Australian Labradoodle Breed Standard
WALA takes pride in providing comprehensive insights into the characteristics and standards that define the Australian Labradoodle. Our breed standard reflects the culmination of careful breeding practices, emphasizing traits such as temperament, coat quality, and overall conformation. Whether you are a seasoned breeder, a potential owner, or simply an enthusiast seeking to deepen your understanding of these remarkable dogs, explore this page to discover the hallmark features that make Australian Labradoodles such a cherished companion breed. At WALA, we are dedicated to upholding the highest standards in the breeding and well-being of Australian Labradoodles, and this page serves as your guide to the defining qualities that set them apart.
Temperament
The ALD is naturally social and bonds well with their human and domestic animal companions. Overflowing with joy and fun, they bring endless amusement and happiness to those around them.
The ALD is biddable, alert, intuitive, and intelligent, showing exceptional love
and loyalty to those with special needs. This temperament makes them great
candidates for therapy and service dogs. Easily trained, the ALD is an ideal companion for families of all kinds.
Movement/Carriage
The ALD’s gait is smooth, powerful, and coordinated in mature dogs. They should have good reach and drive resulting in a confident, flowing, well balanced forward movement. When walking and running, they should appear to float almost above the ground. A proud carriage with effortless movement is essential.
Size
There is no appreciable difference in the general appearance of the Standard, Medium, or Miniature ALD sizes except in the actual size difference. Approximate weight can range from 12 pounds / 5.4 kilograms to 85 pounds / 38.5 kilograms. Height is measured to the top of the shoulder blades (withers) while standing squarely on a level surface.
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Miniature
Height: 12 to less than 17 inches, 30 to 43 cm
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Medium
Height: 17 to less than 21 inches 43 to 53 cm
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Standard
Height: 21 to 28 inches 53 to 71 cm
Head
Head should be moderately broad with eyes set well apart, without exaggeration. The head should be fully coated as on the body, legs, and tail. It should be in proportion to the size of the dog and should flow naturally into a muscular neck.
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Skull should be slightly rounded, not domed. The length from occiput to stop should be the same as the length of the muzzle.
Muzzle should be proportional to head, square in appearance and fleshy.
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Nose should be generous and not pointy.
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Teeth should have a scissor bite with upper teeth just overlapping bottom teeth. It is common for a puppy to outgrow Base Narrow Canines.
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Eyes should be large, expressive, and slightly rounded. Eye colors can be darkest brown, a transparent honey color, or shades of hazel. Kind, friendly eyes imparting good temperament, intelligence, intuitiveness, and alertness is a hallmark of the breed.
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Ears should lay flat against the head and be in proportion with the skull with a slight lift at the base for air flow. The top of the ears should be set slightly above eye level. Leather should be of medium thickness and should not hang below the lower lip line.
Neck, Topline, Body
Neck is well-proportioned, of good strength, slightly arched and flowing into shoulders with no appearance of abruptness.
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Shoulder blades and upper arms are the same length. Shoulders are laid back with elbows set close to the body.
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Chest is well-proportioned, neither excessively narrow nor overly broad. The chest does not have a highly rounded or flattened appearance. Depth of chest does not go below the elbow joint.
Forelegs should be straight when viewed from the front.
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Tail should be long and full, following the topline when in repose but may be carried high in a happy or lively manner when in motion. Curly tails are acceptable but tails that curl over onto the back are not the ideal.
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Feet are proportionate to the size of the dog, round with well-arched toes. Pads are thick and well cushioned. The feet are not turned in or out.
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Topline is level. The length from shoulder / base of neck to point of buttock is just slightly longer than the height to shoulder.
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Loins should be strong and muscular with moderate tuck up. Ribs are well-sprung but not barreled.
Hindquarters should be well-muscled for power in movement. In profile, the croup (buttocks) is nearly flat, though slight sloping is acceptable.
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Stifles (knee joints) are moderately turned to propel forward movement, and hocks (ankles) to heels are strong, short, and perpendicular to the ground. View of legs from the rear appears parallel.
Coat
The ALD has a single coat ranging from straight to loose curls. Ideally, the curls should not be tight, and the coat should not be too thick or fluffy.
ALD coats never stop growing and should be groomed regularly.
Depending on the severity of an allergy, the ALD can be allergy friendly to many people who have dog related allergies.
The ideal in the ALD is a very low shedding coat. However, in some of the early generations, F1, F2 and F1b, more shedding can occur, but shedding is rarely seen in the multi-generation Labradoodle.
Texture - there are three types of texture:
Hair Coat
Sheds a moderate to heavy amount. This coat is seen in early generations.
Wool Coat
Dense and similar in feel to a lamb's wool. Wool coats hang in tight or loose spiraling curls and should open up to show the skin. It is very low-shedding.
Fleece Coat
Has a silky texture often described as an Angora goat texture. This coat ranges from straight to wavy or falling in soft curls. This coat is low-shedding.
Faults
A fault is any deviation from the ALD breed standard.
Major faults (should not be bred):
Albinism
Merle to merle breeding
Uncontrollable aggression
Protruding or sunken eyes
Faults (can be responsibly bred with caution and planning):
Fearful, timid, or highly-strung temperament
Improper carriage or heavy gait
Long, narrow and/or pointy head
Short or overly thick neck
Over or underbite in adult teeth
Base Narrow Canines in adult teeth
In a multi-generation ALD, a coat that sheds like a hair coat
Narrow or wide chest
Too long of back or too long of leg, out of proportion to height or length, not balanced.
Weak pasterns
Cow hock
Toeing in or out