The Black Labradoodle’s adorable fluffiness, striking features, and charming intelligence make it a popular choice for many would-be pet parents. It’s an affectionate, playful, and sociable service dog perfect for active families.
But not all Black Labradoodles are genuinely black; for some, the color fades or is interrupted by silver, white or blue hair as the dog transits from puppy to adulthood. On the other hand, a true black keeps its coat solid, deep, and rich; if you shave it, the skin is also dark, while the eyes are a darker brown.
If you happen upon a true Black Labradoodle, you’re instantly charmed by its lovable personality, good looks, and expressive eyes. Keep reading to learn about the Black Labradoodle’s history and characteristics, including how this breed has gained popularity and unique facts.
Breed Overview
Height:
14–16 inches
Weight:
15–25 pounds
Lifespan:
12-15 years
Colors:
Black
Suitable for:
Active families, those looking for a low-shedding dog, and a service dog
Temperament:
Affectionate, loyal, intelligent, easy to train, friendly, gets along with other pets
Black Labradoodles result from breeding a Black Labrador Retriever and a Black Poodle, and depending on the generation, such a litter will have mostly black puppies. But due to the unpredictability and complexity that’s genetics, achieving the desired color and one that won’t fade is challenging.
Sometimes, a Black Labradoodle can result from parents who aren’t black, but at least one must carry the dominant black gene. Besides black skin pigmentation and dark brown eyes, true Black Labradoodles have black noses, lips, eye rims, and toenails of the same color.
Black Labradoodle Breed Characteristics
Energy:
Trainability:
Health:
Lifespan:
Sociability:
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Being a Poodle and a Labrador Retriever hybrid, everything from the coat type, weight, and size is challenging to predict. However, the two parents have a similar temperament, but they’re different in other ways.
For instance, the Labrador has a sleek and thick coat that sheds, while the Poodle is hypoallergenic. They’re both waterdogs with an athletic build, so you can expect your Labradoodle will be built similarly, along with floppy ears, an adorable face, and a long tail.
The Earliest Records of Black Labradoodles in History
Image Credit: MartinJGruber, Shutterstock
Black Labradoodles were developed in the 20th century as a relatively new breed, but their history is traceable back to Australia in the 1900s. That’s when the first guide dogs, primarily Labradors, were trained to assist blind people. But in the 1980s, Labradoodles were bred by combining with Poodles to create service dogs that were low shedding for individuals with allergies.
Wally Conron completed the first cross between a standard Poodle and a Labrador Retriever in 1989. That was in his capacity as the official responsible for the breeding program at the Royal Guide Dogs Association of Australia.
The first hybrid, a dog called Sultan, resulted from Wally’s endeavors. It had a hypoallergenic coat plus the skills, personality, and intelligence required for an efficient guide dog. Sultan had a successful career working with a Hawaiian blind woman, and at this point, breeders started noticing the fantastic mix.
As one of the most sought-after doodle dogs, multi-gen breeding has lately gained traction to produce an identifiable and sustainable Black Labradoodle race. The Australian Labradoodle Association and the Australian Labradoodle Association of America have worked together to change the designer dog and create a breed that could be registered in the next few years.
How the Black Labradoodle Gained Popularity
Although Black Labradoodles have been around since the late 1980s, they started gaining widespread recognition in the early 2000s. It’s not difficult to see why this loveable and egregious pup has become popular, especially with families and individuals needing a hypoallergenic service dog.
Besides the black coloration’s appeal and eye-catching streak, the Labradoodle breed is highly intelligent dog, mild-mannered and a perfect family member if well-trained and socialized early.
It’s a sociable dog that wants nothing more than to be around people, and despite being careful, the Black Labradoodle is playful and can exhibit roughhousing and excessive jumping. Its puppies are curious and enjoy interacting with people, which makes this a perfect companion for young kids.
