Australian Miniature Labradoodle Dog Breed Facts

by
As Amazon Associates, Pet Haver benefits from qualifying purchases. Faults may occur.

Thinking About Getting an Australian Miniature Labradoodle? Here you will find out more about this highly intelligent, and friendly breed.

Being a mix of several other breeds, the Australian Miniature Labradoodle is highly energetic and friendly. They usually come in shades of brown and weigh up to 25 lbs. With a little patience, these eager to please dogs will become highly trained and a great addition to your family.

This article will tell you everything you need to know about the Australian Miniature Labradoodle. It will go through what an Australian Miniature Labradoodle is, its height, weight, colors, coat, training and exercise requirements, feeding, diet, and also common health issues that may appear later in its life.

An Introduction to the Australian Miniature Labradoodle

The Australian Miniature Labradoodle it’s a docile and intelligent dog, and can be a great pet if the owner spends an effort into training. Being a friendly dog, and great with young children, the Australian Miniature Labradoodle can also make for a great family pet.

One of the Australian Miniature Labradoodle’s most striking personality trait is its cheerful temperament, which can be easily observed with their typical jittery jumps when they’re happy. One thing to note is that since they were bred to be a non-aggressive breed, and if they’re being raised with lots of care and attention, they will be very relaxed overall, and a great dog companion for most environments.

A Brief History of the Australian Miniature Labradoodle Breed

The Australian Miniature Labradoodle originated from the breeding of the Labrador Retriever and a Poodle, and it didn’t take long for dogs of this breed to gain a lot of popularity, because of both their friendly and intelligent traits.

The Creation of the Australian Miniature Labradoodle took place in the 80s, after one woman in Hawaii, whose eyesight deteriorated, began seeking an assistance dog. However, it was supposed to be a dog that did not cause allergic reactions to her husband. After many samples of fur and various failed tests, a suggestion was made to cross a Labrador with a Poodle, which successfully solved the issue of both allergies and service dog requirements.

The first dog of this breed, a dog named Sultan, had hypoallergenic fur, good aptitude, and high intelligence, all of these being characteristics of a good service dog, which solved the previously mentioned woman’s issue. Following that, Tegan Park Breeding and Research Center included both the Water Spaniel and American Cocker Spaniel in the breeding process, resulting in what we know today as the Australian Labradoodle.

The Australian Miniature Labradoodle’s Appearance: Color, Fur and Size

The Australian Miniature Labradoodle is the smallest out of the three size ranges of the Australian Labradoodle breed: Miniature, medium, and standard. Its weight can vary from 15 to 25 lbs (7-13kg) and has a size range of 14 to 16 inches (35-42 cm).

The Australian Miniature Labradoodle can present many different colors, which are listed below:

  1. Apricot. An apricot-colored Australian Miniature Labradoodle will have a beautiful and shiny apricot furl all over its body, accompanied by very dark eyes and a black nose
  2. Parti. Parti-colored Australian Miniature Labradoodles have patches of color, varying from the options listed, around his body, with the rest of the body being white
  3. Black. Being completely black, the black-colored Australian Miniature Labradoodle has a unique style and have the frequent problem of being hard to see when they’re too dirty.
  4. Red. Red Australian Miniature Labradoodles are similar to the apricot-colored ones, with the difference that their noses are usually a light brown, although it can also come in black.
  5. Silver. Red Australian Miniature Labradoodles are definitely harder to find, and although they might come with the fur fully colored, they can also have a gradient-like fur, transitioning between silver and white.
  6. Cream. One of the most common colors to find in an Australian Miniature Labradoodle, the cream-colored fur are the ones that resemble the most to their bigger relative, the Labrador, which can make them look like an extra cute and small version of one.
  7. Chocolate. The chocolate-colored Australian Miniature Labradoodle is usually completely filled, have a dark brown nose, and can easily dirty your furniture if you let him go play outside and not give him a scrub before entering the house, because he might be completely dirty, and you will never know for sure.

One thing you should keep in mind is that the color of an Australian Miniature Labradoodle puppy isn’t an indication of the color he will present once mature. One of the characteristics of this breed is that its color can change over time, usually before they reach three years old, so it’s good to keep in mind that you might not be getting what you’re choosing.

Regarding its fur: Here are the three coat types of the Australian Miniature Labradoodle:

  1. Hair coat. The least attractive type, and the one that is most often avoided, because not only it requires greater care than usual, this type has a higher propensity of shedding fur, which may affect people with allergy.
  2. Fleece coat. A silkier and lighter fur, its main advantage is that dogs with this type of fur barely sheds, but that comes at a price, which is the need for constant grooming to keep its appearance.
  3. Wool coat. The most recommended fur type for those who suffer from allergy, its look is similar to that of a poodle, and if not regularly trimmed, can demand extra care.

