Rutland Manor Australian Labradoodles - Journey To An Impossible Dream. How the Australian Labradoodle became used as Assistance Dogs, Therapy Dogs and Service Dogs across the world.
My reason for wanting to develop a brand new dog breed was partly due to a frustration with the health status of pure breed dogs that existed at the time. But more than that,I had a vision of a dog who was born and bred to assist sick and disabled people, particularly those who suffered from dog related allergies. My own vision was highlighted from my own experience. After a serious car accident I spent several years in pain and with restricted mobility. During that time, my German Shepherd Dogs were a considerable comfort, but the health status within the breed itself was appalling.
Traditionally a Service Dog requires a two year long training period before being placed. It is common for disabled people to wait up to several years for their trained dog and I envisioned a dog whose innate intelligence and intuitive nature would enable him to be trained in less time, and so reduce the long wait for a dog and additionally, reducing the substantial financial cost to the charitable organizations who depend on public donations. It also disturbed me when I learned that Labrador Retriever Seeing Eye Guide Dogs too often have their working lives cut short because of Hip Dysplasia and other joint and eye problems.
Some of my friends saw my vision as an impossible dream, and I admit that there were times I came close to agreeing with them. But others encouraged me to keep on going and I'm so glad I did. The early generations of Labradoodle were far from ideal, often being hard headed, too big and boisterous and too easily distracted for easy training. No one wanted to take a chance on the new unkown breed, until one wonderful lady in Hawaii gave them a chance.
Traditionally a Service Dog requires a two year long training period before being placed. It is common for disabled people to wait up to several years for their trained dog and I envisioned a dog whose innate intelligence and intuitive nature would enable him to be trained in less time, and so reduce the long wait for a dog and additionally, reducing the substantial financial cost to the charitable organizations who depend on public donations. It also disturbed me when I learned that Labrador Retriever Seeing Eye Guide Dogs too often have their working lives cut short because of Hip Dysplasia and other joint and eye problems.
Some of my friends saw my vision as an impossible dream, and I admit that there were times I came close to agreeing with them. But others encouraged me to keep on going and I'm so glad I did. The early generations of Labradoodle were far from ideal, often being hard headed, too big and boisterous and too easily distracted for easy training. No one wanted to take a chance on the new unkown breed, until one wonderful lady in Hawaii gave them a chance.
 Beverley and Rutland 1982 |
 Beverley training Service Dog puppies early 1993 |
The break through came when we began to notice occasional puppies who had a completely different way of 'looking' at you. They looked 'into your soul' rather than 'at' you and they were constantly seeking your eye contact. Their expressions were softer and in a strange way wise. It was exciting to see this trend beginning to emerge. These were the puppies I selected to train on with; always with my goals firmly to the forefront.
Personality traits are imbedded in genes in just the same way as physical ones and when the precious traits of intuition and the longing to serve are recognized in a dog or group of dogs, these can be nurtured by selective breeding, or destroyed by ignoring these innate traits in breeding stock.
LOOK DEEPLY INTO THE EYES OF THESE BABY PUPPIES. THEIR INNATE WISDOM AND INTUITIVE NATURE ARE NOW THE HALLMARK OF RUTLAND MANOR AUSTRALIAN LABRADOODLES AND THOSE WHO ARE BRED BY BREEDERS WHO HOLD TRUE TO THE AUTHENTICITY OF THE BREED, ALTHOUGH THERE ARE VERY FEW OF THESE.
Personality traits are imbedded in genes in just the same way as physical ones and when the precious traits of intuition and the longing to serve are recognized in a dog or group of dogs, these can be nurtured by selective breeding, or destroyed by ignoring these innate traits in breeding stock.
LOOK DEEPLY INTO THE EYES OF THESE BABY PUPPIES. THEIR INNATE WISDOM AND INTUITIVE NATURE ARE NOW THE HALLMARK OF RUTLAND MANOR AUSTRALIAN LABRADOODLES AND THOSE WHO ARE BRED BY BREEDERS WHO HOLD TRUE TO THE AUTHENTICITY OF THE BREED, ALTHOUGH THERE ARE VERY FEW OF THESE.
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In the late nineties, I felt that the breed was consistent enough to be reliably offered as donations to Service Dog organizations for training. I approached a number of groups, but at that time no one would take the chance on an unknown breed, and they all turned me down.
It was frustrating and disappointing, but I was determined not to give up. Eventually, in 2004, I contacted Susan Leuhrs who founded and operates Hawaii Fi Do
Susan was open minded and receptive and I will always be grateful to her that she gave the Australian Labradoodle the opportunity to show what it is made of in the field of Service.
