Aussiedoodle – The Australian Shepherd Poodle Mix

If you are on the hunt for a crossbreed that mixes intelligence with, well, more intelligence, then look no further than the Aussiedoodle.

A cross between two of the world’s brainiest and most beautiful breeds, the Aussiedoodle seems to have it all.

Still, that doesn’t mean this is the crossbreed for everyone. There is a lot more to the Aussiedoodle than meets the eye, and if you are wondering if he would be the right dog for you, keep reading.

What Is an Aussiedoodle?

The Aussiedoodle, also known as the Australian Shepherd Poodle mix, the Australian Shepherd Poodle, the Aussie Poodle Mix, or even the Aussiepoo, is a cross between the purebred Australian Shepherd and the purebred Poodle.

A rising favorite among designer dog breeders, this crossbreed combines brains and beauty for the seemingly perfect family dog.

But did you know there is some controversy regarding the issue of crossbreeding?

That’s right, designer dogs like the Aussiedoodle are the center of some serious debate in the dog world.

Read on to learn why.

The Lowdown on the Designer Dog Controversy

A crossbreed, also referred to as a hybrid or a designer dog, is the offspring of two purebred parents.

While there is some debate regarding whether a crossbreed is really just a mutt with a fancy name, connoisseurs of the practice insist that mutts and crossbreeds are very different.

In fact, they point out that while mutts have a lineage of several different breeds in their bloodline, crossbreeds are the specifically chosen offspring of two purebred parents.

This is where the term “designer dog” comes in. To learn more about designer dogs in comparison to mutts, check out this article here.

But what about the health of designer dogs versus purebreds?

It’s a well-known fact that purebred dogs, who have been bred for generations to maintain certain characteristics inherent to the breed standard, suffer some genetic health issues as a result.

Those who believe in crossbreeding hope that it could be a solution to this issue, reducing the chances of genetic health issues passed on to the offspring by widening the gene pool.

However, other experts disagree and insist that crossbreeds are just as prone to certain health issues as purebreds.

For more common objections to crossbreeding, click here.

Since the debate is still ongoing, it’s hard to say who is right.

Still, one thing is for sure: when considering bringing a new dog into your home, it’s wise to learn as much about him as you can.

With that in mind, let’s learn more about the Aussiedoodle crossbreed!

Origin of the Aussiedoodle

The Aussiedoodle is a newer crossbreed whose true origin is still unknown.

If you want to learn more about where he comes from, it is best to look into the histories of his purebred parents.

Both the Australian Shepherd and the Poodle have fascinating roots that eventually led to the intelligence, loyalty, and all-around cuteness that makes up their Aussiedoodle offspring.

Let’s begin with the Australian Shepherd.

Origin of the Australian Shepherd

Contrary to his name, the Australian Shepherd is an all-American dog who was refined in California during the 19th century.

This is a breed that was a staple as the cowboy’s best friend, utilizing his smarts as a herding and ranch dog in the American West.

In fact, the Australian Shepherd is still one of America’s favorite herding dogs on ranches all over America.

A serious working dog, the Australian Shepherd is happiest with a job to do. Perhaps this is what makes him such a wonderful service dog to humans in need.

According to the American Kennel Club’s list of most popular dog breeds, the Australian Shepherd also makes a fabulous family dog.

He ranks at number 16 out of 194 on the AKC’s list of most popular dog breeds in America!

Now let’s learn about the Poodle.

Origin of the Poodle

Although often referred to as the “French Poodle,” and despite being the national dog of France, the Poodle originally hails from Germany, where he was utilized for hunting ducks.

Over 400 years old, the standard Poodle breed may be most famous for his fanciful coat, but did you know that his extravagant haircut actually had a purpose that went well beyond vanity?

Back in his working days, the Poodle would swim in cold, harsh water conditions to retrieve ducks for their hunting masters, and thus the famous Poodle haircut was born.

Created to protect the Poodle’s sensitive body parts and also allow him agility in the water, the Poodle’s pompons are now a staple in Poodle coat culture.

