International Australian Labradoodle Association, Inc - Australian Labradoodle Breed Standard

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Typically, breeders and owners will refer to their Australian Labradoodles as Fleece Coated Australian Labradoodles or Wool Coated Australian Labradoodles. These pertain to coat descriptions found in the Australian Labradoodle Breed Standard. In addition, a breeder or owner may use a dog’s pedigree to define the dog, often using the term “Multigenerational” Australian Labradoodle. However, the correct generational terms are Foundation Australian Labradoodle, First Generation through Fifth generation OR Australian Labradoodle (purebred) 6th generation Australian Labradoodle or higher. These common terms, however, are more complicated than they appear. The Australian Labradoodle Breed Standard, including coat descriptions, is found below, as is the Grading System Standards for each generation. Currently the IALA (ALAA and ALA) have noted two invalid statements in the Breed Standard written by Beverley Manners and Angela Cunningham in 1997, revised by Angela Cunningham in 2006 and accepted by the ALCA, Tegan Park, Rutland Manor, and the IALA in 2006. The ALAA and ALA propose by all-member vote the Quality Assurance Process to correct these issues. The process was approved by vote 3/2007. The IALA (ALA and ALAA) have written a revised proposed breed standard for Breeder Member vote on October 1,2007. This proposed revision is listed BELOW the current breed standard on this webpage and has been sent to all Breeder Members for Vote. Invalid Statement: 1. The phrase nose to eye slightly longer than eye to occiput should read nose to stop slightly shorter than stop to occiput. Foreface shorter than skull. Summary The Australian Labradoodle breed is to have a nose to stop slightly shorter than stop to occiput. Foreface shorter than skull. Definitions Stop: The step up from muzzle to back skull; indentation between the eyes where the nasal bones and cranium meet. Occiput: Dorsal, posterior point of the skull. Measurements AKC and ANKC The Muzzle is measured from the tip of the nose to the stop. The Skull is measured from the occiput to the stop and does not include the muzzle. Examples The following are examples of existing dog breeds that have an equal distance from nose to stop and stop to occiput: Poodle, English Cocker Spaniel, Afghan Hound, Labrador Retriever, Curly-Coated Retriever. The following are examples of existing dog breeds that have a shorter distance of nose to stop than stop to occiput : (American) Cocker Spaniel, Brittany Spaniel, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, Flat Coated Retriever. The ALAA found NO AKC breeds nose to eye slightly longer than eye to occiput for examples. Invalid Statement: 2. The sentence Height to length ratio should be 10 to 12 [being slightly longer in leg, than body] should read, Height (to wither) as to length (from sternum to point of buttock) should appear square and compact. Summary The Australian Labradoodle breed is to have a square, compact well-balanced body. Problem It is physically a health concern for any breed to attempt this body to height ratio. All breeds in existence today specify either a square body or a body longer than the dog’s height. Measurements AKC and ANKC Body length is the distance from the prosternum (front portion of the breastbone) to the posterior portion of the pelvic girdle. Height is the vertical measurement from the withers to the ground; usually called shoulder height. CURRENT Australian Labradoodle Breed Standard 1997 (revised 2005, revision approved by membership 2-2006, proposed revision following current standard, vote scheduled for 10/2007) Temperament and Soundness are the two KEY elements in a good family companion; they must not be sacrificed for any reason. General Appearance: Should be athletic and graceful, yet compact with substance and medium boning with a free flowing wavy or curling coat that does not shed. Joyful and energetic when free, soft and quiet when handled. They should approach people in a happy friendly manner with eye-to-eye contact, keen to learn and easy to train. Size: Standard: 21 to 24 (not over 25) inches (or about 53-63 cm) from the wither to ground measurement. The ideal size for the female is 21-23 inches and the male is 22-24 inches. Weight range tends toward 23-30 kg (about 50-65 lbs). Oversize is a major fault. Medium: 17 to 20 (not over 21) inches (or about 43-52 cm) from