Many people see a Labradoodle puppy and think that it’s one of the cutest things they’ve ever seen. Probably because it is, and even as a full grown Labradoodle, they are still handsome, hearty and desirable. The Labradoodle is the most established and well known of the “designer” or mixed breed dogs and they have boomed in popularity in the last decade thanks to their attractive looks, varying sizes and minimal shedding.
While this popular breed is adorable and smart, there are things you should know before bringing one into your house, such as how big a Labradoodle will get when full grown and their grooming needs. It is important that you do your research and are sure that a breed of dog is the right fit for your family and lifestyle.
From Puppy to Full Grown Labradoodle
This new breed is the most established of mixed breed dogs and it has started to show consistency with the looks and personalities of these canines. A Labradoodle is the combination of a standard (sometimes miniature) poodle and a Labrador Retriever, hence the name.
This cross breed normally has a medium length curly or wavy coat in many different colors, including black, yellow, liver or white.
There is a rule of thumb that says that a puppy is generally about 25% of their body weight by the time they are 6 weeks old and close to half of their total expected body weight by 14 weeks of age.
Labradoodle History
The Labradoodle breed first originated in Australia, when a woman in Hawaii asked the Australian Guide Dog Association in 1970 if they could make a service dog that wouldn’t cause her allergies to flare up as badly as other breeds.
The idea of the Labradoodle was for them to shed less, which would cause those with dog allergies to have fewer issues. However, there is no such thing as hypoallergenic dogs!
People are not actually allergic to the hair of the animal, but to the saliva and urine proteins that stick to their hair. When a dog sheds less, then they will ultimately cause less allergy symptoms for their owners.
How Big Do Full Sized Labradoodles Get?
A full-sized or a standard Labradoodle is the largest size of this wonderful mixed breed. Their weight and size seems to vary significantly, even among the standard doodles. Because this dog is a cross between two others, it is easy to see how it can sometimes be tricky to understand exactly how big they may get once full grown.
On average, a standard Labradoodle usually weighs between 45 and 60 lbs. However, I have seen some that are over 90 lbs or even 100 lbs! Typically, this is because one or both of their parents were larger than the average Labrador or poodle.
While the standard size was the original idea, smaller doodles have become quite popular lately. The smaller versions of the Labradoodle range from toy, to mini to medium sizes, and with so many different variations in size, it can be difficult to help owners predict how big their puppy will get. Using the rule of thumb about 25% body weight by 6 weeks old can help!
Labradoodle Care And Grooming: Handling Their High Maintenance Coat
Grooming is a very important aspect of pet ownership, especially when you have a long or curly haired dog. The Labradoodle especially is one that requires regular grooming appointments, as it is easy for them to become matted and unkempt.
While the grooming schedule does depend a lot on the type of hair coat your Labradoodle has, no matter what, this breed requires quite a bit of work when it comes to their hair.
Some need more maintenance than others, but you should certainly expect a yearly groomer bill if you are looking into adopting or purchasing a Labradoodle.
Labradoodles that have “wool-type” coats take more after the poodle, which is coarse and curly and requires more maintenance and grooming (about every 4 -6 weeks) to keep them looking their best.
Those that have a looser coat that is more wavy is easier to brush and can go a little longer in between grooming visits (about every 8 – 10 weeks).
When Will My Labradoodle Be Full Grown?
A standard Labradoodle is going to be almost 100% full grown by the time they are one year old. Smaller breeds tend to reach their adult size a little younger than a large or giant breed dog would. So if you have a mini Labradoodle you can expect them to be closer to full grown when they are about 10 months old.
How Can I Predict How Big My Labradoodle Will Get?
This prediction can be quite tricky, especially if your Labradoodle is mixed with a mini poodle to make a smaller version. While we know that they will most likely be smaller than the full sized Labradoodle, it is still hard to know if they will take more after one parent or if they will tow the line in the middle and be medium sized.
How Much Will My Full Grown Labradoodle Weigh?
This prediction, again, depends a lot on the size of the parents. With the Labradoodle being a cross-breed it is always going to be hard to say. If the mother was a heavy and large Labrador and the father a smaller standard poodle, it is likely that they will lean more towards the larger size, especially if you adopt a male.
On average, a standard full-sized Labradoodle can be anywhere from the smaller end of 45 lbs all the way to 90 lbs or more. Take a look at their parental lineage to give yourself a better guess at how big your lovely Labradoodle will grow to be. Sometimes using growth charts can be helpful for understanding how to predict their future size.
What Is a Labradoodle Lifespan?
The average Labradoodle lifespan is around 12 to 16 years. If they are a mini Labradoodle, you can assume they will live to the higher end of that time frame since little dogs tend to have longer life expectancies than medium sized dogs or larger.
A Labradoodle does usually outlive their Labrador parentage by a few years. The mixed breed does however still have their own inherited and genetic issues that they can get from both the lab and the poodle.
Both breeds have a tendency to develop conditions of the eye like dry eye or retinal atrophy, and conditions such as hip and elbow dysplasia are also quite common. Poodles and labs are prone to chronic skin allergies and ear infections as well. Dogs that have been found with these issues should not be used as breeding stock.
How Much Does a Standard Full-Sized Labradoodle Cost?
The financial cost of a standard or full-sized Labradoodle puppy will most likely run someone between 1500$ and 2000$. The miniature Labradoodles can be even more expensive, costing between 3000$ and 4000$.
The cost of your Labradoodle can also depend on if you are purchasing from a specialized breeder or not. Someone who breeds them for the sole purpose of being used as a service animal or a therapy dog and not just a pet will certainly charge more for their lineage than an average breeder. You should expect those specially bred Labradoodles to cost about 1200$ more.
If you are willing to adopt an older Labradoodle from a rescue or a shelter, this could be another option for you. They are usually a third of the cost of adopting from a breeder, typically only being a few hundred dollars. These dogs need homes and are often potty trained with an established temperament and personality, so you already know what you are going to get.
Labradoodles are considered expensive because they have become a more desirable breed over the last few years. Owners find value in their outgoing personalities, easy to train attitudes and their minimal shedding.
Full Grown Labradoodle: Wrap Up
A full grown Labradoodle reaches his adult size by the time they are a year old but can continue to grow a small amount all the way up to 2 years of age. They vary significantly in size, weight and looks and how big they will be once full grown can be somewhat difficult to predict.
If you are interested in adopting a Labradoodle but want to be more sure of how big they will be once they are full grown, you will have to take a look at their parents in order to get a better idea.