Australian Shepherd Poodle Mix Facts

Australian Shepherd Poodle Mix Facts

Poodle australian mixed with shepherd

 

Poodle Australian Shepherd Mix

Poodle australian combined with shepherd

The cross between two of the most beautiful and smartest dog breeds in the world, an Australian Shepherd and a Poodle, produced the Australian Shepherd Poodles. Also called an Aussie-Poo or Aussiedoodle, this hybrid is one of the most intelligent and very clever dogs. They are extremely active, very friendly, and hard working. Their playful and affectionate nature makes this dog perfect for families with children who love games, going out, and enjoy lots of cuddles.

Another desirable trait of the Poodle Australian Shepherd Mix is their appearance. These medium-sized dogs are the most popular choice for a companion for their temperament and good looks. They are a perfect addition to active families who are looking for a cute pet who loves to learn and play. They have also become one of the most preferred choices for a service or a therapy dog.

3 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Get an Australian Shepherd Mixed with Poodle

Poodle australian shepherd mix

  • Can be quite noisy when bored. These smart dogs need a constant means to entertain themselves. Otherwise, they could get bored and become too noisy. These are not the best pet if you leave in an area with noise restrictions. They are well suited to a home is a large fenced area or yard. This way, they can have some off-leash time to play and exercise to manage their energy better.
  • They have high energy and would need a lot of training and exercise. The Poodle combined with Australian Shepherd has an almost endless supply of energy. They need one to two hours of exercise each day. Not a fan of repetitive tasks, this crossbreed would need both mental and physical stimulations that could keep them happy and engaged.
  • You need to have the energy to be able to keep up with these dogs. Exercise is very important for them as they could become a bit destructive as a result of all that pent up energy. Have a tendency to nip and herd. Primarily due to the Australian Shepherd heritage, this hybrid does tend to nip and have an active herding instinct. It may seem aggressive, but they are only following their instincts. They are good and patient with children, but they need to be trained to prevent these bad behaviors from the very beginning.

Correcting this behavior is crucial so as not to encourage them to bite. You need to be able to dedicate a lot of time, care, and support to raise a smart puppy like this one.

Other Australian Shepherd Mixes

Not the right pup for you but have your heart set on an Australian Shepherd mix? Check out the top Australian Shepherd mixes in America:

  1. Blue Heeler + Australian Shepherd Mix
  2. Pitbull + Australian Shepherd Mix
  3. Lab + Australian Shepherd Mix
  4. Husky + Australian Shepherd Mix
  5. German Shepherd + Australian Shepherd Mix
  6. Corgi + Australian Shepherd Mix
  7. Golden Retriever + Australian Shepherd Mix
  8. Bernese Mountain Dog + Australian Shepherd Mix

3 Reasons Why You Should Get a Poodle Australian Shepherds

Australian shepherd mixed with poodle

  1. Very friendly and could get along easily with everyone. These sweet and fluffy dogs are extremely social and can get along well with both humans and other animals. They are playful and affectionate. Loves to spend time with their owners, whether it’s playing outside or lounging indoors. They do well with other pets in the home. Their intelligence and patience make them good pets for families with children.
  2. They are natural performers. They are very famous in dog competitions. Their love of learning and working helped them learn and master a lot of tricks, commands, and skills quickly. This hybrid can perform well in sports, agility, fly ball, and even dance. They are eager to please and has all the athleticism and energy needed in training and execution.
  3. Easily trainable. A perfect combination of smart and eager to please. This crossbreed is great in learning commands. They are a quick study and work well with positive reinforcements. They enjoy learning new things whether it’s a trick or command. You’ll easily have their attention but be careful to avoid too many reiterations as they can easily get bored and lose interest.

