The Aussiedoodle, sometimes known as the Aussiepoo, is a relatively new hybrid breed and is the result of crossing an Australian Shepherd with a Poodle. Lesser known than other Poodle mixes such as the Goldendoodle and the Labradoodle, the Aussiedoodle makes an excellent family dog that is very affectionate and gets on with everyone — humans and animals alike!
This loving pup makes the perfect companion and if you’re interested in seeing whether they could fit into your home, read on below.
History Of The Aussiedoodle
The Aussiedoodle has two popular parents — the Australian Shepherd and the Poodle. Because the Poodle can come in three sizes (Standard, Miniature and Toy), the Aussiedoodle can too. It just depends which size of Poodle is used to breed the Aussiedoodle. There is the Aussiedoodle, the Miniature Aussiedoodle and the Toy Aussiedoodle.
Due to the fact that this breed is a mixed breed, they are not recognized by any major Kennel Clubs, including the American Kennel Club (AKC). However, both parent breeds are recognized as they are purebred dogs.
Breed Origin
Not a lot is known about the origin of the Aussiedoodle. To get a better understanding of where this dog came from, we can take a look at the parent breeds and their histories.
The Australian Shepherd, also known as the Aussie, is a very popular dog and ranks at 17 out of 193 with the American Kennel Club (AKC). They were first seen in the 19th Century in South Western America. Their name is slightly misleading, as their ancestors came to the United States via Australia.
The Poodle originated from the French and German border in the 15th and 16th century and was associated with the upper class. Because they are excellent water dogs, they were used to hunt water-fowl.
Later on, because of their adorable look, these pups became a very popular dog. The Miniature Poodle and the Toy Poodle were bred from the Standard Poodle by choosing the smallest pup from each litter and breeding with them. They were first seen in America in the 20th century.
It is thought that the Aussiedoodle was only bred in the last 20 years. It is also believed that they were first bred in the United States.
Characteristics Of The Aussiedoodle
Due to the fact that there are so many variations within this designer breed, you can get an Aussiedoodle in many different sizes and colors. Normally, the Australian Shepherd breed will be the mother, especially if the Poodle parent is a Miniature or Toy version. This is to avoid complications when breeding. However, if the Poodle is a Standard size, it does not matter which parent is which breed.
The Aussiedoodle puppies are one of the cheaper Poodle mixes and will normally cost between $700 and $1,200 each. You should always remember to buy from a reputable Aussiedoodle breeder.
Appearance
There are three different sizes of the Aussiedoodle and we can never be sure which parent they are going to take after more, so it can be difficult to predict the appearance of this breed. Normally, the Aussiedoodle weighs between 25 and 70 pounds and stands between 14 and 25 inches tall.
These dogs are tall and slender and usually quite muscular, too. They almost always inherit blue eyes from their Australian Shepherd parent.
Coat
Normally, one of the reasons a Poodle is bred with another purebred, is to produce a dog that has a hypoallergenic coat. Unfortunately, it is very rare that the Poodle’s low-shedding coat will be passed down to the Aussiedoodle. Most of the time, these dogs will shed. This means, therefore, that they are not suitable for those with allergies.
There are two different coat types the Aussiedoodle can inherit — the soft and sleek coat of the Australian Shepherd or the curly coat of the Poodle.
Color
Aussiedoodles normally take the coat of their Australian Shepherd color-wise, and will be a tricolor involving black, red, black and tan. They can also be a solid color of red or blue merle. Sometimes, the Aussiedoodle can also have similar coloring to the Poodle and be black, white, tan, apricot or red.
Temperament
To understand the temperament of the Aussiedoodle, we can take a look at the temperament of the parent breeds.
The Poodle is a gentle and caring dog that loves people. They do not like to be left alone and will want to be by your side all the time. Very intelligent, the Poodle is easy to train and will want to please their owner. They do need to be kept mentally stimulated, so they don’t get bored, and love a good brain game! They also have high energy levels and love to join you on walks.
