What is hybrid Vigor and does it apply to labradoodles or Australian Labradoodles?
Hybrid vigor is incorrectly applied to all Labradoodles and Australian Labradoodles. Hybrid Vigor is a term used when a breeder is trying to establish that breeding two different purebred dogs results in healthier offspring. Genetically this applies ONLY to health issues NOT inherent in both breeds and in the initial cross. Due to the fact that most common health issues of the Labrador Retriever, Poodle or even Cocker Spaniel are common to ALL these breeds, hybrid vigor does not apply. See the Health Testing link on this page for health issues common to these dogs. However, the possible effects of out crossing (breeding unrelated pedigrees together) may result in healthier dogs, this would apply as purebred Labrador Retrievers, Poodles and Cocker Spaniels do not have common ancestors.
