Why a Labradoodle?
History of the Labradoodle
Labradoodles, also known as "Labrapoodles," first occurred in 1955, but they did not gain popularity until 1988, when the mix began to be used as a hypoallergenic guide dog.
Currently, they are not considered a breed by any major fancier and breeder organization. There are three distinct versions of Labradoodles which are determined by the ratio of Lab to Poodle mix. F1- 50/50 mix of lab & poodle. F1B- 75% Poodle 25% Lab. F1BB/F2- 85% Poodle 15% Lab. MultiGen- Breding two F1BB/F2 together. Australian Labradoodle- these are generally 80% Poodle, 10% Lab & 10% Cocker Spaniel or Irish Water Spaniel. One thing to note- dogs with a more diverse mix- more dogs in the breed- the lower the C.O.I- Coefficient of Inbreeding. A lower C.O.I is claimed to produce a better-quality dog, HOWEVER, this has nothing to do with genetic disease. The top priority's when looking for a QUALITY dog are 1- Is the dog clear of all genetic conditions & 2- Does the dog have solid orthopedics- hip & Elbows. These are the ONLY things that determine the QUALITY of a dog. A low C.O.I is the icing on the cake, so to speak, but a dog can have a low C.O.I & still carry genetic disease.
Not all Labradoodles are hypoallergenic. Generally, F1 Doodles-which are a 50/50 mix of Poodle and Labrador-are not hypoallergenic & do shed. However, this is greatly determined by the fullness of the dog's coat. The thicker and fuller the coat, the less likely the dog will be to shed, along with having less dander. Roughly 15% of F1 labradoodles will have a fleece coat & shed less. I do not recommend F1's for people with allergies. A puppy is less likely to exhibit signs of allergies to someone who has them due to the fact of much less surface area- it's a tiny puppy... but as the puppy grows, the coat will thicken, grow out & the dog will become larger- so much more surface area, or hair to present an allergy issue.
Trusted by Families Across the Country
Bish Krywko
Mike is a very conscientious breeder who knows his way around dogs. We obtained our Labradoodle from him in December 2024 and we are throughly satisfied with our Lady Bella, a mini Labradoodle. Three years ago we had to put down our 14 year old Labradoodle, it was very hard to do. Getting another furry friend was also hard because we knew there would never be a furry friend like her again. Mike knew our story and guided us to a few dogs that would fit our needs. He took all the time needed to tell us about each dog’s personality. We never felt rushed or pressured with our decision.
When we took our new friend Lady Bella to our veterinarian in Grayslake, for her rabies shot and initial office visit, the doctor exclaimed that Bella’s paperwork was the best she had ever seen. Detailed, highly organized, and right on target for other shots. She was extremely impressed and confirmed everything Mike told us to do for our new puppy’s future care.
The DNA and other testing he does on the dogs he breeds is really going the extra mile. You know what you’re getting.
Mike’s follow up with us after we took our puppy home, really put us at ease. He would call and text frequently to see how we were getting along with our Bella. He truly cares about his dogs!
When we took our new friend Lady Bella to our veterinarian in Grayslake, for her rabies shot and initial office visit, the doctor exclaimed that Bella’s paperwork was the best she had ever seen. Detailed, highly organized, and right on target for other shots. She was extremely impressed and confirmed everything Mike told us to do for our new puppy’s future care.
The DNA and other testing he does on the dogs he breeds is really going the extra mile. You know what you’re getting.
Mike’s follow up with us after we took our puppy home, really put us at ease. He would call and text frequently to see how we were getting along with our Bella. He truly cares about his dogs!
Response from the owner:Hi Bish, thank you so much for the great review and kind words! It was great working with you and helping you find the perfect fit for your family. Little Bella was such a sweetheart, and we miss her, but are glad she found a wonderful furever home!
We are so happy to have found Mike Martinez of Labrador and Labradoodle puppies in Chicago. We bought home Willow in October and she has been an amazing addition to our family. We love that when we go out of town Willow can go back home with her sister Dixie mom Jade and dad Zeus. I would highly recommend buying a dog from Mike.
