Best puppy food for an Australian Labradoodle
An Australian Labradoodle puppy needs a complete puppy food matched to the size range they are expected to grow into, since the breed is deliberately bred in miniature, medium and standard lines with very different adult weights. Beyond size, many Labradoodles inherit a tendency toward sensitive skin and coat from their Poodle ancestry, which is worth keeping in mind even at the puppy stage.
Feeding a Australian Labradoodle
A medium breed
An adult Australian Labradoodle typically weighs 7–30 kg, so a healthy Australian Labradoodle eats a moderate amount compared with other breeds. Every feeding guide on a bag is written per kilo of body weight, not per breed — start there, then adjust to the dog in front of you.
Life stage
A medium breed is usually done growing at ~12 months, which is roughly when a puppy food has finished its job. With a typical lifespan of 12–15 years, there is a long adult stretch in the middle; switch to a senior food when your vet thinks it is worth it rather than on a birthday.
A high-energy dog eats like one
Australian Labradoodles sit at the top end for energy, and a dog working through an hour and a half of real exercise a day burns through the feeding guide faster than a dog on a short stroll. Feed to the dog's condition, not to the middle of the range on the bag.
How much should a Australian Labradoodle weigh?
Adult 7–30 kgfully grown at ~12 months
| Age | Stage | Typical weight | Of adult size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 weeks | Just home | 1.1–4.6 kg | 15% |
| 3 months | Young puppy | 1.8–7.5 kg | 25% |
| 6 months | Growing fast | 3.5–15 kg | 50% |
| ~12 months | Fully grown | 7–30 kg | 100% |
A guide, from the same rule of thumb our puppy growth predictor uses — each age is that share of the way to maturity for a medium breed. Puppies grow fastest early, so a real puppy usually sits a little above the middle rows. Weigh yours and ask your vet if the number worries you.
Complete dog foods that suit a Australian Labradoodle
Complete foods from our range, matched to a Australian Labradoodle's size band and what the breed typically needs. Stock levels and delivery dates are live on each product.
Simpsons Dog Sensitive Lamb Potato
A grain-free lamb and potato dry food for dogs with sensitive skin or digestion
From£17.05
Forthglade Cold Pressed Natural Turkey
Cold-pressed turkey kibble for dogs from 2 months, soft enough to mix with water for young pups
£45.99
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Salmon
Cold-pressed grain-free dry food for dogs, built on fresh and dried salmon
From£16.99
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Duck
Cold-pressed grain-free duck food with fruit and botanicals, in two bag sizes
From£16.99
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Chicken
Cold-pressed grain-free chicken food with fruit and botanicals, in three bag sizes
From£16.99
Forthglade Complete Meal Lightly Baked Turkey
A lightly baked complete dry food, 50% turkey, for adult dogs of any breed
From£12.49
Forthglade Complete Meal Lightly Baked Chicken
A grain-free complete dry food for adult dogs, lightly baked and built on 50% chicken
From£12.49
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Turkey
Grain-free cold-pressed turkey kibble for dogs, gentle on sensitive stomachs
£69.69
Forthglade British Classics Chicken Family Lunch
Complete Forthglade wet dog food with 75% chicken in a 395G tray
£2.45
Harringtons Puppy Turkey & Rice
Complete turkey puppy food with 30% protein and feeding bands by adult weight
£6.49
Harringtons Just 6 Dry Dog Food Lamb
Grain-free lamb dry dog food in 2KG and 12KG sizes, with size-specific formulas
From£13.99
Burns Puppy Original Lamb & Rice
Complete Burns lamb and rice puppy food in a 2KG bag for up to 12 months
£14.99
Why size range matters more than for most breeds
Unlike a single-standard breed, the Australian Labradoodle is bred across miniature, medium and standard size lines, with adult weights ranging from roughly 7kg at the small end to over 25kg at the large end depending on the line. A puppy food formulated for small or toy breeds suits a miniature line better than one built for large-breed growth, and the reverse is true for a standard-line puppy, so it is worth knowing which size your puppy is likely to grow into before choosing.
Large-breed puppy foods are formulated with controlled calcium and calorie levels to support slower, steadier bone growth, which matters more for a standard-line Labradoodle than a miniature one. If you are not sure which line your puppy comes from, your breeder or a vet can usually give a reasonable estimate based on the parents' sizes.
The coat and skin sensitivity many Labradoodles inherit
The Poodle side of the Australian Labradoodle's ancestry brings a curlier, low-shedding coat that many owners choose the breed for, but it can also bring a tendency toward skin sensitivity in some lines. This does not mean every Labradoodle needs a special diet, but it is worth watching for signs like excessive scratching, a dull coat or recurring ear issues as your puppy grows.
If sensitivity does show up, a puppy food built around a single named protein, rather than a long list of meats, can make it easier to identify what agrees with your dog. This is worth knowing as a fallback option rather than a starting assumption for every Labradoodle puppy.
Common questions
- What size will my Australian Labradoodle puppy grow to?
- It depends on the line: miniature Labradoodles typically settle between around 7kg and 13kg, medium between roughly 13kg and 20kg, and standard from around 20kg upward. Your breeder can usually tell you which line your puppy comes from, which is the most reliable way to plan ahead.
- Do Australian Labradoodles need grain-free food?
- Not automatically. Grain-free is a choice some owners make for a dog with a specific sensitivity, but it is not a requirement of the breed. Choose based on how your individual puppy does on a food rather than assuming grain-free is necessary from the start.
- When should I switch my Labradoodle from puppy to adult food?
- This depends on the size line: smaller Labradoodles typically move to adult food from around 9 to 12 months, while standard-line dogs, being larger, may stay on puppy or large-breed junior food closer to 12 to 18 months. A vet can advise on timing based on your individual dog's growth.
- How do I know if my Labradoodle puppy has a food sensitivity?
- Watch for signs like recurring loose stools, excessive scratching, a dull or greasy coat, or repeated ear infections. If you notice any of these, speak to a vet before changing food repeatedly, since they can help identify whether diet is actually the cause.
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Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.