Aussiedoodle : Pictures & Info About This Australian Shepherd x Poodle Mixed Breed

Introduction to the Aussiedoodle

These fluffy, energetic, intelligent animals are naturally quite friendly pets who love spending their time with people. The Aussiedoodle is a hybrid dog designed by breeding a Poodle and an Australian Shepherd. These dogs aren’t always bred with purebred Poodle and Australian Shepherd, sometimes involving a mix depending on price, breeder, or how you came across the dog. Either way, the mixing of breeds creates something calling hybrid vigor, an effect also seen when cross-pollinating plants. The result is a dog with robust health.

Aussiedoodles were initially bred as part of a trend where breeders were crossing poodles with different breeds in the 1980s. Poodles were a popular choice due to the naturally low dander and shedding produced by their coats. The amount of allergens the Aussiedoodle produces varies depending on a lot of factors with genetics and the different blend of breeds involved, but the more Poodle-like the dog’s hair the more hypoallergenic it will be. This article goes into more detail on this feature of the Aussiedoodle.

They’re intelligent animals thanks to their Poodle and Australian Shepherd genetics, so training comes easy. It’s recommended to start training early with any dog, but especially one as intelligent as an Australian Shepherd. You’ll be rewarded with an especially good dog who always knows what to do.

You’re in for a treat if you’re looking for a new medium-sized dog for yourself, family, or friends. The information in this piece reviews everything you need to know to get started on your dog research. You’ll find fun facts about the Aussiedoodle as well as information on how to research a breeder, spa and beauty tips for your pet as well as information on how well Aussiedoodles do in apartments.

Aussiedoodle At a Glance

Country of Origin:

United States/Canada

Breed Group:

Designer/Mix

Size:

Medium. Weight: 25-70 lbs; Height: 14-23 inches.

Coat:

The coat of the breed differs from dog to dog.

Color:

Blue Merle, Pink, Tan and White, Black

Life Span:

12 years

Breed Profile

Affection Level – 100

Barking Tendencies – 50

Cat Friendly – 60

Cold Weather Tolerance – 70

Exercise Needs – 100

General Health – 40

Grooming Needs – 80

Hot Weather Tolerance – 50

Intelligence – 100

Kid Friendly – 80

Playfulness – 60

Shedding Level – 40

Social Needs – 100

Watchdog Ability – 100

History of the Aussiedoodle

The best way to learn about the history of the Aussiedoodle is to learn about the Australian Shepherd and the Poodle. Both breeds are known for their glamorous coats and intellect, with both having a modern history of working in entertainment. Aussiedoodles are natural performers thanks to this rich working history. Even if you don’t invest significantly in training beyond obedience skills, your Jackapoo will observe and learn from your daily environment thanks to their genetic history as hunting and cattle dogs.

Australian Shepherds were first bred somewhere in Europe near the Pyrenees Mountains. Just as their name implies, they were kept for shepherd work, guarding and herding flocks of sheep. When the settlement of Australia pushed further into the continent, many of these shepherd dogs were used. The reputation spread as excellent herding animals, leading to their popularity, but they didn’t gain the name Australian Shepherds until they became popular in the United States.

Meanwhile, Poodles were originally kept as retrievers for hunters to use for waterfowl. They were first bred in Germany for this purpose and were considered superior dogs for waterfowl. They’re loyal, a trait that carries through to the Aussiedoodle. The Australian Shepherd’s origin is speculated to be around the 1800s, but Poodles date back centuries earlier to the 1400s. Aussiedoodles as a combination of these two breeds only dates back to the 1980s at the furthest.

Similar to the Australian Shepherd, Aussiedoodles love working tasks. Australian Shepherds were bred as cattle dogs, and that natural instinct to herd might show up at times with your Aussiedoodle. Don’t be put off if he’s bossy, but train him to use that trait when it’s appropriate, or you’ll find yourself being herded around your house. Fortunately, they’re very easy to train and like to please, so weeding out bad behaviors should be a breeze.

