Are Labradoodles High Maintenance? Can You Handle Them?

I know you probably thought of getting one of those living teddy bears when you saw a labradoodle. Labradors are crossbreeds or the best of the two Labrador and Poodles worlds, as I like to call them.

The Labradoodle is the cross between a Labrador Retriever and a standard poodle or miniature. He is intelligent, friendly, and at least moderately active like both his parent races. He has a coat that is tedious or curly and requires maintenance.

Labradoodles are funny and jumpy, ready to go on an adventure—and always up for a cuddle. Even when they get too large, they’d remain lap dogs.

If you can’t put up a fight against their plush coat, adorable eyes, or loving smile, you’d probably think before acting and ask yourself: Can I take care of one, or is it too much work?

So, Are Labradoodles high maintenance? Labradoodles are a high-maintenance dog breed. They are smart and eager which makes them easy to train. Labradoodles need regular grooming, exercise, and a lot of love and affection, they also need to spend a lot of time around their humans as they can be prone to separation anxiety.

To learn what it exactly takes to live with and raise a Labradoodle, keep on reading, as I break down every time and financial cost it will require you to live with this special love furball that’s called a Labradoodle…

Are Labradoodles high maintenance?

Labradoodles are a cross-breed between two energetic, fun, friendly, and sociable breeds; this combo of a labrador and poodle is fairly considered a high maintenance breed, that goes back to various reasons like their need for regular exercise as they come with an energetic, hair grooming routine and their need for company most of the day.

The maintenance level of a dog is greatly affected by your attitude as an owner and how well-trained your dog is, so even if your dog is high maintenance in general, it will be easier by time if you invest time to train him.

6 Reasons that make Labradoodles high maintenance dogs

High Energy Level

Labradoodles are high-energy dogs that are always ready for action. They love water and are good swimmers, so keep in mind that they have the stamina to put in a full day of exercises and activities.

Labradoodles require a lot of exercise and mental stimulation, and they’re more likely to spend their time jumping, playing, exploring new sights and smells, and chasing anything and everything.

Vigorousness

Labradoodles are vigorous dogs, which means they have an enthusiastic approach to life, so they strain on the leash, try to plow through obstacles, and even eat and drink in big gulps and with speed. As a result, they require extensive training to learn proper manners.

Exercise Needs

Because Labradoodles are a cross between two energetic breeds, Labradors and Poodles, it is only natural that they require daily intense exercise. If these breeds do not get enough exercise, they may gain weight and vent their pent-up energy in ways such as barking, chewing, and digging. Labradoodles are a breed that would suit people who live an active, outdoorsy lifestyle.

Grooming and Brushing

Labradoodles, with their tightly curled coats, shed less, but they still require daily brushing and regular grooming to avoid mats.

Need for company

Labradoodles are sociable, friendly, and have a lot of love to give; they love company and human interactions and hate being alone, so if you’re thinking about getting one, make sure you’ll be able to devote the time and attention they require.

Costs

Labradoodles are a rare breed, so they are initially expensive. This is in addition to the costs of healthcare, grooming, chews, treats, living space, and basic living needs.

By the way, these reasons are also why Goldens are considered high maintenance as well. If you are also considering Golden Retrievers, you should definitely check out my guide on why are golden retrievers high maintenance dogs here.

How much grooming do Labradoodles need?

Of course, this tightly curled coat would require frequent brushing and grooming; however, at the puppy stage, Labradoodles require little but regular brushing.

Grooming for Labradoodle puppies

Most puppy coats require little brushing, but the adult coat begins to grow in around nine to sixteen months. The puppy coat does not shed and will begin to cause mats. Brushing thoroughly is required to separate the puppy coat from the new adult hair. This could also be a good time to think about getting a good clip to reduce the amount of brushing and mat formation.

Handling and brushing your puppy is an essential everyday

When you go to the groomer, Start with small visits every 3-4 weeks so your labradoodle puppy can get used to all the sights, sounds, and sensations he’ll experience.

Grooming for Labradoodle dogs

Curlier coats in Labradoodles are easier to maintain if kept shorter, so Labradoodles are probably clipped two to four times a year. Some owners prefer to take their Labradoodles to the groomer once every 4-6 weeks for a brush.

Labradoodles are groomed twice a year with a 1.5-2 inch clip.

Depending on your dog’s lifestyle, nails should be clipped on a regular basis (every 4-6 weeks).

To avoid infections, the hair in and around the outside of the ear canal should be pulled out of the ear canal and kept trimmed around the opening and under the ear. This is something that should be done every 2-3 months.

