Rutland Manor Australian Labradoodles - The Irish Connection
Copyright Beverley Manners 2011 All Rights Reserved
Copyright Beverley Manners 2011 All Rights Reserved
What IS the authentic Australian Labradoodle?
Amidst much confusion many people ask the question "what really is the 'authentic' Australian Labradoodle?
Four pure breed infusions were carried out during the development of the Australian Labradoodle. As each infusion was done at carefully selected intervals and for specific reasons, the 'formula' or 'recipe' changed because of the new 'ingredient'. The final infusion, that of the Irish Soft Coated Wheaten 'completed' the new breed.
Does this mean that an Australian Labradoodle bred before the final infusion is not an authentic Australian Labradoodle? Of course not. But having said this, it is also reasonable to say that the breed is not complete without it.
.
Amidst much confusion many people ask the question "what really is the 'authentic' Australian Labradoodle?
Four pure breed infusions were carried out during the development of the Australian Labradoodle. As each infusion was done at carefully selected intervals and for specific reasons, the 'formula' or 'recipe' changed because of the new 'ingredient'. The final infusion, that of the Irish Soft Coated Wheaten 'completed' the new breed.
Does this mean that an Australian Labradoodle bred before the final infusion is not an authentic Australian Labradoodle? Of course not. But having said this, it is also reasonable to say that the breed is not complete without it.
.
The Australian Labradoodle has been developed using infusions of four Pure Breeds past the original Labrador Retriever x Standard Poodle.
This means that the term 'authentic' Australian Labradoodle has of necessity changed its definition over time, as each new infusion was done. For instance when the first infusion was done, that of the Irish Water Spaniel, progeny from that time on became 'the authentic Australian Labradoodle' because it was the next stage in the evolution of the new breed.
When the next two infusions were done some time later, that of the American and English Cocker Spaniel, 'the Authentic Australian Labradoodle' was a dog who comprised Labrador Retriever x Standard Poodle parent breeds, plus Irish Water Spaniel, plus American and English Cocker Spaniel - BUT- the pure Cockers were introduced solely for the purpose of reducing size so as to create a miniature version of what was at that time a very large dog. So common sense dictates that seeing as the Cocker infusions were not done in ALL bloodlines, so as to preserve the large Standard size, "some" of the authentic Australian Labradoodles carried the Cocker infusions and others did not. Did that make them any less than authentic Australian Labradoodle? Absolutely not!
Similarly, once the final infusion of the Irish Soft Coated Wheaten was done, using one Irish bloodline for the Miniatures and a different Irish bloodline for the Standards and Mediums, 'the Authentic Australian Labradoodle' in its completion, was the combination of all six pure breeds.
Does this mean that any Australian Labradoodle prior to the Irish SCWH infusion was not an Australian Labradoodle? Of course not. To suggest this would be ridiculous. But is the breed complete without it? No it is not.
It is common knowledge that the 'Labradoodle' began as a cross between the Standard (largest size) Poodle and the Labrador Retriever. It's also common knowledge that the two co founders infused other breeds along the way, for specific reasons and at carefully chosen stages of breed development.
There is even confusion about which breeds and how many, were infused, with some saying that breeds such as the Afghan, and the Curly Coated Retriever and Golden Retriever were added. If they were, I have no knowledge of it and neither these three breeds nor their derivatives were knowingly used by Rutland Manor.
This means that the term 'authentic' Australian Labradoodle has of necessity changed its definition over time, as each new infusion was done. For instance when the first infusion was done, that of the Irish Water Spaniel, progeny from that time on became 'the authentic Australian Labradoodle' because it was the next stage in the evolution of the new breed.
When the next two infusions were done some time later, that of the American and English Cocker Spaniel, 'the Authentic Australian Labradoodle' was a dog who comprised Labrador Retriever x Standard Poodle parent breeds, plus Irish Water Spaniel, plus American and English Cocker Spaniel - BUT- the pure Cockers were introduced solely for the purpose of reducing size so as to create a miniature version of what was at that time a very large dog. So common sense dictates that seeing as the Cocker infusions were not done in ALL bloodlines, so as to preserve the large Standard size, "some" of the authentic Australian Labradoodles carried the Cocker infusions and others did not. Did that make them any less than authentic Australian Labradoodle? Absolutely not!
