye problems and Toy or Miniature Poodles have a propensity for orthopedic issues including luxating patellas and Legg-Perthes disease.

Life Expectancy

The average lifespan of a Mini Labradoodle is 10 to 15 years.

Exercise Requirements

Although the Mini Labradoodle is not a large dog, he is an active boy and will need at least one long walk each day to keep him in good mental and physical shape. He does love swimming and water sports so a trip to the lake or a river would be appreciated and because he is a social boy, a run at a dog park would be a perfect addition to his daily exercise routine.

Because the Mini Labradoodle is intelligent, he is easy to train.

Recognized Clubs

Also known as the Mini Labrapoo, the Petite Labradoodle and the Miniature Labradoodle, this cross-breed dog is not recognized by the American Kennel Club however he is recognized by the Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA).

Coat

The Mini Labradoodles coat is a medium length and can be curly and silky in texture if he leans towards the Poodle or coarser and thicker if he has more Labrador in his DNA. He is considered a low-shedding dog which makes him perfect for those with allergies however daily brushing is needed to keep his lush locks from tangling with bathing only when needed. Because he is a floppy eared dog, inspection and cleaning should be done on a weekly basis. Coloring can range from brown or gold if he picks up more Poodle or Cocker spaniel to black if the Lab is more influential.

Puppies

Mini Labradoodle puppies are smart little guys who can quickly pick up on socialization and obedience training, so start this interaction early. Because he has both a propensity to overeat thanks to his Labrador lineage and joint issues from the Poodle side of his family, you need to be careful to not overfeed this puppy and to ensure his activity levels keep him trim but do not over-exert his tiny bones and joints which may cause problems later in life.

Photo credit: liz west/Flickr; eriklam/Bigstock

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

You May Like

‘Unadoptable’ Cat Shares Special Bond With New Furever Family

There is a someone for everyone, and that''s no better proven with the story of a special-needs cat and a little girl with whom he shares a special bond.

Gluten-Free Carob Molasses Dog Treat Recipe

This Gluten-Free Carob Molasses Dog Treat Recipe uses rice flour to keep the gluten out and the tasty in. I added an egg to help it keep its consistency.

Adoptable Pet of the Week – Thelma

Meet Thelma, our Adoptable Dog of the Week. She''s a black Shepherd mix from Seattle, Washington with the ability to make anyone fall in love with her.

DentaDish Dog Bowl Stops Bloat and Brushes Teeth

Some dogs won''t let you near their teeth with a brush - what''s a pet parent to do? The new DentaDish may help keep your dog''s clean and healthy.

Schipper-Poo

The mischievous little Schipper-Poo is a playful combination of the loving, intelligent Poodle and the loyal, energetic Schipperke.

Belgian Sheepdog

Elegant, sporting a lovely basic black coat, the Belgian Sheepdog is graceful and versatile. He is happiest when he has specific duties to perform.

Pets’ Bad Eating Habits Cost $4.2 Million at the Vet in 2015

Dogs and cats often eat things they''re not supposed to - and we pay for it. Trupanion''s report explains how foreign body ingestion in pets is on the rise.

These Beautiful Photos Of Old Dogs Will Bring A Tear To Your Eye

Photographer Pete Thorne’s photo series “Old Faithful” is going to tug at your heartstrings. Guaranteed. If you’ve ever had one, yo…

Adoptable Dog Of The Week – Sheba

Say “Hello” to Sheba, our Adoptable Dog of the Week. Sheba is an adult female German Shepherd from Montgomery, Alabama. She’s already spaye…

Kerry Beagle

The Kerry Beagle was built for speed and endurance. Originating from Ireland, this breed isn''t related to the Beagle we''re familiar with in North America.

Best Bowls For Miniature Huskies

Make sure you have the perfect feeding accessories for your pooch by checking out our 10 best bowls for Miniature Huskies list.

Bohemian Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

Known in its homeland as the Cesky Fousek, the Bohemian Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is a versatile gundog with a thick wiry coat.

5 Ridiculous Myths About Rescue Dogs

You''ve heard the myths surrounding rescue dogs, and they may have prevented you from adopting one. We''re here to clear up some of the popular misconceptions

Best Beds for Small Dogs

The right bed should offer good quality of sleep, keep pets warm, and be a safe place. Check out beds for small dogs that meet those standards- and more!

Best Dog Nail Grinders

To help you choose the best dog nail grinders for a stress-free grooming routine, we''ve rounded up the very finest that the market has to offer.?