Aussiedoodle - Potential New Owner Questions!

[Bill S]

Hello All.

 

I’m researching aussiedoodles prior to possibly adding one to the family. I would love to get any input or share any experiences you may have with the breed.

 

I quite like aussie shepherds, and my girlfriend is crazy about poodles. We live in a small condo, but adjacent to a large park area, and within walking distance to our workplaces. We also expect to have more space come September.The toy aussiedoodle –seems- like a good choice, given their intelligence, appearance, size, shedding qualities, and general disposition.

 

A few notes, 

• I’m hoping to find one that has more of the aussie look, but the majority I see seem more poodle (curls, face). Thoughts?
• Are there breeders you could recommend (private message)? I’m willing to travel anywhere in Canada or the US to pick up the pup, although west coast is preferable.
• Any concern with the “toy” size (10-12”)?
• Any experiences you could share with respect to their health, temperament, etc?

 

Thanks for reading!

[Ginny Nightingale]

Try searching the forum for aussiedoodle--there are quite a few owners here--I personally think the toy size is a bit carried away--hardly could be considered anything like an australian shepherd  at that size-- There are other toy breeds, like the Havanese, that are great and well-proportioned. Or even a toy breed/ toy poodle cross--where both parents are smaller to begin with might be better.I would be nervous that such an extreme size could cause issues in the dog.

Case in point is my Mattie, a mini-labradoodle--well, sort of--she has mini-poodle legs like her dad but a solid lab chest and body like her mom, so she is carrying 38 pounds on those little mini-poodle feet. I have to watch her weight carefully--she is as cute as a button, but the proportions are be off.

[Bill S]

Thanks for the reply!

Let me say I did quite a thorough search for all 'aussiedoodle' postings and read thoroughly before starting the thread!

[Bill S]

Aussie Shepherds have been bred down as minis! So it's only aussiedoodles that are that small when bred with a mini/small poodle.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

so is it a mini Aussie Shepherd bred to a mini poodle?  Just curious.

[Adina P]

That is what I understand: Mini Australian Shepherd bred with toy or mini poodle.

[Bill S]

Sorry, that was unclear. Mini Aussie X Mini Poodle.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I assume that you want us to play devil's advocate, so I am going to respond before reading other responses so you get my opinion -and this is just my personal opinion.    I remember reading about problems some of our Aussie doodle members have had with their doods that seem to stem from Australian Shepherd traits - not that they are 'bad' just that the difficulties seemed to be from the Aussies having such a strong herding instinct and the need to have a job. On the other hand,  I had an Australian Shepherd/lab mix and he was the most wonderful dog in the world.  When he was younger he tried to herd people and nipped at the legs but he grew into  pack leader position and was a strong, yet nurturing leader.

Again, this is just my opinion and not meant to start any controversy, but I think if one wants a teeny, tiny dog, one should get a teeny tiny dog and not try to make a big dog smaller.  For example the Havanese/poodle mixes are really small dogs that look like the bigger doodles.  I think they are called Havana Silks or Island mini doodles but both parents are small dogs.

[Lynda Kamrath]

I was also thinking about an Aussiedoodle at one time and did some research on the breed (or lack of breed as the Australian shepherd owners would say).  I took my ALD to an obedience class and there were some beautiful Australian shepherds there with their owners.  I introduced them to my ALD and told them I was considering an Aussiedoodle for a future dog and they were "disgusted".  Asked why anyone would want to breed those two dogs.  There are lots of Australian shepherds around here, but I have never seen an Aussiedoodle.  I would be concerned about such a small size as the smaller dogs tend to be more hyper/neurotic/whatever that quality is.  Keep looking, there are all kinds of combos out there but just be sure that your breeder is responsible and not a BYB.

[Angela Maynard]

I own a moyen aussiedoodle.  He is about 33 lbs and I think he's the perfect size.  Charley is from an aussiedoodle x aussidoodle so he looks more like a poodle.  If you want one that looks more aussie then you'll need to look for an aussie x poodle (I believe those are F1s and would or could shed more). Of course it is never a gurantee that is what you will get. 

Charley is very smart, easy to train, great with kids, and is very, very active. He wants to run and play all the time. You have to commit to the time of taking him out and letting him run full speed. It would be easier if you have an enclosed back yard, but if you have a large park across from you that allows dogs to run loose, then that would work too. 

