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Will my Labradoodle Shed?
Yes! No! Sometimes!
Myth: Labradoodles Don't Shed
If you look through Facebook groups or Reddit threads, you may see people claiming that their Labradoodle doesn't shed. This definitely is possible- there are many labradoodles that have minimal shedding, but it is important not to assume that just because the puppy or dog you are looking at has the word "doodle" as part of its name, that it will be low or "no" shed. Note: All dogs shed some, it may just be an occasional hair or two so there really isn't a no shed dog. How much a dog sheds will depend on several factors. It is important to know that because Labradoodles are a crossbreed, their genetics are not always consistent. Let's take a look at what you need to know so that you can determine if the Labradoodle you are considering will be very low shedding, have some shedding, or shed heavily.
2 Kinds of Labradoodles: American vs. Australian
First of all, it is important to determine what kind of Labradoodle you are considering. There are both American Labradoodles and Australian Labradoodles. For a more in depth look at the differences between these breeds, not just a discussion on shedding, check out our article "American Labradoodles vs Australian Labradoodles."
Let's first talk about the generations of American Labradoodles because this has significant impact on their shedding or not. I highly recommend that when you are looking at Labradoodle breeders that you look at the genetic tests that they have done on their parents. Make sure that the puppy that you are considering is really the generation that you are being told that it is. As a sidenote, while I do appreciate Embark DNA testing to give a good picture of health for my dogs, I have not found it highly reliable for predicting what shedding level a dog will be.
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F1 Labradoodle - 50% Labrador Retriever / 50 % poodle - potential to be very low shedding - lots of shedding
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F1b Labradoodle - Usually 25% Labrador Retriever / 75% poodle - usually low to very low shedding
rarely they are 75% Labrador Retriever / 25% poodle - usually medium to high shedding -
Multigenerational Labradoodles - where a Labradoodle is bred to Labradoodle - totally unpredictable by the multigen label - ultimately the amount of shedding will depend on what mix of poodle and labrador is actually present in the dog.
Australian Labradoodles are a hybrid of 3 different dogs - the Labrador Retriever, the poodle and the cocker spaniel. They are not divided into generations the same way that American Labradoodles are and usually have been bred carefully to produce very predictable traits - making true Australian Labradoodles very low - no shed.
Do American Labradoodles Shed?
When we are looking at American Labradoodles, their coat types vary tremendously. Different generations have different coat types.
American Labradoodles: Do F1 Labradoodles Shed?
F1 Labradoodles can have different levels of shedding. I have seen puppies with practically no shedding, very little shedding, and heavy shedding all within the same litter. With an F1 Labradoodle you will have to determine if the individual puppy matches the shedding profile you desire. Usually with my F1 Labradoodle puppies, I see 3 basic coat types:
1. the fleece or wavy coat - very low to "no" shed
2. the wire haired coat - very low to "no" shed
3. very straight hair - low to heavy shedding
An ethical F1 Labradoodle breeder will want to help you make the right choice for you. While a breeder can't guarantee the eventual coat type, our experience with the breed and different puppies does help us to have a pretty good idea of what a puppy's coat will be like as an adult.
American Labradoodles: Do F1b Labradoodles Shed
Most F1b Labradoodles are "no" to low shed. They are 3/4ths poodle which tends to make their coat more poodle like - curlier and lower shedding.
American Labradoodles: Do Multigen Labradoodles Shed?
Whether a Mulitgen Labradoodle sheds or not is going to depend on its exact crossbreed and the parent's traits. Just like F1 Labradoodles, the amount of shedding is going to have to be determined by individual puppy, not by generation or label alone. If you need a low shed dog, you are going to want to be looking for a puppy / dog with wavy to curly hair. A good breeder will have DNA testing done on the parent dogs. Usually, the more poodle a dog has, the less shedding that dog will have. Again, there are no guarantees that a dog won't shed, just because they are a Labradoodle.
Australian Labradoodles: Do Australian Labradoodles Shed?
Australian Labradoodles usually have very soft and "no" to low shedding. If you have a true Australian Labradoodle, they have been crossbred specifically for predictable coat types and low shedding.