Colabradoodle is a coined term to describe the breeding that resulted in these puppies. Hope is an F1b labradoodle, that is, she is the product of breeding an F1 Labrador retriever x poodle with a poodle. She is 75% poodle and 25% Labrador retriever and weighs 55 pounds. She was bred to George (35 pounds), who’s lineage is majorly spaniel, but who had the red coat, size and coat texture necessary to produce puppies in the 35- to 40-pound range, with George’s characteristic plumed tail, spaniel muzzle, and signature rich mahogany color, (or a darker version of Hope’s apricot color), and Hope’s hypoallergenic curly coat. The litter, Hope’s first, was large (13 puppies) and born at just 54 days, which is early but within the accepted parameters for a full-term litter.  The puppies are expected to grow to be smaller than anticipated due to the litter size and the shorter gestation period as well as genetic mix. So this was an experiment in hybrid vigor and we will keep you updated on how the puppies are growing to see how this Colabradoodle collaboration turns out.