Aussiedoodle Pictures

These soft and furry dogs come in more than one size. You can find Aussiedoodles in toy, medium, standard and everywhere in between. If you’re working with a breeder, they should be able to give you an estimate on just how big your dog is going to be, but you can’t always tell when you adopt. Try looking at the dog’s paws as they grow to keep track, as often the bigger the paws the larger the dog. Generally speaking, these furry friends weigh 25 to 65 pounds. They can be as tall as 23 inches depending on the parentage. No matter what size your dog is, your Aussiedoodle is sure to have the athletic constitution of its Australian Shepherd predecessors.

 What is it like owning an Aussiedoodle?

• Personality: These charming companions make for wonderful furry friends. They’re very sociable and enjoy being around people they know and are considered very patient with small children and other pets. These sweet dogs love to learn and be occupied, as they’re very intelligent and quick to learn new tricks. They are gentle but can also be overenthusiastic if left to their own devices for too long or very excited. Overall they are pleasant animals to be around.
• Behavior: Like any intelligent dog with lots of energy, Aussiedoodles need regular exercise and activities to keep them from becoming bored or mischievous. These dogs do well with regular time in large spaces for them to run around in, as well as training activities to keep their minds stimulated and active. Their natural athleticism lends to lots of different activity choices, but no matter what you choose it should involve some aerobic activity. Regular trips to the park or even a special dog park can make a big difference in your dog’s health.
• Training: These keen dogs love learning and adapt very quickly to changes in training routines, meaning they can learn new twists on tricks they’ve already learned very easily. It’s recommended to start training your dog as early as possible to get them familiar with different commands. It’s easy to begin once you have the right tools, and Aussiedoodle’s exceptional affinity for learning means that you’ll see results likely on the first day of training. This is ultimately very rewarding for both you and the dog as a bonding and improvement activity. Plus who doesn’t like to entertain guests and friends with their dog’s cool new tricks? There are many popular dogs on Instagram, TikTok, and other social media websites because of dog training. You too can train your dog to model on social media if you want, although they’ll likely find learning to play a sport with you even more. There’s not a limit to what these dogs can learn.
• Diet: High-quality dog food can make a huge difference in your pet’s health. Make sure to read the labels when buying food, and to talk to your veterinarian for recommended brands. The amount of food an Aussiedoodle eats per day varies, but they should be fed according to the instructions on the package of dog food unless otherwise specified by your veterinarian. Talk with your vet about your dog’s weight to determine if they’re at a healthy size or if their diet needs more monitoring.
• Hypoallergenic: The most popular reason for getting an Aussiedoodle is hypoallergenic fur. These luxurious looking dogs have coats that produce little danger and have minimal shedding. Regular brushing helps reduce this further, so keep that in mind, as well as cleaning areas around the house that collect dust and dander. Cleaning dusty spaces like carpets and window coverings make a lot of difference in the number of allergens in the air, and so can regular bathing and grooming.
• Grooming: The neater you keep your pet’s appearance, the more benefits there are for you and your pet. Aussiedoodles require regular grooming and can receive a variety of different cut styles to make them look especially fabulous for special occasions. The frequency of grooming needs depends on how curly their coat is since wavier hair needs less brushing. If your dog has wavy hair, you may only need to brush once or twice a week instead of daily. For some dogs, even less brushing may be required. Talk with your groomer and vet about your dog’s coat if you have any trouble keeping it as glorious as when you bring it home from the groomers. Simple tricks and maintenance along with proper products make a big difference.
• Owner Reports: Google searching provides a lot of information about Aussiedoodles, including reports and comments from owners and breeders. Often you can find a guestbook or a testimonials page on a breeder’s website, and if you adopt from a shelter there are usually pictures and regular posts from happy adopters. Most reviews of Aussiedoodles mention the dog’s energetic personality and love of going out on walks and hikes. Owners report that their Aussiedoodle’s coat receives lots of compliments whenever they’re in public, and many say the dogs are very easily trained and learn quickly.