Appearance, Personality, and Traits of an Australian Shepherd Combined with Poodle

Australian shepherd poodle

Weight 25 to 70 lbs.
Height 13 to 23 inches
Size Medium
Coat Type Medium to Long, silky straight hair; loose thick wavy or curls
Coat Color Black, gray, red, yellow, brown, silver, and blue, sometimes with merle, brindle, or patches. They can also have combinations of white and chocolate, red sable, blue merle, cinnamon merle, red merle, and tricolor.
Amount of Shedding Low to medium; Seasonal shedder
Eyes Brown or Blue; oval shaped
Nose Dark
Ears Long, hanging ears
Temperament Intelligent, outgoing, loyal, friendly, energetic, social and patient
Life Expectancy 10 to 12 years
Hypoallergenic No
Kid Friendly Yes
New Owner Friendly Yes
Breed Recognition ACHC, DDKC, IDCR, DBR, DRA

This magnificent mixed breed can easily win the hearts of many with their sweet charm and personality. The Australian Shepherd Poodle mix is a family oriented dog that would love to spend each moment with you. They are athletic and excels in sports, agility, and obedience training. This smart and clever dog can learn new tricks very quickly.

Depending on which side of their parentage they take after the most, their appearance and temperament can vary in different ways. Most Australian Shepherd Poodles can be as tall as 13 to 23 inches and weigh between 25 to 70 pounds. They have either brown or blue oval eyes and a black nose.

You can find many varieties of colors and textures of coats for this crossbreed. You can expect them to have either the tight curls of a poodle, a long silky fur of an Australian Shepherd or something in the middle. The pups of this liter look like a fluffy, adorable toy bear with a temperament to match.

They may not be a good guard dog, but they do serve as excellent therapy and service dogs. They are sociable and loving. They love getting lots of attention. Although they are energetic, they can be relaxed and happy indoors. Giving them regular exercises will make them happy, contented, and healthy.

These dogs may try to herd anyone that is straying away from your group. They do this by bumping into your leg or nipping at your feet. You can train it out of them while they are still young. Herding is not the type of trait that should be permitted. They are considered a quiet breed, but they tend to get noisy when bored.

When trained well, they can be trusted to be off leash. You can depend on your dog’s obedience and loyalty to follow your orders no matter what.

Poodle Australian Shepherds Puppies for Sale

Poodle australian mixed with shepherd

This mixed breed was purposely bred in Canada and the US in hopes to create cute, intelligent dogs with the low shedding coats of a poodle. They are one of the most popular designer dogs in the world.

Searching for a reliable breeder should help you get the right puppy for you. A trustworthy breeder will ensure that you get the puppy that is the right match. You must be allowed to visit the facility or kennel and meet your puppy before finalizing your deal. You’ll never know what to expect if you haven’t seen the pup like when you buy online.

They ought to be able to provide you with the required documents and certifications to prove that they have undergone a health screening. You should also be granted access to the health history of both parents, too.

Never purchase a puppy from irresponsible breeders and puppy mills, who mistreat animals. Conduct research and have a tour of their facilities or kennels. You can look for a registered breeder or find your puppy in a shelter or through an adoption organization. Here is a short list of reputable Australian Shepherd mixed with Poodle breeders:

  1. Dreamydoodle NW, WA
  2. AwesomeDoodle.com
  3. Littleton Ranch, WA
  4. Cottonwood Creek Doodles, UT
  5. Doodle Run Kennels, VA and WA
  6. Doodledoos, UK

Grooming Your Poodle Mixed with Australian Shepherd

Poodle australian combined with shepherd

The Australian Shepherd Poodle mix has different types and colors of furs. In terms of grooming, your routine maintenance will depend on whether they have loose curls or long straight hairs. They would require regularly scheduled trims and daily brushing. Brushing between two and three times a week will help in keeping their coats clean and shiny.

The curlier their coat is, the more often they’ll need to be brushed or combed. During shedding seasons, they would need weekly grooming to keep their coats tangle free and prevent mats.

You will also need to take them to a groomer to be stripped regularly. Bathe your dog only when it is needed, when the coats are particularly dirty or starting to smell. Use a dog shampoo that is gentle to the skin. Too much bathing can strip their skin of healthy oils and cause irritation which can lead to some skin issues.

Make it a habit to brush their teeth two to three times a week. Avoid ear infection by cleaning their ears once a week. Nails should be clipped right away when they are long. It should always be kept short but not too short so as not to damage their blood vessels and nerves. If you are not confident in doing it yourself, you can always take your dog to a groomer.