It was frustrating and disappointing, but I was determined not to give up. Eventually, in 2004, I contacted Susan Leuhrs who founded and operates Hawaii Fi Do
Susan was open minded and receptive and I will always be grateful to her that she gave the Australian Labradoodle the opportunity to show what it is made of in the field of Service.
Rutland Manor first donated two puppies, Mattie and Max. Both were successfully accredited and Susan and I were both keen to move on with more Australian Labradoodles. Some retired females were donated next, and they were also successfully accredited.
The 100% success rate was thrilling to us all, so Rutland Manor next donated adult breeding stock and soon Hawaii Fi Do was running its own successful Australian Labradoodle breeding program to produce their own Service and Therapy Dogs. It was time to move on.
The Australian Labradoodle had by now proven its worth in the areas of Service and Assistance, so the next step was to offer Hawaii Fi Do adult breeding stock to begin its own breeding program. This was accomplished, and Paradise Labradoodles in Hawaii also became involved donating Australian Labradoodles from Rutland Manor foundation stock.
Rutland Manor females
"Rutlands Snuggles" (renamed 'Muggles') by her new owner Cara
"Rutlands Lil Sari " (renamed 'Sophie')
'Puff' a daughter of Lil Sari's. All were Certified and Accredited.
The 100% success rate was thrilling to us all, so Rutland Manor next donated adult breeding stock and soon Hawaii Fi Do was running its own successful Australian Labradoodle breeding program to produce their own Service and Therapy Dogs. It was time to move on.
The Australian Labradoodle had by now proven its worth in the areas of Service and Assistance, so the next step was to offer Hawaii Fi Do adult breeding stock to begin its own breeding program. This was accomplished, and Paradise Labradoodles in Hawaii also became involved donating Australian Labradoodles from Rutland Manor foundation stock.
Rutland Manor females
"Rutlands Snuggles" (renamed 'Muggles') by her new owner Cara
"Rutlands Lil Sari " (renamed 'Sophie')
'Puff' a daughter of Lil Sari's. All were Certified and Accredited.
 MATTIE AND MAX THE FIRST TWO DONATED PUPPIES, ON ARRIVAL IN HAWAII |
 MAX IN HIS PLACEMENT HOME |
 MATTIE |
 IN TRAINING WITH SUSAN |
" Beverley, just wanted to let you see what you have created in Hawaii - this is all your fault!! And we love it." Susan Leuhrs Hawaii Fi Do
I would like to thank Susan Leuhrs for her faith in the Australian Labradoodle when no one else would give them a try, and for the wonderful way she has kept in touch throughout the years, always keeping me updated with the latest news. These days, the Australian Labradoodle has proven its worth as a Service or Assistance Dog, Therapy Dog and Medical Alert Dog. Thank you Susan, without you venturing into unknown waters this acceptance would have been years behind.
I had the great pleasure and privilege of meeting Susan in person when she attended a Labradoodle Romp in California. With a big smile she placed a lei over my head and pronounced "Now you've been lei'd Beverley" (pronounced "layed") to an outburst of giggling from the crowd surrounding us! Beverley
Read the Cool Dude Story (and have your tissues handy)
I had the great pleasure and privilege of meeting Susan in person when she attended a Labradoodle Romp in California. With a big smile she placed a lei over my head and pronounced "Now you've been lei'd Beverley" (pronounced "layed") to an outburst of giggling from the crowd surrounding us! Beverley
Read the Cool Dude Story (and have your tissues handy)
Rutland Manor later donated Puppies to P.A.D.S in Canada, and also puppies and two adult breeding females to Canine Cross Roads (CCR) in Texas until tragically Mindi Bradley lost her battle with cancer and CCR was disbanded. The stories of LEVI and LILY, two of the donated Rutland Manor Australian Labradoodles to CCR can be viewed on this website.
Canine Cross Roads was so impressed with their Australian Labradoodles that they wanted to start their own breeding programs, so Rutland Manor donated two young adult breeding females and a male stud dog to be the foundation of their breeding.
Canine Cross Roads was so impressed with their Australian Labradoodles that they wanted to start their own breeding programs, so Rutland Manor donated two young adult breeding females and a male stud dog to be the foundation of their breeding.
Below: 'Rutlands Dimity' and 'Rutlands Missaroo' two young adult female breeding dogs Rutland Manor donated to Canine Cross Roads, arriving to Mindy Bradley in Texas.
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