The Australian Shepherd is another pup that loves people. An excellent working dog, these pups are often favored by farmers and used to herd cattle. However, due to their fun-loving and friendly nature, they also make excellent pets. They have a high activity level and high exercise needs, so they do benefit from being in a family who likes to go out hiking or running.
It is thought that the Aussiedoodle normally inherits traits from both parents, so your pup will likely have a mix of these two temperaments. Excellent family dogs, your Aussiedoodle will be loving and friendly. They are also very intelligent dogs which can make for good trainability but can also produce quite a headstrong dog, so you’ll have to watch out!
The Australian Shepherd Poodle Mix needs lots of love and attention and you must make sure you are able to dedicate this to them. If they get bored or feel as if they are not being given enough affection, they may well begin to show signs of destructive behaviors. This can be helped with training and lots of mental stimulation.
Lifespan
The Aussiedoodle has an average life expectancy of 10 to 12 years.
Known Health Issues
Unfortunately, as with all dogs, the Aussiepoo is prone to some health problems. These are often issues that have been passed down from their parent breeds. We have laid out the most common health concerns the Aussiedoodle faces below.
- Hip Dysplasia — this is when the thigh bone doesn’t fit snugly into the hip joint. Some dogs show pain and lameness on one or both rear legs, but you may not notice any signs of discomfort in a dog with hip dysplasia.
- Cataracts — you might suspect your dog has cataracts if they are constantly bumping into furniture. Cataracts can be cured with surgery.
- Von Willebrand Disease — this is a disease that is found in both humans and dogs. It is a blood disorder that affects the clotting process. It cannot be cured but it can be treated with small surgery.
Regular vet checkups and keeping an eye on your dog will ensure you can catch any of these issues before they become untreatable.
Remember — buy from a reputable breeder and the chances your dog will suffer any health conditions will be greatly reduced. Trusted breeders will do health checks on both parent breeds and will not crossbreed if there is a chance of passing on any severe issues to offspring.
Daily Life
Now we have learnt all about the temperament and characteristics of the Aussiedoodle, it is time to take a look at what living with one of these pups on a day to day basis is really like. We will cover their food and diet, their exercise needs and their grooming needs.
Food And Diet
The Aussiedoodle requires quite a lot of food because they are an active dog. They can eat anywhere between 1,000 to 1,500 calories a day, which equates to around 3 cups of food a day. Of course, you should always double check the back of the food packet to see the exact amount of a certain food you should be feeding your dog based on their weight.
You should always make sure that the food you are feeding your Aussiedoodle is high-quality and nutritious. We also recommend finding a dog food that is specifically formulated for large, active dog breeds, so you can make sure they are getting all the nutrients they need.
Best Dog Food For The Aussiedoodle
[easyazon_link identifier=”B000WFKUOY” locale=”US” tag=”animalcor-20″]Diamond Naturals Large Breed Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food[/easyazon_link]
[easyazon_image align=”none” height=”500″ identifier=”B000WFKUOY” locale=”US” src=”https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41bRq5ovO5L.jpg” tag=”animalcor-20″ width=”500″]
[easyazon_link identifier=”B000WFKUOY” locale=”US” tag=”animalcor-20″]BUY ON AMAZON[/easyazon_link]
We recommend the Diamond Naturals dry dog food for the Aussiedoodle breed. Formulated for large breeds, this food has real cage free chicken as it’s first ingredient. Along with chia seeds and quinoa, this food is therefore an excellent choice to ensure your pup is getting the right amount of protein they need to stay active and build lean muscles.
Other ingredients such as vitamins and minerals, superfoods, and fatty acids also play a role in ensuring your Aussiedoodle stays in the best condition, supporting their immune system and promoting a shiny coat and healthy skin. Even better, there are no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives in this food that could harm your pup.
