Northern Inuit Dog vs Labradoodle - Breed Comparison

The Labradoodle is certainly a popular cross breed dog which was developed originally in Australia to be a hypoallergenic guide dog.

The dog is a cross between a Labrador and a Poodle, possessing some of the excellent characteristics from each dog while also being a low shedding dog.

The Labradoodle became known in 1988 when an Australian breeder, crossed the Labrador Retriever and Standard Poodle. The success of the dog led other breeders to begin breeding with Labradors and Poodles, with breeders wanting to move the dog from hybrid to official breed status. As of today, the Labradoodle isn’t recognized as a breed by the American Kennel Club.

Looking at the beautiful Northern Inuit Dog, you’ll think that this crossbred dog is a wolf.

As with many other dogs, there are sometimes different stories regarding their history. It was in the 1980's that founder of the breed, Eddie Harrison, bred a number of mixed-breed rescue dogs with Siberian Huskies, German Shepherds and Alaskan Malamutes to produce the early Northern Inuit dogs. This is a dog that closely resembled a wolf in looks but which has the more companionable characteristics of the domesticated dog.

The dog is only recognized by its own independent breed club, but by none of the other major kennel clubs.

The Labradoodle can come in different sizes – miniature, medium and standard. The standard Labradoodle is a large dog which stands at 53 to 63cm and weighs 23 to 30kg.

The coat also differs and it can be made up of tight curls or it can be thick and wavy or even straight. The coat is of medium length and is available in lots of colors – cream, apricot, black, whitish, brown and even a brindle color.

Strong and muscular, he has floppy ears and the tail which was once docked, is left long these days and hangs down or it can be carried somewhat upright and curved.

Temperament:

Known as a designer breed, your Labradoodle is sure to be nothing but a pleasure for you, being a 100% companion dog.

Because he comes from two popular dog breeds of which each possess some exceptional characteristics, your Labradoodle could inherit any or all of the characteristics from one or both dogs. He has also been bred to be a hypoallergenic dog which means you aren’t going to have to worry about too much hair flying around. But there again, if he has inherited more of the Labrador’s coat then there will be some shedding.

Because of his amicable nature, he makes a good first-choice dog for first-time dog owners too. The friendly nature of the dog doesn’t make him a particularly good watch dog however.

These are dogs which are happiest when they’re with their human family. They’re a dog breed which is also easy to train because he is intelligent and an eager-to-please dog. He gets on well with children in the home as well as with other pets.

He is the kind of dog that is willing to blend into your lifestyle. If you’re quietly reading indoors he will be lying with you and if you’re pursuing some outdoor activity, he’ll be happy to join right in with you.

The beauty about the Labradoodle is that he can adapt to any kind of lifestyle in the city or countryside, but he wouldn’t be recommended for a place with hardly any garden.He is the kind of dog who will certainly need to be exercised and he will want to join you in your outdoor activities.

It is important to remember that the way your Labradoodle turns out will be affected by socialization and training, his genes and your home and lifestyle.

Friendly, calm and gentle, the Northern Inuit Dog is a crossbreed, described as a medium to large sized dog that stands at roughly 58– 81cm in height, male and female, and weighs in the region of 25–48kg.

He has a double coat in typical wolf shades of grey, white, black and cream. He is regarded as a moderate shedder. The ears are erect, the face bright, intelligent and alert and the tail long, bushy and straight.

Temperament:

The Northern Inuit dog is independent, strong-willed and stubborn, and if you want to own one of these dogs, your dog will respond well if you are firm, fair, strong, kind and consistent. This is because the dog is stubborn, sharp, independent and intelligent.

The owner of such a dog must be a firm leader. Training and socialization should start when the dog is still young. He is good with kids, being playful and affectionate with them.

Maybe it’s the diversity of Labradoodles that makes them so popular – as you never know quite what you’re going to get.

Everyone agrees however that these cross-breeds make lovable, wonderful pets - lovely to look at and with all the qualities needed to ensure he is man's best friend. They’re available in 3 sizes but each size is going to make you an incredibly amazing pet and companion.

