Miniature Aussiedoodle: Dog Breed Info, Pictures & Facts

Breed Overview

If you’ve ever wanted a dog that’s smarter than you are, then meet the Miniature Aussiedoodle. These pups were made by crossing two of the smartest breeds in the canine world, the Miniature Australian Shepherd and the Miniature Poodle. The result is an adorable little ball of fur that can probably help you do your taxes.

While they’re undoubtedly adorable and incredibly intelligent, these tiny dogs are not for everyone. They’re incredibly energetic, so they may not be the best companions for that Netflix marathon you’ve been planning.

Miniature Aussiedoodles are a fairly new breed, so you may not be as familiar with them as you are with their more common cousins. In the guide below, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about these awesome dogs.

Miniature Aussiedoodle Characteristics

Miniature Aussiedoodle Puppies

If you ever lay your eyes on a Miniature Aussiedoodle litter in person, you may find it impossible to avoid coming home with at least one puppy. As adorable as they are, though, owning one has its fair share of challenges.

As mentioned above, these dogs have energy levels that rival their intelligence—and their IQs are off the charts. As a result, unless you’re fairly active yourself, you may not provide these dogs with all the stimulation they require and when they get bored, they start to use their formidable brainpower for destructive purposes.

Granted, there’s a limit to the amount of damage they can cause, given their diminutive stature. Still, though, these dogs can tear up your shoes, put a few holes in your couch, and find new and interesting places to poop if they feel they’re being ignored.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Miniature Aussiedoodle 🧠

These dogs are so smart that their intelligence often overshadows their other personality traits. That’s a shame, though, as these dogs have a whole lot more to offer than just super-charged brains.

They tend to be very loving and affectionate to people of all ages, as well as other animals (although they may have a tendency to herd anything they come in contact with, which goes over great with cats). They love to be by your side, even if you’re watching TV, but they can only relax for so long before they’re demanding a walk or some agility training.

While that friendly demeanor makes them great pets, it limits their utility as guard dogs. They’re probably not going to risk their lives to save your TV, but you may come down the stairs in the morning to find that your dog has enlisted a burglar in a never-ending game of fetch.

Also, while other dogs love to be around people, these dogs need to be around people. That doesn’t mean you can’t leave them home alone while you go out to dinner, but they’re not going to be happy if they’re left to their own devices for 40+ hours a week. If you can’t be home or arrange for companionship for them, then owning one is not fair to you or the dog.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

These dogs make fantastic family pets, even if you have small children in the house. They’re loving and not prone to aggression, and their small stature makes it unlikely that they’ll knock your toddler (or your grandma) over accidentally.

In fact, you might need a family to own one of these dogs, as their energy levels and need for companionship could be overwhelming for just a single person.

Things to Know When Owning a Miniature Aussiedoodle:

Owning a Miniature Aussiedoodle is a sizable investment of both time and money, so there are a few things you should know about these dogs before you take the plunge.

Food & Diet Requirements

Given how active these dogs are, you might think that you can feed them anything and they’ll simply burn the calories off in a matter of hours.

That’s not true, however, and these pups are actually prone to being overweight. You need to give them plenty of exercise (more on that in a second) and feed them a healthy, balanced diet if you want your dog to live a long, happy life.

We recommend feeding them a high-protein kibble in portions that are appropriate for their size. They can have joint problems later in life, especially if they’re carrying a few extra pounds, so check to make sure their food has plenty of glucosamine and chondroitin in it, or consider giving them a supplement.

Also, these dogs will eat if food is available (especially if they’re bored), so we caution against allowing them to free-feed. Instead, feed them 2-3 meals a day, and pick their food dish up when they’re done.

Exercise 🐕

At a minimum, these dogs need about an hour of physical stimulation a day. This can come in the form of a couple of long walks, some spirited games of fetch, or agility training.

Notice we said that an hour is a minimum. You should realize that you’re probably not going to tucker these dogs out very easily, so you can easily find yourself stuck at the dog park or tossing a Frisbee for hours, waiting for them to show signs of fatigue. That’s why we recommend combining physical activity with mental stimulation. For example, you can work in a training session after an extended walk, or give your pooch a treat puzzle after playing fetch.

Agility training is especially good for this, as it taxes your dog’s mind and body equally. Even better, given their stamina and intelligence, your Miniature Aussiedoodle should take to it like a fish to water.

• Your dog is sure to love Puzzle Dog Toys

Also, try to resist the urge to let your dog off-leash in public areas unless you have him incredibly well-trained. These pups have a tendency to wander, and if you let them loose, you may never see them again.

