Are Aussiedoodles good family dogs?

Aussiedoodles can be good for active families with older children. They may nip the heels of toddlers due to herding instincts inherited from the Australian Shepherd parent. They require significant daily exercise and mental stimulation that busy families may struggle to provide.

How much exercise does an Aussiedoodle need?

Aussiedoodles need 90-120 minutes of dedicated interaction daily: 60+ minutes of vigorous physical exercise (fetch, running, swimming) plus 30+ minutes of mental stimulation (puzzle feeders, training, nosework). A slow neighborhood walk is insufficient for this breed.

Do Aussiedoodles shed a lot?

It varies by generation. F1 (50/50) Aussiedoodles can shed moderately - hair gets trapped in curls creating mats rather than falling on floors. F1b (75% Poodle) dogs shed very little but require even more intensive daily brushing to prevent severe matting.

Are Aussiedoodles easy to train?

Yes, Aussiedoodles are highly intelligent and learn new commands in fewer than 5 repetitions. However, they learn bad behaviors just as quickly. They require positive reinforcement methods - harsh training can trigger fear-biting.

What health problems do Aussiedoodles have?

The most critical issue is MDR1 drug sensitivity (~50% prevalence from Aussie side) causing fatal reactions to common medications. Other concerns include hip dysplasia (12-20%), sebaceous adenitis (skin disease), progressive retinal atrophy (blindness), and Addison's disease.

How long do Aussiedoodles live?

Aussiedoodles typically live 10-14 years, with smaller sizes (Toy/Mini) generally living longer than Standards. Quality of life depends heavily on maintaining their exercise and mental stimulation needs.

Are Aussiedoodles good with cats?

Aussiedoodles have moderate prey drive and strong herding instinct. They can live with cats if raised together, but will likely annoy the cat by attempting to herd it. Not recommended for households with small mammals like rabbits.

How much does an Aussiedoodle cost?

Puppies range from $1,200 to over $3,500, with Merle and Tri-color coats commanding premiums. The hidden costs are significant: mandatory professional grooming every 6-8 weeks ($100-150/session), high-quality food ($50-80/month), and insurance ($50-90/month). Annual costs total $2,400-3,600+.

Do Aussiedoodles bark a lot?

Yes, Aussiedoodles are alert barkers. They will bark at leaves, delivery trucks, neighbors, and strangers approaching. This makes them poor apartment dogs. They may also demand-bark if bored or seeking attention.

Are Aussiedoodles hypoallergenic?

No dog is truly hypoallergenic. F1b Aussiedoodles (75% Poodle) are more allergy-friendly for many people due to lower dander and less shedding. However, saliva allergies will still trigger. There's no guarantee - an F1 litter can produce puppies with fully shedding coats.

Aussiedoodle Dog Breed: Temperament, Care & Facts | Dogfluence

crossbreeddesigner

Size

Medium

10-25kg

Grooming

High Maintenance

Daily grooming

Family

Adults Preferred

Better with older children

Supervision needed

The Honest Truth

Before you fall in love, know what you're getting into.

DealbreakerSeparation Anxiety

Both parent breeds are 'Velcro' dogs selected for close human cooperation. Aussiedoodles often cannot tolerate isolation, leading to destructive chewing, self-mutilation, and incessant vocalization if left alone for standard workdays.

ChallengeHerding Nipping

The Australian Shepherd's herding instinct manifests as nipping heels of running children, chasing bicycles, or attempting to control movement of other pets. Requires consistent training from puppyhood.

DealbreakerNeurotic Energy Without a Job

Without a 'job' (agility, advanced obedience, nosework), their intelligence turns inward, resulting in obsessive-compulsive behaviors like shadow chasing or flank sucking.

ChallengeMandatory Professional Grooming

Unlike purebred Aussies, the coat grows continuously. Professional grooming is mandatory every 6-8 weeks at $100-150 per session. Matting can cause skin damage.

Health Overview

View full health guide →

Erkrankung % der Rasse betroffen

MDR1 Drug Sensitivity~50%

Hip Dysplasia12-20%

Sebaceous AdenitisUnknown

Ask breeder for:

MDR1 DNA test (MANDATORY)Hip EvaluationEye ExaminationAdrenal Function Tests +1 more

Ownership Costs

View full breakdown →

Initial Cost

$1,200-3,500

BudgetAveragePremium

Monthly Cost

$200-300

LowModerateHigh

Estimated Yearly Cost

$2,400-3,600

Includes food, insurance, vet visits, grooming, and supplies

Living Situation

Apartment Living

Poor - alert barking makes them nuisance neighbors, need space to run

Work From Home

Excellent - will sleep at your feet but may demand-bark during Zoom calls

Alone Time

Low - ideally <4 hours, prone to isolation distress

First-Time Owner

Better for experienced owners

With Other Pets

Dogs

Generally friendly

Cats

May harass by trying to herd them - can coexist if raised together

Small Mammals

Moderate risk - may harass guinea pigs/rabbits by poking/herding

Birds & Reptiles

High risk - Poodle bird dog instinct + Aussie chase drive

Climate & Seasonal Care

Heat Tolerance 3/5

Cold Tolerance 3/5

Winter Needs

Needs coat/boots • Paw protection recommended

Summer Care

Limit exercise in heat

Seasonal Shedding

Moderate

Snow builds up in paw pads forming painful ice balls - boots recommended. Dark-coated dogs overheat faster. Limit summer exercise to early morning/late evening.