Australian Shepherd Combined with Poodle Health Problems

Australian shepherd poodles

The Poodle Australian Shepherd mix is generally a healthy breed that can live a strong and happy 10 to 15 years of life. There are several genetic disorders that they may inherit from either parent breeds. And, you should be aware of them to help you identify the conditions you can test or look out for your pup. The following is a list of health issues that your hybrid can develop:

  1. Hip Dysplasia – It is a developmental disorder of the hip joints that can be passed down from parents. It causes hind limbs to experience lameness. There are some who later grow out of this painful phase but then later develop degenerative osteoarthritis at an early age. This health issue can be easily detected through x-rays.
  2. Epilepsy – This disorder appears as conclusions alterations to a dog’s consciousness that can happen in their first six months. In some of the cases, there is no need for any medication as the seizures will become less frequent and they would be able to live relatively normal for the rest of their life. It would just be painful and uneasy to watch as they go through their episodes.
  3. Progressive Retinal Atrophy – This is an inherited disease that is common with both parent breeds, the Australian Shepherd and the Poodle. Once your dog becomes an adult, you should have them tested for carrier genes that can cause blindness.
  4. Cushing’s Disease – It occurs to dogs in their middle age as a result of the presence of a hormone-secreting tumor. Usually, it can be found on the abdominal adrenal glands or the brain’s pituitary gland. There is an excess of the stress hormone, cortisol, which can cause weight gain, increase in appetite, hair loss, skin pigmentation, and intolerance to exercise.

Poodle Mixed with Australian Shepherd Food Requirements

Poodle australian shepherds

An Australian Shepherd mixed with Poodle is quite easy to feed. They consume as much as one to three cups of high-quality dog food per day. Choose a dog food that contains a good amount of fat and protein to meet the requirements of highly energetic dogs like these and avoid feeding them the worst dry dog food. They also enjoy treats of dog bones, meat, vegetables or fruits. A regular exercise routine can help them manage their weight better.

Here are a few best dry dog food options for medium-sized dogs like the Poodle combined with Australian Shepherd:

  • Wellness Core Dog Food
  • Dog For Dog Food
  • Nutra Thrive dog food supplement
  • BLUE Life Protection Formula Adult Dry Dog Food by Blue Buffalo
    This tasty dog food contains vitamins and minerals that your dog needs, in an easily digestible formula. It is a mix of fruits, vegetables and whole grains which helps in keeping their weight down. These are also good for their teeth, bones, and coat.
  • Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin Dog Food
    It is a canned wet food that has salmon as it’s the main source of protein. They would be benefiting from all that Omega-3 and amino acids in this meal. These are high-quality wet food that is formulated to improve their overall health.

Like in training, this mixed breed would love some variety in their food, too. It is a great idea to alternate or mix dry and wet dog food to keep meals interesting.

Although the Poodle Aussie Shepherd goggie is usually medium-sized, they may surprise you by how big or small they turn out to be! That is why it is good to be familiar with some of the best dry dog food for small dogs and the best large breed dry dog food that you can offer your unpredictable mixed stunner!

Likewise, you need to procure the appropriate lefe stage nutrition for your doggo. If you have a cute, fuzzy yapper at home, buy them only the food by the renowned and best puppy food brands, and if you own a grandpa or a grandma pooch, opt for the best senior dry dog food. Consult with your vet if you feel like you are unable to find the right formula for your dog.

Poodle Combined with Australian Shepherd Exercise Requirements

Australian shepherd poodle mix

These dogs need at least ninety minutes of activities each day. They are highly active and would love to go running, swimming, and other sports. Exercise is crucial for these hyperactive dogs to keep their energy levels down. They wouldn’t know where to expend pent up energy which can cause them to become frustrated and develop negative behaviors or become overweight.

Giving them a purpose is a great use of their boundless energy. They are people-pleasers and enjoys physical as well as mental challenges. Their lively nature drives them to work or seek play time with their owners, other pets, or even by themselves. Access to a yard will be highly beneficial, allowing them to play whenever they need it.

