There are many aspects that potential dog owners need to consider before acquiring a dog or puppy and each has its own unique personality and health care needs.
Petcover takes a look at the origins, temperament and common health problems of the Labradoodle…
Name:
Labradoodle
Original use:
With a cross of two of the most intelligent breeds, the Labrador and the Poodle, the Labradoodle was originally used as an assistance dog.
Due to their hypoallergenic coats which rarely shed, it was soon recognised that the Labradoodle was the perfect solution for people who wanted a clever and friendly dog without having to worry about having their allergies triggered.
Lifespan:
The typical life expectancy of a Labradoodle is between 12 and 15 years.
Personality:
With a double dose of intelligence and friendly genes to boot, the Labradoodle can make a great companion. With a deep intuitive nature they love to be in an active environment with lots going on to constantly stimulate their inquisitive minds.
Labradoodles are perfect family pets as their gentle, friendly natures work well with children and can cope well in busy environments. They do however become easily restless, and as with all dogs shouldn’t be left home alone for long periods.
They are usually easy to train and learn quickly. Introducing them to different environments and sounds at a young age helps them adapt to situations with ease.
Exercise:
A Labradoodle is a very active animal so requires around two hours of exercise a day. Typically, Labradoodles like nothing more than chasing a ball around the park.
Potential health problems:
Overall, Labradoodles are well rounded healthy dogs, but as with all animals they can be prone to developing certain health conditions.
Hip Dysplasia:
This is a hereditary disease where the ball and socket of the hip joint is malformed – resulting in the ball and socket not fitting snugly together and subsequently grinding and rubbing against each other – causing pain and discomfort. This sometimes manifests itself as limping or lameness, but symptoms aren’t always apparent.
Depending on the severity of the disease – treatment ranges from medical management including exercise, hydrotherapy, anti-inflammatories and pain medication to surgery.
Ear Infections:
As with many dogs with floppy ears, Labradoodles commonly contract ear infections as the moisture becomes trapped in their ears causing bacteria to form. Dogs suffering from an ear infection may shake their head and scratch their ears more than usual due to discomfort.
Take your dog to the vet if you suspect they may have an ear infection, whereby a course of antibiotics will likely be administered.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy:
Labradoodles can be prone to Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA). This consists of a slow disintegration of the retina. Dogs initially only become night-blind, but this progresses to blindness in the daytime too.
Unfortunately, there is no cure or treatment for the condition, but dogs can adapt well to progressive blindness and perform normally in their environment. It’s only when the furniture is rearranged or they are in unfamiliar surroundings that blindness may be more evident.
Skin allergies
Labradoodles are also prone to skin allergies.
These are usually seen in dogs under the age of three (especially in Labradoodles) and can be triggered by irritants such as:
- House dust mites
- Pollens
- Trees
- Grass
- Mould spores
- Bacteria
- Shampoos
- Plastic food bowls
- Flea bites
Your dog will usually itch and chew at their back towards the tail. In some cases, they will chew the tops of their tails if they are unable to reach with the area over the pelvis being the most problematic. You may also notice your dog chewing their front feet or rubbing their faces on the carpet due to their ears or lips being itchy.
It’s important to know there is no quick fix and identifying the cause can take time – treatment is likely to be more about long-term management rather than finding a cure.
Your vet may suggest allergy testing (via a blood test) or eliminating things individually from your dog’s environment until the culprit is identified (typically used when food allergies are suspected).
Seasonal allergies (like certain pollens) may be treated with medication, while other options include immunotherapy whereby once the allergens have been identified (through allergy testing) a specially prepared injection containing altered allergens are injected under your dog’s skin, with the aim of de-sensitising your dog’s response over a period of time.
This is typically used in cases for dogs were avoiding the allergen is impossible or symptoms happen for long periods of time.