the wither to ground measurement. The ideal size for the female is 17-19 inches and the male is 18-20 inches. Weight range tends toward 13-20 kg or (about 30-45 lbs). Miniature: 14 to 16 (not over 17) inches (or about 35-42 cm) from the wither to ground measurement. There is no correlation between height and sex in the Miniature size. Weight range tends toward 7-12 kg or (about 15-25 lbs). Undersize is a Major fault. Body: Height (to wither) as to length (from sternum to point of buttock) should appear square and compact. (Delete: Height to length ratio should be 10 to 12 [being slightly longer in leg, than body]. But still appearing square and compact.) Shoulders should have good angulation with firm elbows held close to the rib cage. Upright shoulders is a fault. Hindquarters should be of medium angulation with short strong hocks. Top line should remain level with strong loin and level croup. They are a galloping dog therefore flanks should rise up from a brisket set just below the elbows, but should not be excessively deep. Ribs should be well sprung but not barreled. Overall they should appear square, balanced, athletic with good muscling. Movement: When trotting should be purposeful, strong and elastic with good reach and drive, giving the appearance of "going somewhere". When relaxed, happy or at play they will prance and skim the ground lightly. Excessive tightness in the hip will produce a stilted action and is considered a fault. Top line should remain level with strong loin and croup. Tail: Is relatively high and is preferred to be carried saber. It is allowed to be carried below the top line or gaily above. Curled possum type tails are undesirable and a fault. Neck: Firm well muscled neck should be moderately long, slightly arched and flow into well angled shoulders with no appearance of abruptness. The neck should not be coarse or stumpy and should lend an air of elegance to the dog. A short or thick neck is a fault. Head: Sculptured, Broad, well-defined eyebrows, medium stop, eyes set well apart, nose to stop slightly shorter than stop to occiput. Foreface shorter than skull. (Delete: nose to eye slightly longer than eye to occiput.) The head should be clean and chiseled, and fully coated as on the body, legs and tail. A long, narrow or blockhead is a fault. Ears: Set moderately flat against head and should be level with eye. Leather should be of medium thickness, when gently drawn forward should reach the top canine tooth. Ear leather reaching beyond the tip of the nose is considered a server fault. Ear canal should be free of Excessive hair and not thick or bulbous. When inquisitive or alert the ear should rise to the top of the head. Thick, heavy ear leather is a fault. Eyes: Slightly round, large and expressive, always offering eye-to-eye contact when engaged in activity with humans. Protruding or sunken eyes are a fault. Watery or tearful eyes are a fault. Wide round or narrow almond shape is considered a fault. Teeth: Scissor bite. Undershot or overshot bite is a major fault. Crowding teeth in miniatures is a fault. Nose: Large, square, and fleshy. Coat: Coat length should be 4-6 inches long. It should be straight, wavy or forming spirals and should naturally grow in staples with a soft texture. It should not be too thick or dense nor should it be fluffy or fuzzy. It should be a single coat, any sign of a double coat is a fault. The ideal Fleece and Wool coats can be spun successfully. Hair coat [Hair texture that sheds] is undesirable and is a major fault. It is important that the coat gives the impression of being a fleece in type rather than dog hair. Fleece: Texture should be light and silky similar to the texture of the Angora Goat. Appearing to contain a silky lanolin in texture. Appearance can range from an almost straight loosely waved to an obviously waved coat, Kemp is often found around eyes and along the top line. The absence of Kemp is highly prized. Wool: Texture is denser than that of the Fleece with a similar texture to that of Lambs Wool. Appearing to contain a sheep lanolin in texture. The ideal wool coat should hang in loose hollow spirals. It is acceptable to exhibit a spring appearance rather than spiral but a sprung wool coat is undesirable. An overly thick or dense coat is also undesirable. There should be no body odor or shedding in the Fleece and Wool coat [with the exception of the Hair coat, which both has odor and sheds in varying degrees, (usually seen in the early generation dogs). It is acceptable