Finally, the coloration of the eyes of the Australian Miniature Labradoodle can vary between many different tones of brown, going from light brown to dark brown, but since it’s a breed that originated from several other different breeds, it’s not unusual to find Australian Miniature Labradoodle with dark or even light-colored eyes.

Traits of The Australian Miniature Labradoodle

Dogs of this breed are extremely adaptable, and although they can live a happy life in almost any environment, raising them in apartments are not recommended, since they’re highly energetic and need a minimum space for them to run, play, and spend their high levels of energy.

Being very affectionate, the Australian Miniature Labradoodle is friendly towards kids and dogs from different breeds, having a regular need for socialization. Also, since they’re extremely sociable, they will befriend strangers, which, along with their low tendency to bark and not being a territorial breed, makes them terrible guard dogs, so, if you were hoping they would do guard duty, they aren’t the breed for you.

Being creatures with a high level of intelligence, Australian Miniature Labradoodles love to play, engage in games that can stimulate their mind, and requires extra attention in this department to thrive. If a minimum of one hour of daily exercise or so isn’t met, they can easily develop destructive behavior and make a lot of trouble. Just imagine a miniature and more agile version of Marley from Marley & Me, started getting worried? be prepared to give your fluffy pet a good amount of daily exercise if you’d like to avoid that!

Another trait of this incredible breed is its ease of learning. Since they are very eager to please their owner, they will learn a lot faster than most breeds when trained, and if you invest enough time and consistency in their training, you will be rewarded with a very well behaved and happy dog.

Personality

The temperament of the Australian Miniature Labradoodle depends on several factors like, for example, their parent’s influence. taking mostly the mother’s influence, the inherited genes, and the amount of both attention and socialization, these will be the main contributors to determining the puppy’s personality.

As previously mentioned, in general, the breed is very friendly towards everybody, especially towards their tutor, and when properly trained, the Australian Miniature Labradoodle won’t present any signs of shyness or aggressiveness. That’s why when looking to acquire one, avoid places where the dogs at the establishment bark or growl when someone tries approaching them. That might be a good sign that the breeding isn’t properly managed, and that you should maybe look somewhere else.

The Australian Miniature Labradoodle inherits its intelligence from dogs of the Poodle breed, while their disposition to work with people comes from the Labradors. Using positive training techniques, with small rewards in the form of treats or petting can make them learn tricks and commands substantially faster, and the sheer enthusiasm they display while doing these activities can also be highly entertaining and rewarding for the owner as well.

Being a hypoallergenic dog and highly attached to their carers, they are animals that aren’t recommended to those who spend long amounts of time far from home, be it extensive working periods or lots of traveling. If that is your case, the recommendation is looking for a dog breed that is more independent and can take the distance from its owner well.

Australian Miniature Labradoodle Needs

These small balls of energetic and non-shedding fur demand regular exercise to spend their high amounts of accumulated energy, and it’s recommended at least 1 hour of exercise per day. This amount can vary for more in first-generation breed’s, so when the puppy parents are a Poodle and a Labrador, that daily exercise requirements can be somewhat bigger.

Aside from customary playtime, it is also recommended that the collar is removed so that the Australian Miniature can roam free and spend his energy as much as possible, which will help to avoid coming home to destroyed furniture, or expensive gadgets around the house. the important thing is following the one rule for the breed: Don’t let them get bored!

Although they are an ideal breed for working, the Australian Miniature Labradoodle is still a companion dog, so it’s not recommended to raise them outside the house, in the garden. This breed needs close affection and companionship and will feel more comfortable inside the home, near their owners. This doesn’t mean that you need to let them squeeze in under your sheets and impede your sleep, but they should be allowed to sleep at your feet, or at least close to the bed.

The ideal thing to keep in mind is that this breed needs socializing from the moment they are puppies because they are more prone to getting hurt if their stress levels are too high, especially if they’re going to have contact with other dogs. Doing this can help to avoid temperamental issues in the future.

Both adults and puppies are extremely active, so they’re going to want to play, sniff, jump and run around from the moment they start to walk, but, even for this breed excessive exercise might cause issues to occur once they get older, so it’s recommended not to let them do excessive exercise when they’re puppies.

