Aussiedoodle: Dog breed characteristics & care

• Aussiedoodles are a mixed-breed cross between an Australian shepherd and a poodle. They also go by other names, like Aussiepoo, Aussiepoodle, and even one that’s quite a mouthful — Australian shepherd poodle.
• While some Aussiedoodles do have red coats, it’s pretty rare! If your heart is set on a red Aussiedoodle puppy, be prepared to wait, travel, and/or pay more for one.
• Not all Aussiedoodles have blue eyes, but many of them do, thanks to their Australian shepherd genes. Surprisingly, it’s also common to see two different colored eyes or marbled blue eyes.

Aussiedoodles aren’t just beautiful, they are full of irresistible personality. Loving, goofy, and intelligent, these herding dogs have plenty of energy and sometimes, they’ll try to use it to herd things, usually their family, around their space. But, that’s just because they always need to be with you, so it’s a good idea to watch out for separation anxiety with your Aussiepoo.

Like many other breeds, Aussiepoos tend to be very adaptable. They’ll bond with one or two people, but they still do well with larger families and, typically, other pets — even cats — as well.

👉 Take it slow when introducing any pet, including sociable Aussiedoodles, into another pet’s home.

Because they are friendly and have a “never met a stranger” personality, they aren’t ideal as guard dogs. (If you’re looking for a smaller-sized pup that makes a great guard dog, consider the Pembroke Welsh corgi.) A great choice for the family, they also tend to be very vocal when they consider someone or something a threat, making them excellent as guard dogs.

Aussiedoodles aren’t a true purebred,but rather a mix of two well-established ones. Due to this, there’s the potential for more health concerns or genetic diseases. Your Aussiepoo could be healthy their whole life or contend with health conditions from both parents.

Because of this, it’s important to only deal with a reputable breeder, not irresponsible breeders. Aussiedoodles are a favorite of puppy mills, so it’s common to see shady, amateur breeders offering cute puppies at suspiciously low prices but without any health testing to provide potential owners.

Here are some of the biggest concerns pet parents face with Aussiedoodles.

• Hip dysplasia. This condition isn’t unique to either of an Aussiedoodle’s parents but bigger breeds in general. This occurs when the thigh bone and hip bone become misaligned, and although there are joint supplements to help, it’s best to be proactive early on.
• Addison’s disease. Trusted Source VCA Hospitals Community of veterinarians with up-to-date veterinary information. Go to source Likely an autoimmune process for dogs, this disease occurs when the adrenal glands stop producing the hormones your dog needs to keep their internal organs healthy.
• Bloat. Vets and scientists aren’t sure what causes bloat, but the treatment needs to be swift. Know the signs: a hard, distended stomach, restlessness, and signs of distress. If your dog exhibits these behaviors, get to the vet immediately.
• Epilepsy. Trusted Source VCA Hospitals Community of veterinarians with up-to-date veterinary information. Go to source This neurological disorder is prominent in both shepherd breeds and poodles. The cause isn’t always known, but a sudden electrical surge in the brain causes seizures. It’s good to know what dog seizures look like, even if your dog appears healthy.
• Deafness and blindness. Dogs with a merle coat (double or tri-color coats) can be over-bred, further diluting the genes responsible for color and pattern variations. This also increases the chances of them being hearing and visually impaired.

In addition to these, there are a few others that pet parents should be aware of, like progressive retinal atrophy (PDA) Trusted Source VCA Hospitals Community of veterinarians with up-to-date veterinary information. Go to source or degenerative myelopathy (DM) Trusted Source The Merck Veterinary Manual Trusted provider of veterinary medicine. Go to source . Fortunately, new pet parents can be proactive in watching for these conditions and others with suggested health screening Trusted Source Veterinary Genetics Laboratory (VGL) Non-profit unit of the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of California. Go to source .

Cost of caring for an Aussiedoodle

The day-to-day costs of caring for your Aussiepoodle will vary according to different factors, like size, preventative care, and chronic issues that need special attention. Overall, you can expect to pay $10 to $50 or more every month for supplies. This depends on the amount of food needed, as well as extras like dental additives, treats, and if you choose to invest in pet insurance.

Aside from those typical costs, it’s a good idea to invest in pet insurance. For hybrids like Aussiedoodles, it’s especially important to have it in place long before health concerns crop up. One thing to note about pet health insurance is that it doesn’t work like health insurance for people. Pet parents have to pay the full amount upfront and are then reimbursed by insurance.

