Designer Breed Icon
  • Activity Level: high
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  • Shedding Level: low
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  • Grooming Level: high
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  • Trainability: high
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  • Good for Novice Owners: moderate
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  • Adaptability: high
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  • Kid/Pet Friendly: often
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  • Prey Drive: low
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  • Watchdog: aware
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  • Average Size: Small
  • Average Lifespan: 10-15 years
  • Registered?: other

Mini Aussiedoodle Dog Breed Information

Overview

Temperament

Adaptability

Health

Owner Experience

Grooming

Activity Level

Size

Life Span

The Mini Aussiedoodle is a cross between an Australian Shepherd and a Miniature Poodle. Also sometimes referred to as a Mini Aussiepoo, the Miniature Aussiedoodle is a smaller version of the larger Aussiedoodle. Their smaller sizes and sweet dispositions make them great companions as well as therapy dogs and emotional support dogs.

Although they are not recognized by the AKC, they are recognized by other dog registries and clubs. The American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR), Designer Breed Registry, and Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC) all recognize the Miniature Aussiedoodle.

Well-socialized Mini Aussiedoodles tend to be friendly, affectionate, devoted to their owners, and highly intelligent. They tend to be lovable balls of fluff with a lot of energy that get along with children, other animals, and other people.

Their friendly nature and openness do not generally make them good guard dogs. But, they can be good watchdogs in the sense that they will let you know when someone is around. They may inherit the herding instinct from the Australian Shepherd side.

That, paired with their playful nature, could culminate in your Mini Aussiedoodle attempting to herd family members to keep them in the same place. Training early on can curb any of these herding tendencies that start to show.

These little dogs tend to do best in a home with a yard where they can run around. But, they can adapt to apartment living as well. Mini Aussiedoodles adapt well to almost any living situation provided they get enough daily exercise, mental stimulation, and attention, but can be more sensitive to weather.

Due to their smaller size, they are less able to handle very hot or very cold weather. That is something to keep in mind when you take them outside during the summer or winter. Keep their coat groomed shorter in the summer, make sure they get plenty of water, and watch them closely to ensure they don’t get overheated. In the winter, keep their coat in a normal or longer clip and bundle them up with some winter dog gear to help them handle the cold better.

These dogs crave attention from their families and bond closely with them, so they do not like to be alone for long periods of time. This can make them prone to developing separation anxiety if you don’t work with them on it early on. Often, ongoing socialization and trianing, a good workout before you leave, and some challenging puzzle toys can help them handle a little bit of alone time better.

Mixed-breed dogs can sometimes be healthier, but it’s not a guarantee. Mixed-breed dogs can inherit the health conditions common to one, none, or both of their parent breeds. Some potential health conditions to be aware of in Mini Aussiedoodles can include deafness, allergies, epilepsy, hypothyroidism, elbow dysplasia, and hip dysplasia.

Good breeding practices make a big difference in the health of Mini Aussiedoodle puppies. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs before breeding to make sure they are not passing preventable issues on to puppies. Make sure you talk to the breeder about the health and genetic history of both parents. You can also ask about any relevant health clearances or tests that have been done.

Between their intelligence and their higher energy level, Miniature Aussiedoodles are highly trainable, but they can also be a handful. Dog owners with some experience with high-energy breeds tend to be a better fit for this mixed-dog breed. Novice owners can have success as long as they live an active lifestyle, are capable of handling a high-energy dog, and are willing to enroll in puppy training classes to help them nail positive training techniques.

Mini Aussiedoodles love having a job to do and are eager to please. They also tend to be sensitive souls, so it’s important to keep training positive with rewards and praise. They will pick up on things easily, but will also tend to get bored easily. Ensuring they have a job to do goes a long way in keeping this energetic pup occupied. They also tend to be athletic, so can be good candidates for dog sports like rally, obedience, flyball, and agility once they are finished growing.

Because of the mix between the Australian Shepherd and the Miniature Poodle, coat colors and patterns will vary with the Miniature Aussiedoodle. The coat texture will be soft and their coat will likely be low-shedding with some hypoallergenic properties.

However, their coat is not low maintenance. It can be long and straight, curly, or anything in between. You will want to brush your Mini Aussiedoodle at least a few times a week, if not daily, to keep their fur free of tangles and to prevent matting. You will also want to get them professionally groomed every 2-3 months, or more frequently depending on your dog and preferred coat clip.

In addition to coat care, you will also need to take care of your Miniature Aussiedoodle’s nails, ears, and teeth. Their ears will need to be checked regularly to ensure they are clean and dry and their nails will need to be trimmed once or twice monthly.

Practicing good dental care for dogs early and throughout their lives is also important to prevent tooth decay and gum disease later in life. Daily tooth brushing, in addition to cleanings at the vet when needed, is ideal for preventing tartar buildup. Getting your puppy used to having their paws and ears handled and introducing them to having their teeth brushed early on will make grooming and care much easier as they grow.

The Mini Aussiedoodle is a moderate to high-energy dog breed that needs plenty of daily exercise, attention, and mental stimulation to remain happy and healthy. Daily walks a few times a day, playtime, and some time to run are usually sufficient, but they will likely be up for more activity if you are.

This pup requires an active lifestyle. So, once puppies finish growing, engaging in more rigorous activities like swimming, hiking, dog sports, or taking trips to the dog park is also a good idea. Ongoing training and ensuring your Mini Aussiedoodle always has a job to do will keep your pup happy and generally well-behaved. If left without a job or proper exercise, they will often find ways to entertain themselves, which can result in destructive behavior.

Fully-grown Miniature Aussiedoodles usually stand 14-19 inches tall and weigh 15-35 pounds.

Mini Aussiedoodles generally live for 10-15 years on average.