Frankenstein Monsters?

I'm sure by now, you've all read or heard about the article going around about the 'creator' of labradoodles saying he created frankenstein monsters. Of course, those of us that own Australian Labradoodles know they are from any sort of monster, it's important to address the issue. Here is the official statement from the ALAA on the topic. The International Labradoodle Association doing business as the Australian Labradoodle Association of America would like to address the article regarding Labradoodles in the news yesterday and today.

It’s no doubt that the founding of the Labradoodle nearly 30 years ago came out of a desire to produce a dog that had therapy and service qualities. Though the founders started the beginnings of what is known as the Labradoodle and have strong opinions about the dog today, it is important to recognize the advanced development that the Australian Labradoodle has taken over the last 15 years.

The multi-generational Australian Labradoodle (“ALD”) is very different from the Labradoodle that was presented by the original creators. It is this history of this original dog that ultimately was developed into the ALAA Australian Labradoodle.

“ It’s not uncommon for great things to come out of controversial beginnings” states Alex McEwing, President of the ALAA.

It’s important to acknowledge that there are some who breed without recognition of a health or pedigree standard and do look to profit from the popularity of various types of “doodles”. These dogs are not the ALAA Australian Labradoodle. So what makes an ALAA dog different? They are bred by an ALAA registered breeder. The breeder agrees to meet the ALAA health testing requirements and they submit their ALD dog’s pedigrees to be verified by the registry standards of the ALAA which has a proprietary database with over 70,000 dogs.

The ALAA through its health standards is protecting the future of the breed and its ongoing development. The recent acceptance of the ALAA Australian Labradoodle into the OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) CHIC (Canine Health Information Center) program is a big step toward tracking the health history of the breed. It is the first time a non-AKC breed was accepted into this canine health tracking program that makes a breeder’s dogs health testing available to other breeders and the buying public.

People seek Australian Labradoodles as they are known to have endearing personalities, highly social with their humans, not prone to shedding with allergy friendly coats. The ALAA wants their Australian Labradoodles to spend the highest quality time with their families and live as long as possible. The ALAA requires all of it’s members to DNA profile their dogs through Paw Prints Genetics. This identifies the dogs permanently. DNA testing of all genetic diseases identified as at risk for the Australian Labradoodle are also tested for, along with regular eye exams and hip and elbow testing.

End Statement. I think there will always be those who don't 'get' labradoodles. But then there's the rest of us, who own them, and know exactly where the craze comes from.