Aussiedoodle Breed Information

Aussiedoodles are one of those playful breeds out there. With their athleticism and high energy levels they make for great activity partners. Their medium size makes them great hiking buddies, and they love to play and be active, especially outside. They are great with children and other pets but may bark at strangers or sudden sounds if alarmed. This is meant to help protect the home, but if their barking begins to pose a problem in its frequency you can find training techniques and tools online to help curtail that behavior.

If you’re unfamiliar with designer dogs, you may not be aware that they aren’t considered a breed by the American Kennel Club and other purebred dog organizations. Instead, hybrid dogs like the Aussiedoodle are recognized by organizations devoted to hybrid dogs like the Designer Breed Registry, Designer Dogs Kennel Club, and the International Designer Canine Registry. You may be able to find more specific details about your dog’s lineage if the parents or the dog are registered through one of these organizations.

These dogs are highly trainable, adapting well to early exposure to training as young as 8 weeks of age. Their heritage from the Australian Shepherd makes them eager for activity, intelligent and naturally great at herding. The Aussiedoodle loves a chance to herd, so you may want to find ways for it to fulfill its need to be in charge of something. This breed trains well as a therapy dog, guide dog, or other service animals.

Aussiedoodle Cost – How much are Aussiedoodles?

The price of an Aussiedoodle can vary depending on who you buy the dog from, as some places like pet stores have very high overhead and expenses. It’s best to adopt from a shelter or rescue or apply with a breeder if you aren’t certain about a pet store’s practices. Some pet stores buy pets from disreputable sellers, although how common this practice is varies by state.

It’s often less expensive and a better option to buy from a breeder or rescue. The cost from a breeder can range from $500 to $4,500 depending on location, size, genetics, and more. Some breeders may provide lots of extra information to make up for the lack of pedigree papers a purebred would have. This information might have details about the genetic history of the animal, which can provide a background medical history that can be very useful.

It’s recommended to do your research before buying an Aussiedoodles. Most rescues have social media pages these days and are quite active with the communities they are in. You can find lots of reviews on these pages, as well as guest books and testimonials. Most breeders operate similarly with regard to online marketing. Dog breeders were some of the first people to build websites and message boards for their hobby in droves in the ’90s, and they haven’t stopped growing their online communities. There’s lots of information out there from buyers and adopters about the sellers and breeders of Aussiedoodle. All you need to do is search your specific breeder in Google with the word reviews to find out more.

Are Aussiedoodles good apartment dogs?

Aussiedoodles make great apartment dogs depending on how spacious the apartment is and how large the dog is. There’s a range in the sizing of this particular breed that could make a big difference. The smaller a dog is, the bigger the apartment is to the dog, meaning it has lots of room to run around and play. Regardless of the size of the dog, regular daily walks are encouraged to prevent laziness or misbehavior if the dog is feeling cooped up.

The biggest risk of having a dog in an apartment is not enough activity. A medium-sized dog in a one-bedroom or studio apartment can grow restless unless they’re regularly entertained and exercised. It’s easy enough to get into the routine of walking your dog at the same time every day, and the dog benefits from the security of regular structured activity time.

It’s recommended to regularly make trips to the dog park at least a few times a month to help socialize your animal. This is especially important for their mental health. Dogs, just like people, need to see other dogs from time to time. Give them lots of chances to stretch their legs, and these naturally athletic animals will be happy to live in any size apartment.

Overall, Aussiedoodles do very well in apartment living. Most cities have lots of public park space, so living in a metropolis doesn’t have to mean less green areas for the dog to explore. Just make sure to carry a plastic bag with you when you go on walks, no matter where you live. It’s respectful to public spaces to clean up after your dog, and it’s necessary to keep dog parks from getting gross to always pick up your pooch’s poop.

What are some common Aussiedoodle Health Issues?

Aussiedoodles are robust animals known for their good health. Their life expectancy can be 12 to 15 years or more depending on how well they are cared for. Regular efforts to keep the Aussiedoodle healthy and in a clean environment along with training and lots of activity can give the dog a long, balanced, and healthy life.

