Are Labradoodles Crazy?
Labradoodles are not crazy. They enjoy being friendly, sociable, and energetic, which some pet owners might interpret as ‘crazy’ behavior. This upbeat temperament may sometimes catch pet owners unaware. Overwhelmed by this highly intelligent and proactive doodle, they concluded that their doodle might be a tad crazy.
Since their rise to fame during the 1980s’, Labradoodles’ popularity index has been steadily moving upward. Not only did the breed turn out to be a boon for the allergic pet lover, but it also managed to impress anyone who wanted a companion. In turn, it triggered an interest in the dog’s personality. More in-depth insight revealed that even though hybrids take after the two disparate parents, there can be a significant variation in their overall temperament.
That being said, some essential traits are common to all Labradoodles, and ‘crazy’ is not one of them. If for some reason, you get the impression that your doodle might be acting crazy, a suggestion would be to dig up its parental history. Also, discuss the issue with someone knowledgeable about the breed – for all you know, there might be something you might have inadvertently missed that might be causing your doodle gross discomfort.
Decoding the Labradoodles’ Temperament
Because Labradoodles are crossbreed, their temperament can vary over a broad spectrum. Most often, the hybrid inherits traits that are reflective of both parents. However, it would be wrong to assume that only the most desirable characteristics would find their way into the crossbreed. The selection of genetic traits can be as random as one can imagine with numerous combinations possible.
In terms of temperament, a labradoodle could be –
Close to a Poodle
While creating a labradoodle, the breeder might pick a standard or a miniature poodle. This difference might seem insignificant; however, a veteran of the niche would disagree completely. A standard poodle differs from its miniature counterpart in more ways than one, which translates into a difference in the crossbreed’s temperament.
An offspring of the Labrador Retriever and the Standard Poodle fares better as a guide dog for its owner. Replace the standard with a miniature poodle, and the emphasis shifts to companionship. Then again, with miniature poodles, there is a good chance that the poodle genes get completely dominated by that of the Labrador. In such a situation, the labradoodle behaves more like its Labrador parent and carries very few poodle traits.
More like a Labrador Retriever
A Labrador, used in the breeding program for creating the labradoodle, also has a bearing on the hybrid’s temperament.
In the event of the Labrador being calm and low-profile, the resulting labradoodle will most likely turn out to be a fabulous family dog. On the other hand, adding an American Labrador to the mix would imply that the labradoodle will always like to be on the move.
Temperament wise, this difference could mean a lot in terms of behavior. Labradoodles with an English parent are likely to remain relatively more laid back than those with an American parent, who might require constant physical and mental stimulation.
Second Generation Labradoodles
Complicated though it might seem, there is indeed a difference in temperament between the first-generation and the second-generation Labradoodles. Every time a labradoodle has been born out a Labrador retriever and a poodle parent, the genetic mix of traits has been somewhat of a gamble. With no limit to the number of combinations, it is slightly unwise to predict how the offspring might turn out.
By comparison, second-generation Labradoodles are more consistent in terms of temperament. During the 1990s’, breeders began to use Labradoodles for breeding the next generations rather than the purebred species. To a great extent, this introduced a substantial dose of stability in the doodle’s behavior while also causing it to sober down.
Taken in the context of crazy behavior, chances of the first generation going amok are a lot higher than the second generation of Labradoodles.
Labradoodles’ ‘Crazy’ Controversy
Having been voted as the second most-favorite dog in the US in 2010, it indeed sets you wondering how someone could regard the labradoodle as being crazy. To be honest, the ‘crazy’ controversy began with the breed’s creator, Wally Conron.
Credited with having bred the Labradoodles during the 1980s’ by crossing a poodle with a Labrador retriever, the breeder lamented his creativity in a 2014 interview –
“I opened a Pandora’s box, that’s what I did. So many people are just breeding for the money. So many of these \dogs have physical problems, and a lot of them are just crazy.”
Wally Conron.
This statement was more than anything else that brought into focus Labradoodles’ behavior and attached the ‘crazy’ tag to the equation. However, a more in-depth look revealed that the creator’s statement was not aimed at the Labradoodles but indicated \the malpractices that had sneaked their way into the breeding program.
“I opened a Pandora’s box and released a Frankenstein monster. I released the reason for these unethical, ruthless people to breed these dogs and sell them for big bucks – that’s my big regret.”
Wally Conron.
To cope with the rising popularity, breeders indulged in mindless breeding of the parent breeds. This turned out to be disastrous, as the offspring showed a lot of variation in behavior and quality and type of coat. Some even caused allergies, which stood in violation of the most basic ethic that had spurred their creation in the first place.
Wally Conron had created this hybrid intending to provide allergic dog lovers with an alternative. Therefore, he was justified in regretting his actions when his creation’s quality was being compromised and tweaked. Soon puppy mills sprung up by the dozen, and Labradoodles began to be sold on the Internet by sources that lacked both reputation and reliability.
Given the situation, it is but natural that Wally Conron was disillusioned to the point of shunning his beloved creation as ‘crazy’ when that wasn’t entirely the case
The reaction of the Labradoodles’ Fan Club
Although Wally Conron’s comments might have caused some pet owners to pause and experience a rethink of their doodle’s behavior, on the flip side, it also released a surge of support for the crossbreed. Labradoodles’ owners the world over vouched for their beloved pets’ good behavior and highlighted this breed’s positive traits.
Most pet owners claimed that their doodle was incredibly bright, affectionate, and relatively healthy, except for a few minor issues. This further proved that the ‘crazy’ tag was not just unwarranted but also not typical of the breed. All that it did was to put a question mark on the breeding program and ethical practices about this crossbreed.
Tips for Avoiding a Crazy Labradoodle
Craziness in Labradoodles is an outcome of a compromised breeding program. Therefore, just so you don’t end up with a crazy labradoodle, the following are some tips that you must bear in mind while shopping for one –
- Conduct thorough research and identify a responsible, reliable, and reputed breeder;
- Do not buy a labradoodle over the Internet, and steer clear of breeding houses that try to coax you into an online deal without having seen the pup;
- Insist upon a meeting at the breeding house where you can look over the property;
- Select a breeder that specializes in Labradoodles as opposed to one that handles multiple breeds without actually focusing on anyone in particular;
- Check past reviews and references of the breeder;
- Online advertising of pups is permissible, but always make it a point to see the puppy and, if possible, its parents before taking the plunge;
- For the labradoodle and its owner to enjoy lifelong bonding, exercising caution at the time of purchase is not just crucial but also key to a successful relationship.
Final Thoughts
Sometimes pet owners may brand their doodle as crazy if it munches through everything to lay its paws on. Likewise, Labradoodles can develop a love of licking everyone that walks through the door, including cats and people who dislike pets. Leaving your doodle alone at home for long could also trigger anxiety to the point of causing it to become impossibly destructive.
Patience is the prime requisite in each of these situations wherein you will need to be firm and consistent in discouraging your doodle from chewing your shoes or scaring away people. Simultaneously, shower your doodle with lots of love and attention, as this is the only way to curb its anxiety.
Establish an understanding with your doodle so that all you need is a single command to prevent any disruptive behavior. Labradoodles love to retrieve, swim, and play with other animals, including cats, and the onus is on you to tap into this vast potential of friendliness. Treat the labradoodle the right way, and you would never feel the need to witness its crazy behavior.
