Aussiedoodle…. Everything You Need to Know at a Glance!

You may be surprised to learn that even if you’ve never heard of anyone referring to their dog as an “Aussiedoodle,” there’s probably a good chance you’ve seen one; you just weren’t aware. This is because over the past 10 to 20 years, this “designer dog” or “hybrid dog breed” has grown in popularity. This is primarily because mixing an Australian Shepherd and a Poodle (a Standard Poodle or a Miniature Poodle) creates a beautiful puppy. However, it’s probably safe to say that an “Aussiedoodle” isn’t the right dog for everyone.

Which is why…

In this article, we want to take a moment and discuss some of the pros and cons of owning an Aussiedoodle so that you’ll have a better idea of whether or not owning an  Aussiedoodle we are a good fit for you. You see, here at IndulgeYourPet, we’d like to let you know that the first step in understanding whether a particular dog breed will be right for you is to understand the origin of that specific dog breed. This way, you’ll have a better understanding of “why” a particular breed of dog was created so that you’ll also have a better experience of some of their “instinctual drives.”

While each dog will indeed have its unique personality, there are some things you can safely assume about a particular breed, given their instinctual drives. For example,  Chesapeake Bay Retrievers will like to swim, Greyhounds will want to run, and Australian Shepherds willGreyhounds will like to run. Australian Shepherds are going to desire to chase.

Aussiedoodle Fast Facts

Country of Origin:  United States… “Probably”

Original Purpose:  Companionship

Height:  14 to 23 inches

Weight: 25 to 70 pounds

Life Expectancy:  10-14years

Dog Breed Class:  Yet to be “officially” recognized

Origin of the Aussiedoodle

An Aussiedoodle is just one example of a new “type” or “breed” of dog that is commonly referred to as a “designer dog” or “hybrid dog.” And while this trend of cross-breeding two different dog breeds together may initially seem a bit strange, the result can be pretty beneficial to both species.

You see…

Due to irresponsible breeding throughout the years and centuries, certain dog breeds have been “selectively bred” to highlight features that may or may not be in the best interest of that breed. As a result, characteristics that may have naturally disappeared on their own due to natural selection have instead been able to persist and, in some cases, even enhanced (think Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with their small heads).

As a result, many purebred dog breeds today are at an increased risk for suffering a wide variety of medical conditions that they wouldn’t be at risk for had “natural selection” been able to occur naturally.

This is why…

Some breeders, in an attempt to “capture” the positive characteristics of particular breeds without also “inheriting” many of the health risks, have combined different well-loved dog breeds to create a healthy combination of some of our favorite dogs today.

And we…

The Aussiedoodle represents one of the best examples of this “new” trend. With that said, you’re probably wondering what it’s like to own an Aussiedoodle and what you’re Aussiedoodle is going to look like.

Ausiedoodle Dog Breed Appearance

Asking what your ausiedoodle’s appearance will look like is a great question. But the problem is, it’s also a tricky question to answer.

You see, what you’re going to get is a mix of these two historic breeds, and most of the time, you’re not going to get a 50/50 split, so the looks and behavior of your Aussiedoodle will likely depend on which way your Aussiedoodle “leans.”

Is he more Poodle? Or is he more like an Australian Shepherd?

Either way, one thing that we can tell you is that your Aussiedoodle is going to be innovative. So bright, this dog is often called the “canine Einstein.” This is great because this is going to make training your Aussiedoodle a piece of cake!

Size of an Aussiedoodle

The average size of an Aussiedoodle can vary greatly depending on which breed of Poodle is used. Standard Poodles will result in a larger Aussiedoodle, while Miniature Poodles will create miniature Aussiedoodles or a Mini Aussidoodle.

But be warned, regardless of the size of your Aussiedoodle, they will have a lot of energy and need to exercise.

Aussiedoodle Temperament

While the personality and temperament of your Aussiedoodle will be inherited, the environment they are raised in will also play a significant role in their development.

This is why you will want to ensure your Aussiedoodle puppy is “socialized” at a very young age. If you aren’t able to socialize with other dogs because puppies aren’t able to be fully vaccinated, then you should mix your Aussiedoodle puppy with other people.

The good news…

Is that these little guys are going to be SO…. CUTE that it will be nearly impossible to keep your hands off the little guy and support anyone who sees them from trying to pick them up! (Yes, Aussiedoodle puppies are that cute).