Training 🦮

A Miniature Aussiedoodle is smart enough to perform just about any trick you can dream up, and they’re incredibly eager to please, so training should be a snap. That doesn’t mean you don’t have to do it, though. If not properly trained, these dogs can exhibit all manner of undesirable behaviors—and they’re smart enough to get away with most of them.

You should socialize your puppy as soon as you bring him home, and continue to do so for the rest of his life. Also, formal training classes are a good idea, but you should supplement them with at-home training every chance you get.

Grooming ✂️

Part of the appeal of these dogs is their minimal grooming requirements. Many dogs are non-shedding, but some individuals can lose a little bit of hair. Even so, a gentle brushing once a week is about all you’re likely to need.

You may need to trim their nails occasionally, but that’s somewhat rare, as their active lifestyle tends to keep their nails naturally filed down. One area you will have to pay attention to is their ears. Check them regularly for dirt and grime, and clean them as needed. These dogs can be prone to ear infections if you don’t stay on top of it.

• If tear stains develop, wash them away with: Tear Stain Remover

Health Conditions ❤️

Generally speaking, cross-bred pups tend to be healthier than their purebred counterparts, and that’s true of Miniature Aussiedoodles as well. However, while they’re generally healthy, there are a few conditions you may need to be on the lookout for.

Male vs Female Miniature Aussiedoodle

If you’ve decided that a Miniature Aussiedoodle would be perfect for your family, just one question remains: should you get a boy or a girl? Before we answer, we should remind you again that all dogs are individuals. As a result, any generalizations based on the sex of the animal will be just that: generalizations. The dog you bring home may vary wildly from what’s expected.

Also, you should understand that many hormonal traits can be suppressed or eliminated by spaying or neutering the pup before reaching maturity. These traits can include aggressiveness, territory marking, and general moodiness.

The males tend to be a little bit bigger, but they’ll never be mistaken for Great Danes. You’re looking at a difference of a couple of inches in height and maybe 5–10 pounds in weight.

Many owners report that females tend to be more clingy and demand affection as often as possible. They also tend to mature faster, and as such, can be easier to train. Males, on the other hand, are more playful, so they’ll demand hours of fetch instead of hours of petting. They also seem to be more prone to resource guarding.

Three Little-Known Facts About the Miniature Aussiedoodle

1. They Owe Their Existence to Their Designer Cousins

In the late 1980s, a new dog breed took the world by storm: the Labradoodle. This mix, a combination of the Labrador and Poodle, was incredibly intelligent, loyal, and best of all, hypoallergenic. It made dog ownership possible for thousands of people who had previously been too allergic to own a pet.

As a result of this new dog’s popularity, several other designer breeds began to emerge. Among them was the Aussiedoodle, and after that, it was just a matter of time before the Miniature Aussiedoodle came along.

2. They Kept the Best Aspects of Both Parent Breeds

The Poodle was a popular breed for designer crossbreeding, as it’s incredibly intelligent and hypoallergenic. Miniature Aussiedoodles kept both those traits, but those are far from their only redeeming qualities.

As you might expect from a herding breed, Australian Shepherds have boundless energy, which they pass on to their little designer cousins. Their herding background allows them to get along well with other animals, including dogs. Plus, they’re super-smart, so Mini Aussiedoodles got a double dose of brains.

3. You Never Know What You’re Going to Get from a Mini Aussiedoodle

Every dog is an individual, and that’s especially true for this breed. Given how new these dogs are, there aren’t very many established bloodlines that we can use as guidance to predict a dog’s behavior. And while they’re a 50/50 mix of Australian Shepherd and Poodle, that doesn’t mean that their personalities will be equally balanced between the two breeds.

This means that every Miniature Aussiedoodle puppy is a mystery. It may take strongly after one or the other parent breed, or it may demonstrate an equal mix between the two.

We’re confident that you’ll love your dog regardless of which behaviors he exhibits, but if you have your heart set on a specific trait, you might be setting yourself up for disappointment.

Final Thoughts

While they’re not the most well-known breed in the world, Miniature Aussiedoodles can be the perfect dogs for active households. They’re smart as a whip, generally healthy, require little in the way of grooming, and are incredibly affectionate, making them ideal companions for both you and your children.

Be prepared to give them all the time and attention that they need, though, because they are definitely not sedentary dogs. They love to run and play, and they expect you to tag along every step of the way.

If you can hang with them, Miniature Aussiedoodles are incredible companions. Just don’t be surprised if you find yourself struggling to keep up with them physically and mentally.

Here are some other interesting breeds to check out:

• The Bowzer

• The Border Sheepdog

• Spinone Italiano (quite an interesting dog)

Featured Image Credit: ariesa66, Pixabay