Aussiedoodle
Einstein on Red Bull.
- Weight
- 25–70 lbs
- Height
- 10–23 in
- Lifespan
- 12–15 yrs
In short
The Aussiedoodle is a cross between an Australian Shepherd and a Poodle, bred in North America as a companion. Adults weigh about 25–70 lbs depending on the Poodle parent and live 12–15 years. Both parents are working breeds, so expect a smart, intense dog that needs a job every day.
Is it right for you?
A great match if you…
- want a smart, active dog to train and play with
- have time for daily exercise and brain games
- want a lower-shedding coat and can pay for grooming
Think twice if you…
- are away from home for long stretches
- want a calm dog that is happy with short walks
- can't budget for grooming every 6–8 weeks
The daily plan
- Exercise
- 90–120 min a day
- Training
- 3–5 × 5–10 min sessions × length
- Treat limit
- 70–150 kcal all treats, 10% rule
At a glance
TrainabilityQuick study10.0/10
EnergyAthlete10.0/10
Calm at homeSettles well7.5/10
SheddingModerate shedder4.0/10
What sets it apart
-
01
Wavy-to-curly coat
Coat type varies, even in one litter; curlier coats shed less but mat faster.
-
02
Size set by the Poodle parent
Toy, Miniature or Standard Poodle parents give very different adult sizes, so ask what size the parents are.
-
03
Herding eye
Many inherit the Aussie's stare and urge to herd, which can mean nipping at running kids or chasing bikes.
Size & coat
| Specification | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 25–70 lbs | 25–65 lbs |
| Height | 12–23 in | 10–22 in |
| Lifespan | 12–15 yrs | |
| Coat | Wavy to curly, low- to moderate-shedding | |
Personality
Aussiedoodles are affectionate, quick and always watching for what happens next. Without enough to do they invent jobs, like herding the kids or barking at the window. With structure, they are fun, trainable family dogs.
With kids
Good with kids when exercised and trained; herding instincts can show up as nipping at heels, which needs redirecting early.
With other pets
Usually fine with other dogs and cats raised alongside; some try to herd them.
With strangers
Often friendly but can be reserved like the Aussie parent, so early socialization matters.
Alone time
Many bond closely and struggle with long days alone; build alone time gradually from puppyhood.
Training
Aussiedoodles learn fast, good and bad habits alike. They love having a task and thrive on games that require thinking.
-
How often
3–5 short sessions a day of 5–10 minutes each.
-
Socialize early (8–16 weeks)
From 8–16 weeks, focus on calm exposure to strangers, kids, traffic and other dogs to prevent the wariness some Aussies show. Get them used to grooming and handling early.
-
Self-control
Teach a reliable "leave it" and a settle on a mat so the dog learns to switch off. Redirect herding nips toward a toy the moment they start.
-
What it works for
Most work hard for food and for play. Use small, high-value pieces such as freeze-dried liver for new skills, keeping treats within 10% of daily calories, and a quick game of fetch as a jackpot.
Exercise
Aussiedoodles need both hard physical exercise and real brain work. A tired body with a bored brain still gets into trouble.
Exercise a day
90–120 min
CouchModerateAthlete
Good outlets
- Off-leash fetch in a secure area
- Hiking or jogging (once adult)
- Agility or fun obstacle courses
Brain work
- Puzzle feeders and snuffle mats
- Learning names of toys and fetching them
- Treibball or herding games
Best home
Best with a yard and an active family; smaller Aussiedoodles can live in apartments with a lot of daily outings.
Watch for Avoid long runs and repetitive jumping until growth plates close, around 12–18 months.
Feeding
Adult maintenance for a typical Aussiedoodle (25–70 lbs) lands around 700–1,500 kcal a day. Feed to body condition, not the bag's chart alone, and keep treats inside the 10% rule.
