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 initially popular. Labradoodles are a good choice for those with allergies, providing the poodle coat, rather than the Labrador coat is inherited.

Wally Conron, of Australia, takes credit for creating the Labradoodle in 1989. He claims to regret the discovery of the cross, asserting that healthy Labradoodles are "few and far between" and most are "crazy or have a hereditary problem."

The Australian Labradoodle Association of America, an organization run by Labradoodle breeders, says they are "generally considered healthy dogs" but admits that common problems include hip and elbow dysplasia. Other ailments include eye diseases and Addison's disease, an endocrine disorder.

There is some controversy over Wally Conron taking credit for the first Labradoodle. The dog mix had been known in the United States since the 1950s and was even used in the entertainment industry in the U.S. as early as the 1960s.

For example, Fang, a Labrador-Poodle mix, had a recurring role on the Get Smart show starting in 1965. At the same time, a cockapoo, (a mix of Cocker Spaniel and Poodle) had a rise in popularity. Breeding Poodles with other breeds was not new in 1989 when Wally Conron says he first cross-bred the Poodle and Labrador.

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