Australian Labradoodle Breed Standard
Australian Labradoodle Founders Alliance (ALFA) Official Breed Standard
Purpose
The Australian Labradoodle was purpose bred in the 1980's as a non shedding allergy friendly Service, Assistance and Therapy Dog particularly for people who suffer from dog related alergies. It does not fall under the classification of a 'Designer Dog'.
General Appearance
At first glance he should express suitability for the purpose for which he was developed, that of a working service and therapy dog . A full coated dog, he should immediately impress with his graceful athleticism and light footed strength, together with his friendly and joyful bearing. He should exude controlled strength and never appear weak or spindly.
His expression must be intelligent and intuitive and seeking human eye contact. His friendly temperament and intuitive nature are an integral part of the dog and should be immediately apparent. Timidity, reserve with strangers or aggression are disqualifying faults.
Size and Proportion
Overall balance and symmetry is more important than absolute size. Slightly longer than tall, on a ratio as ten is to twelve.
MINIATURE - from 15 TO 18 INCHES with dogs slightly larger than bitches.
STANDARD - from 19 inches and up to 24 inches with dogs slightly larger than bitches
MEDIUM - although not a formal size, falls anywhere in between the Miniature or Standard sizes during the development phases of the breed.
Substance -
Should be neither fat nor thin, but be firmly fleshed with backbone and pin bones not protruding. Well muscled to enable him to carry out his duties.
Head and Face
Head to be relatively blunt with broad skull and eyes set well apart. The distance between nose and stop should be slightly longer than from stop to occiput. A domed skull is a fault. Muzzle should be wider rather than narrower and never snipey or pointed. Flews are dry but pronounced enough to contribute a softening look to the overall muzzle Exaggerations are a fault.
Eyes
Eyes may be either oval or round, in shades of golden hazel and brown depending on the coat color. They are set well apart and are a feature of the breed. They should neither protrude nor be sunken. Haws must not be visible. Expression is sweet and gentle, lively and never dull, fun loving, wise, and seeking human eye contact. The long sweeping eyelashes should not be cut. Blue eyes, china eyes or odd eyes are a disqualification.
Ears
The ears are furnished, hang softly, and are set on slightly below the plane of the skull, near the outer edge of the eyes. The bottom tip of the ear leather not to extend beyond the nose when laid against the side of the head although the coat may do so.
Nose
The Nose is a definite feature and should be large and fleshy, never small, pinched, narrow or pointed. Pigment must not be broken. The nose may be liver, rose, or black depending on coat colour.
Mouth
Scissor bite preferred, although a level bite may be tolerated in an otherwise outstanding specimen. Overshot, undershot, wry mouth or crowded teeth are disqualifying faults.
Neck
Moderately long, slightly arched, powerful and muscular. Flows gracefully into slightly defined withers and shoulders. A short or stumpy neck is a fault.
Forequarters
Shoulders should be muscular but never loaded or padded. Shoulder blades to be long, broad and well angulated to balance the rear. The elbows should neither tie in nor out. Forelegs are well-boned and straight to the ground, neither toeing in or out, and have strong flexible pasterns and shorter ankles.
Hindquarters
Strong, well muscled with broad thighs. Moderately angulated stifle in proportion to the angle of the forequarters. Seen from behind, the legs are parallel and perpendicular to the ground, with short straight hocks.
Strong, well muscled with broad thighs. Moderately angulated stifle in proportion to the angle of the forequarters. Seen from behind, the legs are parallel and perpendicular to the ground, with short straight hocks.
Body
The body symmetrically connects the fore and hind ends with a short strong back and moderately sprung ribs and should never appear to be slung between the front and rear of the dog. The back flows gracefully to a slight arch over the loins, sloping gradually downwards to the croup.
Feet
Large, with thick deep closely bunched pads and short nails. The heels should be clipped short as are the paws, with the long coat on the legs falling down to hide the clipped out feet. If born with dewclaws on the hind feet these must be removed. Front dewclaws maybe removed or not.
Tail
Well furnished and saber shaped, the tail flows from the croup as an extension of the back. It may be carried gaily when excited with the tip swirling above the back. The tail must not give the impression of being 'stuck on'.
Kinked, twisted or teapot tails are a fault.
Coat
Two types, Wool and Fleece, both being a single coat with no undercoat. The coat is a distinct feature due to the purpose of the breed and is given high priority after sound conformation and temperament. It must not Shed nor have any dog Odor.
Both coat varieties should be exhibited with the coat the same length on body and legs, full furnishings on the tail, and with head and face trimmed to show the eyes and to present in a neat chrysanthemum face shape. The feet are clipped out and the leg coat left long to hide the clipped paws and heels.
Wool coats to be presented neatly trimmed. Fleece coats to be presented long and au natural. Over groomed fluffed out Fleece coats to be penalised. Weathered coats must not be penalised.
Movement
At the trot, should appear to float effortlessly above the ground. Light, lithe graceful and athletic giving the impression of ‘going somewhere’.
When viewed from the front or rear, the legs turn neither in or out, nor do feet cross or interfere with each other. With increased speed, footfall converges toward the centre line of gravity for balance. When viewed from the side, the front legs should reach out smoothly to full extension with no prancing or high stepping action. The hind legs should reach well forward beneath the body, with the short strong hocks flexing well. Ambling or pacing is a serious fault.
Colors
Whole colors in Black, Silver, shades of Cream, Caramel or Apricot, Red, Chocolate, Cafe au Lait, Parchment, Blue, and Lavender
Parti Colored are acceptable in combinations of the Whole colors with White or Cream, but are not preferred. Merles are not eligible for registration and may not be shown.