When your Labradoodle has short hair, an inch or two, regular brushing with a pin brush or slicker can work just fine.

Once the hair gets longer, it is important to make sure you are reaching all the way to the base of the hair and as close to the scalp as you can. If not, mats will begin to form at the hair roots.

If you want to keep a coat longer than an inch or so, you should use a technique known as line brushing.

It works through parting the coat with your free hand and brushing the loose hair on the other side of the part, bringing down a small amount of the hair being held up by your hand with every other stroke. You’ll gradually move your hand up that section of the coat. Begin low and work your way up a section of the coat.

The good news is that Labradoodles shed very little to none, so if shedding is a big problem for you, you are more likely to be very happy with a Labradoodle. If you want a dog that sheds very little and is still considering your options, check out my guide to which retriever sheds the least here.

How much exercise do Labradoodles need?

Labradoodles normally need between 30 and 60 minutes of high-intensity exercise per day. Labradoodles are high-energy dogs that are constantly on the go. They enjoy the water and are excellent swimmers, so keep in mind that they have the stamina to complete a full day of exercises and activities. You can learn how to teach your dog to swim here.

Labradoodles require a lot of exercise and mental stimulation, and they prefer to spend their time jumping, playing, discovering new sights and smells, and chasing anything and everything.

A result of two of the most energetic and enthusiastic breeds will definitely require loads of activities.

The Labradoodle is a high-energy breed. Labradoodles are also intelligent dogs who require mental and physical stimulation. If they are not, they can become destructive and difficult to manage.

So make sure that before getting a labradoodle, you have the energy to keep up with them.

How much food do Labradoodles need?

For puppies

If you don’t know what to feel your labradoodle puppy, here’s a feeding chart to help you out:

Age	Amount	Schedule/day	Food Type	Puppy Health State
2 Weeks Old	1 – 2 Ounces	4-5	Fully depends on Mother’s Milk	The mother’s milk contains all of the vitamins and minerals that the puppy requires.
4 Weeks Old	¼ cup spread across meals	4	mother’s milk + a ¼ cup of dry kibble mixed with lukewarm water (optional)	introducing solid foods in addition to their mother’s milk.
6 Weeks Old	1 cup	3 – 4	dry kibble moistened with lukewarm water in addition to mother’s milk	A 6-week-old Labradoodle is an active puppy with a lot of energy.
8 Weeks Old	1 cup spread across	3	Wet puppy food	Your puppy should be completely nursed, and their digestive system is now capable of handling food.
10 Weeks Old	3 cups	3	Wet kibble	They can eat only wet puppy food. they should weigh around 20 pounds, and their appetite will increase.
12 Weeks Old	3 to 5 cups	3	Dry food	The digestive system of your puppy is fully developed.

For adult Labradoodles

1 to 2.5 cups of high-quality dry food per day is the recommended daily amount for your adult Labradoodle.

Feeding can be in one meal or preferably split into two portions. To reduce your dog’s chances of bloating by giving him two small meals per day instead of one large one.

Bear in mind that the amount of food may vary according to activity level, so if your dog has 2 hours of exercise per day, he’d probably consume more food than a labradoodle that gets 30 mins of daily exercise.

Every dog is unique, with its own requirements. A veterinarian can determine your dog’s specific dietary needs. So, seek the advice of a vet.

For Senior Labradoodles

Senior Labradoodles need 3 cups of dog food over one to two meals a day.

When Labradoodles reach their senior years, they don’t require as much energy, and dry food tends to provide less energy and fats. This is also due to his slowing digestive system’s inability to digest fats as well as it once did.

Senior Labradoodles require more assistance with digestion. As a result, they contain more fiber, probiotic ingredients, and live cultures to promote beneficial gut bacteria. It will also keep him feeling fuller for a longer period of time.

To avoid obesity, keep an eye on his intake.

He will require additional glucosamine and chondroitin to support his joints, and these ingredients, along with meat meals and fish oils, are also beneficial to brain function as he ages.

Labradoodles and Golden Retrievers have very similar nutritional needs, so you can be just fine with my recommendations for the best dog foods for retrievers here.

Labradoodles Health Problems

The cute fluff balls also come with proneness to some health issues including:

Hip dysplasia

This occurs when the hip joint develops abnormally, resulting in an incorrect fit of the femur in the hip socket, which leads to joint degeneration and inflammation.

Eye diseases

Some of the eye conditions that your Labradoodle can have are progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, and multifocal retinal dystrophy.

Elbow dysplasia

When the bone does not fit properly in the elbow socket, it causes joint pain, inflammation, and difficulty swallowing.

