A
Labradoodle is a
crossbreed dog created by crossing the
Labrador Retriever and the Standard, Miniature or Toy
Poodle. The term first appeared in 1955, but was not popularized until 1988, when the mix began to be used as an allergen-free guide dog. Currently, they are not considered a
breed by any major fancier and breeder organization. Not all Labradoodles are
hypoallergenic, but it is a quality that many look for and appreciate in this type of crossbreed. Since there is no real hypoallergenic dog, the term is often used loosely.