Response from the owner:Hi Jenny, thank you for the great review and kind words! It's great that you guy's are so close that Willow can visit when you guys travel. She always has a blast here!
Lyness Milupi
Mike knew from the very beginning that this was our family’s first puppy, and he treated us with so much care and patience. We have a five-year-old and a nine-year-old, and he took the time to make sure every single one of us felt comfortable, informed, and excited about bringing Teddy home.
He talked us through everything we needed to know, from what to expect those first nights to how to help Teddy settle in with the kids. He sent us home with everything we needed for those first days, which made such a difference and took so much stress off our shoulders. He never rushed us, answered every question, and made sure we truly understood how to care for our new puppy.
What meant the most was that his support didn’t stop once we left. He checked in frequently to see how Teddy was doing and how we were adjusting as a family. Whenever we had a question, he would send helpful links and recommendations for anything we needed, from small adaptations at home to training tips as Teddy grew and changed.
He turned what felt like a huge step for our family into something that felt natural, supported, and joyful. Because of Mike, Teddy’s transition into our home was smooth and full of happy memories instead of stress. We are absolutely in love with our Teddy, and we are so grateful to have found a breeder who clearly loves his dogs and the families they go home to.
He talked us through everything we needed to know, from what to expect those first nights to how to help Teddy settle in with the kids. He sent us home with everything we needed for those first days, which made such a difference and took so much stress off our shoulders. He never rushed us, answered every question, and made sure we truly understood how to care for our new puppy.
What meant the most was that his support didn’t stop once we left. He checked in frequently to see how Teddy was doing and how we were adjusting as a family. Whenever we had a question, he would send helpful links and recommendations for anything we needed, from small adaptations at home to training tips as Teddy grew and changed.
He turned what felt like a huge step for our family into something that felt natural, supported, and joyful. Because of Mike, Teddy’s transition into our home was smooth and full of happy memories instead of stress. We are absolutely in love with our Teddy, and we are so grateful to have found a breeder who clearly loves his dogs and the families they go home to.
Response from the owner:Hi Lyness, thank you for the great review and kind words! I'm happy that the entire process was seamless and smooth. Owning a puppy for the first time is a bit challenging. You guys are doing a terrific job with Teddy!
Jane Hoffman
We adopted a labradoodle from Mike and he has been a great addition to our family. Mike was responsive to our needs and detailed in his breeder information.
Response from the owner:Hi Jane, thank you for the kind words and great review! I'm so glad that Bear has been such a great addition to your family!
If you are looking for a Chocolate Lab in the Chicagoland area, look no further than Mike at Chicago Area Labs.
We recently brought home our new pup, Bear, and I cannot recommend Mike enough. From the very first phone call, it was clear that he isn’t just a breeder—he truly cares about the health, temperament, and future of every dog he raises.
Why We Chose Mike:
• Knowledgeable & Transparent: Mike was incredibly patient with all our questions. He walked us through the lineage, health clearances, and what to expect during the first few weeks at home.
• Nice Facility/Home: Visiting his setup in Mundelein, you can tell the dogs are raised in a clean, loving, and professional environment.
• Perfect Temperament: Our pup is not only stunning (that deep chocolate coat is gorgeous!) but is also calm, socialized, and clearly well-adjusted.
• Seamless Process: From the initial deposit to the day we picked him up, Mike kept us updated and made the entire experience stress-free.
It’s rare to find someone so dedicated to the breed. If you want a healthy, happy Lab from a breeder with integrity, Mike is your guy. We are so in love with our new family member!
We recently brought home our new pup, Bear, and I cannot recommend Mike enough. From the very first phone call, it was clear that he isn’t just a breeder—he truly cares about the health, temperament, and future of every dog he raises.
Why We Chose Mike:
• Knowledgeable & Transparent: Mike was incredibly patient with all our questions. He walked us through the lineage, health clearances, and what to expect during the first few weeks at home.
• Nice Facility/Home: Visiting his setup in Mundelein, you can tell the dogs are raised in a clean, loving, and professional environment.