Exercise
We have mentioned above that the Australian Shepherd Poodle Mix is an active dog and therefore has high exercise needs. These pups need around 90 minutes of exercise a day, which should be split up into multiple walks. They will love to accompany you on hikes or runs, making them an excellent exercise buddy and best suited to an active family. They also love to swim.
Remember, the Aussiedoodle is an intelligent breed and they get bored very easily. You will need to play games with them to stimulate them mentally as well as physically, otherwise they may show destructive behaviors out of frustration. You can also teach them tricks due to their intelligence, which can be fun for all the family and keeps the dog entertained!
Family Compatibility
The Aussiedoodle makes an excellent family pet and bonds quickly to their family. Because they love people, they won’t want to be left alone for very long and will want to be by your side! The Aussiedoodle can start showing signs of destructive behaviors when bored or left alone, so this is something to think about if you are someone who is out of the house for long periods of time.
Unfortunately, the Aussiepoo can be known to have quite a bark, so they may not be the right pet for you if you live in a small apartment or have neighbors very close by. They also have high exercise needs and you must make sure you can dedicate enough time to them to keep them both physically and mentally stimulated. Due to their high activity level, they are also not suited to city life and need large open spaces, preferably in the country.
Due to the fact their Australian Shepherd parent is primarily a herding dog, sometimes herding can occur within the home. While the Aussiedoodle largely gets on with children and other pets and is great to have around the home, if you do not socialize them properly from a young age then they may begin to exhibit herding behaviors.
That being said, these dogs are fun and loving and make excellent companion dogs to all members of the family!
Training
The Aussiedoodle is a intelligent dog that just wants to please their owners. Because of this, training them is not difficult. However, they can be headstrong at times, so training from a young age is normally advised.
These dogs respond well to positive reward based training such as verbal praise and treats. You should never get angry at your Aussiedoodle because they will not understand and will not want to learn.
As we mentioned above, once your Aussiedoodle has their basic obedience training in the bag, you can start teaching them tricks to keep them engaged.
Socializing
The Aussiedoodle loves humans — both adults and children — and gets on well with other pets, too. Due to their Australian Shepherd parent’s herding nature which they can sometimes inherit, the Aussiedoodle can sometimes exhibit these behaviors. This is why socialization from a young age is so important.
You should introduce your Aussiedoodle to new sights, sounds, places, smells, people and animals in a safe environment when they are young, so they understand there is nothing to be afraid of.
Grooming
Unfortunately, the Aussiedoodle has high grooming needs. They must be brushed everyday if they have the curly coat of a Poodle, which can be reduced slightly if they inherit the coat from their Australian Shepherd parent. However, they will need to be clipped regularly and trips to the groomers will be required.
The groomers can help you clip your Ausseidoodle’s nails. You should also brush their teeth as often as you can, although you can use dental sticks if you find it easier.
Aussiedoodle FAQ’s
How much does an Aussiedoodle cost?
An Aussiedoodle is one of the cheaper Doodle mixes out there. However, you can still expect to pay anywhere between $700 and $1,200 per Aussiedoodle puppy due to the fact they are a designer dog.
If this is out of your price range, you can always check your local shelter. There may be an Aussiedoodle there waiting for their forever home, or you might find another breed of dog that you love!
Are Aussiedoodles aggressive?
Aussiedoodles are not at all aggressive. These friendly and happy-go-lucky dogs make excellent family dogs because they love people and just want attention! They want to be by your side all the time and join in the fun, and they make excellent playmates for children.
Sometimes, the Aussiedoodle can exhibit herding behaviors. They can inherit this from their Australian Shepherd parent. However, this is not a sign of aggression and can be trained out of them.
Summary
Aussiedoodles are the lesser known Doodle breed, but they certainly shouldn’t be. These affectionate and friendly animals get on well with everyone and make perfect family pets. With high exercise needs and relatively high grooming requirements they can be a handle and you will need to ensure you can dedicate time to them, but in return you get a wonderful, loving companion who wants to be by your side at all times. What do you think, is an Aussiedoodle the dog for you?