Today, the Poodle ranks in at number seven out of 194 on the American Kennel Club’s list of most popular dog breeds in America!

With fame, intelligence, and a good work ethic in his line, it’s no wonder the Aussiedoodle is becoming such a popular crossbreed!

But how big will he get and what will he look like? Let’s find out.

Just How Big Is an Aussiedoodle – Size and Weight

Since the Aussiedoodle is a crossbreed, the Aussiedoodle size is going to depend on the size of his purebred parents.

A mini Aussiedoodle or a toy Aussiedoodle is typically a mix of an Australian Shepherd and a Miniature Poodle.

The standard Aussiedoodle is a mix between the Australian Shepherd and the Standard Poodle.

Just remember that your Australian Shepherd Poodle mix is going to vary in size depending on how big both his purebred parents are.

Let’s look at the variations you could get.

Size Specifics

The Australian Shepherd stands about 18 to 23 inches tall and weighs around 40 to 65 pounds.

The Poodle, on the other hand, comes in three size varieties:

• Standard: The Standard Poodle is the largest of the three size varieties, standing over 15 inches tall and weighing 40 to 70 pounds!
• Miniature: Medium in size, the Mini Poodle is between 10 and 15 inches in height and weighs between 10 and 15 pounds.
• Toy: Tiniest of the Poodles, the Toy Poodle grows to a mere 10 inches tall and only weighs four to six pounds.

So, your adult Aussiedoodle could range in size from 10 to over 15 inches tall and weigh anywhere from 10 to 70 pounds, depending on if he is a standard, toy, or miniature Aussiedoodle.

However, many breeders state that the average weight of an Aussiedoodle full grown is around 25 to 70 pounds. So a prospective owner should prepare for a medium to large dog.

What Does an Aussiedoodle Look Like?

Remember, the Aussiedoodle is a crossbreed, meaning he could inherit a number of traits from his purebred parents! The way he looks is really going to be left up to chance and the purebred parent he favors most on a genetic level.

Let’s take a look at the possible traits your Aussiedoodle could inherit.

The Australian Shepherd has a double-layer, waterproof coat perfect for his ranching days! His undercoat is thick, and his outer layer is longer on his body and a bit shorter on his face.

He has erect ears and bright eyes that are brown, amber, or even blue.

Aussie colors

The Aussie comes in six standard coat colors, including:

• Blue Merle
• Red Merle
• Black
• Red tricolor
• Black tricolor
• Tan

Poodle colors

The Poodle, whether standard, miniature, or toy, has a thick curly coat that can come in several color varieties, including:

• Black
• Apricot
• White
• Cream
• Tan
• Blue Belton
• Blue
• Silver
• Sable
• Brown

Remember, your Aussiedoodle could have a coat and appearance more like the Aussie or more like the Poodle. He could also land somewhere in between as far as appearance.

Temperamental Traits of the Aussiedoodle

Just as it is with size and appearance, the Aussiedoodle temperament will vary depending on what he inherits from his parent breeds.

While we can confidently say the Aussiedoodle is going to be a pretty intelligent crossbreed, considering his parents are two of the smartest purebreds around, there are a few other traits your Aussiedoodle could inherit.

Australian Shepherd Temperament

The Australian Shepherd, for example, is incredibly intelligent, but that doesn’t mean he is the dog for everyone.

He is happiest as a working dog, meaning he will need lots of mental stimulation to keep him from getting bored.

Energetic and playful, the Aussie will also require lots of playtime and exercise!

He loves the outdoors and enjoys getting messy, making him a great dog for fun-loving kiddos and families alike.

However, if not harnessed correctly, the Aussie’s energy and intelligence could lead to destructive and territorial behaviors.

He bonds very closely with his family. For this reason, he does not do well if left alone for long periods of time.

He does well with other household pets, but owners beware that Aussies are expert herders and will often try to herd their family members about the home.

