Travelling with a Labradoodle

Labradoodles combine Labrador friendliness with Poodle intelligence, creating enthusiastic, people-loving companions perfect for adventures. These popular crossbreeds thrive on activity and new experiences, making them natural travel companions. Their sociable nature, love of water, and adaptable temperament suit holidays perfectly.

Understanding Labradoodle Travel Needs

Breed Characteristics

What Makes Them Excellent Travellers:

• Friendly and sociable
• Enthusiastic about everything
• Love water (usually)
• Athletic and active
• Intelligent and trainable
• Adaptable to new situations
• Generally love people and dogs
• Often low-shedding

Important Considerations:

• High energy needs
• Size varies significantly
• Coat requires maintenance
• Can be boisterous
• Need proper exercise
• May be too enthusiastic sometimes

Size Variations

Labradoodle Sizes:

• Standard: 21-24+ inches, 50-65+ lbs
• Medium: 17-20 inches, 30-45 lbs
• Miniature: 14-16 inches, 15-25 lbs

Travel Implications: Standard Labradoodles need more space, more exercise, and larger vehicles. Miniatures are more portable.

Best Destinations

Ideal Labradoodle Destinations

Coastal - Water Lovers' Paradise: Most Labradoodles inherit Labrador water obsession. Beaches are ideal.

Cornwall offers beach variety and swimming opportunities. Norfolk provides year-round access and gentle terrain. Northumberland delivers empty beaches with space to run.

See our Beach Holidays guide.

Lakes and Rivers: Water access is often the priority.

Lake District provides lakes everywhere - Labradoodle heaven. Scottish Highlands offers lochs galore. Loch Lomond combines accessibility with water.

See our Water Activities guide.

Active Countryside: Energy needs proper outlets.

Yorkshire for varied terrain. Peak District for challenging walks. Cairngorms for Scottish adventures.

Exercise Needs

Daily Requirements

High:

• 1-2 hours daily minimum
• Active, varied exercise
• Swimming excellent
• Mental stimulation too
• More for young, fit dogs

On Holiday: Perfect opportunity for extended adventures. Labradoodles thrive on activity.

Activity Ideas

Perfect Labradoodle Activities:

Swimming: Most Labradoodles love water. Lakes, rivers, sea - they want in. Often the highlight of any holiday.

Beach Running: Space, water, fetch - ideal combination. See our Beach Holidays guide.

Long Hikes: Athletic dogs with good stamina. See our Hiking guide.

Fetch and Retrieval: Labrador heritage means many love retrieving. Balls, sticks, toys.

Interactive Play: Games, training, interaction. Social dogs.

Pub Walks: Walk-swim-pub-walk rhythm works well. See our Pub Walks guide.

Water and Labradoodles

The Labrador Inheritance

Expect Water Enthusiasm: Labrador water drive often dominant. May enter any water seen.

On Holiday:

• Assume they will get wet
• Pack multiple towels
• Budget drying time
• Embrace it

Water Safety

Supervise Always:

• Strong swimmers usually, but supervise
• Cold water awareness
• Current dangers
• Sea conditions
• Blue-green algae (deadly)

After Swimming

Coat Care:

• Dry thoroughly
• Rinse salt water
• Brush when dry
• Check ears (floppy ears + water = infection risk)

Similar considerations to Cocker Spaniels and other water-loving breeds.

Grooming on Holiday

The Labradoodle Coat

Variations:

• Fleece coat (wavy, soft)
• Wool coat (curly, Poodle-like)
• Hair coat (straighter, more shedding)

All Need: Regular grooming. Matting risk especially fleece/wool coats.

Holiday Grooming

Daily Needs:

• Brush through coat
• Check for tangles/mats
• Clean face if needed
• Ear check (especially after water)

After Adventures:

• Remove debris
• Thorough dry if wet
• Brush when dry
• Ear attention

What to Pack:

• Slicker brush
• Comb
• Detangling spray
• Multiple towels
• Ear cleaner

Include in your packing list.

Accommodation

What Works

Space Matters: Standard Labradoodles need room. Smaller properties may feel cramped.

Essential:

• Enclosed garden (energy outlet)
• Space for large dog
• Drying area for wet dog
• Good walking/swimming access

Ideal:

• Cottages with gardens
• Rural properties
• Near water access

See our Booking Accommodation guide.

Accommodation Types

Cottages: Self-catering flexibility. Gardens. Space for wet dog management.

Camping: Labradoodles often love camping - outdoor adventure suits them.

Hotels: Larger rooms needed for standard size. See our Hotels guide.

Travel

Car Journeys

Usually Good: Most Labradoodles travel well. May be excited initially.

Tips:

• Large vehicle for standard size
• Boot/cargo area with crate or guard
• Regular stops (energy release)
• Water available
• They may want to watch out windows

See our Travelling with Dogs guide.

Train Travel

Challenging for Standards: Large dogs on trains need management. Can work with training.

Miniatures: More manageable. See our Train Travel guide.

Social Aspects

With People

Excellent: Labradoodles typically love everyone. Very friendly. Sometimes too friendly.

Management:

• Jumping up may need training
• Enthusiasm can overwhelm
• Generally very sociable

With Other Dogs

Usually Great: Lab sociability often dominant. Generally friendly with other dogs.

In Public

Good But Bouncy: Friendly nature suits public places. May need calm training for pubs and cafes.

Seasonal Considerations

Summer

Benefits:

• Swimming weather
• Beach season
• Long active days

Considerations:

• Don't overheat (active + warm = risk)
• Plenty of water access for cooling
• Early/late exercise in heat

See our Summer guide.

Winter

Benefits:

• Coat provides protection
• Love cold water (they don't care)
• Good walking conditions

Considerations:

• Wet coat takes time to dry
• May need coat if clipped short
• Muddy = extensive grooming

See our Winter guide.

Health Considerations

On Holiday

Generally Healthy:

• Can inherit issues from either parent breed
• Hip/elbow issues possible (larger dogs)
• Ear issues (floppy ears)
• Eye conditions (some lines)

Ear Attention: Critical with water-loving dogs. Dry thoroughly. Check regularly.

Know emergency vets - see our Emergency Vet guide.

Comparison with Cockapoo

Labradoodle vs Cockapoo:

• Labradoodles generally larger
• Both water-loving
• Both sociable
• Labradoodles often more boisterous
• Similar grooming needs

See our Cockapoo guide for the smaller alternative.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Labradoodles good travel dogs?

Excellent - friendly, enthusiastic, love adventure. Need proper exercise outlets.

How much exercise do Labradoodles need?

1-2 hours minimum. Active breed. Swimming is excellent exercise.

Do all Labradoodles like water?

Most do - Labrador influence strong. Some individuals less keen. Most will swim enthusiastically.

What about their size for accommodation?

Standard Labradoodles need space. Check property size. Miniatures more flexible.

Best type of holiday for Labradoodles?

Beach/lake holidays with swimming. Active countryside. Anywhere with water and exercise.

How much grooming on holiday?

Daily brushing. More after water/mud. Ear care essential after swimming.

Enthusiastic Adventures Await

Labradoodles bring joy, energy, and water enthusiasm to every adventure. Their friendly nature and love of activity make them perfect holiday companions for active owners. Pack extra towels, find water, and enjoy their boundless enthusiasm.

Luke appreciates the friendly, enthusiastic nature of Labradoodles. These popular crossbreeds bring genuine joy and energy to adventures.