to see a coat change from the puppy to adult coat, and also during hormonal changes in fertile bitches. This coat does not shed, but should be groomed out. Pigment: Black or Rose. Pigment should be strong pink spots or patches on nose, lips, eye rims, or pads are a fault. Dogs with rose pigment should have eye rims, lips, nose and pads with rose pigment. Pink spots or patches are a severe fault. [Rose should be a rich liver colour]. Eye Colour: Should complement and blend with the coat colour. Black, Blue, Red, Chocolate and Silver dogs must have dark brown eyes. Café, Gold, Cream, Chalk should have Hazel to Brown eyes If they have black pigment. Caramel, Lavender, Parchment and dogs with Rose pigment should have Brown or “ghost” eyes. [Ghost is a Hazel colour range much the same as it is in humans]. Flecking with different shades of Hazel with Green - Blue make this eye colour quite unique. Ghost eyes must remain soft in appearance. Cold, staring, expressionless appearance in all eye colour is a major fault. Colours: To see pictures of the Australian Labradoodle Colours click here NOTE: It is normal that all colours may show bleaching and discolouration over the top coat, referred to as sunning, this is quite expected and acceptable. The Australian Labradoodle is an active dog and often a service dog that enjoys the outdoors. Sunning or weather bleaching MUST NOT be penalized. Any solid colour (including Silver, Café, Lavender, Parchment) is preferred and considered the ideal for the breed. In the solid colours it is preferred to have a solid colour coat with no white markings though a small white mark on the chest, and/or toes is permissible. Kemp [course hairs] sprinkled through a dark coat is permissible but very undesirable. Parti [Patched], Phantom, Brindle and Sable though not preferred are considered an acceptable colour. The preferred colours are as follows: Chalk This colour should be a white colour but when compared to white is rather a chalky white in colour. Nose pigment to be Black or Rose. Cream This colour should be a creamy colouring sometimes with apricot/gold hinting, all shades of cream are acceptable . Nose pigment to be Black or Rose. Gold This colour has also been referred to as “apricot” should be the colour of the inside of a ripe apricot to varying shades of rich Gold in colour. A true Gold will not have a lighter root than the outer coat and preferable have an even colouration over the entire body. This colour may fade as the dog grows older, senior dogs should not be penalized for paling of coat colour. Nose pigment to be Black in colour. Caramel This colour ranges from a rich gold through to a deep red the preferred colour is very much the same colour as its namesake “caramel” with even colouration over the entire body. Nose pigment to be Rose in colour. Red This colour should be a solid even rich red in colour. A true red must not be lighter at the root than the outer coat. Reds can fade as the dog grows older, senior dogs should not be penalized for paling of coat colour. Nose pigment to be Black. [Rare colour group] Black This colour should be a solid black in colour with no sprinkling of any other colour through the coat. Nose pigment to be Black. Silver This colour can range in shades from very light pewter in colour to a dark charcoal in colour it is preferred to see an even colour through the coat but acceptable to see uneven layering of colour in the coat. Silvers are born Black with the coat colour developing over time (1-3 yrs) . Nose pigment to be Black. Blue This colour should be a dark to medium smoky blue in colour. Blues are born Black but will have a Blue/Grey skin pigment. The blue coat colour will develop over time (1-3yrs) but as a developed adult should have an even coat colour, any other colour throughout the Blue is undesirable. Nose pigment to be Blue/Grey [matching the skin pigmentation]. [Rare colour group] Chocolate This colour should be a dark rich chocolate in colour. True chocolates are born almost black in colour and maintain the rich dark colour throughout their lifetime. Colour should be even, any other colour in the coat is undesirable. Nose pigment to be Rose in colour [matching the coat colour]. [Rare colour group] Café This colour ranges from a milk chocolate to silver-beige in colour and will develop over time (1-3yrs). Nose pigment to be Rose in colour [matching the coat colour]. Lavender This colour has a definite smoky lavender chocolate colour giving an almost pink to lilac