Labradoodles are hugely popular dogs and a great addition to a family home. But like all dogs, they are prone to certain health concerns – some more serious that others – and while the risk of major health issues is thankfully low, its important as an owner that you’re informed and can make the best decision on whether a Labradoodle is right for you, and also what you should look out for when you have one.
Health conditions that can affect Labradoodles include ear infections, hip and elbow dysplasia, allergies, eye disorders, epilepsy, Addison disease (a condition of the pituitary gland), inflammatory bowel disease, sebaceous adenitis (a skin condition), von Willebrand’s disease (a form of hemophilia), cancer and personality disorders.
Most of these diseases come from one or both of the Labradoodles parents (i.e. Poodles or Labradors) and are passed on to the Labradoodle. While the list is long, thankfully most of these disorders are treatable, and many are rare. We’ll explore each in turn to give you the facts and help you recognize the symptoms should your Labradoodle end up suffering from any of them.
Ear Infections
Labradoodle ears are one of the cutest parts of the dog, but unfortunately the long floppy and hairy ears are also the perfect breeding ground for infections. Their floppy nature traps wax and water inside which can give rise to bacterial and yeast infections. Thankfully most can be effectively treated through the application of solutions available at vets and pharmacies.
Hip and Elbow Dysplasia
Dysplasia is a genetic abnormality of the hip or elbow joint and can occur in Labradoodles as it is a disorder that can affect both Labradors and Poodles. The disorder relates to abnormality in either the ball or socket part of the joint and can lead to the bone wearing abnormally which in turn can lead to osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease [1].
Signs of potential dysplasia in Labradoodles include reduced mobility or degree of motion in the legs, lameness, limping and pain. Proper diagnosis can be made by your Labraoodle’s vet through a physical examination.
If you are buying a puppy it’s important you find out the health of the Labradoodle parents from your breeder. This can help signal whether the puppy is more or less likely to suffer from dysplasia as they mature.
Treatment options for dysplasia vary depending on various factors. Treatment options can include physical therapy, diet supplements (such as glucosamine) through to joint surgery or replacement for more severe cases. Obesity in dogs can increase the likelihood and effects of dysplasia, so weight management may be another option. Again, your vet will talk you through your choices if this becomes necessary.
Allergies
Allergies in Labradoodles are fairly common and can make things quite uncomfortable for your dog, and also for you.
There are three main types of allergies that can affect Labradoodles:
- Skin allergies
- Food allergies
- Environmental allergies
We’ll describe each in turn, how they develop and options for dealing with them.
Skin allergies are common in Labradoodles. A key cause of skin allergies is flea infection. Fleas like to hang out in the tail, legs and belly region and it’s their bite which causes the allergy effect in Labradoodles. Flea saliva can affect Labradoodles which can lead to a rash, scratching and possibly even bleeding.
Food allergies are increasingly common and can present for a range of reasons. Your Labradoodle may have recently changed food, such as from puppy food to adult food, or it could be they have eaten something which contains an ingredient that affects them. There are a wide range of things which can cause an allergic reaction – from various meats, dairy through to grains. Effects can include gastrointestinal-like symptoms (diarrhea or vomiting).
Environmental allergies are similar to those that humans face. They could present due to dust, pollen or mold in a Labradoodle’s environment. The result can cause sneezing and red eyes.
Diagnosis of an allergy should be done by your veterinarian. There are a range of options they may recommend, from undertaking an allergy test to asking you to change your Labradoodle’s environment or provide medication. In most cases allergies can be managed, and your vet will help your Labradoodle to feel better.
Eye Disorders
Labradoodles inherit a number of generic eye disorders from their Poodle and Labradoodle forebears, while others can develop during their life for other reasons. There are around 15 eye disorders can affect Labradoodles. If you notice any eye abnormalities you should take it seriously.
Some eye disorders can be picked up via. a screening prior to buying your puppy, so ask your breeder if they have undertaken a health screening of your puppy’s parents.