Similarly, once the final infusion of the Irish Soft Coated Wheaten was done, using one Irish bloodline for the Miniatures and a different Irish bloodline for the Standards and Mediums, 'the Authentic Australian Labradoodle' in its completion, was the combination of all six pure breeds.
Does this mean that any Australian Labradoodle prior to the Irish SCWH infusion was not an Australian Labradoodle? Of course not. To suggest this would be ridiculous. But is the breed complete without it? No it is not.
It is common knowledge that the 'Labradoodle' began as a cross between the Standard (largest size) Poodle and the Labrador Retriever. It's also common knowledge that the two co founders infused other breeds along the way, for specific reasons and at carefully chosen stages of breed development.
There is even confusion about which breeds and how many, were infused, with some saying that breeds such as the Afghan, and the Curly Coated Retriever and Golden Retriever were added. If they were, I have no knowledge of it and neither these three breeds nor their derivatives were knowingly used by Rutland Manor.
Wheatens' ears have long furnishings which are trimmed short
Pure Wheaten Puppy
FIDDLE 6weeks old female. Photo courtesy Mainelight Australian Labradoodles
The original Wheaten was bred in Ireland to be an all purpose farm dog whose duties would have included keeping vermin down on the farms, as well as herding and guarding the flocks. Today, Wheatens compete in Obedience, Agility and Tracking, and are occasionally used as Therapy Dogs.
The Soft Coated Wheaten is a medium sized dog, which ranges on average anywhere from 17 to 19 inches and weighs about 30 to 45 pounds (2.2 lbs to a kilo).
The breed has a square conformation (body structure) and is well built, with a non shedding coat. They are social people-oriented dogs and are very smart and easy to train.
The colour can range from a golden wheat to white, but white coats are not considered desirable by breeders and show enthusiasts. White should not be confused with the silver sheen on some of the paler Wheaten colours. The adult coat may contain black, white, or darker brown 'guard' hairs in addition to the lighter wheaten-coloured hair. If adults ever have skin injuries, the resulting hair growth back, will be the dark colour of their puppy coat before it eventually grew out to the wheat colour.
Wheaten puppies are born black or dark brown and the browns have black masks on their faces and black on their paws and ears, which grows out as the adult coat begins to come in.
Occasionally an Australian Labradoodle puppy with Irish SCWh heritage may be born with a dark mask and/or paws and ears, and a brindling throughout the coat. These will fade as the puppy grows.
The Soft Coated Wheaten is a medium sized dog, which ranges on average anywhere from 17 to 19 inches and weighs about 30 to 45 pounds (2.2 lbs to a kilo).
The breed has a square conformation (body structure) and is well built, with a non shedding coat. They are social people-oriented dogs and are very smart and easy to train.
The colour can range from a golden wheat to white, but white coats are not considered desirable by breeders and show enthusiasts. White should not be confused with the silver sheen on some of the paler Wheaten colours. The adult coat may contain black, white, or darker brown 'guard' hairs in addition to the lighter wheaten-coloured hair. If adults ever have skin injuries, the resulting hair growth back, will be the dark colour of their puppy coat before it eventually grew out to the wheat colour.
Wheaten puppies are born black or dark brown and the browns have black masks on their faces and black on their paws and ears, which grows out as the adult coat begins to come in.
Occasionally an Australian Labradoodle puppy with Irish SCWh heritage may be born with a dark mask and/or paws and ears, and a brindling throughout the coat. These will fade as the puppy grows.
The photo on the left is of 'Fiddle', an Australian Labradoodle six weeks old puppy, four generations past the Irish Soft Coated Wheaten infusion. Her black mask, ears, and traces of black on her paws illustrates how the influence of the infusion is being carried forward throughout the generations.
Also noticeable, is the higher ear set (eliminates or reduces ear infections) her beautiful broad skull and square face and the strong density of her sound boning and straight forelimbs.
Photo courtesy Mainelight Australian Labradoodles
Click the photo to enlarge
Also noticeable, is the higher ear set (eliminates or reduces ear infections) her beautiful broad skull and square face and the strong density of her sound boning and straight forelimbs.
Photo courtesy Mainelight Australian Labradoodles
Click the photo to enlarge