appearance. Lavender dogs are born chocolate and will develop over time (1-3yrs). Any other colour in the coat is undesirable. Nose pigment to be Rose in colour [matching the coat colour]. [Rare colour group] Parchment This colour is a creamy beige chocolate colour reminiscent of a cup of coffee with a generous addition of milk. Parchment dogs are born milk chocolate and will develop over time (1-3yrs). From a distance adult dogs can be mistaken for a dark or smoky cream. Nose pigment to be Rose in colour. [Rare colour group] Temperament: Extremely clever, sociable and joyful. Easily trained. Quick to learn unusual or special tasks. Active, a little comical at times. Can attempt to outsmart their owners if undisciplined. Friendly though obviously loyal to own family. Non Aggressive. Severe Faults: Yappy, Highly strung, Dominance/Aggression, Fearful/timid, Aggressive to other animals. SPECIAL ATTENTION must be directed to soundness in the breed. It is the responsibility of conscientious breeders to health test their breeding stock and protect the Australian Labradoodle from developing recurring genetic disorders in the breed. It is good to keep in mind that the Australian Labradoodle is a family companion, we do not want the heartache of illness or the expense of less than sound dogs. There is no Scientific Laboratory proof that the Australian Labradoodle is “Hypoallergenic”. Practical research indicates that the fleece and wool coats of the Australian Labradoodle are very successful with Asthma and Allergy sufferers. In these infant years of breeding the Australian Labradoodle some throwbacks will occur, with wiry, sparse, or combination coats that have partial shedding. These dogs need not be discarded for breeding, but should be assessed as to their soundness of body and temperament. Many of these individuals offer valuable hybrid genetics and will breed on excellent offspring. The same applies to dogs displaying undesirable colour or size traits. In order to produce a breed with a broad genetic base of quality dogs, haste should be made slowly. Genetic resources must be kept broad to protect the Australian Labradoodle breed from the disasters that many other breeds are suffering, "the genetic dead end". Proposed for Breeder Member Vote October 1, 2007, IALA Breed Standard (1997 revised 2007) Australian Labradoodle General Appearance: Must appear athletic and graceful with a compact body displaying substance with medium boning. Should not appear cloddy or heavy nor overly fine. A distinctive feature of this breed is their coat, which is non-shedding and easy to manage. Temperament: Extremely clever, sociable, comical, joyful, energetic when free and soft and quiet when handled. They should approach people in a happy friendly manner, keen and easy to train. They should display an intuition about their family members or handler’s current emotional state or needs. This ability to “know” is what has made the Australian Labradoodle an excellent dog for individuals with special needs. Currently there are three sizes of Australian Labradoodles during this stage of continued development, it is acceptable and expected to see inter size breeding at this time. Sizes: Height: 14 to 24 (not over 25) inches (35cm to 63cm) at wither. Weight: 7kg to 30kg (15-65lbs). Miniature range: Height: 14 to16 (not over 17) inches (35cm to 42cm) at wither. Weight: 7kg to 13kg (15-25lbs). Medium range: Height: 17 to 20 (not over 21) inches (43cm to 52cm) at wither. Weight: 13kg to 20kg (30-45lbs). The ideal size for the female is 17 to19 inches and the male is 18 to 20 inches. Standard range: Height: 21 to 24 (not over 25) inches (53cm to 63cm) at wither. Weight: 23kg to 30kg (50-65lbs). The ideal size for the female is 21 to 23 inches and the male is 22 to 24 inches. Head: Moderately broad with well-defined eyebrows. Stop should be moderate with eyes set well apart. The head should be of moderate width; developed but without exaggeration. Foreface to appear shorter than skull. The head should be clean-cut and free from fleshy cheeks. The whole head must be in proportion to the size of the dog. Eyes: Large, expressive and slightly rounded. Ears: Set slightly above eye level and should lay flat against head in proportion with the skull. Leather should be of medium thickness, and leather should not hang below the lower lip line. Excessive hair in the ear canal is undesirable. Mouth: Must be a scissor bite. Upper teeth to just overlap the bottom teeth. Nose: Should be large, of