Australian Shepherd Poodle Mix: The Top Family Dog?

Australian Shepherd Poodle mixes can make great pets in a variety of households, but there are some things that you need to know about the breed before you go ahead and get one for yourself. As with any other dog, there are certain personality traits and other aspects that may not be well-suited for everyone.

In order to find out if this is the right dog breed for you, you will need to find out everything that there is to know about Aussiedoodles. This is where we are going to help you as best we can by providing you with all the information that you could possibly need to know about the breed.

This will help you to better understand the Aussiedoodle and find out if it is the right dog breed for you and your lifestyle.

What is an Australian Shepherd Poodle Mix?

The Australian Shepherd Poodle mix is often referred to as the Aussiedoodle, which is a small to medium-sized dog that is known for being both athletic and energetic. This is a playful breed that is intelligent and hard-working, and they thrive when they are presented with something new to learn. 

The Aussiedoodle is a natural performer, and they do really well in things like dog competitions and sports, including dance, agility, and fly ball. The Aussiedoodle is an excellent family dog that has a lot of patience, which makes them great for families with young children.

You should know that they have a lot of energy, which means that they will need a home that can make time for the training and regular exercise that they need. 

With the right amount of care and attention, the Aussiedoodle can be a versatile breed that slots perfectly into almost any lifestyle.

The History of the Aussiedoodle

The Aussiedoodle is a mixed dog breed that might have existed naturally over the years, but was ultimately created intentionally as a designer dog breed through mixing Australian Shepherds and Poodles. This is likely to have happened in the late 1990s or early 2000s, and likely happened first in North America.

This dog breed became increasingly popular as time went by, which isn’t surprising considering how smart, playful, and absolutely adorable they are. The breed is sometimes considered to be a hypoallergenic dog for those that suffer from allergies, but they are not completely hypoallergenic, just like any other dog.

Even though these dogs came by as a designer breed, there are some that have ended up in shelters or rescue centers, which is handy to know if you are looking to adopt, rather than purchase directly from a breeder.

Aussiedoodle Appearance

Due to the fact that the Aussiedoodle is a crossbreed, the Aussiedoodle appearance will depend on which genes they inherit from their parents. Their appearance has been known to vary significantly, so it is important not to have any high expectations when it comes to their appearance.

You can sort of tell what an Aussiedoodle will grow up to look like by looking at their parents, but there is no way to know for sure.

Aussiedoodle Height and Weight

The Australian Shepherd is between 18 and 23 inches tall, and weighs around 40 to 65 pounds. The Poodle can come in three size varieties, which are standard, miniature, and toy. 

The standard Poodle is the largest, standing at over 15 inches tall and weighing between 40 and 70 pounds. The miniature Poodle is medium-sized and is between 10 and 15 inches tall, weighing between 10 and 15 pounds. The toy is the smallest of the Poodles, growing around 10 inches tall and weighing between 4 and 6 pounds.

This means that your Aussiedoodle can range in size from 10 to more than 15 inches tall, and it can weigh anywhere from 10 to 70 pounds. This all depends on whether the Australian Shepherd has been mixed with a standard, toy, or miniature Poodle. There are many breeders that would state that the average weight of an Aussiedoodle that is fully grown will be around 25 to 70 pounds. 

Aussiedoodle Coat

The Aussiedoodle is a crossbreed, so they would inherit a number of traits from their purebred parents. This means that their appearance will depend on the genetics that they receive from the parents. 

The Australian Shepherd has a double-layer and waterproof coat that is perfect for their original purpose as working dogs. They have a thick undercoat with an outer layer that is longer on the body and shorter on the face.

The Poodle is known for its unique curly coat that many people love due to the fact that it is low-shedding, but it is important to remember that it is impossible to guarantee the type of coat that an Aussiedoodle will have. 

Aussiedoodle Coat Colors

Just like any other part of this dog breed, the coat and colors that they have will depend on what they inherit from their parents. There are 6 standard colors of the Australian Shepherd, which are blue merle, red merle, black, red tricolor, black tricolor, and tan. 

The poodle has a thick and curly coat that can be either black apricot, white, cream, tan, blue belton, blue, silver, sable, and brown. So, your Aussiedoodle can inherit a variety of different colors and even color combinations. There is no way of knowing what color they will be until they are born.

Aussiedoodle Grooming

The level of grooming that your Aussiedoodle requires will depend on the type of coat that they inherit from their parents. Generally, they will need to be brushed once or twice a week, but this will be more often for curlier coats. These types of coats will need to be brushed at least three times a week, but once a day would be ideal.