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is caused by a lack of thyroxine production. This is a metabolic disorder, and thyroxine is a thyroid hormone that regulates metabolism. Hypothyroidism causes fatigue, hair loss (alopecia), weight gain, and muscle mass loss.

Addison’s disease

Addison’s disease is when the adrenal gland of the dog secretes corticosteroids, which aid in the maintenance of the body’s normal metabolism; when this hormone secretion decreases, Addison’s disease occurs.

How expensive is it to care for a Labradoodle?

Necessity	Cost
General necessities: – Collar & Leash/Harness – Food and Water bowls – Toys, and Chews	Around $200
Food and Treats	$350 to $750 per year
Grooming	$270 to $450 per year
Vet: – General Checkup – Vaccines boosters – Testing for heartworm – Fecal test	Average Cost: – $50 per visit – $20 2-4 times a year – $50 per year -$35 per year
Insurance	Around $510 per year

There are also unexpected costs that may arise like: dental Cleaning, which costs around $100 to $400 depending on the case.

Secondly, a blood test or a skin test if you suspect an allergy which ranges from $200 to $300 each.

In addition to the Geriatric Screening is something that older dogs must undergo, usually after they turn 7 which costs $100.

These costs exclude surgery and exceptional circumstances.

How expensive is a Labradoodle puppy?

Normally, getting a labradoodle depends on size, breed, color, and coat lies somewhere between $500 to $4000 but the most common price range is $1500 to $2000..

The Labradoodles costs are considered to be a fair price for the hypoallergenic cross-breed.

Are Labradoodles friendly?

Labradoodles are very friendly dogs. They are friendly with people, children, small animals, and even strangers. Labradoodles’ friendliness makes them perfect family dogs and an excellent choice for first-time dog owners.

Let’s break it down into different sections and see how friendly Labradoodles are in each case…

Are Labradoodles friendly with people?

Labradoodles are very friendly with people, even strangers. Labradoodles absolutely love spending time around people and thrive on human interactions. You shouldn’t leave Labradoodles alone for too long as they are more prone to separation anxiety than other dog breeds.

Labradoodles are a result of mixing two of the most people-loving breeds; so it’s only fair that Labradoodles be compassionate, friendly, and not at all aggressive with people.

Labradoodles will kick boredom out of the door with their energetic personality and hyperactivity.

Labradoodles deeply yearn for companionship and human interaction and are always looking to befriend anyone, making them one of the perfect breeds to become a family dog.

Are Labradoodles friendly with other dogs?

Labradoodles are friendly with other dogs, especially when they’re introduced properly. Labradoodles are not territorial nor are they suspicious of other animals, which means they love getting to know other dogs and playing with them.

From a Labradoodle’s personality, you can guess that it’ll always be up for fun and games with other dogs, being a friendly and non-aggressive breed, Labradoodles usually do well around other dogs and puppies if introduced gradually and trained properly to contain their energy and make sure it doesn’t cause either dog any harm.

Are Labradoodles friendly with cats?

Labradoodles are very friendly with cats. Just like Labs, Labradoodles do not show aggression towards cats or other smaller animals in general. This is especially true if you introduce the Labradoodle and the cat to each other in a controlled environment and do it slowly and wisely.

Believe it or not, but Labradoodles are here to debunk the Tom & Jerry Myth; Labradoodles, like Labradors and poodles, are actually quite accepting and friendly towards cats, that of course if both animals are under the supervision and in a controlled environment.

Are Labradoodles friendly with smaller animals?

Labradoodles are nice by nature to almost all animals, smaller and bigger, but not every animal falls under this umbrella. Let’s take a look into the combinations of Labradoodles with Chickens, hamsters, and guinea pigs.

It can be quite challenging to have Labradoodles in contact with chickens; as you know, labradors and poodles are initially hunting breeds, that added to their enthusiastic personality may result in a problematic encounter.

Although it’s hard but not impossible, with the right training and supervision, you can get your labradoodle to get along just fine with your hens.

A Labradoodle and a Hamster combination is quite the gamble – there’s nothing wrong with having the two at the same place but remember that dogs, whenever they smell something, they’re up on their feet to find it and explore it, if your dog is a bit vigorous, his instinct may hurt the hamster in the process.
Guinea Pigs are so outgoing and energetic, it could make for an exciting and enjoyable relationship. When it comes to coexisting with smaller animals and doodles, the key is a proper introduction.

Labradoodles can get along with Guinea pigs if they have a calm and social personality. If you’re an owner of both animals, I advise you to gradually introduce them to increase the chances of them getting along.