square appearance and fleshy. Neck: Well proportioned of good strength, moderately long lending an air of elegance, slightly arched and flow into shoulders with no appearance of abruptness. Forequarters: Shoulders blades and upperarms to be the same length, and shoulders should be well laid back. Elbows are set close to the body. Forelegs to be straight when viewed from the front. Toeing in our out is a fault. Body: Height (to wither) as to length (from sternum to point of buttock) should appear square and compact. Deep chest and well sprung. There should be a good tuck up. Loins should be strong and muscular. Hindquarters: In profile the croup is nearly flat, slight sloping of the croup is acceptable. Stifles should be moderately turned to propel forward movement, and hindquarters well muscled for power in movement. Hock to heel should be strong and short being perpendicular to the ground. View from the rear should be parallel to each other, must not be cow-hocked. Feet: The feet are of medium size, round with well-arched toes having elastic and thick pads. The feet should not turn in or out. Tail: The tail should follow the topline in repose or when in motion. It may be carried gaily, but should not curl completely over the back. Tip of tail should not touch the back nor curl upon itself. Movement: Trotting gait is effortless, smooth, powerful and coordinated in mature dogs. Should have a good reach in front and drive from behind for forward motion. Sound free movement and a light gait are essential. Coat: A distinctive feature of this breed is that the coat is non-shedding and easily maintained. Any coat length is acceptable but preferable not past 4 inches in length. The coat should be even over the entire body. It should be straight, wavy or forming spirals. It should not be too thick or dense, nor should it be fluffy or fuzzy. It should be a single coat. Any sign of an undercoat is a serious fault. Can range between a fleece to wool in texture. Extremely harsh hair is highly undesirable. The Fleece textured coat is a soft texture as in the Angora goat. It can either have a straight wavy look or a soft spiralling curl look. It is an easy to manage textured coat. The Wool textured coat is like a lamb’s wool in texture. It should have the appearance of looser spiralling wool, which opens up easily to the skin. It should not appear thick and dense or tightly curled. The coat should not appear overly groomed and any appearance of sun bleaching is acceptable. Colour: Coat patterns in Australian Labradoodle include the following: All solid colours. Colours of Parchment, Lavender, Cafe’ and Chocolate may have dark amber eyes; liver noses, eye rims and lips; and dark nails. Colours of Caramel may have dark amber to pale hazel-green eyes; liver noses, eye rims and lips; and self coloured to dark nails. Colours of Gold, Red, Black, Blue and Silver must have very dark eyes; black noses, eye rims and lips; and black or self-coloured nails. Colours of Chalk and Cream may have either pigmentation of dark amber to pale hazel-green eyes; liver noses, eye rims and lips; and self coloured to dark nails or very dark eyes; black noses, eye rims and lips; and black or self-coloured nails. These colours may appear in one of the following patterns: Solid. Colour is solid and preferably even, preferably with no white markings. A small white flash no larger than 2.5cm in diameter can appear on the chest, feet or tail and is permissible. Even colours are preferred but natural colouration of the coat is not considered a fault. Parti: Colour is fifty percent white, with spots/patches of any other solid colour. No set pattern is required but symmetrical markings on the head are preferred. Freckling of the solid colour in the white of the coat is acceptable but not encouraged. Phantom: The body colour must be a solid colour with defined markings of a second colour as follows: above each eye, on the sides of the muzzle, on the cheek, on the underside of the ears, on the throat to forchest, or in a chin and forechest pattern, with a minimum second colouring on the feet preferably up the legs, and below the tail. Second colour in the inside of the leg and flank is also acceptable and should not be penalized. Markings are preferred to be clear and defined. Face markings of the second colour with the entire face coloured is acceptable, though not preferred, if the other required body markings are present. Any of the solid colours combination is acceptable. Abstract: Any solid