Image Credit: MartinJGruber, Shutterstock
Formal Recognition of the Black Labradoodle
Despite its immense popularity, major kennel clubs, including the AKC, don’t formally recognize the designer Black Labradoodle dog. However, calls continue to grow for the official recognition of this breed, with proponents arguing that distinct characteristics set them apart from other breeds.
For instance, black or otherwise, Labradoodles have hypoallergenic coats, friendly personalities, and high intelligence. Besides, breeders and notable international associations have labored hard to develop the Black Labradoodle through careful breed selection and breeding practices.
Formal kennel club recognition of the Black Labradoodle will give it greater legitimacy and provide a framework for breeding regulation and responsible ownership. That would also help to preserve these dogs’ unique qualities for future generations.
It’s yet to be seen if the Black Labradoodle will receive formal recognition in the near future and if it’ll be recognized as a breed in its own right.
Top 4 Unique Facts about Black Labradoodles
1. There Are Two Types of Black Labradoodles
The Australian and American Labradoodles can have black individuals, but the former has genes from the English and American cocker spaniels besides standard Poodle and Labrador parentage. While an Australian Black Labradoodle is a multi-generation dog, its American counterpart can be a first generation which retains much of the Labrador’s personality.
Image Credits: Lindsay Helms, Shutterstock
2. They Make Excellent Gun Dogs
Labradoodles have high levels of emotional sensitivity and intelligence, but besides that, both their Poodle and Labrador Retriever parents are water dogs. That makes the Black Labradoodle an excellent swimmer that loves water and is the perfect gun dog for waterfowl hunting.
3. Black Labradoodles Are Prone to Overheating
Due to the jet-black fur of a Black Labradoodle, they’re prone to overheating, which causes panting, breathing problems, and heatstroke. A cool environment with water and shade is necessary to prevent this, while trimming their coat during hot weather also helps.
Image Credit: gbellphotos, Shutterstock
4. They Can Become Invisible at Night
Since Black Labradoodles are extremely dark colored, they can become invisible at night, so walking your pet with an LED collar is essential. However, this dog has good leash manners and is extremely well-behaved in public, remaining calm and focused, especially when well-trained and socialized.
Does the Black Labradoodle Make a Good Pet?
A Black Labradoodle’s friendly and outgoing personality makes it one of the most companionable and sociable pet dogs out there.
Generally, Labradoodles, whether black or any other color, are mild-mannered dogs that are gentle and patient with children or other pets. The dog thrives on human attention and interaction. They love close-quarter companionship and cuddling with their owners, but you must supervise interactions between even the gentlest dog and very young kids.
Besides being exceptional family pets, Black Labradoodles are highly valued therapy and service dogs due to their intelligence, friendly personalities, and trainability. That makes them the perfect candidates for various jobs, including search and rescue and guide dogs, especially for people with allergies.
They also perform well as companions for individuals with depression and anxiety or as hospital and school therapy dogs. A Black Labradoodle’s loyalty means they provide companionship and comfort to individuals in need at all times. They are also fit for agility competitions and obedience training.
These dogs are rambunctious and quite energetic, especially when young, requiring plenty of physical and mental stimulation for health and happiness.
Image Credit: Happy Hirtzel, Shutterstock
Conclusion
A Black Labradoodle is a loveable and unique dog that makes an excellent pet for individuals and families due to its mild-mannered temperament, high intelligence, trainability, and affectionate personality. The breed is considered hypoallergenic since it sheds minimally.
Though not currently officially recognized by any kennel club, dog enthusiasts are actively championing for its formal recognition. This will help set and regulate its breeding standards as well as maintain its legitimacy.
Nicole is the proud mom of 3 rescue fur babies, Baby, a Burmese cat; Rosa, a New Zealand Huntaway; and Mac, a Lab/Mastiff. A Canadian expat, Nicole now lives on a lush forest property with her Kiwi husband and new baby daughter in New Zealand. She has a strong love for all animals of all shapes and sizes (and particularly loves a good interspecies friendship) and wants to share her animal knowledge and other experts' knowledge with pet lovers across the globe....Read more
