Best Gear for Aussiedoodles
The Aussiedoodle combines the Australian Shepherd's intense working intelligence and herding drive with the Poodle's trainability and low-shedding coat — producing a high-energy, strikingly colored dog best suited for active owners.
A cross between australian shepherd × poodle
Weight
15-35 lbs
Lifespan
10-14 yrs
Energy
Very High
Shedding
Minimal
Trainability
Easy
Life with a Aussiedoodle
Your Aussiedoodle will watch your every move with an intensity that would be unsettling if it weren't so clearly about devotion — they inherited the Australian Shepherd's herding stare and they will use it on you at breakfast.
They will absolutely try to herd your children, your cat, and your houseguests at least once before training kicks in — it's not aggression, it's just middle management.
The intelligence means they will figure out childproof locks, treat cabinet latches, and your patterns of behavior before you realize they're studying you.
A 30-minute walk is insufficient and they will communicate this clearly via sustained eye contact, indoor zoomies, and the creative destruction of your belongings.
When they're properly exercised and mentally engaged, they are one of the most rewarding dogs imaginable — responsive, connected, joyful, and almost telepathically attentive to their people.
What Owners Say
“r/aussiedoodle owners agree: this is the most demanding doodle cross to own and also one of the most rewarding — they're not dogs you keep, they're dogs you partner with, and if you're not ready for a full-time engagement commitment, get a different breed.”
Games Aussiedoodles Actually Love
Agility Course
Aussiedoodles are natural agility dogs — the Australian Shepherd's athleticism and herding reflexes combine with the Poodle's love of performance to make this the sport this cross was practically designed
Frisbee
The Aussie's explosive athleticism and eye for a moving target makes disc catching deeply satisfying for this cross. Start with roller tosses low to the ground and build to full
Advanced Trick Chains
Teaching behavior sequences — fetch the red toy, bring it to the basket, close the basket — satisfies the working intelligence in this cross at a level that simple tricks
Top Picks for Your Aussiedoodle
| Spec | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buy | ||||||
| Scores | Overall 9.4 Value 7 Quality 9.6 Durability 9 | Overall 9.6 Value 9.6 Quality 9.7 Durability 9.1 | Overall 9.2 Value 9.2 Quality 9.2 Durability 8.8 | Overall 9 Value 5 Quality 9.1 Durability 8.6 | Overall 9.4 Value 8.1 Quality 9.5 Durability 9 | Overall 9.2 Value 8.5 Quality 9.3 Durability 8.8 |
| Bag Size | 35 lb | — | — | — | — | — |
| Protein Source | Chicken | — | — | — | — | — |
| Life Stage | Adult | — | — | — | — | — |
| Grain-Free | No | — | — | — | — | — |
| Special Feature | Live probiotics, shredded blend texture | — | — | — | — | — |
| Material | — | High-bounce natural rubber | FDA food-safe hard polymer | — | 300D polyester with foam padding | — |
| Size | — | Medium (2.5 inches, fits standard launchers) | Large (dogs 25+ lbs) | — | — | — |
| Floats | — | Yes | — | — | — | — |
| Best For | — | Fetch, water play, high-energy dogs | Slow feeding, mental stimulation | — | — | Double-coated breeds, heavy shedders |
| Pack Quantity | — | 2 | — | — | — | — |
| Food Capacity | — | — | Up to 1 cup of kibble | — | — | — |
| Dishwasher Safe | — | — | Top rack only | — | — | — |
| Battery Life | — | — | — | Up to 3 months | — | — |
| Connectivity | — | — | — | LTE-M + GPS + Wi-Fi + Bluetooth | — | — |
| Water Resistance | — | — | — | IP68 fully waterproof | — | — |
| Geofence Alerts | — | — | — | Yes, customizable safe zones | — | — |
| Weight | — | — | — | 1.5 oz tracker module | 5.6–9.5 oz depending on size | — |
| Size Range | — | — | — | — | XXS to XL (13–42 in chest) | — |
| Clip Type | — | — | — | — | Aluminum V-ring (front and back) | — |
| Closure | — | — | — | — | Two side-release buckles | — |
| Tool Type | — | — | — | — | — | Deshedding tool (stainless steel blade) |
| Dog Size | — | — | — | — | — | Large (51–90 lbs) |
| Coat Types | — | — | — | — | — | Short or Long Hair versions |
| Self-Cleaning | — | — | — | — | — | Yes (FURejector button) |
| Handle | — | — | — | — | — | Ergonomic non-slip grip |
* Prices are approximate and may vary. Please check the latest price on Amazon.
