Aussiedoodle 101: An Intro to the Australian Shepherd-Poodle Mix

Aussiedoodles are a wonderful companion for active people and families with children. They are highly intelligent, easy to train, and incredibly affectionate. They will be with you wherever you go – for a hike or jog, playing with your kids, and cuddling with you in front of the TV. Here are some key facts about the Aussiedoodle!

What Is An Aussiedoodle?

The Aussiedoodle is a cross between an Australian Shepherd and a Poodle. This is a fairly new hybrid and has gained much popularity as a designer breed. Both Aussiedoodle’s parents are extremely smart breeds. As a result, an Aussiedoodle will have the same level of intelligence. 

Generations

Let’s take a quick look at the Aussiedoodle generations and what each of them means:

	1st Parent	2nd Parent	% Australian Shepherd*	% Poodle*
F1 Aussiedoodle (first-generation)	Australian Shepherd	Poodle	50%	50%
F1B Aussiedoodle (first-generation backcross)	F1 Aussiedoodle	Poodle	25%	75%
F1BB Aussiedoodle (first-generation backcross backcross)	F1B Aussiedoodle	Poodle	12.5%	87.5%
F2 Aussiedoodle (second-generation)	F1 Aussiedoodle	F1 Aussiedoodle	50%	50%
F2B Aussiedoodle (second-generation backcross)	F1 Aussiedoodle	F1B Aussiedoodle	37.5%	62.5%
F2B Aussiedoodle (alternate cross)	F2 Aussiedoodle	Poodle	25%	75%
F3 / Multigen Aussiedoodle	F1B Aussiedoodle or higher	F1B Aussiedoodle or higher	Varies	Varies

F1 Aussiedoodles, or a first generation, is a 50/50 mix of Australian Shepherd and Poodle. Some experts and breeders claim this to be the healthiest generation.

F1b results when an Aussiedoodle and a Poodle have been crossed. As this is statistically a mix of 75% Poodle and 25% Australian Shepherd, it will inherit more Poodle characteristics. This usually results in curlier hair and less shedding. 

F2, or second generation Aussiedoodle, is a cross between two F1 Aussiedoodles. Consequently, if this cross is being done over several generations, hybrid vigor starts diminishing and more genetic issues may start to reappear.

Appearance Of An Aussiedoodle

Colors

Even for dogs from the same litter, there are many color variations that you can find. For instance, the most common colors are black and white, phantom black and tan, black and red, tri-colored, blue merle, red merle, red sable, red and white, cinnamon merle, silver, and cream.

Coat, Shedding, and Hypoallergenic Level

Aussiedoodles usually have a non-shedding, hypo-allergenic coat with varying colors and curliness. But it truly depends on how much they inherit from each parent.

For example, some Aussiedoodles have long and straight hair. While some have tighter curls like Poodles. And some have wavy hair that’s just in-between. 

	F1	F1b	F2
Coat Description	Coats are usually more wavy than curly, which grows to a typical length of 3-5 inches. May or may not have an undercoat.	Coats are more likely to be curly than wavy, and grows to a typical length of 3-5 inches. May or may not have an undercoat.	Coats can vary greatly – curly, wavy, and anywhere in between – with varying lengths. May or may not have an undercoat.
Grooming/Coat Maintenance*	High care	Very high care	Moderate to very high care
Shedding	Some to light-shedding	Very light to non-shedding	Very light to non-shedding
Allergy Friendliness	Great for people or families with mild allergies	Recommended for people or families with moderate to severe allergies	Recommended for people or families with moderate to severe allergies

Size and Weight

As with other doodles, the size of an Aussiedoodle is determined by its parents. For instance, Toy Aussiedoodles can weigh less than 15 pounds. Medium sized Aussiedoodles vary widely from 20 to 45 pounds. Furthermore, a standard Aussiedoodle can weigh over 45 pounds. 

Let’s have a look at the typical size predictions of Aussiedoodles:

	Toy Aussiedoodle	Medium Aussiedoodle	Standard Aussiedoodle
Weight	10-15 pounds	15-45 pounds	45-70 pounds
Height*	10 inches or less	10-15 inches	15-25 inches
Age at Full-Grown	7.5-11 months	11-13 months	12.5-16 months

Aussiedoodle Personality And Temperament

This Doodle is super smart and easy to train. Hence, you should provide them proper training as soon as you bring them home.

Some owners and breeders say that Aussiedoodles can almost read your mind. They are very intelligent and perceptive. Besides that, they are extremely loyal. And love bonding with their humans! 

In addition, Aussiedoodles need plenty of exercise as well as mental stimulation. Thus, if left alone for too long, they can become hyperactive or destructive.

Most breeders would recommend that you only get an Aussiedoodle if one of the family members can spend most of the day with them.

The Aussiedoodle is not an aggressive breed. On the contrary, they get along well with children and other pets. However, lots of exercise, playtime, interaction and attention is the key. 

Moreover, consider the size of your living space. This will be a big factor in their wellbeing. Similarly, the bigger the doodle, the more space it requires. The best option would be a fenced yard where your Aussiedoodle can run around and play to its heart’s content. 

Health And Life Expectancy

The usual life expectancy of an Aussiedoodle is around 12 years. If you are lucky, they may be with you for longer. Because of their shorter life span, make sure to provide your Aussiepoo all the attention and love they deserve.

They are generally healthy dogs. Nevertheless, there are some genetic diseases they can inherit. These include Cushing’s Disease, Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture, Hip Dysplasia, Cataracts, Epilepsy, Pancreatitis, Ivermectin Sensitivity and Progressive Retinal Atrophy. 

Indeed, Aussiedoodles are family members – not just a dogs. Some might call Aussiedoodles high maintenance; we call them your true best friends.

Where to Get Aussiedoodle Puppies

Due to the growing demand and competition for Doodles, they are unfortunately rarely available to rescue from shelters or families (especially puppies), though it is possible.

That said, an infant puppy is easiest to buy from a breeder. There are many high-quality Aussiedoodle breeders out there who have been breeding healthy Aussiedoodles for years, and they all specialize in breeding different generations, sizes, and colors of them.