Australian Labradoodle Breed Standard (1997 revised 2007) Page 1

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.

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.

MEDIUM RANGE: Height: 17 to 20 (not over 21) inches (43cm to 52cm) at wither. 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. 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.