These smart dogs love to learn and solve puzzles. The Nina Ottoson Dog Brick Treat Puzzle Dog Toy by Outward Hound will help you keep them busy for a while. It is an interactive feeding fun game that your dog would love.

Australian Shepherd Poodle Mix Training

Australian shepherd combined with poodle

There is no doubt that Australian Shepherd Poodles are highly intelligent and trainable. Both parent breeds, the Poodle and the Australian Shepherd, are working dogs. It gives them a strong aspiration to do a job. By using positive reinforcement techniques, they can learn quickly. Just show them what you want them to do and give them praise and reward once they did it correctly.

They see training as a form of play, and the challenge makes them happy. Though it may be an easy task, here are a couple of things to help you effectively train your Poodle mixed with Australian Shepherd.

  • When is the right time?
    The right time to start training your pup is on the first day they arrive at your home. As early as eight weeks old, these pups can absorb anything that you teach them — waiting up until their older is not a great idea. They can retain information and understand instructions very early on. When left untrained, you are at risk of raising a headstrong Poodle Australian Shepherds.
  • Where to start socializing?
    You should get them to join a puppy kindergarten class as early as ten to twelve years old. It will help you start their socialization. Aside from formal training, you should also immediately begin socializing them with family members and friends.
  • What should you teach them?
    The first thing that your puppy should learn is obedience. It is a stepping stone you’ll need to teach your puppy some tricks yourself. They are highly intelligent and active. They would love it if you can teach and assign them a job or purpose, like fetching the paper for you. It gives them the challenge and stimulation they need.As long as you are willing to teach them, you can make them do almost anything you want, and they would be happy to do it for you.
  • How to train your puppy?
    You would need to be patient and consistent while training them. Positive reinforcement goes a long way. They can quickly learn if they see that it pleases you. You must also remember to restrict training in short periods. It is a good idea to scatter 10 to 15 minutes of training throughout the day. Avoid repeating commands too many times or else they’ll lose their interest.It is natural for them to try to nip or bump into you as they try to herd and keep the family together. But, you need to make it your priority to discourage it. You can reprimand them and subsequently divert their attention to a game. It is important as they should learn early on not to bite or bump into you while walking. This training would also help them to be safe around kids.

Australian Shepherd Combined with Poodle and Families

Poodle australian shepherds

These charming and incredible dogs will fit right into a family with an active lifestyle. A lot of their time would need to be spent on training and exercise. Physical and mental activities keep them well behaved and healthy. They are eager to please, easily trainable, and highly intelligent.

If you don’t have a yard or a huge space for them to play with, you can always take them out for exercise every day. This way, they can just sit and relax with you while in your home.

They are excellent with children, especially when properly socialized. Nipping and herding tendencies can be trained out of them at an early age so as to avoid it from progressing into biting. They are very patient dogs. Raise them well, and they can become the most loyal and affectionate dogs, that is why they are one of the most preferred breeds for service and therapy dogs.

Cute and very friendly. They can get along with almost everyone, both human and other pets. The perfect companion, a Poodle combined with Australian Shepherd, will shower you with love and affection. Their personality and energy will brighten up anyone’s day.

References:

  1. Turnova, Evelina Hrckova, et al. “A Novel Mutation in the TYRP1 Gene Associated with Brown Coat Colour in the Australian Shepherd Dog Breed.” Animal Genetics, vol. 48, no. 5, 12 May 2017, pp. 626–626., doi:10.1111/age.12563.
  2. Friedenberg, Steven G., et al. “Evaluation of Artificial Selection in Standard Poodles Using Whole-Genome Sequencing.” Mammalian Genome, vol. 27, no. 11-12, 10 Aug. 2016, pp. 599–609., doi:10.1007/s00335-016-9660-9.
  3. Schwartz, Charlotte. Australian Shepherd. Kennel Club Books, 2009.
  4. Ewing, Susan M. Poodles for Dummies. John Wiley & Sons Inc., 2007.
  5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Shepherd
  6. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poodle