There are some conditions to look out for, but most are relatively minor compared to other dog breeds. Talk to your vet as soon as you suspect a condition, but also request regular testing and proactive testing for genetic conditions if you are concerned. Many dogs may benefit from an evaluation of their hip and elbow joints. It’s these high-stress areas that are the most likely to have issues in any dog due to general use, but that’s gradual and should only develop wear over time.

Unfortunately, genetic conditions may put your dog at risk, something you might not know without genetic testing. There are some diseases, like Von Willebrand’s Disease that don’t always present early but can be detected with a simple in-office test. Speak with your veterinarian to request evaluation and detection tests to rule out any genetic conditions you may worry are lurking if you don’t have any information on the dog’s parent’s medical history. Here are the most common conditions you might see in an Aussiedoodle:

• Hip Dysplasia
• Nasal Solar Dermatitis
• Von Willebrand’s Disease
• Bloat
• Pelger-Huet Syndrome
• Cataracts
• Dry Skin

As with any dog, regular support from your veterinarian will keep your dog’s health in check. It’s a good idea to keep a file folder full of records from your visits to the vet so that you have a medical history for your Aussiedoodle. It’s never too late to start keeping organized for your dog’s sake, and it’s much less of a pain than scrambling looking for things you’ve misplaced. Plus, keeping all their records on hand can offer you peace of mind and a sort of scrapbook, especially if you hang on to all the materials provided at their adoption.

Are Aussiedoodles hard to train?

Aussiedoodles are known to be quick studies. This is in part due to their Australian Shepherd-like intelligence as well as smarts from the Poodle side as well. These clever dogs learn tricks very quickly and may find training to be their favorite kind of playtime. They are generally known as very loving dogs who are eager to please, so even if they don’t understand a command at first they will continue trying to figure it out until they have it.

Use positive reinforcement techniques to train your Aussiedoodle. You can learn how to use clicker training on your dog online, including apps that are dedicated for this exact purpose. You can find plastic dog training clicker toys very inexpensively online, and dog treats are available at pet stores as well as grocery and online businesses. It’s easy to get started.

To start training, you’ll want to associate the clicker sound with a positive reward first thing. You don’t want to spend too much time in this stage, as you want the click and treat phases to be separate in the dog’s mind. One way to do this is to give the dog treats while clicking the clicker just a few times. The second session you can have the dog perform a movement while you make a gesture related to the movement. You need to press the clicker as soon as the dog performs the desired movement, followed promptly with a treat.

The Aussiedoodle is an incredibly intelligent dog capable of learning obedience commands very quickly. You may find it rewarding to shift into more advanced training like agility skill-building and hunting. The key to training an Aussiedoodle is the same as any other animal: consistency is key. If you only train them sporadically, they won’t develop the command recognition you really want them to have. Some people have trouble keeping to a schedule, but if you block out the same time around your dog’s dinner time you may find it easier. Sometimes training before dinner can make the dog extra interested in receiving training treats, but after dinner, they may be less interested and more eager to take a walk or lay down and relax depending on their nature.

What colors do Aussiedoodles come in?

The Aussiedoodle’s beautiful coat comes in many different colors. The most common are black, white, or gray, but these may be featured in combinations along with brown and creamy tan. Their hair may grow long and wavy, requiring frequent brushing. It’s recommended to start and stick with scheduled grooming with a professional to keep your dog looking and feeling their best. Professional dog groomers are very experienced at cutting dog hair and even have special tools to help the dogs stay still during their haircut.

There are lots of ways to help your dog look glamorous. Their coat is naturally beautiful, so taking time to pay special attention to their fur makes a big difference in the appearance of hair color. For instance, a white dog who is brushed regularly and bathed frequently or taken monthly or semi-monthly will practically glow with how clean and bright their coat can look. It really makes a difference to pay attention to your dog’s beauty routine. There are products available online and in pet stores for bathing your dog at home and catering to their hygiene needs.

