Are Labradoodles good with children?

[xWide Awakex]

My husband and I are considering getting a puppy, but we need to know if the breed is good with children, as we have a six-year-old daughter and a child on the way.

[emgee]

No such thing as a labradoodle, that's a silly misnomer for a mutt.

[Catwings]

Labradoodle isn't a breed it's a glorified mongrel.

Every Labramutt I've ever met have been hyper and high maintenance in both grooming and training. No I do not suggest this mongrel for your family.

[Dogzzz]

This is not a breed, and (like any mixed breed) is subject to a wide variance in temperament. So, it kinda depends on WHICH "Labradoodle"...

[Ocimom]

They are mutts. These kind of mutts are totally unpredictable because they are bred by greedy backyard breeders and puppy mills that do not care about temperament or anything else other then to sell nieve people a mutt at a high price.

They can have not only temperament problems but genetic problems and cost far more then the initial price.

[Thomas]

obama isnt good with children

[Rainbow Dogs]

A specific dog and child will have a relationship based on how they treat each other. Children need to be taught to be respectful of dogs and especially to leave them alone when the dog takes them self away. Labradoodles should not specifically have problems with children, but remember every dog is an individual, as is every child. However think about the size and energy level of the dog, i.e. Labradoodles are big and have high energy levels.

Please consider waiting until after you have your second child before getting your dog. It is VERY common for people to get a dog when expecting a child and to give it up to rescue soon after the child is born. Although obviously nobody has that intention it is very common. Newborn babies are a lot of work in themselves without having a dog / puppy to also take care of.

Good luck!

Mike
Twitter: @rainbowdogsuk

[4Her4Life]

It is a mixed breed. If you need a certain trait - like "good with children" the only ways to get it are:

(1) Buy a well-bred purebred puppy of a breed that has that trait. Both Standard Poodles and Labradors can be great with children when well-bred, but almost exclusively crap-bred dogs are used to make mongrels like the Labradoodle and the combination can be iffy-at-best.

(2) Get an adult dog from rescue where you can directly assess its temperament, size, shape, etc to ensure that it meets your needs.

I would HIGHLY recommend option #2 as a puppy + a baby/toddler is usually bad news - someone pulls a tail and gets bit by the puppy, toddler harms a smaller pup, etc.

[funny_wonder]

Labradors and Poodles are generally good natured. As already stated, a Labradoodle is nothing more than a designer mongrel so if you are thinking of buying one then you need to research the characteristics of both of these breeds to see if you think they are suitable. However, that only gives you a partial picture for various reasons. Firstly, you may not know what percentage Labrador/ Poodle the dog is. Secondly, even if you do know the exact genetics, the dog could still resemble one breed more than the other. Thirdly, temperament is not just determined by genetics, it's also strongly influenced by upbringing and environment so if the dog isn't properly trained and socialised it will still be a nightmare that at best will probably trample your child and at worst could be a destructive nightmare. Both of these breeds need company, exercise and mental stimulation, they dont cope well with being ignored most of the time and are likely to become destructive through separation anxiety and/ or boredom. On the plus side, if properly reared they tend to be receptive to training. Neither of them would be my first choice, but you could do a lot worse. If you have a new baby on the way, I think I'd go with a dog that requires a lot less exercise. It's less demanding and in the long run will probably make everyone, including the dog, happier. Additionally, labradors shed a lot and poodle coats take a lot of grooming so either way not ideal- you'll either spend a lot time grooming the dog or a lot of time cleaning up the loose hair. If I were you I would go for a small or medium sized dog with a low maintenance coat that doesnt need much exercise. Dont expect objective advice from Labradoodle breeders. Incidentally, I might add that although I'm not a fan of designer mongrels, I'm not just prejudiced in favour of 'good' breeding, since I also have serious reservations about the problems that are being bred into pedigree dogs in the quest for 'perfection' in the show ring.

[AliceZZ]

Yes, indeed they are very good dogs with children. A couple of my friends have Labradoodles with children. Also I know from experiance that they are great dogs, they are very sweet. But you must know that they get very big and they are sometimes hard to train.