Prices are approximate and may vary. Please check the latest price on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
About the Aussiedoodle
Origin & Build
- •The Aussiedoodle was developed in the late 1990s and early 2000s, combining the Australian Shepherd — originally
- •The breed has no single credited origin point
- •Sizes include toy (under 20 lbs), miniature (15–35 lbs), and standard (40–70 lbs)
- •The breed's merle and tri-color coat patterns from the Aussie side make Aussiedoodles among the most visually striking
Temperament
- •Aussiedoodles are intensely intelligent, playful, and highly bonded to their families — they carry the Australian Shepherd's devoted
- •They are sensitive to their owner's mood and respond well to clear, consistent communication
- •The herding instinct from the Aussie side can manifest as nipping at heels, circling children, or trying
- •They can be wary of strangers initially but warm up quickly
Exercise Needs
- •Aussiedoodles require 60 to 90 minutes of vigorous daily exercise plus mental enrichment — this is not
- •They excel at agility, flyball, frisbee, hiking, and structured dog sports
- •Standard-sized individuals have true working-dog endurance and can run for hours if conditioned
- •Miniature and toy versions have slightly lower stamina but still need significant daily activity
Health Watch
- •Hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia are risks from both parent breeds
- •Eye conditions — particularly Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA) and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) — are inherited from
- •The MDR1 (ABCB1) gene mutation, carried by many Australian Shepherds, causes severe adverse reactions to common medications including
- •Epilepsy appears in some Australian Shepherd lines and can be passed on
Gear Tips
- DNA test for the MDR1/ABCB1 gene mutation before the first vet visit — this Australian Shepherd-inherited gene causes life-threatening reactions to ivermectin
- Invest in a proper puzzle toy library — three to five toys at different difficulty levels rotated weekly — because the Aussiedoodle's
- A front-clip harness with a bungee leash attachment handles the leash reactivity and sudden directional changes this breed can develop, particularly if
- Keep a slicker brush and metal comb in easy reach for daily brushing sessions — wavy and curly Aussiedoodle coats mat fast,
- Agility equipment — even a basic backyard set with a tunnel, jump, and weave poles — gives this breed the structured physical
Keep Them Happy
- Enroll in formal agility or obedience classes early — Aussiedoodles need structured challenges, and a good training class gives them a weekly
- Rotate puzzle toys on a strict weekly schedule and escalate difficulty monthly — they solve Level 1 toys in days and need
- Train the 'off' command for herding behaviors before they become habits — redirect nipping and circling immediately to a sit or down
- Exercise before training sessions — a tired Aussiedoodle focuses better than a charged one, and 30 minutes of active play before
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are Aussiedoodles high maintenance?
- Yes, in two distinct ways. Mentally, they need constant engagement — puzzle toys, training sessions, dog sports, or active outdoor time — or they develop anxiety and destructive behaviors. They are one of the highest-intelligence doodle crosses and get bored faster than most. Physically, their
- Do Aussiedoodles herd children?
- They can — the Australian Shepherd herding instinct sometimes surfaces as nipping at heels, circling children or other pets, and attempts to 'manage' movement in the household. This behavior requires early redirection training and consistent boundaries. It is not aggression but it can alarm children
- What is the MDR1 gene and why does it matter for Aussiedoodles?
- The MDR1 (ABCB1) gene mutation is carried by many Australian Shepherds and can be passed to Aussiedoodle offspring. Dogs with this mutation have a defective blood-brain barrier drug transporter, causing common medications — including ivermectin-based heartworm preventives, certain anesthetics, and several antibiotics — to accumulate
- How smart are Aussiedoodles?
- Extremely. Both parent breeds rank among the most intelligent dogs in the world — Australian Shepherds are ranked 42nd and Poodles 2nd in Stanley Coren's intelligence rankings, but the combination of problem-solving, attentiveness, and trainability in the cross tends to produce dogs that owners describe