Some Aussiedoodles may shed more frequently than others, especially around the changing of the seasons. Regular brushing will help you stay ahead of the shedding, but a special brush that takes care of the dog’s undercoat can make a huge difference. These are worth the investment, even if you only use them seasonally. Undercoat-targeting brushes like the Furminator are designed to tackle shedding seen in undercoats, and if you look online in a Google search you can see just how effective they are. Oftentimes first-time users of these kinds of brushes will take a picture of the pile of soft undercoat fur the special brush manages to retrieve with its layered comb mechanism.

How big do Aussiedoodles get?

Aussiedoodles can be as small as 25 pounds and 14 inches tall or as big as 65 pounds and 23 inches tall. The size of an Aussiedoodle can be very different from dog to dog. It really depends on the parents of the new puppy. If toy-sized dogs were used to breed the new hybrid, the resulting dog will be very small.

Medium-sized dogs bred together produce medium-sized dogs, but mixing medium and toy-sized can result in more variation. Find out from the breeder or the owner of the parental dogs more about the expected size. If you’re buying from a breeder, this is a very normal question to be expected.

Don’t worry about asking about the parents even if you’re working with a shelter to adopt your new family member. Sometimes they have the information, like if the parent and dog were brought in together. If you adopt from a breeder or business with a good online presence, they may even have pictures and comments about the parents of your new dog on their website.

Rest assured, there’s always the old trick of looking at their paws if you are at a loss for information. Dog’s paws tend to grow faster than the rest of them, so it’s generally known that the bigger the paws are when they are puppies the bigger the dog will grow up to be. Generally, Aussiedoodles never become large or very large dogs, so don’t worry if they have a gangly teen phase in their puppyhood. Chances are your dog will get no bigger than medium unless there were some very large Australian Shepherds or Standard Poodles in its bloodline.

 6 Fun Facts you should know about Aussiedoodles

1. Aussiedoodles like to bring gifts to their owners, usually in the form of a toy they want to share. There are lots of opportunities for cute Instagram posts, but more often than not they want the gift to signal playtime.
2. Australian Shepherds became very popular in the United States in the 1950s, experiencing a wave of recognition that they’re still riding today. Aussiedoodles weren’t bred until the 1980s, but they likewise had a surge in popularity at the time.
3. Aussiepoos can’t resist a chance to earn praise or to work. They love having tasks to do, and it’s because of their genetic history as working dogs. They can’t get enough activity in their lives, so if you’re a very active person they’ll be happy to match your pace.
4. Because of the way their hair curls or waves into a beard, they are messy drinkers. Water has a tendency to collect in their beard while drinking, which can make a mess. Keeping an eye on their beard is one way to try to tackle this, but mostly the water seems to keep their little faces clean even if their beard is frequently wet.
5. These dogs go by many different names depending on who you’re talking to. They’re popularly known as Aussiedoodles, but they might also just as correctly be referred to as Aussiepoos or even just as Australian Shepherd Poodle mix.
6. These dogs are natural comedians. They love to bounce when they run around the house, and they’re keen on getting their owners to smile and laugh. Don’t be surprised if your dog tries all kinds of silly looks or other ways to get your attention.

Takeaway

Aussiedoodles are great companions and friends, especially if you lead an active lifestyle. These fluffy dogs love being outdoors and busy doing any kind of activity, which makes them natural hiking partners. Their background as retrieving and herding dogs make them eager to please their owners, always ready to learn a new trick or show off their good training. Their hypoallergenic fur makes them a natural fit for anyone with allergy issues, especially if regular grooming and cleaning protocols are used to reduce dust and dander.

Despite their eagerness for activity, Aussiedoodles are just as happy hanging out and cuddling. They’re well known as good and loving family dogs who are protective but delicate with children. Their intelligence makes them ideal pets for big families, even if their herding instincts make them kind of bossy at times. They’re good dogs who love to make their owners happy and feeling loved, and they’re exceptionally clever.

These dogs are also very healthy animals, less at risk of certain conditions that befall some smaller Poodle hybrids. This is largely due to the robust working dog genetics of the Australian Shepherd. You’ll find keeping your Aussiedoodle will keep you busy, but they take training and encouragement so well the bonding time spent together will be time treasured.

Featured Image Source // Instagram Junie B and Eloise