Advice on getting a mini Aussie Doodle, please!

[katy]

I've fallen in love with Aussie Doodles! And would like to get a small one (about 15 pounds or smaller).  Does anyone have advice on where I should go?  Any good breeders or other advice?

Also, my sisters both have a golden doodle; their dogs are spunky, smart and cuddly.  I have read that Aussie Doodles are, but have never actually met one.  Is that really the case?  Do they get along with other dogs and people?

Thanks so much!  I've enjoyed looking at all the cute pictures of your dogs on the site!

[Adina P]

I would also ask this question in the main forum too...just to get a wider variety of opinions. But please know that you won't get breeder recommendations as responses, except privately (because breeder recommendations are prohibited in our forums and groups--save for the "Owner Recommended Breeder's Group.")

Please read our article on What to Look for in a Breeder ( http://www.doodlekisses.com/notes/What_To_Look_for_In_a_Breeder ) and use that to evaluate the quality of breeders you look into. There are far fewer aussiedoodle breeders than there are goldendoodles and labradoodles so it is a bit tougher to find just the right one.

When you read the article linked above, remember that you'll have to substitute the health testing needed for an Aussie where it lists the stuff for a lab/retriever. You can visit the Miniature Australian Shepherd club of America (use Google to find it) and see what health tests they recommend. You'll want the same tests done on the Aussie parent of your future aussiedoodle.

[shelly]

We just LOVE our aussiedoodle. she not as small as you want, but she is only 38 pounds. She definitely is spunky, cuddly and lovable. We originally were thinking about a goldendoodle and fell upon an aussie doodle by mistake. Heck - ALL doodles are terrific! They are all such great dogs! Good luck! And welcome to the world of "DOODLES"!

[Mindi & Bella]

Katy, Welcome to Aussiedoodles. I have a beutiful girl aussiedoodle puppy named Bella Hope. She is going to be 6 mo old on April 17th. She is soft and bouncy like a bunny. All the people at my apt complex love to watch her bounce around. She wakes me up every morning with hugs and kisses. Loves to play with her squeeky ball. She is ssooooo soft. You will LOVE sharing life with an aussiedoodle. Check out this site and you will find some great breeders. I could mention a few but not allowed unless sent by private e-mail. Let me know if you want my opinion and I will send it to you on your e-mail. Good Luck with your search.
Mindi & Bella

[katy]

Thank you for all the info!! I'm excited to check out all the links/advice!

[2xuof8oy9rwko]

My lil one is 15 lbs- toy poo mama and mini aussie dad- but beware- she has no idea how small she is! As the social butterfly of the dog park- after saying hello to all the big dogs- she makes it her business to herd em all up!

[shelly]

Oh Yes, FozzyG... No matter what the size, these ausiedoodles will herd... Guess that "aussie" gene is very prominent. Tori loves to herd my 5 year old nephew... guess she feels he's the smallest in our "pack", so he must be herded... go figure... and she's a persistent little herder too!

[shelly]

Oh Yeah... she's so funny!!! I should video tape it and post it... it's so unbelievable... must be the CANADIAN herding blood - lol. She actually paces right up next to him and barks that high pitched bark and corals him until he sits down. She'll even barks if someone picks him up and nudge them with her nose as if to say leave him alone. She will pick HIM to follow around the whole time.. Poor kid he just says, "I'm ok Tori, come girl I'm going this way now...." BOY OH BOY.... I'm telling you Nancy, that's why next time I'm coming south for my next aussiedoodle!!! (NOT that I don't LOVE her to pieces though. )

[shelly]

yeah... he's a pipsqueak for his age too. all she has to do is stretch up to lick his face... he loves it and does does she! . Sometimes Tori really seems like she's really "P.Od" at whoever is around him.. I doubt she would ever snap, but sometimes she just yelps so loud, I even get wary. Tori LOVES people, but sometimes she picks some and just barks and barks at them - don't know why....One time it was my nephew's girlfriend, (now she's FINE with her), another my son's friend's mother and father..... maybe she smells their dogs??? I think I have stated in the past about her little "quirks"... many she has grown out of, but the protectiveness issues she still has very strongly.... you should see when a delivery man comes to our door.... Aye aye aye! -

[Adina P]

Australian shepherds are a herding breed...why is it surprising that some aussiedoodles might herd when they are half herding breed? It makes sense to me that some aussiedoodles would have that tendency and others wouldn't. Just like some might shed and others wouldn't, depending upon how the genes fall.

Herding isn't a fault in an Australian shepherd...it's a desired characteristic. Just like a good terrier bred to do things like a terrier will dig and a sighthound wants to chase small critters and run like the wind. These aren't 'bad' ... just a normal part of the breed.

Are your Aussies from show lines instead of working lines?

[shelly]

Not bad, necessarily.. just scares some people sometimes with her persistence, nudging, and yelping/barking. Tori DEFINITELY favors her aussie side - in looks and behavior! (Oh and her agility - she's a "mean" Frisbee catcher... does 360s in the air and all.... may put her on a snow board come winter - lol)

[Adina P]

I didn't mean to imply that you did not have knowledge, I was just wondering why herding would be surprising in an aussiedoodle if they are 1/2 herding breed. Just because they aren't border collies doesn't mean they aren't herders.

[2xuof8oy9rwko]

I should get her on video because she's so small- it's quite entertaining. We haven't encouraged or discouraged the herding instincts- but they are there. And it's quite clear Fozzy is never to be chased. She will crouch down and watch the other dogs. If a dog breaks away from where the owners hang out, to get a ball or stick etc., she goes right out after the other dogs in the field and will bark or be at their heels until they come back to the people. If any other dog tries to chase her, she just lays down. I actually have to cut her time at the park because she would run her little heart out...and she just brings the dogs in- could care less about toys.
She's always at my ankles as well- she knows not to nip, but she'll poke her nose into my ankle (even though that's a no-no...she's still learning the rules)