Puppy (to 12 mo)
- Daily calories
- 875–1,875 kcal
- Protein
- 26–30%
- Fat
- 16–20%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 90–190 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 4–9 pieces a day
Adult Maintenance
- Daily calories
- 700–1,500 kcal
- Protein
- 24–28%
- Fat
- 14–18%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 70–150 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 4–8 pieces a day
Active / Working
- Daily calories
- 950–2,050 kcal
- Protein
- 26–30%
- Fat
- 18–22%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 95–205 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 5–10 pieces a day
Senior
- Daily calories
- 600–1,300 kcal
- Protein
- 24–28%
- Fat
- 12–16%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 60–130 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 3–7 pieces a day
Compare every life stage
| Life stage | Daily calories | Protein | Fat | Treat limit (all treats) | Saylor's liver, suggested / day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy (to 12 mo) | 875–1,875 kcal | 26–30% | 16–20% | 90–190 kcal | 4–9 pieces |
| Adult Maintenance | 700–1,500 kcal | 24–28% | 14–18% | 70–150 kcal | 4–8 pieces |
| Active / Working | 950–2,050 kcal | 26–30% | 18–22% | 95–205 kcal | 5–10 pieces |
| Senior | 600–1,300 kcal | 24–28% | 12–16% | 60–130 kcal | 3–7 pieces |
The treat limit is the 10% rule for every treat combined. Saylor's liver is suggested at about 2% of daily calories, as a small topper: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should not become a staple. Check with your vet if your dog has a health condition or a special diet.
Health & grooming
Aussiedoodles can inherit issues from either parent, including hip dysplasia, eye disease and the MDR1 drug sensitivity. Choose a breeder who health-tests both parents.
| Watch for | Ask the breeder or vet for | When |
|---|---|---|
| Hip and elbow dysplasia | OFA or PennHIP hip and OFA elbow evaluations | Once, in breeding dogs (ask the breeder) |
| Inherited eye disease | Eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist (CAER) | Yearly in breeding dogs (ask the breeder) |
| MDR1 drug sensitivity | MDR1 DNA test | Once; tell your vet the result before any medication |
| Progressive retinal atrophy | PRA-prcd DNA test | Once, in both parents (ask the breeder) |
| Luxating patella (slipping kneecaps) | OFA patella evaluation | Once, from 12 months |
Health tests to ask for
The Aussiedoodle has no CHIC program of its own, so ask for the tests the OFA requires for each parent breed.
Australian Shepherd parent
- Hip evaluation
- Elbow evaluation
- Eye exam (ophthalmologist)
Poodle (Standard) parent
- Hip evaluation
- Eye exam (ophthalmologist)
- One elective test from the breed club list
Poodle (Miniature) parent
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
- Eye exam (ophthalmologist)
- Kneecap (patella) check
- Hip evaluation
Grooming Low to moderate; varies by coat and mats without regular brushing
Brush to the skin 3–4 times a week, more for curly coats. Professional groom every 6–8 weeks. Check and clean ears weekly, since hair can trap moisture. Trim nails monthly and brush teeth several times a week.
History
1800s–1900s
The parent breeds
The Poodle was developed in Europe as a water retriever; the Australian Shepherd was refined on ranches in the American West.
1990s–2000s
The doodle boom
After Labradoodles and Goldendoodles caught on, breeders in North America began crossing Aussies with Poodles.
Today
A popular crossbreed
Aussiedoodles are not recognized by major kennel clubs, so there is no breed standard and quality varies a lot between breeders.
Questions owners ask
Are Aussiedoodles easy to train?
Yes. They are very smart and eager to work, so they learn quickly. The catch is that they also learn bad habits fast, so consistency matters from day one.
Are Aussiedoodles good with kids and other pets?
Usually. They are affectionate family dogs, but some herd kids by nipping heels, which needs redirecting early. Most live well with other dogs and cats they grow up with.
How much exercise does an Aussiedoodle need?
Plan on 90–120 minutes a day. Combine running or fetch with brain games and training, or they get restless and noisy.
Do Aussiedoodles shed?
Some do, some don't. Coats range from wavy to curly, and no dog is truly allergen-free. All need brushing several times a week and a professional groom every 6–8 weeks.
What health problems do Aussiedoodles have, and how long do they live?
Aussiedoodles live 12–15 years. Watch for hip dysplasia, eye disease and MDR1 drug sensitivity from the Aussie side. Ask for health tests on both parents.
Is an Aussiedoodle good for apartments or first-time owners?
Sometimes. Smaller ones can live in apartments, but only with lots of daily exercise and mental work. First-timers do best with a trainer and a realistic plan for time.
Freeze Dried Beef Liver Dog Treats
Back in stock soon
We're restocking. When it's back, a Aussiedoodle needs only 4–8 pieces a day, well inside the 70–150 kcal treat limit.
See the productWhere the Aussiedoodle ranks
Health tests follow the OFA's CHIC program. The treat limit is 10% of daily calories for all treats combined. Every dog is different, so use this as a starting point and ask your vet about yours.
Breeds like the Aussiedoodle
Closest in size, energy, trainability, calm at home and shedding.
