The Labradoodle is a famed “designer dog” that has become popular in recent years. They were bred to be a hypoallergenic service dog due to being a combination of two working breeds: the Labrador and the Poodle. But does this lineage make them a good hunting dog? Since this hybrid has two parent breeds that were developed for decades to be excellent retrieving dogs, most Labradoodles should be great at hunting. However, each dog is unique, so you can never be certain!
To better understand why the Labradoodle might make a great hunting companion, we must examine the hunting heritage of their parents.
Hunting History of the Labradoodle’s Parent Breeds
The Labrador Retriever
Labradors are retrieving dogs by name and by nature. They were introduced to the U.K. in the 1800s and became perfect hunting companions for retrieving downed game. In addition, they are adept in the water, particularly because they have “soft mouths” (bite inhibition) that they use to carry shot animals gently. These qualities, together with their intelligence and shining personalities, make the Labrador an excellent hunting dog and one of the most popular breeds worldwide.
The Poodle
Poodles come in many sizes, but the original (or standard) Poodle was bred as early as the 17th century in Germany as a hunting companion to retrieve water game. Their curly coat and signature show cut corroborate this, as the specific patches of hair and insulating nature of the curls kept the dog warm in the water while allowing them to move unimpeded through it. Poodles excel when competing in hunting trials, which provide the breed’s intelligence and athleticism. These dogs are also even-tempered and sweet, enjoying all aspects of spending time with their owners.
The Labradoodle’s Hunting Pedigree
When considering their parents’ skills in hunting, it’s easy to say that the Labradoodle should have excellent hunting skills. While this could be true in some cases, remember that the Labradoodle was not developed for that task. This hybrid began life under the name as early as the 1950s in the U.S., but in the 1980s, Australian breeders in Victoria popularized the mixed breed and trained the dogs for service work. Initially, they were developed for their sweet natures and hypoallergenic coats, not for their inherited hunting prowess.
As time has passed, most Labradoodles have been bred for their coat and temperament, making them popular choices for family pets or service dogs. While some have gone on to become hunting companions, the issue is that many Labradoodles have lost their innate skills as hunting companions due to multi-generational breeding.
The Australian Labradoodle Association of America states that all of its puppies are developed multi-generationally, meaning only Aussie Labradoodles are bred together to produce puppies with assured and stable temperaments. Since the standard is for a mild-mannered, fun-loving dog, their hunting drive can be diminished.
Training a Labradoodle to Hunt
With all that said, you may dismiss the Labradoodle as a worthy hunting dog. However, many do make great hunters! This hybrid has many traits that translate well into hunting and retrieving, including their willingness to please and their intelligence.
1. Obedience Training
Since the Labradoodle is considered an “easy” dog to train, you can shape them into a hunting companion in many ways. However, obedience is the most crucial part of training for any hunting dog, so implementing a routine as early as possible with your Labradoodle is vital.
When they’re around 8 weeks old, you should begin obedience training and teaching the most basic tricks to see how well your Labradoodle responds. Due to the varied traits that a mixed breed can have, some Doodles may hang off your every word while training, while others may find more interesting things on the ground or elsewhere!
2. Gun Sensitivity Training
You should consider how sensitive your Labradoodle is to sounds. For example, hunting typically involves using a gun, and gunfire is loud! Training can be done to acclimate your Doodle to gunfire, which means that they’ll eventually be comfortable enough to stay focused on their task rather than react to the noise, but some dogs will be too sensitive to acclimate fully. If you would ever need an advice on how to approach the training right, the easiest thing you can do is call a vet.
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3. Hunting and Retrieving Training
Using decoys and beginning hunting training at around 6 months old is another way to test how receptive your dog will be to hunting. By combining the use of a trigger like a duck caller, a false game item, and training signals, you can train your Labradoodle to retrieve in the water and on land.
The trick with training is consistency and obedience, so trying out the various hunting and retrieving training techniques can help you see whether you have a natural-born hunter on your hands. Remember, not every Labradoodle will be up for the task, but their intelligence and love of people give these dogs a good chance of being excellent hunting companions.
What Makes a Good Hunting Dog?
Since hunting requires a specific skill set, certain traits have been bred into hunting breeds over hundreds of years. Regardless of the breed, all dogs used for hunting will need the following traits to be successful:
- Intelligence
- Stamina and perseverance
- Eagerness to please
- Ability to follow instructions
- A “soft” mouth and the ability to retrieve
- Loyalty
- Sociability
Final Thoughts
The Labradoodle has a seemingly perfect pedigree for hunting. Since both their parent breeds were developing for retrieving (the Labrador Retriever and the Poodle), it stands to reason that the Labradoodle will follow in their footsteps and be a retrieving machine. However, the Labradoodle was bred for companionship and their hypoallergenic coat, not for hunting. This can mean certain traits that make dogs good hunters have been phased out or diminished in the crossbreed, and it can be challenging to pin down reliable characteristics due to their mixed nature.
That said, with training and determination, the Labradoodle has the energy and intelligence to be an effective and loyal hunting dog.
Featured Image Credit: Chedko, Shutterstock
Hunting History of the Labradoodle’s Parent Breeds
