All About Mini Aussiedoodles: Personality, Appearance, Caring Tips, and More

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Have you come across miniature Aussiedoodles or mini Aussiepoos? There is so much to love about these dogs, from their unique coloring to their teddy bear-like curls! But beyond their incredible charm, they boast an endearing personality that will make you want to be with them night and day. Get to know more about this designer dog in today’s post.

History

A cross between the Australian Shepherd and the miniature Poodle, the mini Aussiedoodle is believed to have come from the United States. Some Aussiedoodle owners wanted to have a smaller size of the designer breed, which is why breeders thought of crossing it with a toy breed like the miniature Poodle. The exact date and place of their origin is not clearly identified, though, since they are among the newer generations of Doodle dogs.

A mini Aussiedoodle is eligible for full registration and pedigree services offered by hybrid dog clubs and associations like the International Designer Canine Registry. Other clubs that recognize the crossbreed include the American Canine Hybrid Club and the Designer Dogs Kennel Club. Registering the dog lets you have fully certified registration papers indicating the dog’s ancestry and valued information.

Appearance

When measured to the withers, a mini Aussiedoodle stands 11 to 15 inches on average. Some may be smaller or taller depending on a number of factors including gender and nutrition. Apparently, female dogs are smaller than the male ones. The same is true when it comes to their weight. Male ones can be a bit heavier than their female counterparts, but these dogs are usually no more than 9 kilograms on average.

Like the typical Aussiedoodle, the miniature version may come in several coat colors and textures. When it comes to color, you will mostly find them in three different color combinations which they might have inherited from their Aussie Shepherd parent. Aussie Shepherds are also seen in merle and they may pass it on to their offspring.

Both the Aussie and the Poodle boast a number of colors, so you have plenty of choices when it comes to the best coat color. Poodles come in solid and two-color combinations while Aussies typically display white markings if not merle or tri-color. Another unique feature of the Mini Aussiedoodle is their eye color. They may be heterochromatic or have two eye colors, a condition common in Australian Shepherds.

Meanwhile, the coat texture of your Mini Aussiedoodle will depend on the generation of the dog but more often than not, these dogs inherit the Poodle’s corded and dense coat that can be slightly harsh or rough. They may also have the same weather-resistant undercoat as the Australian Shepherd parent.

Personality

Mini Aussiedoodles may be small but they got a big personality and it’s evident by how they get along with their “hoo-mans” and other members of the household. In general, these dogs are intelligent, cheerful and athletic. Because of their good temperament, they are ideal as family pets, especially for homes with young children, as long as the children are taught how to properly handle dogs of this size.

However, the good traits of the Mini Aussiedoodles will only be developed if the dogs are trained and socialized early on. These pups should be exposed to new people and places as early as seven weeks of age. Otherwise, they may develop negative traits or even suffer from separation anxiety. When raised accordingly, mini Aussiepoos can even be trained to be service dogs or to be used as emotional support animals for the elderly or people with special needs.

The parent breeds are known for their strong work drive, since both like herding other animals. Both have a surplus of energy and like playing in the water. Hence, it does not come as a surprise that the mini Aussiedoodle is as hardworking as the Mini Poodle and as athletic as the Aussie Shepherd.

Grooming

Maintaining the coat of the Mini Aussiedoodle involves regular brushing and frequent bathing to avoid mats and tangles. The dog’s coat requires high maintenance but the good news is that it is non-shedding so it is the best option for people with hypersensitivity to pet hair and dander. Part of grooming these dogs involves taking them to a professional groomer at least every eight weeks to get their hair clipped.

If you don’t want to worry too much about grooming your pup, simply bring it to a professional groomer. Your groomer will not only give your pooch a dapper look by trimming his coat but they will also give him a bath, a blow-drying session, and nail trimming.

Like any other Doodle dog, the mini Aussiedoodles is often mistaken for being hypoallergenic. The truth is there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog. These dogs will shed to a certain degree but the loose hair only gets trapped in their curly coat and this gives the impression that they don’t shed at all.

Feeding

The ideal diet of a mini Aussiedoodle should include high amounts of protein and low amounts of fat as well as carbohydrates. The frequency and amount of feeding will vary depending on the dog’s weight, lifestyle, activity levels, and health condition. If the pup is at risk of obesity, a vet may recommend wet dog food since it is easier to digest. It also contains lower amounts of calories than commercially prepared dry dog food.

Based on their average weight, mini Aussiedoodles should consume the same amount you would give any toy breed. The recommended feeding for mini Aussiedoodles is a minimum of ¼ of a cup of dry food per day. They can eat as much as ¾ of a cup or up to one cup given that they are very active. Don’t be tempted to give more because this puts your dog at risk of obesity.