Poodle Temperament

The Poodle is also a breed known for his brain. As proud as he looks, this lively breed also requires plenty of exercise and play.

His intelligence makes him an excellent dog for those who want to delight their friends and family with a number of tricks.

A natural entertainer, the Poodle is athletic and doesn’t mind getting dirty!

He makes a great family dog and does well with children and household pets, although his hunting skills mean he has natural instincts to go after smaller animals.

Keep him away from smaller household pets like birds, hamsters, guinea pigs, etc.

Likely Aussiedoodle Temperament

Since the Aussie and the Poodle make such great family pets, you can bet your Aussiedoodle will too.

However, and with all dogs, we recommend early socialization and obedience training to help ensure they are well rounded and adaptable.

Any dog crossed with an Australian Shepherd is especially encouraged to indulge in early socialization and obedience training.

According to the AKC, one of the main reasons Aussies and their crosses wind up in shelters is because they were not properly socialized and trained, and owners did not know how to rein in all that energy.

This goes for even the smallest Aussiedoodle types. Even the mini Aussiedoodle temperament will benefit from training and socialization.

Aussiedoodle Shedding

Now that we’ve established that the Aussiedoodle is a crossbreed and that a crossbreed can inherit any number of traits from his purebred parents, it should come as no surprise that grooming and general care could go either way.

Do Aussiedoodles shed? Is the Aussiedoodle hypoallergenic?

The truth is, there is really no such thing as a dog who is hypoallergenic.

However, the Poodle is considered to be a great choice for allergy sufferers considering they shed significantly less than many other breeds and produce less allergy-inducing dander on their fur.

However, the Australian Shepherd is a shedder, and since you’ll be dealing with a crossbreed between the Australian Shepherd and the Poodle, chances are he will not be “hypoallergenic.”

Aussiedoodle shedding and Aussiedoodle grooming go hand-in-hand.

Aussiedoodle grooming

You’ll want to be sure you have the right tools to keep his coat looking its best and to keep as much loose hair out of your home and off of your clothes as possible.

As previously mentioned, the Australian Shepherded is a seasonal shedder.

For this reason, he requires weekly grooming to keep his coat looking its best and free of mats and tangles.

Keep in mind that the Aussie is an active dog who may leave the house clean and come back dirty.

Still, unless he comes back covered in mud, he really only requires occasional bathing.

The purebred Poodle, on the other hand, requires significant grooming, especially if an owner wants to show him. Most owners who opt to show their Poodles will either learn to cut their fanciful coats themselves or they will go to a groomer.

Other owners who are not interested in showing may opt for a puppy cut, meaning they forgo the Poodle’s famous pompons and go for a more manageable cut.

General Care

Keep in mind that your Aussiedoodle could inherit either one of his purebred parents’ coats or he could land somewhere in between the two.

For this reason, grooming maintenance could vary.

And of course, your Aussiedoodle is going to need his ears cleaned regularly to avoid waxy build-up and moisture that could lead to infection.

He will also need his nails trimmed frequently to keep them from breaking and cracking.

As far as diet, the active and athletic Aussiedoodle will benefit from a high-quality dog food with meat proteins listed as the first three ingredients.

He will also need fresh water every day and plenty of exercise and mental stimulation.

What Are the Exercise and Training Requirements for an Aussiedoodle?

As previously stated, the Aussiedoodle is a very active and intelligent dog. For this reason, he is going to need plenty of physical and mental stimulation.

Not for the novice owner, the highly-intelligent and energetic Australian Shepherd is a working dog through-and-through who will be happiest with doggy jobs and consistent training.

He will need at least an hour or two of exercise a day and an owner willing to teach him new tricks and give him some purpose, like fetching the paper each morning or helping to carry in groceries.

Since they are so intelligent and loyal to their family members, Aussies are very easy to train. However, they must begin training very early and owners should be prepared for the high amounts of energy these dogs have.

Patience, early socialization, and obedience training are key for this active and smart breed.

The Poodle is also an intelligent breed and training him should be a breeze as well.

