The Labradoodle is a designer dog that is a mix between a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle. Many dog owners and breeders may be asking can you breed two Labradoodles together?
Yes, it is entirely possible to breed two Labradoodles together. The most important thing to consider when doing this, though, is if the two dogs you are breeding are closely related. If the dogs are too close to one another genetically then problems can occur due to inbreeding, and it may be detrimental to the pups rather than beneficial.
If you are interested in breeding Labradoodles yourself then know that the process can be quite fulfilling and rewarding. This mixed breed is a wonderful pup for those who suffer from allergies and producing more of the breed can benefit many families.
There are, however, some things to take into account before you begin breeding your Labradoodles. Read on to learn more.
Why Breed Labradoodles Together?
The Labradoodle itself is known as a designer breed. This means that its parents stem from two different purebred dogs. In this case, the Labradoodle comes from breeding a Labrador and a Poodle together.
Many people may think that it is only good to breed Labradoodles from these two parent breeds, but the Labradoodle itself is a wonderful dog to breed if you know what you are doing.
Labradoodles are popular among individuals who suffer from allergies because the dog does not shed nearly as much as a purebred Labrador Retriever while still inheriting the sweet and loving personality that makes the breed so endearing.
There is no question of how popular the Labradoodle mixed breed is, though there are a few things about the breed that could be improved upon by second-generational breeding. Among these benefits are as follows:
- First-generation Labradoodles tend to have the coat of their Labrador parent. This is known as the Hair coat, and is avoided by most breeders. Later generations of Labradoodles have a higher chance of getting a Wool or Fleece coat, which has less of an odor and more hypoallergenic qualities.
- Breeding a Labradoodle with a Poodle will increase the chance of their offspring having these shed-free coats.
- If you persistently breed Labradoodles for a few generations you may end up with what is known as an Australian Labradoodle. You can eventually get the coat of aa Labrador with the temperament of a Poodle depending on the dogs that you use for breeding.
You can control how their coat turns out more and more with each generation of Labradoodle you breed. These specially bred dogs can lead to perfect picks for owners who want a pet that won’t trigger their allergies.
Possible Problems With Breeding Two Labradoodles
There are, however, some potential issues that you want to watch out for and stay away from should you choose to breed two Labradoodles together.
While it is important that you carefully pick the dogs, you want to breed with it is even more vital that you get the right two dogs for breeding your Labradoodles. This is due to the fact that you will most likely get less genetic diversity when breeding this dog.
Before anything, ensure that the two dogs you plan on breeding are not closely related and are in good health. Inbreeding occurs when two closely related dogs are bred together. This can produce issues for the pup’s health throughout their lives.
If your selection of Labradoodles is quite small and possibly closely related, then the best thing you can do for yourself and for your dogs is to find a mate from another source. When doing this make sure that they are not related to your Labradoodle, and that their health and health history is good.
You always want to keep a sharp eye out for dogs that are carriers of genetic diseases. Testing your dog and the dog that you choose to have bred with your dog is the best and safest way to ensure that they do not suffer from any adverse health effects.
Here is a bit of background of two of the problems that can arise when breeding two Labradoodles:
Inbreeding
It may seem harmless to breed two Labradoodles that are closely related, and while it may not be an issue for you Labradoodle’s first generation of pups, constant inbreeding can cause many issues with the dog’s health due to a decrease in the size of their gene pool and reduction in the diversity of the dog’s genes.
Though it is tempting to inbreed two dogs in order to keep their appearances pleasing it is not an ideal way of doing this. As much as possible you want to avoid inbreeding, even if the first litter of puppies does not seem to have any problems.
Mixed Coats
Whether or not you stay away from inbreeding, the coat of your Labradoodle puppies may not be what you hope for. Some may not mind how the puppies look if they mainly care about the temperament of the breed, but for dog owners who want the breed due to its hypoallergenic qualities it’s a whole different story.
It is important to note that the Labradoodle breed was initially created to avoid triggering the allergies of their owners. Even if the dog is a wonderful pet for a myriad of other reasons it is still most popular do to the fact that it does not shed.
Producing Labradoodle puppies that share this non-shedding quality with their parents means that their parents must be the non-shedding type of Labradoodle. But even when taking this into account, there is still a chance that the outcome may not be what you desire.
Tips for Breeding Two Labradoodles
If you decide that you want to breed two Labradoodles make sure that you follow the proper steps to ensure you get the best pups possible.
Firstly, you will want to choose distant relatives or two Labradoodles that are not related at all. This will ensure that they have a good mix of genes and reduce the chances of their puppies coming out with birth defects or health issues.
Another great tip for breeding Labradoodles is using a technique known as backcrossing. This means you breed your Labradoodle with a Labrador or a Poodle in order to keep the gene pool large. It is common to backcross a Labradoodle and a Poodle in order to produce offspring that have a shed-free coat.
This is a time-consuming affair, but one that brings with it many benefits and will prevent issues later on down the line. When backcrossing, also make sure that the dog you are breeding with your Labradoodle is not related to them, or else it will all be wasted effort.
Can You Breed Two Labradoodles Conclusion
This immensely popular breed is a wonderful choice for families and individuals with allergies. Being able to breed two Labradoodles is a great way to produce some hypoallergenic pups and allow more people to enjoy this beautiful breed.
Just always make sure to take into account the costs as well as possible risks that can arise when choosing to breed these dogs properly. By taking proper precautions you can reduce the risk of health issues for the offspring of your Labradoodles and save yourself time and money as well.
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