Australian Shepherd Cross Poodle – Everything About Aussiedoodle
Last Updated on September 15, 2023
The Australian Shepherd cross poodle alias Aussiedoodle is one of the most genuinely unique dogs breeds out there, although mixed. While an Australian shepherd is generally known for its working capabilities and normally active behaviour, a poodle, on the other hand, is more known for its agility and is nifty to boot.
This article will deal with details about the Australian shepherd cross poodle and the various nitpicks about its capabilities. However, it might be helpful to know that a mixed breed of two high-energy dogs will also come with the great responsibility of a far more nutritious diet.
Overview of Australian Shepherd Cross Poodle
A rather energetic mix of two equally active dogs, the Aussiedoodle has all its parents’ smarts and physical capabilities. These dogs have such intelligence that they are actively known for being easily trainable and ready to listen whenever commanded.
With a height averaging around 10-15 inches and a weight of around 25-70 pounds, this dog is not heavy nor too big to go around. Their genetics make them quite agile in many cases. Overall, an Aussiedoodle is a good hybrid of two excellent dog breeds.
History of Australian Shepherd Cross Poodle
While a definite history of the Australian shepherd cross poodle is unknown, it is accepted that breeders started mixing poodles and Aussies around the early 2000s in North America as they generally started coming into the limelight during that period.
Intelligent and easy to handle, the Australian shepherd cross poodle dog breed is known as a designer breed, consisting of both the Australian shepherd and the poodle. These two dog breeds are, at their core, highly effective and energetic.
The personality of Australian Shepherd Cross Poodle
As the Australian shepherd is a herding dog and the poodle is a more excitable dog breed, the combination of both makes the Aussiedoodle stand out as its breed, however, mixed its race might be.
Since the Australian shepherd cross poodle mixed breed has two energetic parents, it is understandable that this dog breed also desires the same activity level, if not more, than an Australian shepherd. Therefore, an owner may have to work much harder to get their Aussiedoodle the much-needed mental stimulation to remain happy and active.
Generally, Aussiedoodle should exercise at least 90 minutes daily to ensure they remain mentally healthy and do not become destructive due to inactivity. Besides this, you may also expect to see your Aussiedoodle as an almost authoritarian figure. Thanks to its Australian shepherd origins, it will often try to round you up or other family members.
Check this article to learn the best beds for Australian Shepherd Dogs.
Coat Colour and Grooming of Australian Shepherd Cross Poodle
As an Australian shepherd cross poodle is a mixed dog breed, one may expect to see a combination of the colours of both dog breeds in the Aussiedoodle such as blue merle, Black and red tri, Black and tan, sable or blue merle, etc. Some dogs might even be solid-coloured in some cases, although not frequently.
In terms of the coat itself, it can range from wavy to curly, depending on which side the genetics of an Aussiedoodle goes to. You may expect the coat to be insulating, considering the coat of the Australian shepherd and the poodle. As the Aussiedoodle only has a single coat, it can be easier to maintain your house or your room as these dogs don’t shed their coat during seasonal changes.
If you want to groom your Australian shepherd cross poodle mixed breed, it might be a good idea to take a professional groomer’s help to ensure that their lush coat remains silky. Otherwise, apply some of the grooming tips for Australian shepherds or poodles onto your Aussiedoodle.
Check this article to learn how to groom an Australian Shepherd.
Feeding (Diet and Nutrition) of Australian Shepherd Cross Poodle
In terms of diet and nutrition for an Aussiedoodle, you should ensure that the diet of an Australian shepherd cross poodle mixed breed is controlled as they tend to gain weight rapidly if they are overfed in the long run. It might be a good idea to get an estimation of your Aussiedoodle’s diet from your vet, as they can prepare an accurate diet chart for you.
In general terms, however, it will be a good idea to look at some of the formulas formulated explicitly for Aussiedoodles, especially ones that include vitamins C and Omega-3 Fatty acids for coat and skin health. You may check out the Merrick Healthy Grains Raw-Coated Kibble Real Beef + Brown Rice Recipe for an appropriate diet for your Aussiedoodle.
Training and Exercise Requirements for Aussiedoodles
Due to the Australian shepherd cross Poodle mix breed being a result of both Aussie and poodles, it is a fact that the Australian shepherd side of the Aussiedoodle desires high amounts of exercise thanks to the ordinarily high-energy requirements of the Australian shepherd.
Therefore, you may have to give your Aussiedoodle at least 60-90 minutes of exercise, including mental puzzles, different game activities and the like. In simple terms, Aussiedoodles must be given proper attention due to being designer dog breeds, with the Aussie side being highly dominant.
Training your Aussiepoodle in socialization will also be helpful to teach them about behaving in front of other dogs and not to bark at others needlessly when not required; you may, however, train them to be wary in front of strangers when possible.
Leaving your Aussiedoodle idling away alone for too long will result in destructive behaviour and depression. This may negatively affect the growth of the Aussie poodle. Ensuring that Australian shepherd cross poodle training and exercise are given adequately is essential.
Common Health Problems of Australian Shepherd Cross Poodle
Despite mixed breeds generally being healthy, the Australian shepherd cross poodle mixed breed may, unfortunately, acquire some of the conditions faced by its parents or even dog breeds commonly, such as:
- Cataracts
- Canine Bloat or GDV (Gastric Dilatation Volvulus)
- Epilepsy
- Food allergies
- Hip Dysplasia or other bone diseases
These diseases may affect an Aussiedoodle if they are unfortunate enough to have the following conditions; besides this, the Aussiedoodle remains mostly healthy as the dog breed doesn’t have genetic problems.
The Rising Popularity of Mixed Breed Designer Dogs
While mixed breeds may not get proper recognition from various institutes such as AKC, mixed breed dogs and designer dogs have been gaining popularity among dog owners as these breeds display the unique characteristics of their different parents.
Even some reputable breeders have been focusing on breeding designer dog breeds to attract attention to their dogs and parents. Dogs such as Labradoodle mixed breed dog or the Aussiedoodle, the Australian shepherd cross Poodle.
Therefore, breeding different breeds of dogs to create a mixed breed has become a widespread practice among reputable breeders. However, this practice still has its downsides in the form of health issues that may arise in cases of mixed breeding resulting in genetic instability. Although such rarely happens.
Conclusion
While the Australian shepherd cross poodle may be hard to find, it is still a fact that these designer dog breeds are still new and relatively uncommon. Therefore, trying and adopt one whenever possible can be a good idea.
In terms of being energetic and wild, these dogs will undoubtedly need a trainer to accommodate their energy needs and ensure that the Aussiepoodles get their regular checkups from an animal vet not to be inflicted with preventable disease and regret not having them checked up before.