Not Just a Fad: Mini Aussiedoodles Are One Of The Oldest Designer Dog Breeds - Rocky Kanaka (2024)

Breeds Doodle

The genesis of the designer dog craze occurred in the United States during the late 1980s and early 90s. For the first time, breeders were experimenting with mixing different breeds to appeal to everyday pet owners. From this era of trial and error came some of the most iconic designer mixed breeds, including the mini Aussiedoodle.

We often consider designer dogs a symptom of a modern craze but mixes like the mini Aussiedoodle have been around for over three decades. So what makes the mini Aussiedoodle an enduring—and endearing—mix and not a passing fad?

Let’s look at everything you need to know about one of the OG designer mixes, the mini Aussiedoodle to decide if this breed is right for you!

Meet 5 Mini Aussiedoodles From Instagram

Ready to meet a pack of mini Aussiedoodles? Prepare to see a rainbow of color and a menagerie of coat types!

1. Hazel the Red Merle Mini Aussiedoodle

Hazel is a seven-year-old red merle mini Aussiedoodle from Atlanta, Georgia! Some of Hazel’s red has faded as she has aged, but she had a lot of red in her fur as a puppy (see right.) Hazel has a brother (also pictured right) she loves to play with, and they spend their time romping and keeping their humans busy.

2. Norman the Red & Black Mini Aussiedoodle

Little Norman (pictured alone left and with another dog far right) is still just a puppy, but he has his big brother Murphy—a Goldendoodle—to teach him how to be a dog! A gorgeous mix of red and black, Norman is making the most of his puppyhood and discovering something new every day.

3. Harvey the Black & White Mini Aussiedoodle

Harvey is a very handsome black and white mini Aussiedoodle who was adopted by his humans through Underdog Rescue in Minnesota. You can find designer mixes, puppies, and purebreds at rescues—you just have to look!

4. Rio the Blue-Eyed Mini Aussiedoodle

Rio is a two-year-old mini Aussiedoodle with gorgeous blue eyes and a super curly coat! Rio loves to play with other dogs and rock fashionable outfits when the weather gets cold.

5. Oskar the Blue Merle Mini Aussiedoodle

Oskar is an adorable blue merle mini Aussiedoodle from Bavaria, Germany. Oskar has blue eyes to match his blue coat, and his curly fur makes him look like the cutest little cloud.

Mini Aussiedoodle Basic Info

The mini Aussiedoodle is a hybrid designer dog breed with two parent breeds: miniature Australian Shepherd and miniature Poodle.

Ideally, a mini Aussiedoodle would inherit its Poodle parent’s low-shedding coat type and enthusiastic personality and get the determination, eagerness to please, and loyalty from the Australian Shepherd parent. When mixing dog breeds, breeders don’t have control over which traits the hybrid puppies will inherit. It’s very possible to have a mini Aussiedoodle with the moderate to heavy shedding coat of an Australian Shepherd and the clinginess of a Poodle—there are simply no guarantees.

With these facts in mind, many people adore their mini Aussiedoodles—so what type of lifestyle is right for this hybrid dog breed?

Mini Aussiedoodle Temperament

Mini Aussiedoodles are highly intelligent little dogs that are considered easy to train—if you know what you’re doing. Sometimes too smart for their own good, mini Aussiedoodles are curious, social, and playful. Mini Aussiedoodles make wonderful family pets and are great with kids but they have extremely high activity levels. Mini Aussiedoodles need plenty of daily exercise in addition to mental stimulation like playing games, doing puzzles, obedience training, and long walks to sniff their neighborhood multiple times a week if not daily.

Because of their high intelligence and strong bond with their family members mini Aussiedoodles are prone to separation anxiety and can be destructive when left unattended. Not a breed for busy families, mini Aussiedoodles like to be included in everything and thrive when given a “job” to do. Remember, one of their parent breeds is a herding dog with strong working instincts.

“My [mini Aussiedoodle] Apollo is absolutely the smartest dog I’ve ever met. The downside? He’s so darn smart, you can’t leave him alone or take your eyes off him for very long,” says a Reddit comment from a mini Aussiedoodle owner. “[Mini Aussiedoodles] will find something to do—emphasis on will. [My mini Aussiedoodle] is very high energy. I can’t sit still with him. If I’m watching TV, I’m playing fetch or tug.”

As mini Aussiedoodles age they may begin to relax a little, but many retain this energy level until their senior years. Mini Aussiedoodle puppies are a huge commitment, and this is not the dog for you if you don’t have the time, energy, or patience for a dog that just won’t stop.

Mini Aussiedoodle Size

The size of a mini Aussiedoodle full grown will depend on the size of its parents. While miniature Poodles have a fairly consistent weight with only a small range, miniature Australian Shepherds have a 20 pound range for average weight. Mini Aussiedoodle weight is therefore highly dependent on the miniature Australian Shepherd parent’s weight.

On average, full-grown mini Aussiedoodles stand 10–18 inches at the shoulder and weigh 15–40 pounds.

Mini Aussiedoodle Health

Mini Aussiedoodles can inherit genetic and breed-specific health issues from either parent breed, but may also acquire health problems as a result of aging, injury, diet, etc. Some of the most common health problems mini Aussiedoodles experience include:

• Skin problems (e.g. sebaceous adenitis)
• Eye and vision problems (e.g. cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, Collie Eye Anomaly, etc.)
• Joint issues (e.g. hip and elbow dysplasia, patellar luxation)
• Hypothyroidism
• Epilepsy
• Bloat
• Von Willebrand disease
• Addison’s disease
• Cushing’s disease

Where To Find a Mini Aussiedoodle for Sale

Unfortunately, finding ethical breeders of hybrid and designer dogs is very difficult. The vast majority of designer dogs come from backyard breeders and puppy mills, and there are no official kennel clubs that help regular designer dog breeding.

If your heart is set on owning a mini Aussiedoodle puppy, here are a few pieces of advice:

1. Do not buy a puppy from a pet store
2. Do not buy a puppy from Craigslist, Facebook, or any other social media site
3. Do not buy a puppy without first meeting its parents, seeing certifications of genetic testing and proper health screening, and seeing where the puppy has been kept

My final and most important piece of advice is to adopt a mini Aussiedoodle! A quick search for “mini Aussiedoodle near me” can turn up dozens of adoption results from sites like Petfinder. You can also find mini Aussiedoodle rescues at animal shelters and breed-specific rescues. I encourage you to visit your local animal shelter or search for an Aussiedoodle mini or otherwise at rescues like Aussie Rescue & Placement Hotline and IDOG Rescue specializing in rehoming Poodle hybrids.

Mini Aussiedoodle FAQ

There’s plenty more to learn about mini Aussiedoodles, and I’ve got answers to the most common questions from dog lovers discovering this breed.