• Perfect Temperament: Our pup is not only stunning (that deep chocolate coat is gorgeous!) but is also calm, socialized, and clearly well-adjusted.
• Seamless Process: From the initial deposit to the day we picked him up, Mike kept us updated and made the entire experience stress-free.
It’s rare to find someone so dedicated to the breed. If you want a healthy, happy Lab from a breeder with integrity, Mike is your guy. We are so in love with our new family member!
Response from the owner:Hi Nicole,, thank you for the kind words and amazing review! You really covered everything, and I could not be more appreciative! Bear is living his best life and I'm happy for him and your family!!
My husband & I have been looking to buy a puppy for some time & came across Mike’s website. We read about labradoodles & saw his videos & were so impressed of how well he takes care of his puppies & dogs! We saw a puppy on his website that we were interested in & we called Mike to set up an appointment. The following day, Mike explained in detail what DNA & orthopedic testing mean & why it’s so important to have this information. We brought home a healthy, playful, active female 8-week puppy & named her Star (Estrella). Mike has been wonderful to work with! We have been very satisfied & super happy with our little Star ⭐️
Response from the owner:Hi Lily, thank you for the kind words and great review! Star is living her best life and you are doing such a great job with her!
We highly recommend Chicago Area Labs for your new furry family member. We were so impressed with the genetic and orthopedic testing Mike does to ensure his pups are healthy. We lost our buddy Harley to osteosarcoma, so the testing Mike does was very important to us.
Mike has stayed in touch with us since we bought Mackenzie. He’s offered advice and shared training videos.
I took Mackenzie to the vet for her rabies shot, and the vet said that she knows Mike. She said that Mackenzie is so sweet, like all of Mike’s dogs.
Thanks Mike!!
Mike has stayed in touch with us since we bought Mackenzie. He’s offered advice and shared training videos.
I took Mackenzie to the vet for her rabies shot, and the vet said that she knows Mike. She said that Mackenzie is so sweet, like all of Mike’s dogs.
Thanks Mike!!
Response from the owner:Hi Peggy, thank you for the great review! I really appreciate you and your family adopting one of my pups and giving her a loving home! I'm looking forward to seeing her soon!
I’ve had sweet Dolly for less than two weeks and am already in love! Mike is fantastic, from the initial lengthy phone call to taking home my puppy. He spent hours with me and answered all of my questions. Sent me home with everything she needed and lots of followup contact. It’s incredibly reassuring that the dogs have been genetically tested, gives peace of mind. Will definitely return if I decide to get a second dog!
Response from the owner:Hi Florence! Thank you for the great review, and for sharing your story! I always try to explain that DNA and orthopedic testing are absolutely critical in ensuring you are getting a healthy puppy, and wont have issues down the road. You and Dolly make such a great team! Enjoy her!
Mark Colver
Our family had been searching for the perfect four legged family member for a long time! We were looking for a breeder who offered DNA and orthopedic testing, and discovered how difficult that was to find! One breeder even went so far as to say "Labradoodles do not get genetic disease because they are a mixed breed dog! " As a biology teacher, I can assure everyone that any dog can be born with an inherited genetic disease and the only way to check for them is to do DNA testing on the parents. The same holds true for orthopedic testing. We found Mike in Illinois.. We are in Colorado. Mike is a wealth of knowledge and is extremely adamant about the importance of both genetic and orthopedic testing. We read some of his reviews, checked out his website- which explains everything one should know about the genetic and orthopedic testing, and finally gave Mike a call. He spent over an hour on the phone with us, and we then knew Mike was the guy we were looking for! We ended up with a beautiful Stage 3 trained puppy from Mike. He is simply a wonderful puppy! We cannot recommend Mike enough. Please do your own research when looking for a puppy, as we discovered that the majority of breeders are not doing the appropriate health testing which can cause a big problem a few years down the road.
