What Are the Different Labradoodle Sizes?
A Labradoodle is a cross-breed obtained by mating a poodle with a Labrador retriever. They are friendly, good with children and other pets, and are purportedly great for apartment living. That being said, an interested individual must be aware of Labradoodles’ different sizes and how big they can typically get, size-wise, and weight-wise.
Of course, their size depends on several factors, ranging from genetics to the external environment. Associated diseases, improper diet, and breeding can play an instrumental role in hindering the doodle pup’s growth and size.
So, knowledge about these, in turn, can help you to gauge how big your labradoodle can get and accordingly take the right decisions that work for both you and your doodle.
Poodle Size and Weight
Since the Poodle is one of the parents in the mix, understanding its parameters can go a long way in interpreting the labradoodle’s size. Typically poodles are classified into three categories, namely toy, miniature, and standard.
A toy poodle stands 10 inches tall at the shoulder and weighs approximately more than six but less than 9 pounds on an average. In comparison, a miniature version sports a height of 11 to 15 inches and weighs 16 pounds on an average.
Most significant among these is the Standard Poodle, which is 15 to 22 inches off the ground at the shoulder and weighs the heaviest of the three – more than 45 pounds, but just short of 70.
Regardless of their stature or weight, Poodles remain playful yet dignified in their persona.
Labrador retriever Size and Weight
Labrador retrievers are typically much larger than poodles. A male Labrador Retriever can grow to 22.5 inches and stretch up to 24.5 inches at the shoulder while weighing between 65 and a maximum of 80 pounds.
Likewise, a female Labrador Retriever grows up to 21.5 inches at a minimum, to a maximum of 23.5 inches tall at the shoulder. They weigh anywhere between above 55 and less than 70 pounds.
Labs are friendly, outgoing, and high spirited and are regarded as one of the world’s most amicable breeds.
Labradoodle Size
Knowing the typical sizes of the parent breeds, namely the Poodle and the Labrador retriever, it naturally draws that Labradoodles would be an average of the two in terms of size and weight. Alternatively, they can deviate markedly towards one of the parent breeds, and then the predominant gene would determine their size.
Labradoodles can be broadly classified into three main categories, which are –
Standard, typically they vary in height, between 22 and 24 inches at the shoulder for a male, and 21 to 23 inches for a female. Their weight can be anywhere between 50 and 65lbs
Medium, wherein the male doodle is 18 to 20 inches tall, and the female doodle is slightly shorter at 17 to 19 inches, both weighing around 30-45 pounds on an average;
Miniature, which is the smallest of the lot at 14 to 16 inches high, vary in weight. They range from a minimum of 15 pounds to a maxim of 25;It is important to note that this is a rough average used as a basic guideline. There are many variations in the size of Labradoodles that could, at best, be attributed to myriad factors.
Size Difference Due To Breeding
Depending on how it is bred, the labradoodle size can vary even within the same litter. This is particularly true in the case of multi-generation breeding, which offers a little consistency in terms of pups’ size.
However, since this technique is being practiced in Australia and the US, it accounts for much of the variation in size among Labradoodles the world over.
An important thing to note is that a small Labrador retriever’s cross-breeding with a toy poodle will yield a miniature Labradoodle. So, the size depends on how and what is crossed, not to mention the parent breeds’ genetics.
The funny thing is that even among miniature Labradoodles, sizes can vary to a surprisingly great extent. It is like a lottery wherein you never quite know what to expect. For example, the doodle can turn out to be more significant if the Labrador retriever genes added to the mix are predominantly stronger.
Size Difference Due to Height
Another point worth mentioning here is that if there is a height difference between the two parent breeds, it will directly impact the doodle’s height. Therefore, the Labradoodle puppy’s overall size born of the cross-breed will be an average between the two parents’ measurements. The offspring might be either a miniature, a medium, or a standard Labradoodle.
A Word of Caution
Note that hybrid doodles always come with a certain degree of genetic uncertainty. Whenever two different sets of canine genes combine, how the genes will affect pups’ litter can be anybody’s guess.
Temperament wise, Labradoodles are friendly, popular and provide the personality traits of the two most intelligent dog breeds in the world within a relatively small physical package.
How Nutrition Affects the Growth of Labradoodles
Before delving into a detailed analysis of a growing labradoodle pup’s diet, it is essential to note that the doodle pup stops growing when it reaches the age of 10 to 16 months.
However, the weight factor needs more comprehension. Labradoodles can continue to gain weight and fill out even past the age of growing. Ergo, exercise is essential to avoid health issues, particularly those related to obesity.
Feed the doodle pup a wholesome diet of minerals and protein to facilitate proper growth. Minerals and nutrients like calcium and phosphorus should be present in the diet. As far as protein is concerned, 22.5% dry matter should do the trick.
Quantity of Food to be Served to Labradoodles
An important query pertains to figuring out how much food your growing doodle needs with time. The amount of food that it requires would increase as it approaches adulthood. For moderate growth, if your puppy falls in the miniature to the medium category of Labradoodles, you always have the option of choosing a diet that is suitable for smaller dogs.
If, however, the labradoodle pup you bring home is standard sized, the food required would be equivalent to what is fed to larger dog breeds. If there is confusion about the best food for your labradoodle, consult a veterinarian for guidance. This will also help you understand the weight range that your doodle should be in.
On an average –
- A two-four-month-old pup will require at least four meals a day;
- At four-six months, it would need a minimum of three square meals a day;
- Six-eight-month-old doodle will demand two to three meals a day;
- Beyond eight months, your doodle would require two meals a day;
Diet Options for Labradoodles
What is the diet that you can feed your Labradoodle? There are a lot of options to explore. For example, Kibble is a wide variety of dog food that provides Labradoodles with wholesome nutrition.
That being said, you need to bear in mind the quality of Kibble that you feed your doodle, and avoid one that has soy, corn, or cereals.
Another option is to feed the labradoodle pup a Biologically Appropriate Raw Food or BARF diet.
This consists of raw meat as well as vegetables and fruits in a particular combination. The next option is to feed your doodle home-cooked food. But it should contain spices and salt in minimal quantities. If possible, avoid onions.
Diseases That Might Affect Growth and Size of Labradoodles
Labradoodles are usually in high demand, a fact that has led to prolific and often unethical breeding practices. In the absence of proper care, while breeding, a labradoodle can develop certain hereditary diseases.
To this effect, common health issues include hip dysplasia, which is also linked to diet factors and affects your doodle’s growth. Bone integrity is yet another cause of concern. Eye problems like progressive retinal atrophy or PRA are also prevalent. Most breeding centers, therefore, recommend inter-generational breeding.
Because these problems tend to impact the doodle’s bone structure and hampers its ability to move, the size in terms of weight and height suffers
Final Thoughts
Overall, Labradoodles vary in size from being miniature to medium-sized, and hence are suitable for apartment living. Unlike large dog breeds, the doodle does not require an expansive space around it. As long as you take it out for exercise every day, the doodle is likely to feel happy and will fit comfortably into an apartment.
Given the variation, generalizing the doodle’s size is not recommended. A better option would be to research the parents and work on its diet and exercise to gauge how big or heavy your doodle might turn out to be.
