The Aussiedoodle is an excellent family dog, that gets on well with all people and different types of pets. These incredibly affectionate dogs will quickly become the heart and soul of the household.
What is there to know about this loving and affectionate dog? Read our complete pet parent’s guide below to find out everything you need to know about this little pooch.
| Size | 14-23″ in height |
| Weight | 25–70lb dependent upon size of parents |
| Lifespan | 10–12 years |
| Breed Type | Mixes and more |
| Purpose | Companion |
| Suitable For | Active families |
| Color Variations | Black, Tan, White, Cream and Apricot |
| Temperament | Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Happy and Playful |
| Known Health issues | Aussiepoo, Australian Shepherd Poodle Mix |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
What Is An Aussiedoodle?
This breed is a designer crossbreed between an Australian Shepherd and a Poodle. The Poodle parent can be of any size like the toy poodle for example, but it is usually standard or miniature, depending upon which Poodle parent is used you can have three sizes:
- Aussiedoodle
- Mini / Miniature Aussiedoodle
- Toy Aussiedoodle
As this breed is a crossbreed, they are not recognized by any major Kennel Clubs, but both of the parent breeds are recognized as they are purebred dogs.
Both of the parent breeds of this dog are incredibly intelligent, and thus they are something of a genius. This results in them getting bored very easily, and these dogs will require mental stimulation, and lots of it! Without it, they can become destructive.
Breed History
Aussiedoodles have only been seen in the past twenty years or so, yet are ever-growing in popularity.
Although their origin is unknown, it is believed that they were the first bred in the United States. Despite this, a lot is known about their parent breeds the Australian Shepherd and Poodle.
Australian Shepherd History
Contrary to popular belief, Australian Shepherds were first bred in the United States. Their name came from the fact the dogs were Australian in heritage, coming over to America in the 1950s. Over time, these dogs became incredibly popular for their herding abilities, and are now commonly seen as ranch dogs. There is a smaller version of the Australian Shepherd known as Miniature Australian Shepherds, often affectionately referred to as “Mini Aussies” or “Mini Australian Shepherds,” which have gained their following for their compact size and energetic personalities.
Poodle History
Poodles have an even longer breed history. First seen on the France-Germany border in the 15th and 16th Century, Poodles were used as gun dogs, well known for their duck-hunting abilities.
A favorite of Royalty, these dogs have been seen as the pets of the rich for the past 400 years.
Aussiedoodle Puppy Overview
These puppies are on the cheaper side of the poodle mix family, generally costing between $700 and $1,200 USD per puppy.
A breeder may charge more than this if one or both of the parents are of show quality.
It tends to be that the Australian Shepherd is the mother and the Poodle is the father, especially if breeding from a miniature or toy dog. However, this is not exclusively true, especially if the Poodle parent is a Standard Poodle.
These dogs are ever-increasing in popularity with varying different colors and sizes popping up, but having an idea of the sex, size, color, and coat you want can really speed up the search.
Be sure to find a responsible breeder when looking for a puppy. Always visit your Aussiedoodle puppy multiple times, definitely meet with their mother, and if you can, meet the father to get an idea of temperament. Don’t trust a breeder who has a puppy isolated.
Aussiedoodle Temperament
In order to understand the temperament of the Aussiedoodle, it is important for us to look at the personalities of both parent breeds first.
Loving, loyal and intelligent, Australian Shepherds are a ranch staple. These dogs are well known among fans for their whimsical sense of humor, loving nothing more than to play with their owner.
They were bred to herd cattle and needed to be able to outthink animals on their feet, making for one very smart dog.
On the other hand, Poodles are gracious and cheerful. Being the preferred dog of the wealthy, these dogs are effortlessly regal and delicate in every way.
Although it is impossible to predict exactly what personality traits they will pick up, they have the opportunity to have the best from both parents – they are graceful, fun, and loving.
On the other hand, the combination of the intelligence of the parent breeds and the demanding nature of the Poodle can make for an incredibly headstrong dog.
If you are not able to dedicate enough time and attention to your dog they may grow prone to temper tantrums. This is something to consider if you are looking to purchase a puppy.
These shepherding dogs are not known to be big barkers. However, when they do get going their bark is usually loud and can be heard through walls. Thus, if you live in a small city apartment or on a housing estate, you may wish to consider how your new dog will affect your neighbors.
Are These Dogs Good For Families?
These dogs form incredibly close bonds with their family members and can react negatively if left alone for very long periods of time.
They do get on well with other pets and unknown people, but, it is important to remember that these dogs can be instinctive herders and may try to move pets, family members, and guests about the home.
Owning an Australian Shepherd Poodle Mix: Care Guide
They are not suited to city life. They will need large open areas to stretch their legs and constant access to adequate, well-fenced outdoor space. Consequently, they will not be suited to anyone who lives in a city.
Due to their high energy requirements, they are not suited for anyone who cannot keep up with their extensive daily walks.
Food and Diet Requirements
| Daily Food Consumption | |
|---|---|
| Calories | 1,000 to 1,500 |
| Cups of Kibble |  |
The Aussiedoodle will eat between 2 and 3 cups of dry food daily. The National Research Council recommends that you feed around 1,350 calories for an Australian Shepherd weighing 50 pounds, and a similar intake will be required for an Aussiedoodle.
Dry food should be a good quality, grain free feed, that contains a mix of protein, meat and vegetables. Steer clear of anything wheat based, as this can trigger an allergic reaction in your dog.
Be sure to take a look at the ingredients list on the food. Try to avoid anything with oil or fat in the first three ingredients as these tend to be incredibly unhealthy foods that contain lots of processed junk.