In case you decide to mix dry food with wet dog food, reduce the amount of dry food you normally serve and replace it with the same amount of wet food. In addition to wet food, you may opt to combine dry dog food with home cooked meals. Some pet parents give raw food to their pets. If you think your mini Aussiedoodle will benefit from this kind of diet, consult your veterinarian first. Dogs are different and some dogs will have different reactions to raw diets.

When giving anything new to your mini Aussiedoodle, offer it gradually to avoid gastrointestinal problems like vomiting and diarrhea. Read about foods your dogs can or cannot eat because some human foods are not safe for dogs. Fruits are safe for them, except grapes and those containing pits. Make sure to cut the fruits in bite-sized pieces before sharing them with your buddy.

Exercise

If you have a busy lifestyle and don’t have a lot of time to take your pooch outside, think twice before buying a Mini Aussiedoodle. This small dog only needs around 30 minutes of exercise per day to avoid straining their muscles and joints. But the mini Aussie will surprise you with its tirelessness because you will find him running around often instead of resting in his crate or dog bed.

Another great thing about Mini Aussiedoodles is their high trainability. So, if you want to incorporate agility or obedience training in your pup’s exercise, this will not be a problem. You can also enroll your pup in classes, where he gets to have one-on-one training or train with other pets. Bringing your pooch to puppy classes is a great way to socialize them.

Health Issues

It is believed that crossbreeds benefit from “heterosis” or hybrid vigor, a term given to crossbred animals. The narrowing of the gene pool is said to be the reason why these dogs have arising superior qualities and increased vigor. The offspring of the two breeds are believed to be healthier because their genes do not overlap.

While there are breeders who believe in hybrid vigor, many scientists find heterosis to be just a myth. Even now, it is still being debated whether hybrid vigor is true or not. Experts believe that canine hybridization does not mean breeders are developing fully unrelated animal species. Regardless if hybrid vigor is true or not, it is important to keep an eye for some health issues often seen in the parent breeds. Here are some of the problems commonly seen in both mini Poodles and Aussie Shepherds:

Epilepsy – epileptic seizures normally occur when a dog carrying a copy of the defective gene passes it on to the puppies. Mini Aussiedoodles with inherited epilepsy or idiopathic epilepsy may start to display symptoms as early six months of age. However, some dogs will not exhibit symptoms until they are six years old. Once a dog suffers from seizures twice or more in a span of a day, you will need to have him checked by a vet to receive the appropriate diagnosis and medication.

Hip dysplasia – this skeletal disease is pretty common and the mini Poodles are not an exception. Dogs with this condition suffer from malformation or degeneration of the hip joint. In hip dysplasia, the thigh bone is not properly fitted in the socket. This leads to small cracks developing in the cartilage. Dogs with hip dysplasia may display reluctance to move around or may suffer from lameness.

Eye problems – mini Poodles and Aussie Shepherds are among the breeds commonly affected by cataracts, glaucoma, and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). In Aussies, the leading types of eye problems are cataracts and distichiasis. An eye test for dogs can confirm if they are at risk for problems like PRA, cataracts, and even glaucoma.

What to Consider Before Buying a Mini Aussiedoodle

If you are eager to bring home a Mini Aussiedoodle, get a lot of information about your prospect breeders first. You may even join Facebook groups and ask for recommendations from present mini Aussiedoodle parents.

The price of a pup ranges from $1,000 to $3,000 depending on breeder, location, gender, coat color, and a few other factors. You can apply for a pup and pay for deposit to ensure that the breeder will not sell the pup to anybody else. Pups with unique coloring are obviously more expensive. You will also find breeders advertising expensive pups coming from champion bloodlines. Don’t forget to check for documentation or records of both parent breeds when dealing with breeders.

Where to Look for Breeders

Breeders of mini Aussiedoodles can be easily found online. A simple Google search will lead you to hundreds of breeders of these designer dogs. However, it pays to be careful when dealing with breeders you only met online. Some claim to be reputable breeders, when they are actually puppy mills who are just after your money.

A typical breeder will provide phone numbers and will even have a website containing all the information you need. But don’t just rely on breeders who say they will ship the puppy to you. Visit their facility and observe how the dogs were raised. Is their facility clean? Do they prioritize the hygiene and well-being of their dogs? Do they potty train the pups and socialize them before handling to the new pet parents? These are just some of the things to keep in mind when dealing with designer dog breeders.

Conclusion

The mini Aussiedoodle makes a good family pet. Aside from being kid-friendly, the pup is also a minimal shedder which makes it allergy-friendly. While they are great and friendly companions, their intense energy and high grooming requirements may not be suitable for novice pet parents. So better read a lot first about the Mini Aussiedoodle’s adaptability, energy levels, and grooming needs first before making a final decision.

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