The Aussiedoodle dog is a relatively new breed that’s a cross between a Poodle and an Australian Shepherd. These designer dogs are popular for their smart, affectionate personalities. Poodles come in three sizes – from toy poodles, the smallest, to miniature poodles, to standard poodles, the largest variety. Most Aussiedoodles are mixed with Standard or Miniature Poodles, making them small to medium-sized. Aussiedoodles, sometimes called Aussiepoos or Aussiepoodles, are lively, intelligent, and friendly dogs that make excellent family pets for active households.
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Height: 10 to 25 inches (35.5 cm to 63.5 cm)
Weight: 20 to 75 lbs. (11 kilos to 34 kilos)
Lifespan: 10 to 14 years
Origin: U.S.
Personality: Aussiedoodles are active, intelligent, trainable, and friendly dogs that thrive with plenty of exercise and mental stimulation.
Aussiedoodle Dog Breed Appearance
As with other Oodles (designer dog breeds made by mixing Poodles with another breed), there is no breed standard for the appearance of an Aussiedoodle, and no kennel clubs recognize the breed. Usually, Aussiedoodles have a mix of Poodle and Australian Shepherd features, with medium-length fur.
An Aussiedoodle dog has fur that can be wavy or have curls like a Poodle or may have straight fur like an Aussie. If your Aussiedoodle has curly fur, they will require some trims to maintain their hygiene and make sure they can see clear of facial curls. A trim every one to two months will keep your pup healthy and mat-free.
The coat of an Aussiedoodle dog can come in a variety of colors, including black, gray, white, red, chocolate, and combinations like merle. These fun-loving pups have lean, athletic bodies. Australian Shepherds are muscular, fleet-footed herding dogs, while Poodles have lean, elegant features. The Aussiedoodle usually has a combination of lean and athletic features.
Aussiedoodles come in three sizes, depending on the size of the Poodle they are mixed with.
They can be:
Toy Aussiedoodle: Smallest size, typically under 20 pounds.
Miniature Aussiedoodle: Medium-sized, usually between 20 and 45 pounds.
Standard Aussiedoodle: Largest size, can weigh over 50 pounds.
Some Aussiedoodles have blue eyes and spots from their Australian Shepherd side of the family.
Aussiedoodle History
Aussiedoodles are a recent breed that is part of the trend of Poodle crosses. The Poodle parent makes an Aussiedoodle less likely to trigger allergies than most dogs. Aussiedoodles combine the energy and intelligence of their parent breeds, the Australian Shepherd and Poodle.
Aussiedoodles began in the late 1990s or early 2000s with breedings in North America. The purpose of creating the Aussiedoodle was to combine the hypoallergenic coat and calm traits of the Poodle with the energy of the Australian Shepherd. Australian Shepherds are high-energy working dogs that were bred to herd farm animals. Poodles are an iconic breed that dates back to Europe, where they were first developed as water retrievers for hunters.
Both Poodles and Australian Shepherds are very intelligent dogs that are known to be easy to train. Poodles tend to be calmer and make excellent therapy dogs, while Australian Shepherds are popular dogs for active people who enjoy running, hiking, and the outdoors.
Aussiedoodle Personality
The Aussiedoodle temperament is a combination of the parent breeds—the Poodle and Australian Shepherd. Like Australian shepherds, Aussiedoodles can have high energy levels and require up to a few hours of exercise a day. However, some Aussiedoodles have more of the gentle, calm temperament of the Poodle, making them well-suited for therapy work.
Most Aussiedoodles fall somewhere between high-energy Australian Shepherds and more laid-back Poodles. Aussiedoodle dogs are great activity partners and often excel in dog sports like agility and obedience. You’ll need to give your Aussiedoodle plenty of playtime each day, with trips to a dog park or activities together like running, playing fetch, or hiking. Aussiedoodles usually love swimming, too, in keeping with their Poodle parents’ heritage as water dogs.
Since they have active minds, puzzle mats are great toys for an Aussiedoodle dog. Ongoing obedience training also will help your smart pup make the most of an intelligent mind.
Aussiedoodles enjoy the company of people and other dogs, making them excellent companions for social outings and get-togethers. If you have a high-energy Aussiedoodle, you may need to give them plenty of exercise before family gatherings to prevent excess energy and excitement when you have company.
Training Aussiedoodles
Aussiedoodles are intelligent and eager to please, making them quick to learn new things. They can have strong herding instincts, however, requiring some behavior modification and plenty of exercise to help them stay calm in your home. As with all dogs, early socialization and training will help your Aussiedoodle dog adjust to your lifestyle and living conditions.
Although they tend to have high energy, Aussiedoodles can adapt to apartment living with enough regular outings and mental stimulation. Most Aussiedoodles get along well with other dogs and people and can do well at doggie daycare and with trips to dog parks. Exercise with your Aussiedoodle for at least two hours a day and if you are gone for long stretches of work, hire a dog walker to give your pup the exercise he needs.
If you have an Aussiedoodle puppy, create a regular schedule for potty breaks, playtime, and socialization to keep your pup happy and engaged. Early obedience and socialization exercises will help your pup learn how to be a well-adjusted member of your family.
Famous Aussiedoodles
Although Aussiedoodles are a newer hybrid breed, there are a few famous pups in the spotlight. Some celebrities with Aussiedoodles include:
Actress and pop star Selena Gomez has a lovable Aussiedoodle named Winnie.
Supermodel Miranda Kerr has an Aussiedoodle named Teddy.
Actress Jennifer Aniston has an Aussiedoodle named Clyde who enjoys going on active adventures with her.
Aussiedoodle Health
Aussiedoodles generally do not have a lot of health issues. Still, they can inherit certain conditions from their Poodle or Australian Shepherd genetics. Some health conditions that Aussiedoodles may be prone to include:
Hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia are common conditions in larger dogs that can lead to joint pain and arthritis.
Eye problems like cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) can affect Aussiedoodles.
Sebaceous adenitis is a skin disease that can occur in Poodles and Aussiedoodles.
Obesity is more common among dogs than it used to be, similar to people. Regular exercise and a good diet will help prevent your Aussiedoodle from becoming obese.
Thyroid disease may affect Aussiedoodles. This can be monitored by your vet and your pet can take medication to regulate thyroid levels.
Bring your Aussiedoodle to the veterinarian for regular check-ups to maintain good health. If your pup develops a health condition, work with your vet to establish a treatment plan to help your Aussiedoodle dog live a healthy, happy life.
Where to Get an Aussiedoodle
Aussiedoodles are a type of hybrid breed or mixed breed dog that does not have an official parent breed club. Proceed with caution when dealing with an Aussiedoodle breeder, and make sure the breeder offers a health guarantee. A reputable breeder should be able to show that your puppy’s parents have good hip certifications from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals and eye health certificates from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation.
Do not order a puppy online. Visit any potential Aussiedoodle breeders you are considering. Make sure all puppies and dogs are kept in a clean, healthy environment and are socialized with the family. Pet parents can also find Aussiedoodles for adoption at local shelters and rescues.
You can search for Aussiedoodles on Petfinder in your area to find adoptable pups near you. When you are meeting with potential dogs, ask a lot of questions and consider your lifestyle, the pup’s personality, and the amount of time and money you can commit to a dog.
Keep in mind that all dogs have different personalities, so energy level, barking level, and other traits can vary from dog to dog. If you are considering adopting an Aussiedoodle dog, many rescues allow foster-to-adopt programs where you can first foster a pup to ensure you’re both a good fit for each other before adoption.
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