Plus, Aussiedoodles come from two separate dog breeds that have been historically significant family pets that are typically good with children of all ages and other animals, including dogs and cats, for the most part.

So…

Generally speaking, both breeds that make up an Aussiedoodle are friendly dogs entirely devoted to their “pack,” whether one person or a whole family.

This breed is a companion dog and should not be an “outside only” dog. They are brilliant and very social. If left alone, they can act out and start to exhibit negative behaviors (digging, chewing, etc.) as they try to keep themselves occupied.

That is why…

You’ll want to start your obedience training with this dog as young as possible, usually before they are six months old. Otherwise, you will probably have a very headstrong adult Aussiedoodle on your hands.

Aussiedoodles make great family dogs.

Aussiedoodles love to play with children of all sizes. Because your dog is half Australian Shepherd, they may try and herd your family to keep everyone together.

This may be seen by bumping people or kids to keep them in a group or lightly ‘nipping’ (not aggressive) family members . . . the ‘nipping’ is not a wanted behavior, though, and should be stopped ASAP. That is why you need to train your Aussiedoodle puppy early.

The excellent news is…

Aussiedoodles are very smart and respond very well to positive reinforcement, so you should only use positive motivation and support for the best results.

Do Ausidoodles have hypoallergenic coats?

Some consider the Aussie doodle’s coats to be ‘hypoallergenic,’ as poodles are often thought of in that respect since they do not shed.

But this is a misnomer because people aren’t allergic to the hair/fur of an animal but to the dander, dead skin cells (thank dandruff on people) that flake off of the body.

This is why…

If you suffer from dog allergies, we recommend spending a “significant” amount of time with an Aussiedoodle before you decide to adopt an Aussiedoodle puppy or Aussiedoodle rescue dog.

Aussiedoodle grooming and bathing

Aussiedoodles require a HIGH degree of maintenance, just like any “doodle.” An Aussiedoodle will have to be groomed every six to eight weeks, with baths every few weeks, as they have hair that continues to grow and not fur, which is shed when it reaches a certain length.

And while we…

I would love to tell you what color their fur may be, but the truth is, their coats can come in just about any color you can imagine, including Black, brown, white, or any mix of the two.

Health Concerns for the Aussiedoodle

As we mentioned before, due to overbreeding, certain dog breeds can have an increased risk of suffering from certain medical conditions. And in the case of both the Australian Shepherd and the Poodle (Standard and Miniature), this is undoubtedly the case.

The excellent news is…

Often, the genetic trait that causes a particular dog to suffer from a medical condition is a recessive gene. This means that when you mix two dog breeds that don’t share common risk factors, the resulting puppy will often have a greater chance of being completely healthy.

And this is generally the case when we examine the Aussiedoodle “breed” as a whole. While it is true that the Aussiedoodle will “potentially” be at risk of all of the medical conditions each of their parents is also at risk for, in general, most, if not all, of these conditions won’t present themselves.

That said, however…

It’s only prudent for us to list some of the conditions that could arise so that you can get an idea of what to look out for, as well as be able to ask your dog breeder about them so that you can be sure that the parents of your Assiedoodle are healthy themselves.

Common health issues that could affect Poodles and Australian Shepherds:

• Epilepsy – (Scary!) The cost of the medication to treat epilepsy in your dog can depend on the severity and run anywhere from $200-$5000 a year.
• Hip-Dysplasia – Surgery can range from $1500 to $6500.
• Cataracts – Treatment can cost anywhere between $1500-$6500 depending on the age they are discovered and the severity.
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (RHA) – The retina is a thin lining in the back of the eye, and this condition can cause blindness in both eyes, with the cost of treatment being $1500-$2500.
• Autoimmune Thyroiditis – The initial test for thyroid problems can be $150-$300, with follow-up monthly prescription medications costing $32-$55 a month.
• Sebaceous Adenitis is an inflammatory skin disorder; medicated shampoo costs $30-$60 a container, and your dog may also need other prescription drugs.

Now, if you noticed….

In addition to listing some of the medical conditions your Aussiedoodle could theoretically be at risk for, we also listed some approximate costs for treating those medical conditions. We did this because, if you’re just now thinking about adopting an Aussiedoodle puppy, this is a perfect time also to take a moment and research what it might cost to purchase a pet insurance policy so that you won’t need to burden these costs alone!

For more information about who currently offers the “Best” pet insurance policies, we recommend you check out our Best Pet Insurance Companies.