20 Things You Didn’t Know about The Aussiepoo
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If you’ve always loved the idea of owning an Australian Shepherd but can’t cope with the thought of all that hair (Aussie Shepherds shed. A lot), there’s new pooch in town that’s going to win your heart big time. The Aussiepoo is the latest in a long line of designer crossbreeds that have taken the best qualities of two breeds (in this case, the Poodle and the Australian Shepherd), given them a shake, and come up with something that manages to be both very familiar and completely new at that same time. And frankly, something that’s also bone-fide adorable. With their shaggy (but mercifully non-shedding) coats, huge eyes, and dopey expressions, the Aussiepoo could melt even the stoniest of hearts. If you want to find out more, you’ve come to the right place to do just that. Without further ado, here are twenty thing you didn’t know about the Aussiepoo (but really should).
1. They’re half Australian Shepherd
Split the Aussiepoo family tree in two, and one half will be dedicated to the Australian Shepherd. A herding dog that’s renowned for its endless energy, boundless drive, and high intelligence, the Australian Shepherd is a hugely popular breed across the world. With their gentle personalities and loyal, loving natures, they make great family dogs (although only for families willing to spend plenty of time running around the park – deprive an Australian Shephard of its exercise and you’ll soon feel its wrath). Physically, the Australian Shepherd is a well- balanced, medium sized dog that’s a little longer than it is tall, and with a coloring that can vary immensely between individual dogs. Their own downside (if you can call it that) is their coat’s capacity to shed – anywhere, all the time, and irrespective of how often you groom them.
2. Half Poodle
The Poodle is a dog that needs no introduction. Known (and beloved) the world over for their friendly personalities, their plucky good natures, and their hugely intelligent brains, their status as one of the country’s most popular pets is by no means undeserved. Available in various colors (with the most common being ginger, black, white, apricot, and somewhat less common, ‘harlequin’) and various sizes (standard, miniature, and toy), they make a great choice of pet for allergy sufferers thanks to their non-shedding, hypoallergenic coats. Even if you don’t have allergies, you’re sure to be won over by their playful, affectionate ways.
3. And 100% themselves
A child might be a combination of their parents, but they’re still wholly unique. The same applies to the Aussiepoo. Sure, it may take after the Australian Shepherd in some ways (check out those multi-colored coats!) and no-one’s going to say it doesn’t have a hint of the Poodle about it (check out how those multi-colored coats don’t shed!) but this is no straight down the line copy-cat. If you’ve always longed for an Australian Shepherd, get an Australian Shepherd. If you’re heart skips a beat when you see a Poodle in the street, get a Poodle. An Aussiepoo may be the lovechild of two great breeds, but it’s still wholly, 100% its own dog.
4. They can weight up to 30lbs
The Aussiepoo might be as cute as can be, but they’re by no means small (not unless you’re looking at the miniature or toy varieties, at least). Both the Australian Shepherd and Poodle are strong, well-built dogs, and their offspring clearly takes after them. A fully grown Standard Aussiepoo (the largest of the three types) can grow anything up to 20 or 22 inches high at the shoulder, and will typically tip the scales at around 30 pounds.
5. There’s a miniature variety
Living in a tiny studio is no obstacle to owning an Aussiepoo, not when it’s a Miniature Aussiepoo, anyway. Not content with limiting the breed to the Standard variety, some bright spark decided to mix things up by creating a miniature line. The tiny little pooch was created by breeding a Miniature Australian Shepherd with a Miniature Poodle. With the same characteristics as their larger siblings, the same intelligence and the same cutie-pie good looks, the Miniature Aussiepoo is a no brainer for pet owners with a hankering for an Aussiepoo but with no space to swing a cat.
6. And a toy variety
If even the Miniature Aussiepoo is too big a proposition for you, there’s a solution. The Toy Aussiepoo is about as tiny as dogs get, standing just 15 inches tall and weighing between 15 and 20 pounds. As welovedoodles.com notes, the Toy Aussiepoo is achieved by crossing a Toy Poodle with a Mini Australian Shepherd. Despite having more underlying health issues than the standard variety, Toy Aussiepoos are the most sought after of all the Aussiepoo varieties. If you want one for yourself, expect to pay a lot more than you’d have thought a 15-pound featherweight could ever command.
7. Their coats are technicolor rainbows
Why have a boring white dog, a bland black one, or a common ginger one when you could have a rainbow colored one instead? In fairness, you’re not going to see a lot of pink, violet, or green Aussiepoos, but you are going to see ones in pretty much every other color imaginable. The coats of this cute breed come in almost every shade a dog can come in, from blue merle to red merle, black and red tri to black and tan, parti to sable. Look hard enough, and you might even find one or two with a solid color.
8. They go by more than one name
Like most designer cross breeds, the Aussiepoo goes by more than one name. Which can make it slightly confusing when you’re trying to find a breeder. Is the Aussie Poo the same as an Aussiepoo (ok, that one draws its own conclusions)? Is an Aussiedoodle the same dog as the Aussie Poodle? And what the heck is an Aussie Shepherd Poodle Cross, anyway? Things get even more confusing when you open the Miniature Aussiepoo can of worms, with Mini Aussiedoodle, Toy Aussie Poo, Toy Aussiedoodle all coming into play. But as howtotrainthedog.com notes, all those different names actually refer to the exact same breed.