Symptoms include pink eye, red eye, discharge from the eye, build up of contaminants, excess blinking, pawing at the eye, lumps around the eye, excessive tearing, cloudiness over the eye, bulging eye and inflammation. You should always get eye issues checked out by consulting your vet to get a diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy, or more specifically Idiopathic epilepsy – is a condition that can affect Labradoodles in ways similar to how it affects humans. Epilepsy can cause your dog to experience seizures – things to watch for include your dog uncontrollably falling down, ‘fitting’ on the ground, staggering and unable to walk properly, hiding from you, becoming immobile, having limbs go rigid or experiencing loss of consciousness.
Epilepsy is a serious condition but one which can often be managed through medication. If you see any of the signs described, you should visit your vet immediately and seek a professional opinion and diagnosis.
Addison disease
Addison disease – also called ‘primary adrenal insufficiency’ is a condition in which your dog cannot regulate its production of cortisol, a type of hormone. The condition is found in both Labradors and Poodles and can therefore affect Labradoodles. Thankfully it is a relatively rare disorder.
Addison’s disease was named after Thomas Addison, an English physician who was born in the late 18th century. The disease that bears his name is characterized by a failure in the pituitary gland to produce a hormone called ACTH (or Adrenocorticotropic to give it its full title).
Addison’s disease can cause your Labradoodle to struggle to digest food which can lead to periods of weakness. It can also lead to elevated heart rate, and excessive urination and thirst.
Addison’s disease is often called “the great pretender” as its diagnosis can be very difficult as it presents in different ways that are often similar to other disorders.
Addison’s disease can be treated if caught early enough. Treatment includes medication used to address the hormone imbalance caused by the adrenal gland failure.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammatory Bowel Disease, or IBD, is a gastrointestinal (GI) tract illness which most commonly affects the stomach and/or intestines. If the stomach is involved, your dog may experience vomiting, while intestinal illness can lead to diarrhea.
As a general disorder, there are various causes of IBD. It can be caused by a genetic predisposition, food allergies, bacterial infection, parasitic infection or a weakened immune system.
If your Labradoodle presents with a GI infection then your vet may order various tests to diagnose the problem. These can include examination of your dog’s fecal waste or testing of the level of vitamin B12 present (B12 – or Cobalamin – is a vitamin which assists in the absorption of nutrients). Your vet may also test for folate levels which can indicate whether a bacterial imbalance exists. Definitive diagnosis of IBD occurs from a tissue biopsy of the GI tract.
While IBD is not curable, there are treatments available depending on the cause. These can include deworming, a change in diet, supplements or medication.
Sebaceous Adenitis
Sebaceous Adenitis is an uncommon skin disorder which is described as an immune-mediated dermatosis. Essentially a Labradoodle’s immune system acts against itself.
In Sebaceous Adenitis the consequences of the immune system going into overdrive include Alopecia (hair loss), follicular casts (keratinous debris around the hair shaft) and other consequences to your dog’s skin.
This disorder would be diagnosed in your Labradoodle through a skin biopsy ordered by your vet. Should a positive diagnosis be made your vet has a range of treatments and therapies which they may prescribe.
Von Willebrand’s Disease
Von Willebrand’s Disease (or VWDI for short) is a form of hemophilia which can affect dogs, including the Labradoodle. In the condition, the body produces less than 50% of its normal level of a key protein called von Willebrand coagulation factor (vWf) used by your dog’s body for blood clotting.
Labradoodles are prone to VWDI due to their close relatedness to the Poodle which can experience a mutation to the VWF gene.
Sadly, there is no cure to VWDI, and treatment depends on the severity of the disease, with blood transfusions being necessary for severe cases. As there is no cure it is important would-be Labradoodle owners have their puppy screened for the disease prior to purchasing.
