Australian Shepherd Labradoodle Mix: Meet the Smart & Sensitive Aussiedoodle

The current craze for all things “doodle” has created a number of popular new hybrid dog breeds, including but not limited to the dog we are learning about in this article – the Australian Labradoodle Shepherd mix.

Informally, these dogs are nicknamed Aussiedoodles. But this can get surprisingly confusing when you compare the Aussiedoodle with the similarly-named Australian Labradoodle and all the other doodle dogs that are being bred today.

So here, we focus on the Aussiedoodle specifically, learning everything there is to know about this dog breed’s appearance, temperament, coat, health, and more.

Australian Shepherd Labradoodle Mix

At its simplest, the Australian Shepherd Labradoodle mix is a hybrid dog breed that results from crossing an Australian Shepherd dog with a Poodle dog.

Enthusiasts have given this breed-in-development the adorable name of Aussiedoodle, which is a combination of the parent dog names.

Australian Shepherd Labradoodle Mix: Dog Breeds History

One of the best ways to get acquainted with a new hybrid dog breed is to study the canine breed lines that have contributed to the existence of the Australian Labradoodle puppy.

In this case, we will be studying the Australian Shepherd dog and the Poodle dog breed lines to learn more about the Aussiedoodle.

Australian Shepherd history

The Australian Shepherd wasn’t always the 17th most popular companion canine in the United States.

As the American Kennel Club (AKC) explains, these dogs aren’t actually from the Land Down Under at all, except by way of Europe.

Australian Shepherds are thought to have gotten their breed start in France and Spain, moving to Australia with their sheepherder people to colonize the continent.

During this time, the breed was further refined into the dog known today as the Australian shepherd. They are classified as herding dogs due to the breed’s extensive use of guarding and herding livestock.

But Australian Shepherds have also made a name for themselves as tricksters and expert rodeo and entertainment dogs.

Poodle history

The modern Poodle is bred in three sizes: toy, miniature, and standard. However, the original Poodle was bred only in one size: standard.

These regal dogs are the seventh most popular purebred dogs in America, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC).

In France, the Poodle is the national dog but is called the Caniche (“duck dog.”)

But the Poodle originated in neither America nor France. This breed first took shape in Germany, where it was called “Pudelin” (splashes in water).

The curly coat type that is so often groomed into flamboyant styles was originally developed as a sturdy protective low shedding coat for a hard-working canine athlete that can do it all – swimming, retrieving, tracking, and more.

Australian Shepherd Labradoodle mix history

The Aussiedoodle comes from a long and noble dual lineage of working dog breeds. As such, your hybrid dog’s parent breeds contribute athleticism, intelligence, and an extraordinary work ethic to the mix.

Australian Shepherd Labradoodle Mix Personality & Temperament

What are the Aussiedoodle’s personality and temperament like? This will depend on which traits your puppy inherits from each parent dog.

Australian Shepherd personality and temperament

The Australian Shepherd’s personality is outgoing and confident overall, provided this dog gets the proper early and ongoing positive training and socialization.

These dogs love to entertain and learn tricks. They crave staying busy. A tired Aussie Shepherd is going to be much easier to manage than a bored Aussie Shepherd.

Poodle personality and temperament

The Poodle’s personality and temperament can be high-strung, especially if they have to cope with regular alone-time or insufficient exercise. Miniature Poodles are more prone to an anxious temperament than are standard Poodles.

Overall, Poodles are very loyal and loving towards “their” people and reserved towards people they don’t know.

Australian Shepherd Labradoodle mix personality and temperament

Your Aussiedoodle could grow up to be more reserved or more outgoing depending on how much influence each parent dog has on your particular hybrid puppy.

Australian Shepherd Labradoodle Mix: Size, Height, and Weight

Your Aussiedoodle could be like a large dog or a small dog depending on the size, height, and weight of each parent dog.

Australian Shepherd size, height, and weight

A full-grown male Australian Shepherd typically weighs between 50 and 65 pounds and stands 20 to 23 inches tall (from paw pads to shoulder tops).

A fully grown female Australian Shepherd will be a bit lighter and shorter in most cases. The average weight is 40 to 55 pounds and the average height is 18 to 21 inches tall.

Poodle size, height, and weight

As we mentioned earlier here, Poodles today are bred in three different sizes: standard, miniature, and toy. The Poodle parent in Aussiedoodle breeding can be either standard or miniature.

A standard adult Poodle can weigh 40 to 70 pounds, with males outweighing females by up to 20 pounds. Height for a standard Poodle adult starts at 15 inches (paw pads to shoulder tops).

If the parent dog is a miniature Poodle, you will be looking at a much greater size variance between both parent dogs. Miniature Poodle adults typically weigh just 10 to 15 pounds and stand between 10 and 15 inches tall.

Australian Shepherd Labradoodle size, height, and weight

Here, you can see how important it is to learn as much as you can about both purebred parent dogs to get the most accurate idea of how large and tall your Aussiedoodle might grow up to be.

The size projection can be quite different depending on whether the Poodle parent is a standard or miniature size.

Australian Shepherd Labradoodle Mix: Training and Exercise Needs

Both the Australian Shepherd and the Poodle (whether standard or miniature) are smart and sensitive.

Anytime you choose a dog breed with this type of temperament, you need to make sure you use only the most positive training and reinforcement to keep your bond with your dog strong.