Raw feeding can be an excellent way to feed your dog a balanced diet that contains lots of variation.
Canned food is another option, with the added bonus that the high moisture content will help your dog feel fuller faster, making this food a good choice for those who may be slightly overweight.
Tinned (i.e. canned) dog food tends to contain a higher protein content than those foods of the dry variety, helping your dog increase their recommended 18-24% daily protein intake.
Intake requirements will vary largely between dogs as it is based on their size, activity levels and metabolism. It is important that you take the time to oversee how your dogs diet affects their behavior.
Exercising an Aussiedoodle
| Daily Exercise Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Minutes | 90 minutes |
| Activity Level |  |
These hybrid dogs require at least 90 minutes of exercise daily, split into multiple walks.
Aussiedoodle dogs are very intelligent and as a result, can grow very destructive when they get bored. One way to combat this is to ensure your dog gets lots of physical exercises, as this will help to stimulate this dog, both physically and mentally.
Due to the fact that Australian Shepherds were herding dogs, when trained, he will have excellent recall.
They are also excellent swimmers and therefore taking them to a safe place where they can swim maybe a fun day out for all the family.
How to Train a Shepherd Dog
He will need basic obedience training right from the start. They are known to try and outwit their owners, and consequently, their playful nature will need to be kept in check right from the beginning.
Training them can be a fun and pleasurable experience. These dogs are known for their love to please and as a result, they will be more than happy to learn.
In fact, Australian Shepherds are such quick learners that “work-oriented” is mentioned in their breed standard, so this will be prevalent in your Aussiedoodle puppy.
This dog has a strong work ethic and likes to be busy.
On top of their basic obedience training, try teaching tricks to challenge your dog’s intellect.
Health Problems
All dogs, be they pure or mixed breeds, are susceptible to health issues.
The biggest problem Aussiedoodles face is hip dysplasia.
This condition causes arthritis and joint pain. In most cases, this can be managed through diet and exercise, and if needed, medication. Dogs that are a healthy weight and are moderately exercised are at much lower risks of developing the condition. Evidence also indicates that neutering your dog before they reach full maturity increases their chances of developing hip dysplasia and the associated problems.
Poodles are prone to hereditary cataracts, which is a condition where the eye goes cloudy. This occurs in two stages, mild and severe. If caught early, it can be treated with eye drops, however, if it is caught later it may be harder to cure.
Due to the fact that this is genetic, this can be tested for in the parents before breeding. Any good breeder will be able to provide health checks certifying that their parent Poodle does not carry the genes for cataracts.
If you are adopting an Aussiedoodle rescue, it may not be possible to access this information.
Other more infrequent health risks include bloat and von Willebrand Disease.
Breed Appearance: Coat, Color, and Grooming
Aussiedoodle Full Grown
As this breed is a crossbreed, this makes it very hard to predict its exact size, color, and coat.
On average, Australian Shepherd Poodle Mixes weigh between 25 and 70 pounds and stand between 14 and 25 inches tall. This depends on if their parent was a standard or miniature Poodle.
Regardless of parents, they do tend to be tall and slender dogs, with a slightly muscular build. Their faces are soft and yet alert, and thanks to their Australian Shepherd parents may even have blue eyes.
Their coat can vary from very soft and sleek like an Australian Shepherd or curly and wirehaired like a Poodle. Very occasionally these coats will be hypoallergenic, but the majority of the time this dog will shed.
They are usually seen in the traditional colors of the Australian Shepherd, such as tri coloring involving black, red, black, and tan, or solid coloring, such as red and blue merle.
They can also have coloring similar to that of their Poodle parent, such as black, white, tan, apricot, and many others.
Specific Grooming Requirements
Aussiedoodle’s are not low maintenance dogs, they need regular brushing.
Daily brushing is ideal, especially if they have a curly coat – like a Poodle. If this is not possible, then at least every other day. They may also need to be professionally clipped every eight to 12 weeks.
Other basic grooming will be essential, such as nail clipping every four to six weeks, as well as toothbrushing often.
Aussiedoodle Pictures
Summary of Breed
If you are a highly active person or family looking for a highly active canine companion this might be the dog for you.
Remember, no matter your activity level, these dogs do not do well in compact city apartments, as access to the outdoors is essential at all times.
These dogs are work-oriented and need constant entertainment.
Do you own one of these fabulous dogs? Are you thinking about getting an Aussiedoodle? Feel free to let us know your thoughts on this gorgeous pup in the comments.
Other Australian Shepherd and Poodle Mixes
If you’re interested in learning about other Australian Shepherd mixes or Poodle mixes, check out the hybrid dog breeds below.
Australian Shepherd Mixes
- Australian Shepherd Husky Mix
- Border Collie Australian Shepherd Mix
- Australian Shepherd Blue Heeler Mix
- Australian Shepherd Lab Mix
Can you breed a mini Australian Shepherd with a male standard poodle?
Yes. Mine has a mini Aussie as the mom and a standard Poodle as the dad. He’s 4 months now and weighs around 18lb.
Is it possible to breed a Toy poodle with a Standard Aussie? the aussie being the mother and the toy poodle being the dad.
Hi Michelle, Yes! There are lots of toy poodle mixes, you can read more about them here.
Can you breed 2 aussiedoodles? Will that make an aussiedoodle? Thank you
Hi Sheika, yes this will make a F2 aussiedoodle (second generation)
If the mom is the Aussie dooldle and the dad is the standard doodle can the child be a medium size dog.
If the mom is a golden doodle and the dad is an australian shepherd, is the puppy still an Aussie doodle?
I Have an Aussie doodle and they are amazing but barky. nothing to stop you from loving them.