Aussiedoodle: Breed Facts and Temperament

The Aussiedoodle is loving, playful and intelligent breed which can be suited to all sorts of owners, from adults to families. It’s energetic and playful personality means that the breed requires lots of exercise and playing to keep mentally and physically stimulated. Whether you’ve never heard of the Aussiedoodle before, or if you love this breed and can’t wait to adopt one, we’re sure you’ll learn something new from this article. From breed facts, characteristics and temperament to an in-depth guide in doggy care, we have it all covered.

History of the Aussiedoodle

Since the Aussiedoodle is a designer breed which has only become popular recently, its history isn’t very well documented. While the specific year of this breed’s creation hasn’t been well documented, it is estimated to be some time around between the 1990s and the 2000s. However, as the Aussie Shepherd and Poodle breeds have been around for much longer, we can look to them for an idea of why this breed was created.

The Aussie Shepherd has been around for just under two centuries, dating back to the 1800s. Although the breed is likely to have been bred in Australia, no record exists of this being the case. In fact, the breed was mostly developed in California where it was a popular pet in ranches. As the Australian Shepherd became a common canine companion for cowboys, the breed proved it was intelligent by learning how to herd animals. Some Aussie Shepherds are still used for herding animals in farms to this day!

The Poodle (also known as the French Poodle) is a popular pooch all over the world for its beautiful coat and playful nature. The Poodle was originally used to hunt ducks in Germany back in the 1600s. The key characteristic of this breed – its short, curly coat – was essential for its survival as a hunting dog. This is because the tight curly coat would keep the dog warm when it had to jump into cold water or chase ducks in harsh weather conditions.

Since both breeds have been around for so long and the parent breeds are healthy, loving and affectionate dogs, it might seem like a perfectly good reason to cross the breeds. However, this isn’t the case for some people. Crossbreeds or ‘Designer Breeds’ as they’re often called, are highly controversial in the doggy world as they are often seen as better than mutts but not as good as purebreds. While this argument is merely contentious, it’s worth knowing about. Since purebreds are bred consistently to maintain characteristics, some undesirable features (like medical conditions) appear which gradually progress through generations. However, because crossbreeds can be maintained using different dogs and different balances, negative characteristics can be eliminated more easily, in turn, making the breed more desirable to some pet parents.

Quick Facts About the Aussiedoodle

If you’ve never seen or heard of the Aussiedoodle before, it’s best to learn a little bit about the breed’s characteristics before we start talking about essential dog care tips. While there’s lots of information online and in veterinarian practices, we’ve compiled a list of the most important top facts you should know about the breed. Coat type and color, nicknames, average height and weight are important things you should know before looking to adopt an Aussiedoodle.

• The Aussiedoodle is commonly known by a couple of other names including the Aussiepoo, Aussiepoodle and the Australian Shepherd Poodle mix.
• This intelligent breed is also sometimes referred to as the ‘Einstein’ breed for its ability to learn skills quickly and easily.
• Fully grown Aussiepoodles typically grow up to 15 inches tall and weigh between 25 to 70 pounds. Male Aussiepoodles are usually taller and weigh more than females so you can expect males to be at the higher end of this range.
• The Aussiepoo usually has a multicolored coat featuring two or more colors. Black and red, black and brown, red merle and blue merle are the most common color combinations. Although it is rare, some Aussiepoodles can have a solid colored coat.
• The coat type can vary depending on what genes the pup inherits from its parents. Aussiedoodles that are more like their Poodle parent will have a shorter coat with tighter curls. If the mix is more balanced then you could expect to see a short to medium length wavy coat.
• Another Aussiepoodle mix can be created by using a mini Poodle instead of the normal sized one. This creates the mini Aussiepoodle which is just like the regular one…but a bit smaller. However, like most miniature breeds, the mini Aussiepoodle can develop some severe medical conditions which put off many puppy parents from choosing this mini breed.

Things You Should Know

One of the questions people first ask when they consider adopting an Aussiepoodle is: “Are Aussies hypoallergenic?” Although no dog breed can be guaranteed to be hypoallergenic, the Aussiedoodle is as close as it gets. If you or a family member have an allergy to other dog, you might not with this one due to its minimal shedding.

Another main point to consider with the Aussiepoodle is its high energy and intelligence. This breed should be mentally and physically stimulated using toys, playing and exercise to prevent territorial or destructive behaviors from appearing. These behaviors, and others, can usually be avoided through good, consistent training. We’ll cover this in more detail in a moment. For a wider selection of choices, check out our interactive dog toys and dog toys guides.

Health

Due to careful selective breeding, there aren’t really any medical conditions to worry about with this breed. Conditions which would otherwise be inherited from parents can be avoided through selective breeding so ensure you buy or adopt your new pup from a reputable breeder. When adopting from a trustworthy breeder, you should receive a medical history of both parents and tests should be carried out on your pup to ensure they’re fit and healthy. However, some medical problems can simply occur in dogs as they go through life. Below is a list of the most common medical conditions which can affect dogs of this physique.

• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) – This condition affects many dog breeds and involves a series of eye conditions which range in severity. While the condition may start with a number of symptoms all affecting the eye (pain, lack of vision or swelling for example), it results in the dislocation of the retina causing a progressive vision loss, ultimately resulting in blindness. The condition can be detected through eye tests and symptoms can be alleviated if they are noticed, diagnosed and treated promptly.
• Hip Dysplasia – This unfortunate condition involves an abnormality where the socket of the hip joint does not align correctly with the ball portion. This can, in turn, cause movement issues, pain and heightens the risk of the hip dislocating. Find out more about dog joint supplements here.

Remember, if you buy or adopt your precious pup from a reliable breeder then the risk of medical problems should be minimized. If you notice any concerning symptoms then contact your vet and seek professional advice. Aussiepoodles that grow up healthily, happily and receive the correct medical attention when necessary can be expected to live between 10 to 13 long and fulfilled years.

Training

As we’ve learned already, the Aussiedoodle can exhibit some negative behaviors due to its intelligence and energetic personality. While the dog is naturally loyal, you’ll have to ensure your dog knows how and when to use its energy as sometimes tries to herd its family. This can be avoided through thorough behavior training and socializing while the pup is young. However, the characteristic which can make this bred difficult are also useful for training. If you are prepared to regularly and consistently train your Aussiepoodle from a young age then it will learn quickly and enjoy being taught. Just be sure to adopt an effective training regime which supports your dog using positive reinforcement. Using treats such as tasty snacks, toys, playtime or praising behavior will teach your pup that they’ve done a good job and have effectively learned a new skill.

Exercise

Since both parental breeds of the Aussiedoodle are energetic and playful dogs, expect to be taking your precious pooch out for walks and general exercise a few times per day adding up to an hour or two. You’ll need to give your playful pooch lots of opportunities to exercise, especially if you live in city or built-up area so it might be a good idea to take your canine companion with you for trips to the store or when you’re running errands. If you enjoy running or long walks, the Aussiedoodle would make a perfect enthusiastic companion.

Nutrition

The Aussiepoodle’s energetic and active nature will need to be fueled by some high-quality dog food which is high in animal protein and nutrients. While some dogs respond better to canned food and others to dry, this is a personal preference which should be chosen to suit you and your dog’s needs. The Aussiedoodle also has a tendency to gain weight so be careful when feeding your pup. If you notice your dog beginning to gain weight, try reducing its food intake or increasing exercise time to remedy this change. If your pup starts loosing weight then you might need to feed them more or take them out exercising for less time. The feeding process can be challenging, especially when your pet is growing up and you’re learning what works best. It can take some trial and error and you’ll most likely have to speak with your vet for their advice and recommendations that are specifically tailored to your dog. You should also try to feed your pup at regular timed intervals throughout the day to get them used to a schedule.

For more guides on choosing the right dog food, you may wish to check out our reviews of the best dry dog food, organic dog food, grain free dog food, wet dog food and dog food for weight loss. 

Grooming

Grooming is possibly the simplest aspect of dog care for the Aussiedoodle. Since it’s hypoallergenic and barely sheds, weekly brushing is necessary for this breed. However, there’s nothing wrong with brushing your precious pooch every other day as it can be the perfect time for you two to relax and bond together. You might need to keep a towel by the door for this dog since its active and playful nature means it likes to play in the dirt when it exercises. Keeping your pup clean and hygienic will be the biggest difficulty of grooming.

You’ll need to make sure your dog’s coat is clean and dirt-free to prevent a build-up of debris and any matting or knotting. If you feel comfortable to do so, you can give your pup a bath with dog shampoo and conditioner whenever it needs a good clean. If not, you can hire a dog groomer to do this for you. You’ll also need to check your pup’s eyes, ears and paws regularly. While nail trimming won’t need to be done very often, you should keep an eye on them to ensure they’re not too long as this could harm your pup’s paws. Ears and eyes should be checked daily or every few days for a build up of wax, dirt or debris which could cause blockages or infections. You can clean your pup’s eyes and ears using a clean, damp cloth and gently stroking away from the area to prevent lodging any debris further in.

Check out other dog grooming guides, such as dog wipes, dog nail grinder, dog nail clippers, and dog ear cleaners.

Temperament

Like many aspects of this beautiful breed’s makeup, the Aussiedoodle temperament greatly depends on its parents. While it’s impossible to predict how your pup will behave, we can guess an average based on a combination of the two parental breed temperaments. Because the Aussie Shepherd is a naturally intelligent and hard-working dog, you can expect the Aussiepoodle to smart and requiring lots of mental stimulation through playing and training. Likewise, due to the Poodle’s fun-loving and energetic personality, the Aussiedoodle is likely to be spirited, playful and will require lots of exercise to stay physically stimulated.

Source:

1. The Aussiedoodle – Australian Shepherd Poodle Mix – Animal Corner