Response from the owner:Hi Mark, thank you for the kind words and great review! I really appreciate you and your family giving one of my pups a loving furever home! It's been great getting to know you! Please reach out anytime with any questions
Our experience with Mike with Labrador and Labradoodle Puppies Chicago was fantastic. Mike is very passionate about what he does and it shows. His attention to details, the care he takes to ensure his dogs are healthy and happy and the follow up with his puppies after they have gone to their forever homes is impeccable. Mike was very accommodating in helping us get our pup Max home for a special Christmas surprise! We highly recommend Mike!
We looked into several breeders before deciding on Labrador and Labradoodle Puppies Chicago. Mike was very responsive to questions before, during and after we purchased a silver Lab from him. We have had Baxter for a month now and still communicate with Mike. If you're interested in a Labrador puppy, I highly recommend considering this breeder!
Sarah Stevens
Our family has been looking for a Labradoodle for over a year. We were highly advised by our vet to make sure the breeder we choose did genetic and orthopedic testing on the parents. Our quest left us with what seemed like little hope. Every breeder we spoke to either said they did no testing or if they claimed they did it, they couldn't produce test results which told us that the testing was never done. When all seemed lost we came across Mikes website and all of his information and videos were AMAZING! We even let our vet look at Mikes website, and they were so impressed that they reached out to Mike to commend him on his OUTSTANDING breeding practices! Mike not only does full panel DNA testing through Embark, but he does OFA hip/elbow testing AND gives copies to all those who adopt his pups! He is by far the most transparent breeder we have ever come across! Mike is absolutely meticulous in the care he gives his pups and adult dogs, as well as the information packet he gave us! He really missed nothing! If you are looking for the highest quality and best customer service you will not find anyone remotely close!! Check out Mikes website and give him a call! You won't be disappointed!!
Response from the owner:Hi Sarah! Thank you so much for the great review and very kind words! It was great getting a call from your vet, too! It made my day!! It's unfortunate that all breeders do not follow the same standards by doing full panel DNA testing and orthopedic testing. Many diseases that affect dogs could be bred out. I really try to help educate people on the utmost importance of full panel DNA and orthopedic testing! Sadly, if a dog is adopted from a breeder who does no testing, that dog has a minimum risk of 35% of developing either a genetic, an orthopedic condition, or both. When this happens, the vet will make the diagnosis but not play detective and ask if the breeder did genetic and orthopedic testing, and the families of these poor dogs just assume the dog randomly acquired this problem, not knowing it was due to lack of DNA and/or orthopedic testing, and ultimately, careless breeding practices. This is a temendous problem in the dog breeding world, and about 90% of breeders do no testing at all- or they may do a limited panel DNA which may check for only a few conditions. Labradors and Labradoodles can suffer from over 20 breed related conditions, which is why the only way to truly measure a dogs health is to do both DNA and orthopedic testing. Thank you for putting your trust in me to deliver you a genetically and orthopedically pure puppy! Please reach out anytime with any questions!
We couldn’t have been more fortunate to have found Mike Martinez of Labrador and Labradoodle Puppies Chicago! Mike is extremely knowledgeable, patient, and absolutely loves what he does. All of his experience and kindness made the process both easy and enjoyable. And while we were originally looking at a specific trained puppy, the little guy who chose us is the perfect addition to our family! Mike provided us all the information and supplies we needed to ensure our puppy’s transition from his home to ours was seamless, and he even keeps in touch to this day offering us advice during this harsh Chicago winter. This speaks so much to his big heart, and we couldn’t be more appreciative. We would absolutely recommend Mike to anyone who’s looking to add to their families. It’s been one of the best decisions we’ve made, and we’d give 6 stars if we could!
- Michael
- Michael
Response from the owner:Hi guys! Thank you for the great review and very kind words! I'm so glad we were able to find the perfect trained pup for you! Cody looks so happy!! He is living his best life! Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity and for the tremendous experience! Please reach out anytime with questions or concerns
We couldn't be happier after having worked with Mike. He's an excellent breeder who genuinely cares about his placements. He follows up regularly weeks after the puppy enters your family to help ensure a smooth transition.
