How much energy and time goes into looking after your Labradoodle? Do they need lots of outside time and walking? Do their coats need special treatment? How much mental stimulation is necessary? Will planning their diet result in information overload? Or are they a nice easy breed that just slot into your family routine like that missing piece of a jigsaw puzzle? We look into how high (or low) maintenance a Labradoodle really is.
Overall Labradoodles are of a moderate maintenance level. They are intelligent and eager to please making them easy to train, sociable and affectionate. However, they also have high energy levels and can be prone to separation anxiety. Their grooming requirements are considered high maintenance.
Take a look at the following guide to find out if a Labradoodles needs meet with the time you have to give. Will they be your best friend or will it all just be a little be too much like hard work?
Table of Contents
Do Labradoodles Need Lots of Baths?
An unsuitable diet can result in a stinky dog. It’s important to look after your Labradoodles nutritional needs properly for many reasons and reducing the likelihood an offensive smell emitting from your pooch is one them. Dogs are naturally carnivores, so it is not recommended that meat is eliminated. Research suggests that a fresh food diet is one of the best ways to control an odor from this cause.
You should be aiming to bathe your Labradoodle every 3 weeks or so, but they can go longer depending on other factors. A healthy grooming routine is one positive step to keeping them out of the bathtub. However, the weather can also play its part. Your Labradoodle is likely to shed more around spring and fall time as their coats prepare for a temperature change. The more they shed, the more you will need to bathe them.
The earlier you introduce a bathing routine the less likely your Labradoodle is to turn into Houdini once they hear the tub filling up.
Using an unsuitable doggy shampoo can also have the opposite effect of its intended purpose. Don’t use cheap alternatives or human intended products and if your Labrodoodle smells worse after a bath than before then maybe it’s an indication you should try a different brand.
Ear infections and skin problems can also cause your Labradoodle to pong. Be sure to dry their ears well after bathing to avoid this. Should a bad smell persist after a through wash with a good shampoo then it’s worth a trip to the vet to check that there are no allergies or fungal infections of the skin.
Swollen anal glands are a sign that a trip to the vets is needed for them to be expressed. Watch out for your Labradoodle excessively licking or trying to bite the affected area. They may also show signs of discomfort whilst passing a bowel movement. If there is a problem here, there is almost certainly going to be a smell to match.
Providing you take care of their hygiene needs effectively then a Labradoodle is not high maintenance from a smelly and bathing perspective.
How Much do Labradoodles Shed?
Are you asking yourself if the hoover is going to be making additional appearances or even if you’re going to need to invest in an industrial dog-hair-picker-upper? How much extra time are you going to have to spend on basic housework due to a shedding dog?
The fact is Labradoodles do shed. However, they are often considered to be non to low shedders, but this basically boils down to their lineage and their genetics.
F1 Labradoodles (50% Poodle and 50% Labrador) are likely to shed more than F2’s (where both parents are Labradoodles). Furthermore, F1b’s or F2b’s (breeding back up with a poodle) is likely to shed even less as the poodle is considered to be the hypo allergenic breed of the two. You may have to be patient though if a multigenerational Labradoodle is what you require.
In conclusion there is no magic answer to whether your Labradoodle will shed a little or a lot. We can say that it’s very likely that shedding will be minimal though notching up a point for ‘low maintenance’ on our overall question.
How Often Should a Labradoodle be Groomed?
Look after one need and the less you’ll have an issue with another. Regular grooming will have a direct impact on how much your Labradoodle sheds (see ‘How Much do Labradoodles Shed’ above).
They’re going to need brushing at least once a day. Be sure to start this practice as early as possible so that they get used to it and it becomes part of your routine. Trying to drag a brush through the matted fur of an unwilling, 40lb canine is not going to be any fun for either of you. However, you also need to be mindful of over grooming. Too much pampering can strip the natural oils from their coat leaving them exposed to the harsh elements of all seasons.
A professional groomer will recommend that you have your Labradoodle professionally groomed every two months at a minimum. This is an extra expense that does need to be considered when questioning their maintenance level. Clipping is also a necessity. This will be required twice to four times a year depending on how fluffy their coat is and how quickly it grows.
Your Labradoodles nails are going to need looking after too. On average these will need trimming about once a month depending on their growth rate. However, if your dog does a lot of their running on concrete or asphalt this will eliminate the need for a nail trim.
As we revisit our initial question, from a grooming angle then yes, a Labradoodle is most certainly high maintenance!
How Much Exercise Does a Labradoodle Need?
Labradoodles are categorized as a large breed and will need to be exercised as such. They are playful and lively. They have good amount of energy and need both their minds and their bodies to be challenged. Typically, they are going to need a couple of walks a day to meet with their overall needs. The length of their walks will be dependent on their individual energy levels, but you are looking at between 30 and 45 minutes per walk.
The question of high maintenance here is going to be subjective. Do you have time to fulfil their exercise requirements? Can you afford a dog walker to meet a proportion of their needs? These are the questions you should be asking yourself whilst remembering that a Labradoodle is not a breed that you need to tempt and bribe into getting out into the fresh air for a hearty work out.
Are Labradoodles Crazy?
A crazy dog is most certainly going to be a high maintenance dog. If your Labradoodle is excitable and overly fussy around children, other dogs, house guests, then much time will have to be spent on repeatedly calming them.
