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
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