9. They’re super smart
The Australian Shepherd is a smart dog. The Poodle is practically a genius. It stands to reason, then, that you’re going to end up with a clever pup when you mix the two. And the Aussiepoo is one very clever pup indeed. With more little grey cells than most of us could credit, they’re a joy to train – tell them to sit once, and they’ll be sitting on cue forever. Combine their book smarts with high energy levels and superb jumping skills, and you’ve got a dog that’s guaranteed to win every obedience class and obstacle race going.
10. They came to prominence in the 1990s
In all likelihood, there were probably several ‘naturally occurring’ Aussiepoos long before they ever got a name. Dogs are wont to mate, after all, and being of a similar size, the Poodle and the Australian Shephard were natural bedfellows. But it wasn’t until the late 1990s that dog breeders started considering the possibility of formalizing those occasional ‘encounters’ and making a bit of money in the process. After Ausiepoos started taking off in North America in the early 2000s, news of the breed slowly started to spread to the rest of the world. Today, the Aussiepoo, while not as common as some other designer crossbreeds, is a familiar sight.
11. They’ve been given official breed status by the Designer Dogs Kennel Club
Unless the AKC decide to do a 180 on how they view designer cross breeds, the Aussiepoo is never going to win AKC recognition. But that’s not to say all kennel clubs are as unwelcoming. As dogsbreedusa.online notes, so far, several clubs have awarded the Aussiepoo recognition, including the Designer Dogs Kennel Club, the International Designer Canine Registry, the American Canine Hybrid Club, and the Designer Breed Registry.
12. They make great companions
Some breeds make great guard dogs. Others make excellent hunters. And some are just truly excellent companions. With their affectionate, friendly personalities, the Aussiepoo falls into the last category. While every Aussiepoo is unique, the vast majority of them share the same loyal and loving natures… so much so, in fact, that they’ve become incredibly popular as therapy dogs. Whether you want a dog for emotional support or just good old-fashioned companionship, you’ll find the Aussiepoo a devoted little friend.
13. They need lots of exercise
If the most exercise you get in a day is reaching for the remote, you might want to think twice about welcoming an Aussiepoo into your life. As animalso.com notes, the Australian Shepherd is a super high energy breed, and one that’s liable to become frustrated and miserable if it doesn’t get a good run every day. The Aussiepoo has inherited the same traits. If you want to keep your pooch happy, aim to give it at least 90 minutes of walkies every day. If you can throw in a game of frisbee or catch as well, they’ll love you forever.
14. They’re prone to cataracts
While Aussiepoos are generally healthy little creatures, they’re not immune to the odd health issue or two. As dogtime.com notes, most of the most common conditions to affect the Aussiepoo are the same as the ones faced by the Australian Shepherd and the Poodle. Potential problems to watch out for include hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, vermectin sensitivity (reactions to flea and tick medications), bloat, and cataracts. To minimize the risk of future problems, take littlepawstraining.com’s advice and get a health clearance done for your puppy before you bring him or her home. If you can, ask to meet the parents to make sure they’re healthy. It also stands to reason that you should only ever buy a pup from a reputable and genuine breeder.
15. They pack on the pounds easily
Aussiepoos might love to exercise, but they also love to eat. Like both the Australian Shepherd and the Poodle, they can pack on the pounds without even trying, going from podgy and cute to medically obese before you’ve had time to register the difference. Pay careful attention to their diet; if you notice that their weight is on an upwards trajectory, keep treats to a minimum and avoid free feeding. If things don’t improve, you might want to speak to your vet about the benefits of a calorie-controlled diet.
16. They should be brushed weekly
The Aussiepoo might be low maintenance, but that doesn’t mean you can skip the grooming completely. As wagwalking.com ( https://wagwalking.com/breed/miniature-aussiedoodle ) recommends, aim to give their coat a thorough brush two to three times a week. Aim to check and clean their ears weekly and (if they’ll tolerate it) give their teeth a good clean 2-3 times a week. Toenails should be clipped as soon as you start to hear them clicking on polished surfaces.
17. They’re great with kids
Aussiepoo’s don’t have a bad bone in their bodies. Their lack of aggression makes them a great choice for families with kids. Thanks to the herding instincts they’ve inherited from the Australian Shepherd, they’ll even do a fine job of keeping any trigger-happy kids from running away from the pack. But be warned – while they’d never deliberately hurt a child, their playful natures can sometimes make them a little boisterous. If you have toddlers, don’t leave them to play with your pup unsupervised.
18. They cost a bit
Before you decide you absolutely must have an Aussiepoo, make sure your finances are in good order. As animalso.com reports, a Standard Aussiepoo will set you back a hefty $1100. Opt for a toy or miniature version, and you’re looking at the best part of $1800. And those are just the bog-standard kind. If you want a top-of-the line dog with pure breed lines and a superior pedigree, you could well end up paying anything up to $10000. And don’t forget about costs for vaccinations, blood tests, deworming, neutering, collars, and leashes, either, all of which can quickly rack up. Better start saving now…
19. They’re needy
Aussiepoos love nothing more than spending time with you. While that’s all very lovely most of the time, it can spell trouble when you’re not around. Like Australian Shepherds, Aussiepoos are prone to separation anxiety, and can easily become blue, lonely, and just a wee bit destructive when left alone for long stretches.
20. They love to swim
If there’s one type of exercise that the Aussiepoo loves above all else, it’s swimming. Show them a river and you can guarantee they’ll be waist deep before you can count to three. Treat them to a trip to the ocean and you’ll be looking at one seriously happy mutt.
