The History of Australian Labradoodles

In Australia in the late 1980s, Wally Conron bred a Labrador with a Poodle in attempt to produce asthma and allergy friendly service dogs. Since one of the parents was a heavy shredding Labrador, it is unsurprising that this litter wasn't particularly successful, but it was the start of something very special.

Two Australian breeders - Tegan Park and Rutland Manor - picked up from where Wally Conron left off. Realising that more than two breeds were going to be required to create an allergy and asthma friendly service dog, four other breeds were infused over multiple generations - the English and American Cocker Spaniels, the Curly Coat Retriever and the Irish Water Spaniel. This developing breed quickly became a success with allergy and asthma sufferers and did great work in service and therapy.

The breed made its way to the USA in the 1990s and then to the UK in 2006. Shortly thereafter, the breed became popular throughout much of Europe. Nowadays, Australian Labradoodles can be found working in service, as therapy dogs and as much-loved family pets in all corners of the globe.