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Australian Labradoodles and Allergies: What You Need to Know
Australian Labradoodles are a type of labradoodle that has been bred through multiple generations of Labradoodles. While Labradoodles are usually a cross of a Poodle and a Labrador, Labradoodles can breed as well.
After you breed a few generations of Labradoodles, you can get an Australian Labradoodle. Unfortunately, Labradoodles don’t always have hypoallergenic coats. However, Australian Labradoodles can have wool or fleece coats, which are better for people with allergies.
Over time, Australian Labradoodle breeders have followed strict standards. Because of this, their coats and lack of shedding are very predictable. If you need a dog that won’t worsen allergy symptoms, an Australian Labradoodle is a safe bet.
On the other hand, Labradoodles can vary significantly in their coats. Some first-generation dogs have the coat of a Labrador, which is not good for allergies. Labradoodles aren’t always hypoallergenic, but Australian Labradoodles have a better chance of not causing allergies.
Why Australian Labradoodles Are Good for Allergies
While Labradoodles were the first type of cross between Labradors and Poodles, breeding them led to the Australian Labradoodle. To get an Australian Labradoodle, you need to breed Labradoodles for five generations.
Because of the multiple generations, breeders can select Labradoodles with ideal traits. A breeder can select two Labradoodles who don’t shed, and it will be safe to assume that the resulting litter won’t shed.
The more generations of breeding two Labradoodles, the more control a breeder will have over the new generation. So, a breeder can also control the coat of a Labradoodle. As the number of generations increases, the less likely the dog will have a similar coat to a Labrador, which can cause allergy problems.
All of this means that the breeder can breed dogs with the traits that the breeder wants. And since many people like Labradoodles for being hypoallergenic, breeders can focus on dogs with certain coats.
So rest assured, when considering if Australian labradoodles are hypoallergenic, the utmost care goes into the process to ensure the hypoallergenic status!
Non-Shedding
One of the biggest reasons that Australian Labradoodles are good for people with allergies is that they don’t shed. Now, their fur will fall out like the hair on humans. However, these dogs don’t shed like other breeds.
For any dog, the fur isn’t usually what causes a dog allergy, but it’s the dander that sticks to their fur. As a dog sheds, that dander can get on your floor, furniture, or elsewhere in your home. Because of this, dogs that don’t shed as much are particularly appealing.
And since Australian Labradoodles typically don’t shed much, they’re an excellent breed if you have allergies. However, you have to select Labradors or Australian Labradors that don’t shed so that their puppies will have better chances of not shedding.
Since Australian Labradoodles are multi-generational cross breeds, odds are they won’t shed. However, it can depend on the breeding and how many generations they’re at. While Australian Labradoodles will have dander and may shed a bit, it won’t be to the same extent as some other breeds.
Related: Simple Tips For Fighting Labrador Shedding
Wool Coat
Another thing to consider when choosing an Australian Labradoodle is their coat. The ideal type of coat if you have allergies is a wool coat. Wool coats are soft yet thick, and they’re nice and full.
A wool coat is the most similar to that of a purebred Poodle, and it is curly and won’t shed. If you’re looking at Australian Labradoodles who won’t trigger allergies, consider dogs with a wool coat. The coat will minimize the chance of you having an allergic reaction to your dog.
It’s also a good option because it doesn’t require a ton of maintenance. You can brush it every few weeks, and you can clip the fur a few times each year. However, that small amount of care can be worth it whether you have minor allergies or severe ones.
True Fleece Coat
Another fantastic type of coat for an Australian Labradoodle is a fleece coat. It is not as curly as a wool coat, but it’s very soft, and it looks good. But the best thing about this coat is that, as long as it’s a true fleece coat, it won’t shed.
If your dog has a true fleece coat, you won’t have to worry about it causing allergy symptoms. However, it does require more maintenance than a wool coat. You should brush your dog each week, and you should clip your dog’s coat to be about one inch long every few months.
If you’re worried about the grooming causing your allergy symptoms, you can ask a friend or relative to do the weekly brushing. You can then take your dog to the groomer a few times a year to cut your dog’s fur.
Problems to Avoid
Since Australian Labradoodles are a multi-generational crossbreed, you shouldn’t confuse them with Labradoodles. For one, Labradoodles haven’t reached the stage of an Australian Labradoodle. However, some breeders may cross a first generation Labradoodle with an American Cocker Spaniel, which is another way to breed an Australian Labradoodle.
If this is the case, the dog can have a combination of traits from the different breeds. But being so early in the breeding process, it can be hard to tell if the resulting litter will have a desirable coat.
Consider some potential problems that you may have when choosing an Australian Labradoodle.
Hair
While wool and fleece coats are common among Australian Labradoodles, some dogs may have hair coats. A hair coat is more similar to a Labrador than a Poodle coat, so it’s more likely to shed.
As a breeder progresses through more generations, this coat will become rarer. However, it can be more common in the first couple of generations. To avoid a dog with this coat, make sure to ask your breeder about the dog’s generation and the coats of the parents.
Inbreeding
While early generation dogs can have problems, so can later generations. The more generations you go through, the less diversity you’ll have. Unless a breeder has tons of dogs and has been doing it for a while, they may not have many Australian Labradoodles.
So if they breed the dogs they have, the two Australian Labradoodles may be closely related. Breeding the two dogs or inbreeding can lead to various health problems. While you may not suffer from allergies, your dog may have multiple issues that you need to address.
When selecting a breeder for your Australian Labradoodle, make sure they have a selection of dogs to breed to minimize the chances of your dog having health problems.
Related: Can You Breed Labrador Siblings?
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a dog that won’t trigger your allergies, an Australian Labradoodle is a good option. However, you have to choose a dog with the right coat to minimize the problems of shedding. But don’t forget to avoid inbreeding, which can cause problems for your dog. Then, you can enjoy your dog without having an adverse reaction.