“Why people are breeding them today, I haven’t got a clue,” he added .

For some breeders — and Instagrammers posting photos of their beloved “doodles” in little rainboots and sunglasses — Mr. Conron’s comments rankled. But perhaps the line that cut the most was this:

“I find that the biggest majority are either crazy or have a hereditary problem,” he said.

Amy Murphy, the president of the Australian Labradoodle Club of America, begged to differ.

“All dogs are crazy,” she said.

Based in Denver, Ms. Murphy has been breeding labradoodles since 2006 and said that, despite some ups and downs, demand for what she called “a hearty breed” had continued to increase.

“They are quirky and fun-loving,” she said. But they don’t like to be left alone.

“If they are not challenged and don’t have people around, then they act out,” she added.

A spokeswoman for the American Kennel Club, which does not recognize the breed, said the organization made it “a point not to comment on breeds, especially, negatively.”