Cancer
Sadly, Labradoodles – like humans – can be affected by cancer. Many of the same cancers which affect humans can also affect dogs, and the older the dog the more prone to cancer they can be.
Common cancers that can affect Labradoodles include lymphoma (that is cancer of the lymph nodes and lymphatic system), Melanoma (skin cancer), and Soft Tissue Sarcoma (malignant tumors that affect the connective tissues of the dog’s body). In addition to these common cancers, there are range of other cancers which can also affect your Labradoodle.
As with all cancers, diagnosis and treatments vary, as do the risks of each. It’s important as a dog owner to remain vigilant to changes in your pet’s appearance, personality and habits as these may be indicators of a problem. Of course, diagnosis of cancer would ultimately made by a vet.
Personality Disorders
There are a range of personality disorders that can affect Labradoodles. Like humans, the mental health of your pet is as important as their physical health so its important to be on the lookout for anything which is not right.
Labradoodles can be affected by separation anxiety (particularly when left alone for long periods), social anxiety (which can come from trauma suffered as a young dog, or from upbringing and can mean they cannot bear to be around other dogs or people), anxiety to noises (in which case, always be careful with loud events – thunderstorms, fireworks, nearby noises), depression (where your Labradoodle may become withdrawn or sad) and obsessive compulsive disorders (such as repetitive chasing, digging, biting objects).
Being a goof ball, thankfully, is a part of being a Labradoodle that almost all of these wonderful dogs possess!
Summary Table
We’ve provided a summary of the key problems Labradoodles may face in the table below.
While it’s important to be informed, it’s also important to put this information in perspective. Many of the conditions outlined are rare, and many of them are treatable. Sensible health screening of your Labradoodle puppy prior to purchase is vital, then ongoing monitoring of their wellbeing and regular check-ups with your vet are key. Remember, as your Labradoodle’s owner you are one best placed to notice anything out of the ordinary, so make sure you take your dog to be examined by a vet if you notice anything is not quite right.
| Condition | How common? | Source |
| Ear Infections | About 20% of dogs | [2] |
| Hip and Elbow Dysplasia | 17-21% of Labradors | [3] |
| Allergies | Extremely | [4] |
| Eye Disorders | 4.6% with Multifocal Retinal Dysplasia (MRD) 3.7% with Cataracts | [5] |
| Epilepsy | 0.6–0.75% in general dog population | [6] |
| Addison’s Disease | 0.36%-0.5% in general dog population | [7] |
| inflammatory bowel disease | Common | [8] |
| sebaceous adenitis | Uncommon | [9] |
| Von Willebrand’s Disease | Highly dependent on parents – screening can indicate risk | [10] |
| Cancer | Similar risk as humans | [11] |
[1] Maki K, Janss LLG, Groen AF, Liinamo AE, Ojala M. An indication of major genes affecting hip and elbow dysplasia in four Finnish dog populations (2004) 92:402–8. doi: 10.1038/sj.hdy.6800434
[2] https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/dog-ear-infections/
[3] https://www.ufaw.org.uk/dogs/labrador-retriever-elbow-dysplasia-fmcp
[4] https://welovedoodles.com/top-3-labradoodle-allergies-and-how-to-treat-them/
[5] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22278634/
[6] Heske L, Nodtvedt A, Jaderlund KH, Berendt M, Egenvall A. A cohort study of epilepsy among 665,000 insured dogs: incidence, mortality and survival after diagnosis. Vet J. 2014;202(3):471–6.
[7] Feldman EC, Nelson RW. Canine and Feline Endocrinology and Reproduction. 3rd ed. St. Louis, Missouri: WB Saunders; 2004. pp. 394–439
[8] https://www.petful.com/pet-health/labradoodle-health-issues-designer-dog/
[9] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7877684/
[10] https://www.pawprintgenetics.com/products/tests/details/157/?breed=329
[11] https://labradoodlehome.com/labradoodle-health-issues/#Labradoodle_Cancer