As for the herding, I think the tendency is still there from time to time. He just turned one and it seems to be better, but for the first 8 months he would nip and bark at the heels of the kids to get them to do what he wanted or just chase them all together.  That has improved tremendously with work, but he will still run after them if they start running outside, he just doesn't nip at them or cut them off like he used to. That took a lot of paitence for me, because that would drive me absolutely crazy! 

He's a sweet dog, but he does not like to cuddle. He will lay near you but doesn't want to lay all over you. He adores all of us in the family, but prefers to be with me and will follow me everywhere.  Of course, this is just my dog's personality and doesn't speak to the aussidoodle in general.  Anyone can have a dog like that.

There is a great breeder near me in North Carolina.  I can private message you her information if you'd like.

You'll find lots of different opinions on the doodle breeds. The comment from Lynda about aussie breeders made me think.....and I'd bet that when people started crossing the poodle with the labrador and the golden retrievers, those breeders probably said the same thing. Those have proven to be great crosses now and are excllent dogs.  I think aussiedoodles are also excellent dogs and I would get another in a second if we could afford it.  :)

[Heather & Jake]

Bill-

I have a 60lb F1 Standard Aussiedoodle and have done lots of research on adding a second.  I too am a fan of Aussies and would like my next one to have a smooth face without the facial furnishings; however, there are very few (if any) reputable breeders doing a cross that would produce this outcome, and none that I know of for the Toy size.  As a geneticist, I won't get too into the details but to get a smooth face, you would have to have either an F1B (Aussiedoodle x Aussie) or an F2 (Aussiedoodle x Aussiedoodle) cross.  With this cross you are more likely to get the Aussie look, but you will also most likely not get a non-shedding dog, which isn't even guaranteed with more Poodle in the mix as we all know, and why most breeders do not do these crossbacks. Personally, I would stay away from Toy Aussies in general as they tend to have more health issues than the other sizes, however the Mini's/Moyen's are nice and healthy, they get be down to 20lbs but not the 10-12 you're looking for.

As far as space and size, I also live in a small condo.  It is absolutely fine to have a smaller interior space as long as you put in the effort of adequate exercise and mental stimulation.  Jake gets walked 3-4 miles a day, 30 minutes of obedience training to keep him occupied, and at least another 30 solid minutes or playing fetch or wrestling with my husband, on top of going to the dog park for at least an hour each week.  All sizes of Aussies and Poodles are extremely intelligent and active dogs that need to be stimulated mentally and physically.  If you intend to have a smaller dog just run around the house and the park, this is still not ideal and you will most likely end up with issues. The Toy sizes may be little and tempting to carry around, but they have the big dog brains and must be treated as large dogs or you will most likely get many behavioral "small dog" issues; this is one of the last things you'd want with this cross.

Speaking of issues with the herding instinct of Aussies, I got lucky but I always say, the only thing Jake got from the Aussie is his spots, everything else is pure poodle. :)  I've always had herding dogs, and yes, training from a young age is essential for them to learn not to herd humans, but it is not impossible.  Health-wise, Jake's only issue is a very sensitive stomach, but though diet I have it controlled.  Everything else is perfect.  All that said, Jake is absolutely the best dog I've ever had.  He is highly trainable, loves everyone and everything he meets and just wants to be near his people.. he is a complete shadow dog and will get up and follow me from room to room, even the bathroom!  I never meant to get a poodle mix as we were going for a purebred Aussie, but honestly the no shedding (lucky again for an F1) is amazing and after Jake I have fallen in love with doodles like most of us here.  If you'd like to know anything else, please feel free to message me.

Heather

[Diane leshman]

Heather,
Wondered if you have found that 2nd aussiedoodle? We are searching for a similar puppy that you described. If you have found a breeder who is reputable and offers f1 that resemble Aussie could you pm me?
Thanks!

[Heather & Jake]

Also, there is a writer who put out a book "Almost Everything You Need to Know About Aussiedoodles."  I haven't gotten it personally, but after flipping thought the many pages on Amazon, it looks to be fairly informative and explains the genetics behind the crosses pretty well.  I would look into it if you are interested.