The Beginning of Labradoodle Success
Of the 31 Labradoodles bred at Royal Guide Dogs, a staggering 29 made it through as Guide Dogs... an allocade of unparalled proportion for this new 'breed' of Guide Dog. When the Guide Dogs had Open Days, people fell in love with the Labradoodles they saw there and The Guide Dog Center was besieged with inquiries as to where they could get one. It wasn't long before there was a huge demand, which was not being met. There was an obvious need for breeders to establish themselves and develop this fascinating dog, with the joyful intuitive personality, and the non shedding and allergy friendly coat.
When Wally Conron retired, a country vet in Condoblin New South Wales, Australia was in constant touch with him and started her own breeding program mating Miniature Poodles with Labrador Retrievers. She was very successful and as of 2004 is still breeding her Miniature first generation Labradoodles. Two Breeding and Research Centers for the Labradoodle were established, both located in the state of Victoria and they continued on from where the Guide Dogs left off, with the intention of breeding through successive generations of Labradoodle bred to Labradoodle. Both of these Centers acquired their breeding stock from a gentleman named Don Evans in Northern Victoria, when he scaled down his activities pending retirement. Don had also begun breeding through the generations, following the lead of Wally and he also called his bird dog crosses between Labrador and Poodle, Labradoodles.
The Labradoodle has experienced a meteoric explosion of popularity in countries across the world and their high profile and media exposure soon led to a rapid increase in the numbers of new breeders.
Jumping for Joy on a spring morning
Australian Labradoodles love life
An Explosion of Doodles.
In A Reader's Digest Article Mr. Conron expressed concerns.
I began to worry, too, about backyard breeders producing supposedly “allergy-free” dogs for profit. Already, one man claimed to be the first to breed a poodle- Rottweiler cross!
LABRADOODLE HISTORY
Reprinted from an article belonging to the International Australian Labradoodle Association
The Labradoodle first originated in Australia when the first intentional purpose - bred mating of a Labrador Retriever and a Standard Poodle was initiated by Wally Conron who was the puppy breeding manager of The Royal Guide Dogs in Victoria Australia. A vision impaired woman in Hawaii needed a Guide Dog which wouldn't aggravate her husband's allergies. Over a period of two years, they had sent hair and saliva samples from 33 different Poodles across to Hawaii to test for allergic reaction with the lady's husband, but without success. Eventually Wally Conron approached the Manager of Royal Guide Dogs with the suggestion that they try crossing one of their Labrador Retrievers with a Standard Poodle. He agreed.
The first litter had only three puppies. Hair and saliva samples were sent to Hawaii from all three, but only Sultan's, the white dog, were successful. The other two also went on to lead useful lives, one as a Remedial Dog, and the other as a Guide Dog. There was always a long waiting list of families waiting to puppy walk Guide Dogs, but when these new cross breeds needed homes, no one was prepared to take them on. Wally knew that it was vital that the puppies got the right socialization in a family unit, and once again his ingenuity came to the rescue. He went to the manager with the suggestion that they approach Channel 9 television station in Melbourne with a story about "the new breed of Guide Dog" and realizing it needed to have a name, he coined the word "Labradoodle".
Lilyanna, minutes after her last Australian Labradoodle baby was born. Lilyanna and her mate were from stock originating in Australia.
Intertnational Australian Labradoodle Association's Role
The International Australian Labradoodle Association is the sister of the Australian Labradoodle Association. The organization was formed to protect the growth and development of this special breed. Many breeders have spent their time and a great deal of their money working toward a pet and service dog that will consistently have the qualities that people prize in the Labradoodle. Most of these breeders do this under the watchful eye of The International Australian Labradoodle Association or one of several Associations that have grown up to protect this wonderful breed and assist breeders develop an allergy friendly, healthy and joyful dog.
In order to be a member of the International Australian Labradoodle Association the breeder must do extensive health testing on their breeding stock. The IALA is diligent in checking breeding programs to make sure careful protocol is being followed.
The goal of these committed breeders is to continue the dream of Mr. Conron and develop a consistently well put together dog with an even, joyful temperament who is asthma and allergy friendly.
"No matter how little money and how few possions you own, having a dog makes you rich." Louis Sabin, Author
Contact information: Over the Moon Australian Labradoodles
phone: 250 442 0065. We are at 2675 - 65th Avenue, Grand Forks, BC Canada
email: ourlabradoodles@yahoo.com
alternative email: moonlab@telus.net