Mini Labradoodle - So Cute and Compact!
The labradoodle is a cross-bred dog with a pure bred labrador retriever and poodle in its parentage. A labradoodle may be a first cross and so its parents will be a pure bred labrador retriever and a standard poodle. The parents could also be labradoodles themselves, or one might be a labradoodle and the other either a poodle or a labrador retriever.
While this might sound confusing and a bit haphazard, accredited labradoodle breeders select the best breeding stock for the improvement and strength of the breed. Often, the pure bred poodle is reintroduced into the breeding line to increase the occurrence of a curly, poodle-type of coat which is much favored by enthusiasts of the breed. This is an accepted breeding practice.
The size of the labradoodle is largely determined by the size of the poodle parent. Poodles come in three sizes – standard, miniature and toy. Labradoodles also come in three sizes – standard, medium and miniature.
The mini labradoodle is achieved by using a toy or miniature poodle as one parent and either a labradoodle or a labrador retriever as the other. Breeders cannot accurately predict what size the puppies will be from this breeding, but generally they will produce puppies that are smaller than the labrador or labradoodle parent.
Other breeds have been introduced into some labradoodle breed lines in an effort to improve the quiet reliability of the gundog side of the breed. This originally came from the labrador retriever, but infusions of cocker spaniel, among other gundog breeds, have been added and are quite common. The cocker spaniel produced a smaller labradoodle, and these smaller dogs have also been used to reliably produce a miniature labradoodle.
The best way to find out about the ancestry of the mini labradoodles you are looking at is to ask the breeder. A responsible breeder will be only too happy to share the history of the puppies and explain to you why they have used that method of breeding mini labradoodles. It is really important that you purchase your puppy from one of these accredited breeders, who have the best interests of the breed at heart and are working to improve and maintain the labradoodle breed. The dogs they produce are more likely to be well-bred, healthy and have a great temperament because of responsible breeding practices.
Mini labradoodles may vary considerably in size, as explained above. However, you can expect a mini, from an accredited breeder, to measure between 14" and 17" as an adult. They will weigh between 26 and 55 pounds.
The temperament of all labradoodles is friendly, loyal and affectionate. They love people and enjoy being a member of a family and included in family activities. Their gentle nature and ease of trainability make them a wonderful family dog.
This article mentions reliable, accredited and responsible breeders several
times. How do you know if a breeder is responsible? Most responsible labradoodle
breeders will be members of the local or international labradoodles associations.
They will only breed from their mothers once or twice a year to protect
her health and that of the puppies. A responsible breeder will ask you
lots of questions about the home environment you will be taking their
puppy into. Many breeders require an actual application process to be
adhered to. Good breeders will have extensive knowledge of the breed and
will supply you with written information about the feeding, bedding, care
and health of your pup.