The Aussiedoodle is a hybrid breed developed by crossing the Australian Shepherd and the Poodle (it could be a Standard Poodle or a Miniature Poodle). Since both the parent breeds used to create the Australian Shepherd cross Poodle are immensely intelligent, the resulting breed is also an extremely intelligent creature.
An Aussiedoodle is so smart that it can often read what’s on the mind of its owner. Being a mixture of two breeds, the Australian Shepherd cross Poodle inherits qualities from them both, which is why you never know the kind of puppy you’d get in terms of behaviour and personality.
The combination of energy and intellect in an Aussiedoodle must be handled from the start with true companionship and stimulation. These dogs thrive in active families and absolutely love to have children around so they can play with them while waiting for love, hugs, and cuddles.
If you’re considering bringing this adorable dog into your home, it’s wise to research them beforehand. In this article, we delve deep into temperament, dietary needs, training requirements, and more of an Australian Shepherd cross Poodle.
History and Facts of Australian Shepherd Cross Poodle
Ancestors of the Australian Shepherd breed arrived from Australia to the United States of America, which explains the reason behind its name. While living in the United States, they received training to become herding dogs.
After featuring in movies and rodeos, the Australian Shepherd gained popularity during the 1950s. They now work as guide dogs, ranch dogs, therapy dogs, and dogs used for search and rescue and detecting drugs.
A strong belief exists that Poodles are descendants of the curly-haired hunting dogs found in Asia. However, officially they are known to have originated in France.
While initially, the Poodles started as water dogs, they later got developed to serve for duck hunting. In today’s time, they act as service dogs, performing dogs, guard dogs, and guide dogs.
Although an Australian Shepherd cross Poodle might resemble an Australian Shepherd more, nothing can be guaranteed when it comes to crossbreeding. Despite being around for only the last decade or so, Aussiedoodles have become pretty popular pets.
| Height | 14 to 25 inches |
| Weight | 25 to 75 pounds |
| Lifespan | 10 to 14 years |
| Breed Type | Designer |
| Coat Colours | White, black, grey, brown, cream, red merle, blue merle |
| Best Suited For | Families with kids, senior citizens |
About Australian Shepherd Cross Poodle
If you’re looking for a good-looking, sharp, energetic, fun, and devoted dog, you should definitely get an Australian Shepherd cross Poodle. Some of its traits, such as loyalty, intelligence, and an eagerness to please, make it the best companion for families and little kids.
An Aussiedoodle is known as the Einstein of dogs. The size of an Australian Shepherd cross Poodle depends on the kind of Poodle used to create it. They also make excellent therapy dogs and are the kind of pets who like to keep their owners busy with lots of physical activity.
Once an Aussiedoodle gets exposed to a warm, happy, safe, and productive environment, it gives them a chance to display their full potential.
Physical Attributes of Australian Shepherd Cross Poodle
An Australian Shepherd cross Poodle can come in various colours and sizes. Additionally, the quality of their coats can differ, even if they are puppies of the same litter.
While most Australian Shepherd cross Poodles have wavy coats, the texture of their coats can range from straight to tightly curled, depending on the parent breed they take after.
Since they get created using either a Standard Poodle or a Miniature Poodle, their height can be between 14 to 25 inches. They can weigh anywhere between 25 to 75 pounds. The bigger dogs of this breed have broad and sturdy backs and torsos, while the smaller ones have lighter builds.
The colour of an Aussiedoodle’s coat has a wide range, including white, grey, cream, brown, black, red merle, and blue merle, and there also exist different combinations of coat colours.
Personality and Temperament
Australian Shepherd cross Poodles are cheerful, outgoing, enthusiastic, sweet, high-spirited, and intelligent. Even though they love staying engaged in physical activities, they will happily remain indoors if it means they get to be around their family members.
Since Australian Shepherds are herding dogs, this hybrid breed also tends to herd, especially little kids and smaller dogs. Therefore, keep an eye out and train them early to deal with this habit. Luckily, they are very gentle with kids and also like having other dogs around.
If an Australian Shepherd cross Poodle is kept alone for a long time, it can get slightly violent, which could be an issue if you have neighbours around. Luckily, however, these dogs rarely behave aggressively. Instead, they are extremely loyal and devoted, making them wonderful therapy dogs.
Bonus Read: 10 Famous Poodle Mixes And Doodle Crosses (with Pictures)
Grooming
An Australian Shepherd cross Poodle doesn’t shed as much as other breeds. First, however, you need to take care of their coats so that they keep looking healthy and gorgeous. Brush their coats every other day, even if not daily, or they can get knotted and matted.
Brush your dog’s teeth daily, keep its ears clean and dry, and trim its nails as required. Giving them a bath once every month should suffice, and make sure to take them to a professional groomer every 12 weeks.
Diet and Nutrition
Since Australian Shepherd cross Poodles are highly energetic dogs, they need to be fed well to maintain their energy. Give them dry food and keep changing their diet as they age. Monitor the portions so that they don’t overfeed and become obese. Feeding your dog twice a day should be sufficient enough.
Also Read: 5 Best Dog Food in Australia [Updated]
Training and Exercise
Training an Australian Shepherd cross Poodle is easy, even for first-time dog owners. These dogs are quick learners, and since they’re so eager to please, it becomes easier to train them.
The problem of herding mentioned earlier can go away by asking them to sit or keeping them distracted. This should be implemented while they’re still young and ensure to maintain a level of assertiveness and authority.
However, remember to give your dog treats whenever they perform well, encouraging them to do better. They love to be put to work, so you can train them to pick up laundry, carry groceries, and bring your mail.
An Aussiedoodle requires quite a lot of exercise to sweat away its energy. If kept idle for too long, they could cause havoc. This can be prevented by indulging them in 90 minutes of daily walks. You can also make them go running or swimming to meet their exercise needs.
Also Read: 4 Best Dog Ball Launcher Options in Australia
Health Concerns
The major health concerns among Australian Shepherd cross Poodles are Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Hip Dysplasia, and Ivermectin Sensitivity.
Some of the minor health concerns to watch out for include Nasal Solar Dermatitis, Von Willebrand’s Disease, Sebaceous Adenitis, Cataracts, and Pelger-Huet Syndrome.
Final Words
When you have kids at home or older adults to take care of, you want a dog around who is warm, loving, and doesn’t create a nuisance; a pet who would rather cuddle you than bark at you. For this reason and much more, an Australian Shepherd cross Poodle makes a great pet.
Learn all about these playful and cute companions before you decide to adopt them. Then, rest assured, you will be bringing home a puppy who will end up being your lifelong buddy.
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