Australian Labradoodle Association of America

The Australian Labradoodle Association of America (ALAA) is dedicated to protecting the integrity and promoting the well-being of the Australian Labradoodle (ALD). Since 2004, we have worked to support responsible breeding practices, maintain accurate pedigree and health records, educate breeders and owners, and provide resources that strengthen the Australian Labradoodle community.

We believe educated owners are the best owners. By providing trusted information about the breed and connecting prospective owners with ALAA breeder members, we strive to promote responsible dog ownership and preserve the qualities that make the Australian Labradoodle such an exceptional companion.

The Development of the Australian Labradoodle

Nearly every recognized dog breed has a history that began with selectively breeding dogs to develop particular traits. Dogs displaying the desired characteristics were bred over generations to establish greater consistency in temperament, structure, coat, and working ability. The development of the Australian Labradoodle followed a similar path.

The Labradoodle story began in Australia in the 1980s with an effort to develop an allergy-friendly guide dog by crossing a Labrador Retriever with a Poodle. Forward-thinking Australian breeders continued developing these dogs, introducing additional breeds to help establish greater consistency in conformation, coat, and temperament.

English and American Cocker Spaniels were among the breeds most commonly incorporated into these developing lines, although historical accounts indicate that several other breeds may have contributed to some early lines. Through generations of careful selection, these foundation breeds ultimately contributed to the dog we know today as the Australian Labradoodle.

A Breed Developed for Modern Life

Historically, many dog breeds were developed for specific jobs such as hunting, herding, or guarding livestock. While most families today no longer rely on dogs for these traditional roles, the instincts associated with them can sometimes be challenging in a modern household.

The Australian Labradoodle, by contrast, is a relatively young breed that has been thoughtfully developed with today’s families in mind. In addition to their potential for service and therapy work, ALDs are valued as adaptable, engaging companions.

They can be athletic enough to accompany their families on hikes and outdoor adventures, yet content to settle quietly at your feet while you work or relax. Their temperament, intelligence, trainability, coat, and athleticism have all been carefully considered through generations of selective breeding, helping make the Australian Labradoodle well suited to a wide variety of modern lifestyles.

More Than a Name — A Verified Pedigree

Australian Labradoodle Association of America registered dogs are backed by something especially important: documented lineage.

ALAA breeder bloodlines are multigenerational, with pedigrees and health information that can extend back through decades of breeding. Maintaining these records allows breeders to make informed breeding decisions while working toward the temperament, structure, coat, health, and other characteristics described in the ALAA Breed Standard.

Whether an Australian Labradoodle becomes a beloved family companion or is selected for service or therapy work, responsible breeding and careful selection help preserve the characteristics for which the breed has become known.

Protecting the Breed for Future Generations

For more than two decades, the ALAA has helped monitor the development of the Australian Labradoodle in the United States through its database of registered dogs, pedigrees, and health testing.

Although the Australian Labradoodle is not currently recognized as a breed by the American Kennel Club (AKC), the ALAA maintains a detailed Breed Standard that provides conscientious breeders with a common goal for temperament, structure, coat, and overall breed type.

The ALAA has elected to maintain an open stud book, allowing carefully controlled development of new lines using registered Labrador Retrievers, Poodles, and Cocker Spaniels. This provides breeders with an additional tool for expanding genetic diversity and managing inbreeding. These new lines can then be incorporated into established Australian Labradoodle lines that trace back to the breed’s Australian foundations.

Participation in the development of new lines is optional. Some ALAA breeders work exclusively with descendants of established Australian lines, while others work with pedigrees that combine established and newer lines. In either case, the ALAA Breed Standard, verified pedigrees, health testing requirements, and breeder rules provide the framework for responsible breed development.

Why Pedigree Matters

Because the Australian Labradoodle is not an AKC-recognized breed, consumer DNA breed-identification tests are not designed specifically to establish whether a dog is an Australian Labradoodle. DNA breed estimates therefore should not be used as a substitute for a documented multigenerational pedigree.

The ALAA has made extensive efforts to track and verify the pedigrees of registered Australian Labradoodles. This documented pedigree provides owners and breeders with a traceable record of a dog’s lineage and helps preserve the integrity of the breed.

The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) has also established a separate breed code for the Australian Labradoodle in its database, allowing health information for ALDs to be recorded and identified separately.

Discover the Australian Labradoodle

We invite you to explore our website to learn more about the Australian Labradoodle, our Breed Standard, health testing, responsible breeding, and what to look for when choosing a breeder.

If you are considering adding an Australian Labradoodle to your family, visit our Find a Puppy page to connect with an ALAA breeder member.

Have questions? We would love to hear from you. Please reach out through our Contact Us page.