Aussiedoodle Mixed Dog Breed Pictures & Characteristics
The Aussiedoodle is a hybrid breed between purebred Poodle and Australian Shepherd dogs.
It is a cute, active, loyal, and playful pup, which is also referred to as an Aussiepoodle or Aussiepoo.
Fanciers of this crossbreed often call the Aussiedoodles “Einstein dogs” thanks to their inborn intelligence. They are suited for all kinds of homes and families, given that they are provided with the attention and mental and physical stimulation they need.
They can get along with older children and are also excellent therapy dogs, and will develop a strong bond with one or more of their humans.
Read on to find out more about the Aussiedoodles.
Adaptability
Adaptability to apartment living
It is a highly active and playful dog and will feel better in a home with an outdoor area and a secure fence, where it can roam and play for a few hours per day.
Suitability for newbie dog owners
While it is an intelligent dog, the Aussiedoodle may require a more experienced dog owner and has higher activity requirements, which makes it not the best choice for people used to leading a sedentary lifestyle.
Sensitivity
They are not as overly sensitive as other dog breeds, so they are more tolerant of noisy families and a not-so-consistent regime than others.
Tolerating being left alone
Aussiedoodles bond closely with one or two people and want to spend as much time with them as possible. This makes them prone to separation anxiety.
Tolerating cold weather
Depending on their coat type, some Aussiedoodles are less tolerant to cold weather, so you should ensure that your pup has a warm place to rest and live and avoid keeping it outdoors for long hours when the temperatures are low.
Tolerating hot weather
You should avoid spending long hours playing with your dog when it is scorching hot outside. Instead, choose the cooler hours of the day to spend time outdoors with your pup. Also, make sure it has access to clean and fresh water at all times.
Friendliness
Attachment to family
The Aussiedoodle will quickly create a strong bond with its owner and the entire family. These pups are superb family dogs.
Children friendliness
Thanks to their playfulness and high activity levels, the Aussiedoodles are great playmates for children, as long as the children are instructed how to interact with the dogs safely to prevent injuries and incidents.
Dog friendliness
When socialized in a timely manner, the Aussiedoodle will get along with other dogs. It may try to herd smaller animals.
Stranger friendliness
When introduced to different people from an early age, the Aussiedoodle is a friendly dog and will love interacting with your friends, guests, and strangers.
Overall health and grooming requirements
Shedding
If the dog has inherited its Poodle parent’s shorter and curlier coat, it is more likely to be a low-shedding, hypoallergenic dog.
Drooling
Drooling is not uncommon among some Aussiedoodles, so if you want a non-drooling pup, you may want to consider another dog breed.
Grooming
It is a relatively easy-to-groom and maintained hybrid dog breed.
Overall health
Aussiedoodles are generally quite healthy but still can be prone to some hereditary issues, which are common among their purebred parents, especially if they come from irresponsible breeders who do not test their dogs before breeding them.
Weight gain potential
They are prone to gaining weight if they do not get enough exercise or are overfed with the wrong kind of food or treats.
Size
The size of the Aussiedoodle depends on the type of Poodle used for the breeding, but in general, these pups can be small to medium-sized.
Training
Ease of training
They are highly intelligent dogs, which are fast learners and can be trained easily with the proper methods and with consistency and positive reinforcement.
Intelligence
Aussiedoodles are commonly referred to as “Einstein dogs” and are incredibly smart.
Mouthiness
Some younger pups may try to nip the kids when playing or trying to herd them. This usually goes away with age and can be trained out of the dog with the proper methods.
Prey Drive
They do have an average prey drive, which is why you should keep your pup on a leash and make sure that your yard is securely fenced before letting it off the leash.
Barking
Thankfully for people who are sensitive to noises and to those who live in buildings with noise restrictions, the Aussiedoodles do not usually bark without need.
The impulse to roam and wander off
Since they are active and curious dogs, Aussiedoodles can run after something that catches their interest. But they will usually prefer staying close to their favorite humans.
Physical and exercise needs
Energy levels
They are highly energetic dogs that require long walks and intensive physical exercise and games, making them perfect for more active owners.
Intensity
Your Aussiedoodle will feel well and stay happy and fit if it goes on one long walk of about an hour and several shorter walks with some play sessions in between every day.
Exercise requirements
They have high exercise needs, so if you are looking for a couch potato dog, the Aussiedoodle is not the best option for you.
Playfulness
They are very playful dogs which makes them an excellent choice for families with active owners and children.
Highlights:
- Temperament: intelligent, playful, and loyal
- Height at the shoulder: 10-15 inches
- Weight: 25-70 lbs.
- Life expectancy: 10-13 years
- Breed group: mixed dog breeds
About the breed
Like most other Poodle mixed breeds, Aussiedoodles are considered to be low-shedding hypoallergenic large dogs, suitable for some owners with pet allergies.
They are very smart, so they do need to be mentally stimulated with training and interactive games to prevent them from becoming bored and resorting to destructive behavior.