That said, Labradoodles are known for their intelligence and affectionate nature. A consistent and solid training regime from the get-go should ensure you don’t end up with an impetuous teenager or cantankerous older pooch. With this kind of training schedule and the correct socialization they make fabulous family dogs.
Once you have decided that a Labradoodle is for you and you begin your search for a reputable breeder, there are many important things to consider. One of these is that you look into the temperament of your Labradoodles’ parents as it has a huge impact on the temperament of their offspring. Seeing them in the flesh is also a huge indication of how they behave in their own environment, how they follow the rules and how they react to outside influences such as guests and children. If you come across a crazy Mommy or Daddy, I would likely avoid their pups.
Are Labradoodles Needy?
Dogs are like humans in the sense that they all have their own individual personalities. This means that we cannot definitively give a yes or no answer to this question. The neediness of a Labradoodle will largely depend on their own character but there are many factors which can be looked at in order to predict the likelihood of ending up with with a colossal attention seeker.
As with other aspects of temperament, check out the parents. Are you happy with what you see? It’s a great indication as to how their litters will also develop their personalities.
Recognize the difference between leaving your dog alone and overlooking their mental wellbeing.
Overall Labradoodles are sociable and friendly creatures and they do prefer the company of humans and other dogs to being alone. That’s not to say they can’t be left for periods on their own but too much, or not enough attention can lead to separation anxiety.
Being a mix of a breed who were designed to be with people all day whilst working and hunting (Labrador) and a breed of high intelligence (Poodle) there are aspects of these traits to consider.
Labradoodles are known for their loyalty and intelligence and whilst both wonderful qualities the combination is an indicator for separation anxiety. They want to be around to please and cuddle their owners and their families. They also need plenty of mental stimulation to satisfy their intellect. They can be quick to feel abandoned or neglected if left for long periods and they will miss you when you’re not around.
In conclusion it’s very important to consider the time you will have should you be thinking of adding a Labradoodle to your brood. It’s not uncommon to see separation anxiety in this breed and being mindful of this from the moment you are contemplating a dog is vital in your decision-making process.
What Should I Feed My Labradoodle?
A grown Labradoodle needs feeding twice a day. They’re going to need between 1 and 2.5 cups of high-quality dog food per day. Splitting their daily intake between two feeds rather than one big meal will reduce their chances of suffering with bloat (see ‘Are Labradoodles Healthy’).
Dogs in general love a good feed and the Labradoodle is no exception. However, there are some foods that will make them ill and need to be avoided. This is your job however as your hungry pooch will just see any food as a delicious Scooby Snack. Some examples of these foods are caffeine, garlic, onions, avocado, macadamia nuts and plums. This is not an exhaustive list though so please do ensure you know what your Labradoodle can’t have.
You will need to choose a food which contains all the nutrients that your Labradoodle is going to need to keep them happy and healthy. There isn’t one best dog food but there is a difference in quality. Don’t just buy the cheapest one but go for the one that will suit the needs of your Labradoodle best.
It may be a little hit and miss at the get go but you’ll soon find what works for them best. This means that although figuring out the right diet for your Labradoodle may take some time initially, once you’ve nailed what’s right for them you shouldn’t have to think any further about it leaving this aspect of having a Labradoodle fairly low maintenance.
Do Labradoodles Like Other Dogs
Quite simply, yes! Generally, Labradoodles get along with other dogs. Known for their social and affectionate nature they relish in the company and love a playmate, a cuddle and a companion.
However, don’t be fooled into thinking that this comes without the key input of socialization and training from the moment they come home to you. It’s not an inherent trait but being highly intelligent and eager to learn, a good training regime and gradual socialization practice will teach your Labradoodle how to behave and interact appropriately around his canine buddies.
Are Labradoodles Healthy?
There are specific conditions that your Labradoodle may be prone to due to their genetics. This makes understanding the lineage all the more important so you can be aware of any possible future issues.
Common issues in both Poodles and Labrador Retrievers are:
- Hip and / or elbow dysplasia
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (an eye disorder)
- Bloat and obesity
There are steps you can take in order to prevent common health issues but ultimately you can’t always guarantee that your pooch isn’t going to get ill.
Be aware of what the common problems are, how you can prevent them and how easy they are to manage should your Labradoodle develop them. Ensure that you chose a reputable breeder and that you can have access to the health information of both the sire and the dam of your puppy.
All that taken into account the Labradoodle “are generally considered healthy dogs” according to the Australian Labrador Association of America placing them at a low level of maintenance from a health aspect.
In Summary
The title of this post is “Are Labradoodles High Maintenance?” What have we discovered? In some areas yes, they are. Their grooming needs are great and the have lots of energy. If you don’t keep them mentally and physically stimulated, then they’re going to get bored. This can lead to a plethora of problems including behavioral issues and separation anxiety.
However, in other areas they are fairly low on the maintenance scale. Their smart nature and willingness to please makes them easy and a pleasure to train. They are sociable and friendly making them the perfect family dog. They aren’t known for excessive health issues and those than can present can also often be avoided or managed well.
Based on the above we think that it’s safe to say that the Labradoodle falls somewhere in the middle. They are going to need some of your time, but they are not going to need all of it!
