Aussiedoodle
Overview
What Is a Aussiedoodle?
The Aussiedoodle is a deliberate crossbreed between an Australian Shepherd and a Standard or Mini Poodle, popular since the early 2000s among families wanting the Aussie's striking looks and intelligence with the Poodle's low-shedding coat. The cross combines two of the most intelligent breeds in the world, producing a dog that is exceptional in capable hands and overwhelming in unprepared ones.
Aussiedoodles come in two main sizes. Mini Aussiedoodles (Mini Poodle parent or Toy Aussie parent) weigh 25–45 lbs. Standard Aussiedoodles (Standard Poodle parent) weigh 45–70 lbs. Generations follow the standard Doodle convention; F1B and multigen are more reliably low-shedding than F1.
The Australian Shepherd is fundamentally a working herding dog — bred for stockyards, ranches, and long days of physically and mentally demanding work. That working drive does not vanish in the cross with Poodle (also a working breed). Aussiedoodles need significantly more exercise and mental engagement than other Doodles. A family looking for a calm couch companion should look at almost any other Doodle.
Physical
What Aussiedoodles Look Like
Athletic and well-proportioned. Standard Aussiedoodles stand 18–23 inches and weigh 45–70 lbs. Mini Aussiedoodles stand 14–17 inches and weigh 25–45 lbs. Build is square, athletic, and built for sustained activity.
Coat is wavy or curly. The signature feature of many Aussiedoodles is the merle pattern — a mottled, marbled coat in blue merle (gray-blue with black patches), red merle (copper with brown patches), or rare phantom merle. White markings on the chest, face, paws, and tail tip are common. Solid colors also occur: black, red, chocolate, sable. Eyes are often striking — blue, amber, or heterochromia (one of each color) are common. The merle pattern requires careful breeder selection; merle × merle breeding produces double-merle puppies with severe health problems including blindness and deafness. Responsible breeders never breed merle to merle.
Personality
Temperament
Aussiedoodles are intensely intelligent, highly trainable, and demanding. They want to work; they want to learn; they want to be doing something. In the hands of an experienced owner who provides daily mental and physical challenges, Aussiedoodles are extraordinary dogs — capable in agility, obedience, herding, scent work, therapy work, and any structured activity. In the hands of an unprepared owner, they become anxious, destructive, and difficult.
The herding instinct is the strongest of any Doodle. Aussiedoodles will attempt to herd children, other dogs, cats, and sometimes adults — circling, nipping at heels, or staring intensely. This instinct can be channeled but rarely eliminated. Training must address it explicitly from puppyhood.
With children: good with proper training and socialization, but the herding instinct must be managed. With other animals: generally good, though strong prey drive may emerge with cats and small pets. With strangers: variable — some Aussiedoodles are friendly, others are reserved or wary. Proper socialization between 8–16 weeks is essential. The Aussie genetic contribution toward stranger-wariness is real; this is the only Doodle that sometimes functions as a watchdog.
A Realistic Take
What I'd Tell a Friend Thinking About a Aussiedoodle
I love Aussiedoodles when they are the right match for the home, and they break my heart when they aren't. The intelligence and trainability are genuine — these dogs can do almost anything you train them to do. But the energy and engagement requirements are real and non-negotiable. An Aussiedoodle that gets a 20-minute walk and is alone for 8 hours is a dog headed for trouble.
Before getting an Aussiedoodle, honestly assess whether you can provide: 75–120 minutes of real daily exercise (not a casual walk), 30–60 minutes of daily training or structured mental work, and a household where someone is genuinely engaged with the dog through the day. If those aren't realistic, choose almost any other Doodle.
MDR1 gene mutation is the breed-specific health issue that most owners don't know about. About half of Australian Shepherds carry the MDR1 mutation, which causes severe and potentially fatal adverse reactions to several common drugs including ivermectin (in some heartworm preventives), loperamide (Imodium), and several anesthetics. The Poodle does not carry MDR1, so cross-breeding dilutes the risk, but Aussiedoodles can inherit the mutation from the Aussie parent. The DNA test is cheap (~$50) and essential — ask the breeder for the MDR1 result on the Aussie parent, and get your puppy tested if not already.
Merle × merle breeding produces double-merle puppies with severe health problems (often deaf and/or blind). Any breeder who advertises or produces merle × merle litters is not breeding responsibly. Walk away.
Daily Life
Care Requirements
Exercise
75–120 minutes daily — running, hiking, dog sports, fetch, swimming. Aussiedoodles are athletes; they need real activity, not casual walks. This is the most demanding exercise requirement of any Doodle.
Mental Stimulation
30–60 minutes of daily training, puzzle work, or structured mental engagement. Aussiedoodles excel in agility, obedience, scent work, treibball, and trick training. They are unhappy without mental challenges and develop problem behaviors when under-stimulated.
Grooming
Professional grooming every 6–8 weeks. Brushing 2–3 times per week at home, daily during the 8–14 month coat transition. The coat is typically wavy or curly and mats aggressively without regular brushing. See the Aussiedoodle grooming guide.