The Aussiedoodle dogs come in a variety of coat types and colors, more often with the typical Australian Shepherd coat colors of red merle, blue merle, black and red, or black and tan, sable, and more rarely in solid colors.
Some are curly, and others have wavy coats, the ones with the shorter coats being more suitable for some owners suffering from pet allergies.
History
Breeders began mixing the two purebred dog breeds intentionally in the late 1990s in North America with the intention of creating intelligent and low-shedding hypoallergenic dogs.
Since they are a relatively new hybrid breed, there are some owners who are not familiar with the specifics of caring for an Aussiedoodle which has led to pups ending up in shelters and rescue centers, so you can check there for any dogs available for adoption before buying one.
Size
The size of the Aussiedoodle depends on the size of the Poodle parent, which can be Standard, Miniature, or Toy. So, you can expect an Aussiedoodle to be from small to medium-sized, have a height at the shoulder of about 10-15 inches, and weigh 25 to 70 lbs.
Related: Mini Aussiedoodle: A Designer Dog You Will Love
Personality
Aussiedoodles are energetic, playful, and loving dogs, which are highly intelligent but can also be goofy and fun.
They will stay entertained and happy if you provide them with a lot of walks and higher-intensity activities such as hiking, cycling, or running, as well as retrieval games.
Being the offspring of the Australian Shepherds, you can expect your Aussiedoodle to have strong herding instincts and to try rounding up your children or the entire family up.
Thanks to the intelligence of both the Poodle and Australian Shepherd parents, Aussiedoodles are amazingly smart as well, and as such, require a lot of mental stimulation as well. By keeping your pup entertained and mentally and physically stimulated, you can prevent it from resorting to destructive behavior due to boredom.
These pups usually develop a very close bond with one or two of their owners and thrive on spending as much time with them.
Health
Even though mixed breed dogs are not as prone to the hereditary diseases affecting their purebred parents, you should be aware of the most common health issues and diseases which can affect your Aussiepoo. This will help you monitor it for any potential symptoms and seek treatment in a timely manner.
Here are the most common hereditary and non-hereditary health issues among Aussiedoodles:
- Hip dysplasia – responsible breeders do not breed dogs diagnosed with or tested as positive for the genetic mutation causing this condition.
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy – this is another hereditary condition that can cause complete blindness and which the responsible breeders test their dogs for before breeding them.
- A sensitivity to Ivermectin – this is a condition which is very common among Australian Shepherds, Collies, Old English Sheepdogs, and Shetland Sheepdogs, and is a sensitivity to different flea and tick drugs containing Ivermectin.
- Cataracts – This is a condition that can be inherited and causes the formation of a cataract on one or both eyes of the dog.
As with any other dog, you should take your dog for regular checkups, vaccinations, and safe flea, tick, and parasite preventive treatments if you want to keep your pup healthy and in order to detect potential health problems as early as possible.
Exercise and care
Aussiedoodles are highly energetic and will require at least one long walk (30 to 60 minutes long) per day, plus other shorter walks and active playtime.
If left without sufficient physical exercise, they can become destructive out of boredom and can also become overweight. Extra weight and obesity in dogs can cause serious health issues, such as diabetes, heart disease, joint problems, and others, and can shorten the lifespan of your four-legged companion significantly.
Nutrition
It is suggested that you feed your dog with age and size-appropriate dog food and in quantities recommended by your vet, depending on the age, weight, activity level, and metabolism of your pup.
If you are giving treats to your dog, don’t forget to calculate their calories within the permitted daily caloric limits.
As the dog ages and becomes more sedentary, it will require fewer calories, so it is recommended to lower the portion size and switch to dog food formulated for senior pups when your dog gets older.
Grooming
The coats of the Aussiedoodles vary in color and type and are often a combination of the coats of both the Poodle and the Australian Shepherd parents.
The coat can be longer and wavier or have short tight curls. The colors vary from the typical merle and multi-colored coats of the Australian Shepherds and the sold color coats of the Poodles.
The grooming required for your Aussiedoodle depends on its specific coat type. The dogs with shorter tight curls are considered more suitable for homes where there are pet allergy sufferers.
You should brush the coat of your dog regularly, as well as brush its teeth every day or several times a week. The smaller the pup – the more it is prone to gum and tooth diseases.
The nails of the dogs need to be trimmed once or more times a month, and you should also perform weekly inspections and cleaning of its ears, mouth, nose, and skin.
Living with other pets and children
Aussiedoodles are active and playful, so they can become excellent playmates for children who are old enough to safely handle and interact with the pup.
They can get along with other dogs and pets at home, when introduced slowly and gradually, and when socialized from an early age. Keep in mind that your Aussiedoodle may try to herd any smaller animals in your home if not introduced properly.
Rescue Groups
While there are few dedicated rescue groups and associations specifically for Aussiedoodles, it is still possible to find a dog from this hybrid breed that is put up for adoption at your local rescue centers and shelters or in the Poodle or Australian Shepherd specific rescue shelters.
You can not only save money but also help a dog in need to find a forever home by adopting one instead of buying an Aussiedoodle.
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