Australian Shepherd training and exercise needs

The Australian Shepherd is so popular precisely because these dogs love people and love to please their people.

But as a herding working dog breed, the Aussie Shepherd can also be independent-minded, which can turn into stubbornness and aggression if not properly shaped and molded from a young age.

In particular, these dogs need to learn how to manage their territorial and guarding instincts around strange people.

The Australian Shepherd’s exercise needs are off the charts – so much so that many first-time dog owners find that these dogs are too much to handle with their existing responsibilities.

As with many herding and working dog mixed breeds, an Australian Shepherd dog without a job to do is likely to become bored and destructive in short order.

Poodle training and exercise needs

Poodles are very bonded with their people but will remain aloof towards strangers throughout life.

This is to be expected for a dog with strong protective and guarding instincts. Luckily, Poodles are known to be eager to please their people and will respond quickly to all positive training and reinforcement methods.

Poodles are exceptional canine athletes and enjoy all kinds of canine sports. They do not do well when left alone and can become bored and destructive as a result.

Australian Shepherd Labradoodle training and exercise needs

The best approach for training an Aussiedoodle is always going to be early, consistent, positive socialization and proper training combined with regular, daily exercise, and canine athletics activities.

Australian Shepherd Labradoodle Mix: Coat Care, Shedding & Grooming

No matter which parent dog your Aussiedoodle puppy most takes after genetically, you are going to be signing up for a lot of curly coat care when you choose this hybrid dog breed.

Australian Shepherd coat care, shedding, and grooming

The Australian Shepherd is best known for its long and distinctive tan-color coat. But all that flowing hair tangles and mats easily, which can cause skin irritation and infection.

And the double layer coat, with its soft, thick, insulating under-layer, sheds a lot. In addition to year-round maintenance shedding, the Australian Shepherd “blows coat” once to twice annually.

The Australian Shepherd really needs daily brushing as well as regular trims to keep the coat manageable and functional and keep shed dog hair under control.

Poodle coat care, shedding, and grooming

The Poodle has become exceptionally popular today because of its reputation as a so-called “hypoallergenic dog breed.”

Unfortunately, as the respected Mayo Clinic explains, the idea that any dog could possibly be hypoallergenic is a myth.

All dogs produce the protein that triggers pet allergies, which is present in their saliva, urine, and skin rather than their fur.

And all dogs shed whether they show it or not. Poodles do not show their shedding since the dead hair gets trapped in the surrounding coat, where it quickly causes tangles and mats.

Poodle coats also grow quickly and continuously, which means learning how to trim and groom your dog at home (or investing in regular professional grooming) is a must.

Poodles need daily brushing as well as regular trims to keep the coat well maintained and healthy. weekly brushing sessions can be quite tiring and not so perfect family pet for everyone.

Australian Shepherd Labradoodle mix coat care, shedding, and grooming

Your Aussiedoodle will need quite a bit of brushing and grooming every single day to keep the coat functioning well and avoid the possibility of tangles, mats, and skin injuries these can cause.

Australian Shepherd Labradoodle Mix: Longevity & Health Issues

Many purebred dog breed lines today are becoming increasingly health-compromised due to over-breeding to strict appearance standards.

The more limited the gene pool, the more likely it is that undesirable genes with serious health consequences may get passed from parent dogs to puppies.

Learning all you can about the health of each parent dog can go a long way towards helping you select the healthiest possible Aussiedoodle puppy.

Australian Shepherd longevity and health issues

According to the Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) database, the Australian Shepherd breed has the following known possible genetic health issues that can cause distressing, expensive, and ultimately life-limiting problems for a healthy dog:

• Elbow dysplasia.
• Hip dysplasia.
• Eye issues.
• Collie eye anomaly.
• Autoimmune thyroiditis.
• Drug sensitivity (anesthesia and other drugs).

The Australian Shepherd has a typical life expectancy of 12 to 15 years.

Poodle longevity and health issues

According to the Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) database, the Poodle dog (standard or miniature as noted below here) can inherit these known genetic health issues and pass them along to future generations of puppies:

• Hip dysplasia.
• Eye issues.
• Thyroid issues (standard Poodles only).
• Cardiac issues (standard Poodles only).
• Sebaceous adenitis (standard Poodles only).
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) (miniature Poodles only).
• Patellar luxation (miniature Poodles only).

The Poodle has a typical life expectancy ranging from 10 to 18 years.

Australian Shepherd Labradoodle mix: longevity and health issues

As you can see, joint, skin, eye, heart, and thyroid issues are the predominant health conditions to worry about when selecting Australian Labradoodle breeders to work with.

You want to be sure the breeder you choose has run all applicable genetic health screening tests on the parent dogs. Reputable breeders will happily provide test results for their breeding stock – often without even being asked.

Learn 10 Top Facts About the Aussiedoodle

In this informative YouTube video, you can learn all about the hybrid dog breed known as the Aussiedoodle, a cross between the Australian Shepherd and the Poodle.

These dogs are smart – so smart that, as the video points out, some dog lovers call them the “Einstein” of canines!

Australian Shepherd Labradoodle Mix: Is the Aussiedoodle the Right Dog For You?

For the right person who loves spending their free time with active dogs, likes smart and athletic dogs, the Aussiedoodle might just be the best choice of companion canine!