Wellness
Health & Common Conditions
Aussiedoodles share inherited health risks with both parent breeds. The MDR1 drug sensitivity gene is the most actionable concern — it is testable and significantly affects veterinary care decisions. Merle coat genetics require careful breeder management.
| Condition | What It Means |
|---|---|
| MDR1 Drug Sensitivity | Mutation in the MDR1 gene causes severe reactions to common drugs including ivermectin, loperamide (Imodium), and certain anesthetics. About half of Australian Shepherds carry the mutation. The Poodle does not. Aussiedoodles can inherit the mutation; DNA testing is cheap and essential. Tell every vet your Aussiedoodle has been tested or is unknown — it affects sedation, surgical, and medication choices. |
| Hip and Elbow Dysplasia | Both parent breeds carry elevated rates. OFA or PennHIP screening on both parents is essential. |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) | Inherited retinal degeneration leading to blindness. Present in both Aussies and Poodles. DNA test available. |
| Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA) | Inherited eye condition documented in Australian Shepherds. DNA test available — the Aussie parent should be tested clear or carrier. |
| Double Merle Health Problems | When two merle dogs are bred together, puppies often inherit the double-merle gene combination causing deafness, blindness, and other severe health issues. Responsible breeders never breed merle × merle. Walk away from any breeder who does. |
| Epilepsy | Documented at elevated rates in Australian Shepherds. No DNA test available; ask about incidence in the breeder's lines. |
Ask breeders for (both parents): MDR1 DNA test on the Australian Shepherd parent (and on the puppy if not done — get this done). OFA hip and elbow on both parents, OFA cardiac, CAER eye exam, PRA DNA test, CEA DNA test on the Aussie parent. Confirm the breeder has never bred merle × merle.
Budget
Cost of Ownership
| Expense | First Year | Annual (ongoing) |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy (reputable breeder) | $1,800–$4,500 | — |
| Food | $500–$900 | $500–$900 |
| Vet (routine + puppy series) | $500–$900 | $350–$600 |
| Professional grooming (every 6–8 weeks) | $600–$1,200 | $600–$1,200 |
| Pet insurance | $500–$1,200 | $500–$1,200 |
| Setup (crate, supplies, training) | $400–$800 | — |
| Estimated Total | $4,300–$9,500 | $1,950–$3,800 |
Setup costs are higher than for other Doodles because of additional training investment (group classes, dog sport equipment). Hip surgery, if needed, runs $4,000–$8,000 per joint. See the full Aussiedoodle first-year cost breakdown.
Fit Assessment
Is a Aussiedoodle Right for You?
| Great fit if you... | Not the best fit if you... |
|---|---|
| Experienced dog owners with time and energy for daily training and exercise | First-time dog owners — the intelligence-and-energy combination is overwhelming for inexperienced handlers |
| Households that genuinely want to participate in dog sports (agility, obedience, herding trials) | Households where the dog will be alone 6+ hours daily without structured enrichment |
| Active singles or couples without long workday absences | Families with very young children where the herding instinct could lead to nipping |
| Owners excited by an intelligent, intensely engaged dog | Owners wanting a calm, low-exercise companion |
| Households that have specifically considered and accepted the herding instinct | Households not prepared to verify MDR1 testing and avoid merle × merle breeding |
Next Steps
Finding Your Aussiedoodle
Buying from a Breeder
$1,800–$4,500 from reputable breeders. There is no major Aussiedoodle breed club, so vet breeders carefully by their willingness to provide written health clearances. Required: MDR1 DNA test on the Aussie parent (non-negotiable), OFA hip and elbow on both parents, OFA cardiac, CAER eye exam, PRA DNA test, CEA DNA test. Confirm explicitly that the breeder does not breed merle × merle litters. Ask about epilepsy and autoimmune conditions in the breeder's lines.
Rescue
Doodle Rescue Collective and Australian Shepherd rescue networks regularly place Aussiedoodles. Many surrendered Aussiedoodles are 1–3-year-old dogs whose owners underestimated the exercise and mental engagement requirements. Adult rescues with known temperament and energy level are an excellent choice for households unsure whether they can handle a young Aussiedoodle.
Before your Aussiedoodle puppy comes home, complete the Aussiedoodle puppy checklist — insurance enrollment, identifying an experienced groomer, and training class registration are the three critical pre-arrival steps.
More Comparisons
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Aussiedoodles too much dog for a first-time owner?
Often, yes. The combination of intelligence, energy, and herding instinct makes Aussiedoodles demanding even for experienced owners. First-time dog owners who specifically want an Aussiedoodle should commit before getting the dog to: enrolling in puppy class and continuing through advanced obedience, providing 75–120 minutes of daily activity, and learning to manage herding behavior. If any of those commitments feels uncertain, a calmer Doodle (Bernedoodle, Cavapoo, Goldendoodle) is a better starting point.
What is the MDR1 gene and why is it important?
MDR1 is a gene mutation that causes severe, potentially fatal reactions to several common veterinary drugs — ivermectin (in some heartworm preventives), loperamide (Imodium), and certain anesthetics. About half of Australian Shepherds carry the mutation. The DNA test costs about $50 and is essential for Aussiedoodles. If your dog tests positive (homozygous or heterozygous), tell every vet you encounter — it affects sedation, surgery, and emergency drug choices. A test result is one of the most actionable pieces of health information you can have for this breed.
What is the difference between blue merle and red merle Aussiedoodles?
Both are merle patterns — mottled, marbled coats — differing only in base color. Blue merle is gray-blue with darker (black) patches. Red merle is copper or rust with darker (brown) patches. Both are striking and command premium pricing. Both require the same careful breeder management — never breeding merle × merle to avoid double-merle puppies with severe health problems.
Do Aussiedoodles shed?
F1B and multigen Aussiedoodles with curly coats shed minimally. F1 Aussiedoodles vary widely — some have curly Poodle-type coats and shed little; others have straighter Aussie-type coats and shed moderately. The Aussie parent is a heavy seasonal shedder, so the coat-type lottery is more consequential here than for some other Doodles. For low-shedding goals, request an F1B or multigen with confirmed curly coat.
Explore More
Similar Breeds
- Labradoodle — Less intense, slightly easier to live with, similar energy needs
- Standard Poodle — The Poodle parent — similar intelligence, more reliable coat, fewer health surprises
- Australian Shepherd — The Aussie parent — same intelligence and energy with heavy shedding
- Border Collie — Comparable working intelligence, even higher energy, heavier shedding