Breed Origins

Origin

North America, late 1990s/early 2000s

Original Purpose

Designer companion combining intelligence and low-shedding coat

Field/Working Lines

N/A - designer breed

Show/Conformation Lines

F1 (50/50) vs F1b (75% Poodle) - F1b has curlier coat, better for allergies, potentially more anxious

Living With a Aussiedoodle

Odor Level

Low

Coat Feel

Soft/Silky (Fleece coat) to Wooly/Coarse (Curly coat)

Surrender Risk: High

He's too hyper - energy underestimated
He nips the kids - herding instinct
Grooming costs overwhelming
Cute puppy → High energy adolescent → Backyard isolation → Barking → Surrender

Exercise Menu

90-120 min/day

Physical

60 minutes

Mental

30 minutes

High-Intensity Fetch/Frisbee20-30 min

Satisfies retrieval and chase instincts

Running/Jogging30-45 min

High stamina makes them excellent running partners

Swimming15-20 min

Poodle heritage gives natural water affinity

Puzzle Feeders/Nosework15-20 min

15 min mental work = 60 min physical running for this breed

Agility/Dog Sports30-45 min

Ideal outlet combining physical and mental challenge

An under-exercised Aussiedoodle will dismantle drywall, sofas, and shoes. Without a job, intelligence turns into neurotic behaviors like shadow chasing.

Life Stages

Puppy0-12 months

Combines mouthiness with herding nipping and high intelligence. Will outsmart novice owners. Harder than a Cavalier (2/10) but easier than a Malinois (9/10).

Adolescent6-24 months

Peak energy age: 1-4 years

Adult2-9 years

Prime years - energy stabilizes but remains active

Senior9+ years

Highly active brains can be prone to Canine Cognitive Dysfunction. Ramps may be needed for cars/beds.

First Year Reality Check

7/10

Puppy Difficulty

Easy

House Training

Medium

Crate Training Success

6-18

Destructive Phase (months)

This breed commonly experiences adolescent regression - training may temporarily regress around 6-18 months

Travel & Adventure

Car Travel

Good

Hiking Companion

Camping

Suitable

Beach Friendly

Yes

Cabin Eligible

Too large

Hotel Friendly

May exceed limits

Excellent trail companions with endless stamina. Motion sickness can occur in puppies.

Safety & Containment

Dog Park

Suitable

Off-Leash

Not recommended

Escape Risk

High

Min Fence Height

6 feet

Resource Guarding

Low

Small Animal Safe

Use caution

Smart enough to open latches and athletic enough to jump 4-foot fences. Prey drive can override training in first 2 years.

Breeding Information

Avg Litter Size

(range: 6-8)

Low

C-Section Rate

Easy

Whelping Difficulty

Low

Puppy Mortality

Special Abilities

Deep Pressure Therapy Canicross/Bikejoring Sensory Friendly Coat

Training Guide

Recommended Method

Positive reinforcement

Learning Speed

<5 repetitions

Training Tips

Use food motivation for rapid learning
Keep sessions short and varied to maintain interest
Channel herding instinct into controlled activities
Start bite inhibition training early for nipping

Common Challenges

They learn bad behaviors just as quickly (opening cabinets, unlatching gates)
Harsh methods trigger Aussie sensitivity or Poodle neuroticism
Can become stubborn if training lacks engagement

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Care Tips for Aussiedoodles

Tip #1

Mental Stimulation: Aussiedoodles are extremely intelligent and need daily mental challenges. Puzzle toys, training sessions, and interactive games prevent boredom and destructive behavior.

Tip #2

High Exercise Needs: Plan for 90-120 minutes of vigorous exercise daily. Aussiedoodles excel at hiking, running, swimming, and dog sports like agility and flyball.

Tip #3

Coat Variety Care: Coats range from wavy to curly. Brush daily to the skin regardless of type to prevent matting, especially behind ears and under legs.

Breed Characteristics

Trainability

Quick Learner

Energy Level

Energizer

Grooming Needs

High Maintenance

Size

Medium

Hypoallergenic

Apartment

Not Ideal

Kids

Varies

Weight

10-25kg

Not the Right Fit?

Similar breedborder collie

Need calmer?goldendoodle

Need smaller?miniature american shepherd

Less shedding?poodle

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