colour with the second colour being white, must have less than fifty percent white. Sable: Black-tipped hairs on any solid colour, preferable even but no penalty for uneven pattern of ticking. Brindle: Should have an even and equal distribution of the colours with layering of black hairs in regions of lighter colours (usually, chalk/cream/gold/red, cafe/lavender/parchment, or silver) producing a tiger-striped pattern. Multi: Multiple colours or patterns, as in a phantom with large white Abstract markings, or a Parti pattern with Sable ticking etc... NOTE: It is normal that all colours may show bleaching and discolouration over the top coat, referred to as sunning, this is quite expected and acceptable. The Australian Labradoodle is an active dog and often a service dog that enjoys the outdoors. Sunning or weather bleaching MUST NOT be penalized. Faults: Any sign of aggression or dominance to be heavily penalised Fearful, timid, yappy or highly-strung temperaments Harsh hair, or any sign of undercoat. Coats must be fleece or wool Short or overly thick neck A coat, which sheds (note: some coat instability during hormonal changes with fertile bitches) Possum type or Teapot handle tails, minor fault A long narrow or block head Protruding or sunken eyes Watery or tearful eyes Over or undershot or pincer mouth Long Back Crowding teeth Bad carriage or heavy gait Monorchid or inverted vulva Cow-hock Toeing in or out Colour, albinism is a disqualification Over or under sized is a major fault SPECIAL ATTENTION must be directed to soundness in the breed, any sign of lameness is a disqualification. NOTE: Males should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum. Female should have an apparently normal formed vulva. Australian Labradoodle Foundation Grading Scheme 2006 up for review 2007 Definitions used herein: LO = Labradoodle Origin (solely from Labrador x Poodle lines) ALF= Australian Labradoodle Foundation (3 or more parent breeds confirmed) P= Purebred Poodle (Standard, Miniature or Toy) LR= Purebred Labrador Retriever CCR= Purebred Curly Coated Retriever* ACS= Purebred American Cocker Spaniel* ECS= Purebred English Cocker Spaniel* IWS= Purebred Irish Water Spaniel* ESPDL = English Spoodle/Cockapoo (English Cocker x Poodle Cross)** ASPDL = American Spoodle/Cockapoo (American Cocker x Poodle Cross) 1-6= Generation For use when the Australian Labradoodle Foundation dog has a non Labradoodle parent PP = Parent Breed Poodle (All sizes: Standard, Miniature, Toy.) PR = Parent Breed Retriever (Labrador Retriever & Curly Coat Retriever/Curly Coat Retriever to Poodle crossbred ONLY) PS = Parent Breed Spaniel (American Cocker Spaniel/American Spoodle or Cockapoo & English Cocker Spaniel/English Spoodle or Cockapoo) PLO = Parent Breed Labradoodle Origin AL= Parent Breed Australian Labradoodle Australian Labradoodle Foundation Dogs will carry grading of ALF1 to ALF6 with the appropriate suffixes RULES: Breeding any generation Australian Labradoodle, Australian Labradoodle Foundation or Labradoodle, to a dog below its generation will result in the puppies carrying one above the lower generation registration. Poodle consecutive matings are NOT allowed past ALF4 during the foundation stage of development and only if the addition of Poodle is needed. Poodle additions past ALF4pp will not advance the generations. Labrador Retriever consecutive matings are NOT allowed during the foundation stage of development, LR is only allowed twice over 6 generations and only if the addition is needed. Curly Coated Retriever consecutive matings are NOT allowed during the foundation stage of development, CCR is only allowed twice over 6 generations and only if the addition is needed.* American Cocker Spaniel/ Spoodle/ Cockapoo consecutive matings are NOT allowed during the foundation stage of development, ACS is only allowed twice over 6 generations and only if the addition is needed.* English Cocker Spaniel/ Spoodle/ Cockapoo consecutive matings are NOT allowed during the foundation stage of development, ECS is only allowed twice over 6 generations and only if the addition is needed.* Irish Water Spaniel consecutive matings are NOT allowed during the foundation stage of development, IWS is only allowed twice over 6 generations and only if the addition is needed.* *The IALA is in the process of confirming the use of these purebreds and revising the infusion guidelines as necessary the use of these breeds are not allowed until this documentation process is complete during 2006.