Because vet bills can add up fast, it’s a good idea to develop a pet budget and have some savings set aside just in case. No one wants to think about needing money for the vet, but being prepared is always the safest bet.

As mentioned above, Aussiedoodles aren’t a true breed, but a mix of Australian shepherds and poodles. While they have probably occurred naturally over time, they seemed to surface as a trendy hybrid in the United States in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Since then, they have only grown in popularity as a designer breed — albeit one not recognized by American or United Kennel Clubs. Despite breeders listing Aussiedoodle puppies for sale anywhere from $800 to $2,000+, they are still listed on sites like petfinder all over the United States.

From puppy years to pampering your elderly Aussiedoodle, we’re here to help.

Regardless of size, as soon as you bring your puppy home, you should make their first vet appointment and schedule your dog’s vaccinations. Unless you purchase from a breeder or non-profit that can provide proof that the puppy has been to the vet, it’s important to keep them safe from day one. You’ll also want to puppy-proof your home and prepare it, (and yourself,) for teething.

Lastly, it’s a good idea to be prepared for the unthinkable. FidoAlert provides a free Fido ID and tag so you’re prepared just in case your new family member escapes.

Exercise

Aussiedoodles are more prone to weight gain than other dogs, so exercise is especially important for this high-energy breed. Generally speaking, plan on a good walk that takes at least half an hour every day, although longer is better. Aussiedoodles are perfect for adventurous households, so plan on bringing them on camping and hiking trips or when you’re beachside on vacation.

It’s also important to note that Aussiedoodles will need playtime. They enjoy having fun and goofing off, and they love spending time with their people. Plus, these dogs are typically very intelligent. Aussiedoodle behavior problems can develop when they aren’t physically and mentally stimulated. There are numerous activities you can do with your Aussiedoodle year-round to promote good mental health and stimulation.

Grooming

Grooming an Aussiedoodle depends largely on its size and coat. For the most part, Aussiepoos have long or medium-length curly hair. But, those curls can be tighter or wavier depending on their poodle parents. Because of this, regular brushing is important. Outside of coat length and curl, some grooming tasks are universal regardless of the size or coat of an Aussiedoodle.

• Healthy paws and claws. By starting puppies with nail trimming, you can acclimate your dog to it and make examining their nails and paws, as well as maintaining them, much easier.
• Ear cleaning. Clean ears are important to any dog’s health. By routinely cleaning and inspecting ears you can watch for common issues like redness, water in their ears, and signs of an ear infection.
• Brushing their teeth. Especially for smaller dogs, taking care of their teeth is important. By starting them young you can avoid frequent professional cleanings as well as diseases like gingivitis.

Diet and nutrition

An Aussiedoodle’s diet largely depends on its parents. Like many other factors to consider when looking at bringing an Aussiedoodle home, their dietary needs are based on the size of their parents and how big they’ll get as a result. Additionally, there’s also the needs of your unique dog. Some dogs may need a special diet due to a health condition.

👉 Because every dog is different, it’s important to talk to your vet about what’s right for your dog.

Generally speaking, a high-quality commercial dog food designed for small or medium-sized dogs will be fine for most Aussiedoodles. Feeding proportions will depend on their size and overall health. For example, Toy Aussiedoodles should have between one and two cups of dry dog food a day, while particularly large Aussiedoodles should get three to four cups per day. For adult dogs, it’s best to split these amounts up into two meals.

With puppies, you gradually increase portions as they grow for the first year and a half. Because some breeds need puppy food longer, and some puppies need to transition into dry puppy food, it’s really best to rely on your vet to advise you on feeding schedules with your new Aussiedoodle puppy.

Aussiedoodles are very intelligent, but they are also willful. It takes time to discover the best way your dog learns. Here are some tips from the experts when it comes to proper training for your dog, plus our guides on crate training and housetraining a puppy. Also, remember that the saying “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks” is a myth — it might take longer, but even an adult rescue Aussiedoodle can learn new ways of doing things.

👉 Whether you’re just exercising or training, it’s important to choose the best harness for your dog’s size and build.

Not quite sure that an Aussiedoodle is right for you? Even if you are, it’s worth taking the time to research and consider other similar breeds. Here are a few to get you started:

• Poodle. If you’re looking for the closest thing to a purebred Aussiedoodle, look no further than their parent, the poodle.
• Border collie. Another playful member of the herding group, border collies are great family dogs. They are playful with their people but watchful and cautious with others.
• Bichon frisé. Cute, cuddly, and smaller than even most mini Aussiedoodles, this breed is perfect for homebodies looking for a toy dog breed.