It’s not surprising that people who love wolves would want a similar looking pet. However, they also want this wolf-like dog to be a friend and companion. This is precisely what they get with the beautiful Northern Inuit dog.

With his bright, alert face, the Inuit is actually a calm, gentle dog, bonding closely with his human family and not showing any aggression.

Intelligent and social, and somewhat stubborn, when you provide him with the home he deserves, you’ll see that this beautiful creature can be relied on to be a wonderful family pet.

Labradoodles can be a little bit unpredictable when it comes to their health because they can inherit problems common to one or both parent breeds. This means you could well have to deal with hip dysplasia or one of the many eye disorders there are.

These dogs could well be susceptible to an eye disease known as progressive retinal atrophy which is an inherited disease which can result in blindness.

Because they have floppy ears, the inside of the ear can accumulate dirt, wax and moisture, and this combination can lead to bacteria within the ear and to an infection if nothing is done to clean the inside of the ear. There are products available which can help you to gently clean the ears.

Addison's Disease is a disease found in Poodles and Labradors.It is where the pituitary gland doesn’t create the hormone ACTH. This hormone regulates cortisol and without cortisol, your Labradoodle can’t digest food properly.

Dogs with Addison's disease are usually lethargic, thirsty, they urinate often and they have an abnormally fast heart rate.

There are some genetic problems with this dog breed, although with good care, you are highly unlikely to see your dog with them.

Some of these are hip dysplasia and epilepsy.

Hip Dysplasia:

Hips are always a worrisome aspect with dogs as it can bring on lameness. There are some things that can be done to reduce the incidence of hip dysplasia.

Joint laxity in dogs occurs when the head of the femur doesn’t fit into the acetabulum properly. This could be the result of several things such as the dog being overweight, injury or something else.

Epilepsy:

Epilepsy in dogs is a chronic condition that results in seizures. This neurological disorder is actually a life-long disease, occurring when there is abnormal electrical activity in the brain and which changes a dog’s behavior.

Some breeds are more predisposed to epilepsy than others but you will need to get your dog to the vet when you see your pet jerking uncontrollably. Most of these epileptic fits happen without warning, they last a few seconds to a minute or so and stop on their own.

Grooming your Labradoodle will be necessary if you want the coat to look bright, vibrant and healthy. Not all Labradoodles will have the same coats, so grooming requirements might be different from dog to dog.

As with any dog, he will also need a brush-down twice a week. Also your Labradoodle might require trimming or clipping which will help you to maintain the coat in an easier fashion.

Make sure to ensure a top quality diet suited to his size, age and energy levels. Check him over regularly for illnesses and make sure you provide him with lots of love and attention.

It’s no longer cheap caring for a dog – just like with a child, by bringing a dog into your home, you have a responsibility to care for it.

If you bring a puppy into your home, you will need to feed him 4x a day. If you feed him commercially manufactured food it will need to be specially formulated for puppies. You will have to read on the packaging to make sure you get the right food.

Later on your pet can start having one or two meals a day. Two smaller meals is best as then he doesn’t gobble up his food too fast which can lead to a life-threatening condition known as bloat. Home-made food is always a welcome treat for your pet, but keep it simple and consistent. Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and some cooked vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes and spinach chopped up and added to his dry kibble can offer him some variety from time to time as well as also adding in some raw meat when you get the chance. He must always have access to fresh, cool water.

Your puppy will be due at the vet for his first vaccinations. Your puppy's first vaccination will usually be at about 8 weeks of age.

Your new pet will require a warm, dry, comfortable place to sleep and to retreat to.

You will need to provide him with chewy toys to stimulate him both mentally and physically.

You will need to exercise your pet – nice long walks, ball- and rope games etc.

Nearly every dog sheds, and the Northern Inuit will require you brushing him twice a week to remove all those loose hairs. During the brushing session, check him over for fleas and ticks and run your hands over him and make sure there are no unusual lumps on his body.