Chocolate Labradoodle: Facts, History & Origin (With Pictures)
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Chocolate Labradoodle is the name given to a dog breed that is a mixture of Brown Poodle and Labrador Retriever. This breed is created by combining a Standard Poodle with a Labrador Retriever.
The resulting dog breed has a dark wavy coat and is clever, cute, and full of fun. The active character and friendly personality make a Chocolate Labradoodle appealing to many dog Lovers.
Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about this stunning dog.
| Height: | 21.5 – 24.5 |
| Weight: | 55 – 80 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 12 – 14 years |
| Colors: | Black, yellow, brown, and chocolate |
| Suitable for: | Active dog owners who do not live in apartments |
| Temperament: | Playful, energetic, and friendly around strangers |
Chocolate Labradoodles are only different from other “doodles” because of their coat color. However, some new evidence claims that the chocolate color in this Labradoodle dog is an indication of its specific personality trait1. But you can expect the dog to have the same size, temperament, behavior, and health as other differently colored Labradoodles.
Chocolate Labradoodle Characteristics
The Earliest Records of the Chocolate Labradoodle in History
While Chocolate Labradoodles may be appealing and highly sought after, it is a relatively new dog breed. The earliest record of the dog can be traced back to 1989 when Wally Conron successfully crossed the Poodle with a Labrador Retriever. At the time, Conron was the head of the Royal Guide Dogs Association of Australia’s dog breeding program.
The first dog created from interbreeding was known as Sultan, which was among the first hypoallergenic dogs, as per the objective of the program. Sultan was destined to be a guide dog because he inherited his parent’s intelligence and personality.
Later, when Sultan was adopted to be a guide dog for a blind woman in Hawaii, many people began realizing the value of this hybrid dog.
How the Chocolate Labradoodle Gained Popularity
Just like the parent Labrador Retriever, Labradoodles quickly rose in popularity and became one of the most sought-after Doodle breeds in the world. Dog enthusiasts appreciated the genetic diversity of the dog and the almost unlimited coat color combinations associated with this breed.
While initially Chocolate Poodles were made by mixing Poodles and Labrador Retrievers, multigeneration breeding has been going on over the last few years to ensure that they produce a recognizable and viable dog breed.
Formal Recognition of the Chocolate Labradoodle
Even though Chocolate Labradoodles are not considered a recognized breed, the International Australian Labradoodle Association (IALA), the Australian Labradoodle Association (ALA)1, and the Australian Labradoodle Association of America (ALAA) have been working hard to move this hybrid designer dog into registered breed status2.
These groups have also made great strides in bringing breeders together to create a breed standard for the dog via multigenerational breeding.
Top 5 Unique Facts About Chocolate Labradoodle
1. They Are Available in Different Sizes and Colors
Since Labradoodles are a product of crossbreeding, they are not pure-breed dogs, and they come in various coat variations ranging from black, red, chocolate, silver, and apricot, among others. Their fur is also available in different varieties ranging from curly, wavy, and even straight-looking dog hair.
Their size also differs, but mostly depends on the breed of the parent. Toy versions of the breed can weigh 15–25 pounds, and medium breeds weigh 30–45 pounds, while the standard weight of Chocolate Labradoodles is 65 pounds.
2. They Are Active and Easily Trainable
Since both the Poodle and Labradors are highly intelligent dog breeds, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that their crossbreeds will be intelligent as well. Chocolate Labradoodles are easily trainable because they are always eager to learn more.
They are also very active, requiring regular walks and sufficient space to run around. This is why they are unsuited for apartment buildings.
3. They Do Not Make Good Watchdogs
If you are looking for a watchdog to take care of your property while away, the Chocolate Labradoodle may not be a suitable fit. They tend to be playful, energetic, friendly, and easygoing to be an aggressive dog breed.
Granted, this dog’s temperament will depend on the parents. Therefore, some Labradoodles can be more aggressive than others. Fortunately, early socialization can help them learn how to behave around strangers and other dogs.
4. They Make Excellent Guide and Therapy Dogs
Chocolate Labradoodles are great pets to own, especially if you’re suffering from autism, depression, and even physical disabilities. They are also excellent companion dogs for blind people. In fact, this dog breed was initially bred to help blind women to navigate their environment.
5. They Are Good Swimmers
Chocolate Labradoodles are among the best swimmers in the canine world. They can make excellent swimming companions, especially during the summer season. Once you take your Labradoodle to the pool, you will enjoy their excitement and adorable behavior in the water.
Does Chocolate Labradoodle Make a Good Pet?
As aforementioned, Labradoodles are some of the friendliest dogs you can own. However, there are exceptions since every dog has a unique personality.
If your dog largely features the dominant traits of Labrador Retrievers, it will be relatively easygoing. Yet, your Chocolate Labradoodle can feature traits from the Poodle parent. Luckily, this can be fixed if the traits are addressed early on during its training.
Due to the huge energy reserves that Labradoodles have, keeping up with their wild spirit will make them worthy companions.
Chocolate Labradoodles will always want to run and play around. So, you also need to have an active lifestyle to match that of your dog. This way, they will always be healthy and happy.
If Labradoodles get bored, they are likely to engage in unwanted behaviors, such as chewing on household items, just like any other dog would. Yet, all things considered, Chocolate Labradoodles have a temperament that makes them ideal for families, even those with young children.
Besides being partially hypoallergenic, many people opt to own this dog breed as it’s easy to handle for first-time dog owners. The combined traits of the parent breeds also make them ideal companions for people suffering from disabilities.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a partially hypoallergenic dog to provide love, support, and companionship to your household members, a Chocolate Labradoodle may be an ideal option. This dog breed is generally well-rounded, well-behaved, and appreciates everyday excitement.
So long as you stay committed to these canine companions, they will fill your home with love. We hope the information provided above will help you better understand this designer dog so that you are well-prepared before buying or adopting it.
Featured Image Credit: Danita Delimont, Shutterstock