As long as owners are consistent, Poodles are eager to please and enjoy showing off.

They are people-pleasers from nose to tail but require plenty of activity and exercise to stay happy, just like the Australian Shepherd.

For this reason, it’s easy to assume your Aussiedoodle is going to be a very energetic dog who requires plenty of mental and physical activity, as well as early socialization and obedience training to be happy and healthy throughout his life.

Aussiedoodle’s Average Lifespan and Health Issues

The Aussiedoodle crossbreed is going to be prone to whatever his parent breeds are prone to, and for this reason, it is best to look into all health conditions associated with the Australian Shepherd and the Poodle.

The Australian Shepherd has a lifespan of 12 to 15 years and is most prone to hip dysplasia, eye diseases, sensitivity to drugs, and epilepsy.

The Poodle has a lifespan of 10 to 18 years and is predisposed to hip dysplasia, epilepsy, progressive retinal atrophy, Addison’s disease, thyroid issues, bloat, and hypoglycemia.

To improve the quality of life in your Aussiedoodle, we recommend early health screening to ensure he is ship-shape.

Early health screening could also help you to prepare for or even prevent certain health issues your Aussiedoodle may face in the future.

Is an Aussiedoodle the Right Crossbreed for Me?

The Aussiedoodle is an active, intelligent crossbreed who will do best in homes with large, fenced-in yards. He will also benefit from owners who have prior experience with dogs and can train intelligent, high-energy breeds.

You should also keep in mind that the Aussiedoodle is likely to bond strongly with his family. He may not tolerate being left alone for long periods of time.

Grooming and shedding may also be an issue, so allergy sufferers should take this into consideration when thinking about getting an Aussiedoodle.

If you are an active owner who understands what it takes to train and care for a smart, active dog, then he may be the perfect companion for you!

How Can I Find Myself an Aussiedoodle Puppy?

The Aussiedoodle is an admired crossbreed, combining the brains and beauty of two very popular dog breeds! But how do you go about finding Aussiedoodle puppies?

If you are considering rescuing an Aussiedoodle dog from a shelter, keep in mind that finding one in your local rescue could be hit or miss depending on when you are looking.

However, if you are willing to be patient, one of the many benefits of rescuing an Aussiedoodle is going to be the price, since shelters cost much less than breeders. Not only that, but most shelters will actually cover the initial vet fees!

Still, there are adoption fees, but they are typically pretty low, running from $50 to $100 at the most.

On the other hand, if you are looking at Aussiedoodle breeders, keep in mind that the Aussiedoodle price is going to be much higher, especially if your Aussiedoodle’s parent breeds are show quality.

Be prepared to spend anywhere from $500 to over $1000 for an Aussiedoodle when going through a breeder.

Be sure to ask your breeder plenty of questions, and keep in mind that reputable breeders will be able to provide health certificates proving their litters have been screened for any inheritable health conditions.

And remember, early socialization and obedience training are key to a happy, healthy, well-rounded dog, especially when it comes to the Aussiedoodle.

Do you have an Aussiedoodle and love his smarts and energy? Tell us all about him in the comment section!

References

Borbala Turcsan, Adam Miklosi, Eniko Kubinyi, Owner Perceived Differences Between Mixed-Breed and Purebred Dogs 

Tiffani J Howell, Tammie King, Pauleen C Bennett, Puppy Parties and Beyond: the role of early age socialization practices on adult dog behavior, Volume 6, pages 143-153

Nathan B Sutter and Elaine A Ostrander, Dog Star Rising: The Canine Genetic System, Nature Reviews Genetics, Volume 5, pages 900-910

Lowell Acumen DVM, DACVD, MBA, MOA, The Genetic Connection; a Guide to Health Problems in Purebred Dogs, Second Edition, 2011

Purebred Vs Mutt-Common Objections to Mixed Breed Dogs

Carol Beuchat Ph.D., The Myth of Hybrid Vigor in Dogs…Is A Myth