3 Sizes of ALAA Australian Labradoodles
It is seems so much easier to determine the size a dog will be by weight, but for many reasons, this can lead to inaccurate expectations. For example, a dog measuring 16 inches in height may weigh 40 pounds. 40 pounds is considered by many breeders to be a standard., but according to height, this dog is a miniature. If this sounds confusing, please read on!
The Australian Labradoodle Association of America (ALAA) has a very definite breed standard. One of the considerations in this standard is the height / size of the dog.
Height is measured to the top of the shoulder blades (withers) while standing squarely on a level surface.
Standard range - Between 21 and 24 inches in height
Medium - Between 17 and 20 inches
Miniature - Between 14-16 inches
Most breeders will advertise their dogs by weight simply because on the surface, it seems a bit easier to understand. Many breeders consider the following approximate weights to delinate size:
Standards - 40-60+ pounds
Mediums - 30-40 pounds
Miniatures - 20-29 pounds
Still confused? You are not alone! The chart below may help. It shows some popular dogs alongside the Standard, Medium and Miniature ALD compaing their heights and weights.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
MINIATURES _ Our "miniature" ALDs are not tiny. They are nowhere near the "toy" category and are about triple the weight of a Yorkshire Terrier. For those of you who want a tiny dog, we can not offer them to you! For those of you who are hesitant of this size because of the word, "mini", don't be fooled. These dogs are sturdy, robust, and can do anything and everything their larger counterparts can - including going for miles long hikes in the woods and being at the front of the pack! There are no ankle biters or yappers here. The picture below shows Kayleigh (in need of a grooming - so that adds some misleading heft to her. Kayleigh is 28 pounds and 15 inches tall. She is a large miniature ALD. Minis are close in size to a Beagle. For reference John is 6 foot tall and weighs 175 pounds.
MEDIUMS - This seems like a compromise between a husband who wants a standard and a wife who wants a mini! Mediums are the perfect size - average - not too small and not too big. They are super close in size to a Brittany Spaniel. This is Swiss as a teenager in the picture. She will mature to be a standard, but at the time of this picture, her weight and height are that of a large medium - 38 pounds and 20 inches
STANDARDS - Standards are super close in size to the Labrador Retriever. They are slightly more slender in build and weight. They are not anywhere near the Giant sized breeds like a Great Dane or Saint Bernard. Below is our beloved Annie (Shenanigan) who is 9 years old at the time of the picture. She is 58 pounds and 22 inches, a standard.