As for his puppies? Incredible temperament, quick to train and absolutely beautiful. Our sweet girl is a pure bred silver American Field Lab. Her parents Zeus and Jade, I'm convinced, make the most gorgeous labs. If you're looking for an athlete, look no further. The father, Zeus, is an absolute beast in the best possible way and Jade is incredibly sweet. The perfect combo. Thank you, Mike! You've given our family a gift.
As for his puppies? Incredible temperament, quick to train and absolutely beautiful. Our sweet girl is a pure bred silver American Field Lab. Her parents Zeus and Jade, I'm convinced, make the most gorgeous labs. If you're looking for an athlete, look no further. The father, Zeus, is an absolute beast in the best possible way and Jade is incredibly sweet. The perfect combo. Thank you, Mike! You've given our family a gift.
Response from the owner:Hi Paul, thank you so much for the great review and very kind words. It has been great working with you, and our long conversations! Thank you for giving Izzy a loving furever home. Feel free to reach out anytime with questions or concerns!
Diego Reyes
After losing our dog and finally deciding we were ready for a new puppy, my wife and I spent a lot of time researching breeders. That’s when we came across Labrador and Labradoodle Puppies Chicago. I reached out to the owner, Mike Martinez, about a puppy we were interested in, and he got back to us quickly. From the start, Mike was great to work with.
When we arrived, we were warmly greeted by Mike and were also able to meet the parents of the puppy we ended up bringing home, Andy. The entire process was smooth and comfortable, and Mike took the time to share a lot of valuable information with us, including DNA test results and helpful tips on training and maintaining our puppy’s health.
We’ve had Andy for a few weeks now and couldn’t be happier to have him as part of our family. We truly had a great experience and would highly recommend Labrador and Labradoodle Puppies Chicago to anyone looking for a puppy.
When we arrived, we were warmly greeted by Mike and were also able to meet the parents of the puppy we ended up bringing home, Andy. The entire process was smooth and comfortable, and Mike took the time to share a lot of valuable information with us, including DNA test results and helpful tips on training and maintaining our puppy’s health.
We’ve had Andy for a few weeks now and couldn’t be happier to have him as part of our family. We truly had a great experience and would highly recommend Labrador and Labradoodle Puppies Chicago to anyone looking for a puppy.
Response from the owner:Hi Diego, thank you for the great review and kind words! I'm so happy you guys are happy with your little man, Andy! It has been a pleasure working with you and your family. Our goal is to breeds the healthiest pups possible through genetic and orthopedic testing. Please reach out anytime with any questions or concerns.
We brought home our sweet Milo 6months ago and could not be happier. Milo has been such a great addition to our family. More importantly was Mike and the valuable information he not only gave us when we picked up Milo but also when he would check-in via text, Mike does extensive genetic testing which our vet was very impressed with. I cannot recommend Mike enough. I know when we are ready to add to our family we will absolutely be coming back to Mike.
Response from the owner:Hi Amanda, thank you for the great review and very kind words! I really appreciate you trusting me with your four legged family member! Milo looks great and I can see he's living his best life! Thank you again.
E.S.
Mike was incredibly helpful and attentive, sharing all the important details with us. His puppies are absolutely wonderful, and it was very important for us to know that he performs all the necessary health tests. This gives us confidence in the high quality of his puppies and reassurance that our new family member will truly meet all our expectations! We are very happy, thank you so much!
Response from the owner:Hi Eva, thank you for the kind words and great review! I really appreciate you giving one of my pups a loving furever home!
We can't speak highly enough about Mike overall professionalism! We had been searching for a reputable breeder for months, and then we came across Mike website. Mike has been featured on WGN a couple times, and is all about the quality! He accomplishes this by educating people on the importance of DNA and OFA testing. Most of the breeders we spoke to did no DNA or orthopedic testing. We even had one breeder tell us that because a Labradoodle is a mixed breed dog- genetic testing is not needed! WOW! We discovered, from speaking with Mike, that DNA and orthopedic testing is the ONLY WAY to know the quality of a dog. We adopted both a trained Stage 3 Labrador and Labradoodle from Mike, and they are both perfect in every respect! Mike goes above and beyond in his adult dogs and puppies, and from our research, there is nobody close to him! If you are serious about adding a quality family member to your home, call Mike! You won't be disappointed!