Great activities to do with your Australian Miniature Labradoodle:

  • Go for a hike. An outdoor adventure is one of the most perfect things you can do with your Australian Miniature Labradoodle, and what better way to spend their high amounts of energy than let them roam free and explore? By the end of it, you will have a very tired, and very satisfied fluffy friend snoozing down back at your house.
  • Problem solving puzzles. Remember, Australian Miniature Labradoodles not only require lots of physical exercise, but mental as well, and this breed loves solving puzzles, bee it with labyrinths and treats, or any other fun ideas you can find on the internet.
  • Water activities. One thing that Australian Miniature Labradoodles especially love is water, be it a swimming pool, a lake, or the little sprinkler in your garden, they will go crazy with excitement over it, and this can be a relaxing and fun day for the both of you.
  • Dog play date. Since they have high needs for socializing, going to a dog playdate at your local park, or just meeting with your friend’s dog over a relaxed Saturday can be a great way for them to appease their social needs while also spending a good amount of energy. You will observe that the Australian Miniature Labradoodle will be the most excited and electric out of the dog group, trying to befriend everyone.

The Australian Miniature Labradoodle Diet

The amount of food they will need can vary a lot. It will mainly depend on its size, weight, and how active the dog is.

Regarding which dog food (kibble) they should eat, it will largely vary from where you’re located, but to find the right food for your pet wherever you are you should look for those who offer a high nutrient quality, which does not mean a lot of ingredients, but just good ingredients, and in general you should avoid dog food with a lot of ingredients with poor nutritional value. Recent research also indicates using grain-free kibble, because puppies will be able to digest them better.

A good rule to follow on the quantity of food they should eat daily is 30 calories for every pound, and it’s always recommended to take your pet to the veterinarian so that he can give a more accurate and professional look into your fluffy friend’s need.

Foods that a Australian Miniature Labradoodle shouldn’t eat:

  • Xylitol sugared foods. Xylitol is a natural sweetener commonly used in sugar-free foods, like candy, bubble-gum, peanut butter among others. This substance is known for releasing insulin, which in dogs, can promote liver failure, cerebral damage, and even convulsions
  • Chocolate and foods containing caffeine. These types of products contain a substance called methylxanthines, which are dangerous for your pet. Some of the effects caused by these substances can include vomit, thirst, cardiac problems, and even death. The darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it will be.
  • Onion and garlic. Both of them should be avoided in any form, for not only they can irritate their bowels, but they can also harm the blood’s red cells.
  • Raw meat and bones. These could contain dangerous bacteria like salmonella and E. coli, and some enzymes in raw eggs can also prevent vitamin B absorption, which can develop skin diseases.

Life Span and Common Health Issues

The average Australian Labradoodle lifespan varies from 12 to 15 years. Factors that affect how long they can live to include whether their Poodle parent was standard, miniature, or toy-sized, along with diet, how much mental and physical exercise they frequently have, if they’re socializing a lot or under a lot of stress. In the case of the Australian Miniature Labradoodle, they usually live longer than the other size ranges of the breed.

Considering how long your Australian Miniature Labradoodle will live is an important factor when deciding whether to get one.

If you have kids it will be great to grow up with them and will be a mutually beneficial relationship, and the kid will usually provide a lot of attention to the dog. But, if for example you’re a bachelor, and don’t know where you will be in the next few years, you will have to consider the possibility that you’re maybe going to travel and move, and a dog can always bring logistical issues such as dog hotels, travel permits, and more.

Keeping the future in mind will help you decide if you’re in the right place to have a dog that can live a long time like the Australian Miniature Labradoodle.

Another thing to keep in mind is health issues. Acquiring a dog from unverified establishments can increase the likeliness of the dog having common genetic health issues of the breed.

Common health complications in Australian Miniature Labradoodles:

  • Progressive retinal atrophy. Can cause blindness, and occurs when cells within the dog’s retina deteriorate. Usually, this disease comes from genetics and appears at a very old age.
  • Hip dysplasia. Causes limping in dogs, and may require surgery. Although it usually appears on medium and standard sizes of the Australian Labradoodle, they can appear in the miniature version of them as well.
  • Addison’s disease. They also have a genetic origin, and it’s a disease that causes hormonal production failure in the adrenal glands.
  • Von Willebrand’s disease. This disease lowers the capacity of the animal’s blood coagulation capacity, causing excessive bleeding and difficulties to heal wounds.

Final Thoughts

The Australian Miniature Labradoodle comes with a great variety of colors of fur, eyes, and three distinct fur types, being very easy to find a combination of color and fur type that responds well to the care that the owner is willing to give to his pet.

Besides that, this breed is also highly intelligent and energetic, being ideal for people who are looking for a playful and caring pet. The Australian Miniature Labradoodles are also ideal for families that already own other dogs, or that have small children since they are very friendly and receptive, they will become good friends with whoever they encounter.

Since they are a very well known and popular breed, it is highly recommended that your new Australian Miniature Labradoodle comes from a trustworthy establishment. If you want a receptive and friendly dog it is important to search in places where dogs are well treated and accustomed to other animals or human visitors. Following the tips and tricks of this blog post, you can guarantee that you will be very well prepared to receive your new best friend in the best way possible.