When they are shedding, they will need to be brushed more frequently if they have a wavy coat. Many owners will shave the coat down during the summer to make maintaining it easier and this is something that should only be done every six to eight weeks, following a bath. They only need to have a bath around once a month, or once every two months.

You will also need to check their ears on a weekly basis, and they will need to be cleaned when necessary. This breed can be prone to things like ear infections, which is why this is so important. Their teeth should also be brushed on a weekly basis, and their nails should be trimmed either monthly, or as and when it is needed.

Aussiedoodle Personality and Temperament

There are many Aussiedoodle owners that would describe their dog’s personalities as goofy and loving. No matter how big or small they are, you can expect them to have high levels of energy, so they will need to be kept occupied with long walks and plenty of exercise.

Australian Shepherds are known as herding dogs, which means that they do sometimes have a tendency to try to herd their families, children, and other animals. Aussiedoodles are super smart dogs, thanks to their parents, but this does also mean that they will need a good amount of mental stimulation. When they get bored, they can often be quite destructive.

These dogs just love to be around their owners and families, and they might develop a special bond with one or two people in particular. Although, they do still get along fine with larger families.

Aussiedoodle LifeSpan

When it comes to their lifespan, this is something that is often determined by their size. Generally, you can expect this breed to live for around 10 to 12 years, but the miniature Aussiedoodle can live for up to 12 to 15 years.

Australian Shepherd Poodle Health Problems

The Australian Shepherd Poodle mix is generally a healthy breed, but just like any other dog, they are prone to certain health conditions. There is also the fact that deafness can be linked to coat color inheritance, and it is important not to choose a puppy that comes from two merle parents because of this.

Some of the health conditions that Aussiedoodles can be prone to are hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, epilepsy, cushing disease, ivermectin sensitivity, progressive retinal atrophy, and pancreatitis. 

Aussiedoodle Training and Exercise

These are really intelligent and active dogs, which means that they are going to require lots of physical exercise and lots of mental stimulation. We are going to tell you more about what they need when it comes to training and exercise below.

Aussiedoodle Exercise

Australian Shepherds need at least an hour or two of exercise a day, and they will also need to be given a purpose and taught new things on a regular basis. Both of the parents are dogs that require lots of exercise, so you can expect it to be the same for the Aussiedoodle. You will need to take them for walks every day, and make sure to keep them occupied, especially if they are going to be left home alone.

Aussiedoodle Training

When it comes to training, due to the fact that these dogs are so intelligent, you can expect them to pick up their training really quickly. These are hard-working dogs that need to be consistently trained in order for it to work well, and they love to be taught new things, which is a great added bonus. These dogs are at their happiest when they have been given a new purpose, or when they are learning new things.

Even though they are generally really easy to train, you should know that you will need to start their training really early, and you might want to prepare yourself for the amount of energy that they have. Some people may even find it to be too much to handle.

As long as you are consistent, and you dedicate regular sessions to training, then you should be good to go. It can also be helpful to know that Aussiedoodles respond really well to positive reinforcement in their training.

Aussiedoodle Socialization

Due to the fact that Australian Shepherds and Poodles are both great family pets, you can expect your Aussiedoodle to be the same way. However, it is recommended that you socialize them from an early age and get them to take part in obedience training when they are still puppies. This will ensure that they are well-rounded, and that they can adapt to new situations, people, and animals easily.

According to the American Kennel Club, one of the main reasons why Aussiedoodles end up in shelters is due to the fact that they have not been properly socialized and trained. This can lead to a dog that cannot be controlled and that becomes way too hyperactive. Even the smallest Aussiedoodles will need to be trained and socialized.

Feeding Your Aussiedoodle

Your Aussiedoodle will need to be fed a diet that is suitable for a small- to medium-sized breed with high energy levels. You should know that they do have a tendency to gain weight, which is why it is important to stick to a regular feeding schedule, and not to leave food out during the day. You should also limit the amount of treats that you give them.

As with all dogs, the food that you give your Aussiedoodle will change from puppyhood to adulthood, and it will continue to change into their senior years. If you are ever unsure about what food to give your Aussiedoodle, or how much to give them, you should ask your veterinarian for recommendations.

Are Aussiedoodles Good With Children And Other Pets?

Aussiedoodles are great family dogs that work really well with children, but you should still always supervise your children if they are with your dog, just in case. It is also a good idea to teach your children how to safely interact with your new dog.

Aussiedoodles also get along with other animals as long as they are introduced to them slowly and calmly. Early socialization will help this process to go more smoothly.

Related:  Shepadoodle: What Makes the German Shepherd Poodle Mix One of the Best Pets?