Response from the owner:Hi guys! Thank you for the kind words and great review! I'm glad you found the WGN segments helpful and informative. I can't thank you enough for giving two of my pups loving homes! I'm so glad the have each other, too! It's always nice when they have another fur baby to pal around with!
edgar cortes
We got Teddy our labradoodle from here, great dog!
Response from the owner:Hi guys! Thank you for the great review and kind words! I'm so glad you're happy with little Teddy! You're doing a terrific job with him. Keep it up and please reach out with any questions!
Mike is an outstanding breeder. I brought home Luna (Labrador) from him and the entire experience was smooth and caring from the first call to pickup. Luna is healthy, confident, and clearly comes from a high-quality, well-socialized litter. Mike helped us get started with training, walked us through the vaccination plan and paperwork, and made everything easy to understand. What impressed me most is that he keeps in touch after the sale, checking in and sharing tips because he genuinely cares about the puppies he places. If you are looking for a responsible, trustworthy professional who delivers excellent puppies and real support, go with Mike. Highly recommended.
Response from the owner:Hi Boris, thank you for the great review and for giving Luna a loving furever home! You're doing a great job with her. Being a first time dog owner can be challenging at times, but you're doing a great job! Keep it up!
Marissa Moreno
Mike is very knowledgeable and kind. After a lot of research we found him online. He was informative and is always one text away which I appreciate. We are so happy with our new puppy! Thank you
Response from the owner:Hi Ana- thank you for the great review and kind words, and for driving all that way for one of my pups! Enjoy Chase and please reach out anytime with any questions!
We got our trained australian labradoodle a few weeks ago and we are so blessed to have him! He has brought so much joy to our household. Mike puts a lot of time and energy into raising healthy, happy dogs. He’s knowledgeable and makes himself available to answer any questions before, during, and after the adoption process. Definitely recommend!!
Response from the owner:Hi guys! Thank you for the great review and kind words, and for giving Ajax a loving furever home! I'm glad you're enjoying him!
Ronaldo Cristiano
Response from the owner:Hi Ronaldo, thank you for the great review! Feel free to reach out anytime with questions!
If you found yourself on Mike’s website look no further! Our family chatted to Mike on the phone and made an appointment with him to meet him and his pups. He took his time introducing us to various puppies and educating us on dog ownership as we were looking for our first family dog. Our sons had the chance to walk a few and fell in love with a lovely labradoodle… Butterball. We are so happy with the addition to our family. Butterball was 7 months old when we brought him home and he was well trained. Mike kept in touch and has been readily available for any questions. We cannot recommend Mike enough, he cares so much about his puppies and is very knowledgeable!
Response from the owner:Hi Rosie! Thank you for the great review and very kind words! I really miss Butterball but I'm so glad he is in a great home with your family! He's such a funny little guy! Playful, loving and HUGE personality!
We adopted Thomas from Mike a few weeks ago. Thomas is a F1 labradoodle that is 2 1/2 years old. I found Thomas on Mike's website. Kept his name. (My Dad and brother were both Thomas.) We went to meet Mike and Thomas and found Mike to be a very knowledgeable dog breeder. You can tell from the get go he loves his dogs. Very pleased with the end result. We will be back!!
Response from the owner:Hi guys, thank you for giving Thomas a great home! I'm so glad he's being a good boy for you both! Enjoy him and give him hugs from me!
Appearance and Temperament
The Labradoodle is crossbred between a Labrador Retriever and a poodle. All Labradoodles- F1, F1B or F2 are friendly, very social, great with adults & children, enjoy the water, extremely intelligent- the Poodle is rated the second most intelligent dog next to the Border Collie- very loving & playful. Energy levels will range from medium/high- F1 to medium- F1B, to medium low- F2.
Straight-coated Labradoodles are said to have "hair" coats, wavy-coated dogs are said to have "fleece" coats, and curly-coated dogs have "wool" coats, like a poodle.