Aussiedoodle vs Australian Shepherd: Main Differences Explained

Picking the type of dog you want when looking to add a new pet to the household can be difficult, especially when choosing between two similar breeds. If you’ve narrowed your choice of dog breeds to the Aussiedoodle or the Australian Shepherd, you’ll be glad to know that either makes for an excellent pet for the right family.

These dog breeds are loyal, smart, affectionate, protective, and highly energetic. Whichever one you end up adopting will keep you busy, but you’ll have a ton of fun with either dog. There are some minor differences between these breeds, though, mostly in how they look and certain health issues they may face.

Ready to pick the Aussiedoodle or Australian Shepherd as your new family member? Then read on because we have the knowledge you need to make an informed decision!

Visual Differences

At a Glance

Aussiedoodle Overview

Not sure what precisely an Aussiedoodle is? This dog is a designer breed created from the Australian Shepherd and the Poodle that showed up in North America sometime between the tail end of the 1990s and beginning of the 2000s. A medium-sized dog, the Aussiedoodle is known for being incredibly smart (thanks Poodle heritage!), silly, and affectionate. Though the breed is made up of two breeds recognized by the AKC, the Aussiedoodle itself is not recognized.

This dog breed also has other names, which means you might have heard it called an Aussiepoodle or Auusiepoo.

Personality / Character

Because the Aussiedoodle is a mixed breed, it gets personality traits from both parents. For example, Poodles are incredibly intelligent, and so are Aussiedoodles. These pups are also known for their loyalty and silly, affectionate nature. Aussiedoodles are big fans of hanging out with people (especially their own) and are a bit of attention hogs. This is one breed that can become clingy! But if a dog that’s loving and will be your best friend forever is what you’ve been looking for, then the Aussiedoodle fits the bill.

The Aussiedoodle is also silly and a bit clownish, with many Aussiedoodle parents describing their dogs as goofy. These pups are high-energy, too, which means you’ll be responsible for plenty of play and exercise for your pet. Exercise is easily met with hiking or long walks, though. No matter how the two of you play, you’ll have a blast with the Aussiedoodle!

Training

Remember how we said the Aussiedoodle is wicked smart? That intelligence means you shouldn’t have a lot of trouble properly training your dog. Plus, the breed is eager to please, so between that and the smarts, they quickly pick up new commands and tricks.

Just keep in mind that you should always use positive reinforcement, such as praise or treats, instead of negative reinforcements, as this breed will respond better to that. And keep any training sessions on the short side (5–10 minutes) so your pup doesn’t become overwhelmed.

If you don’t have time to train your pet, you can easily find a reputable trainer that will be able to do the job for you.

Health & Care

While the Aussiedoodle is generally healthy, like all animals they have specific diseases they are more prone to getting. Some are inherited from their Australian Shepherd parent’s side; others come from their Poodle parent. A few things to watch for include the following:

Suitable for:

While the Aussiedoodle is suitable for most people, it does have a strong herding instinct that comes from its Australian Shepherd side. And this instinct to herd is strong enough that the dog may try herding smaller children. Herding, in and of itself, isn’t dangerous, of course; the trouble lies in the fact that if the kids run from the dog, it may cause it to growl or snap at them in an effort to get the little ones back where it wants. So, this breed isn’t recommended for those living with very young kids. However, older children should get along great with the Aussiedoodle! This high-energy breed is also an excellent match for those that live active lifestyles.

Australian Shepherd Overview

This working dog was originally bred to be a sheep herder, and that herding instinct has remained strong to this day. So, watch out for the Australian Shepherd to try to herd anything and everything smaller than it! This breed is also affectionate, playful, and intelligent.

And the Australian Shepherd has a storied history that ranges from Spain to Australia (though the dog is actually an American breed, despite the name and history). Part of that history includes the breed’s work at rodeos in the 1950s and 1960s, where these pups helped herd bulls and performed tricks. As a result of this rodeo work, the Australian Shepherd won over people’s hearts and rose in popularity. However, the AKC didn’t recognize the breed until 1991.

Personality / Character

As a working dog (especially a herding one), the Australian Shepherd can easily become protective and territorial over its home and family. But these dogs are also intelligent, ready to work, eager to please, and incredibly friendly. The breed also contains boundless energy, so you can look forward to spending plenty of time each day playing and exercising together. So, gear up for a hike with your Australian Shepherd or go for a run through the neighborhood; either way, this dog will be happy!

The Australian Shepherd is also a big fan of having jobs to do, so be sure your pup has plenty of intellectually stimulating toys to keep it entertained and busy. Another way to keep your pet happy? By teaching them to do work around the house!

Training

Much like training an Aussiedoodle, training an Australian Shepherd should be a breeze (not all those Aussiedoodle smarts come from their Poodle sides, after all!). Australian Shepherds are also incredibly intelligent and eager to obey, which makes training them easier than other breeds.

You’ll also want to go with positive reinforcement instead of negative reinforcement with this breed, as the Australian Shepherd will respond much better that way. And again, stick with training sessions on the shorter side. Not sure if you have the time or know-how to get the job done? Then find yourself a reputable trainer to help out!

Health & Care

Australian Shepherds are generally hardy but also have a few health issues they’re more likely to get. Some of these are:

Suitable for:

Like the Aussiedoodle, the Australian Shepherd will do better in homes that don’t contain small children, as herding is this pup’s job and one it does well. But again, households with children that are older will do well with this breed. And those that live active lifestyles and are always out and about hiking, biking, or running will enjoy having the Australian Shepherd along for the journey.

One important thing to remember is that this breed needs to stay active as well as mentally stimulated. Otherwise, it will become bored and engage in destructive behavior!

Which Breed Is Right for You?

Because the Aussiedoodle has Australian Shepherd parentage, the breeds are quite similar in personality and needs. The most significant difference between these two will be how they look (and the Aussiedoodle may be a bit goofier than the Australian Shepherd). Overall, though, both breeds are smart, high-energy, affectionate, and love hanging out with their people. So, either breed makes an excellent choice for a pet. (However, keep in mind that both breeds will need plenty of play and exercise each day, so you’ll be kept busy!)

Probably the best way to make a choice is by deciding which breed you like the look of more. Whichever way you choose to go, though, you’ll have a new best friend!

See Also: 

• Aussiedoodle vs Labradoodle: The Main Differences (With Pictures)
• Aussiedoodle Colors, Patterns & Coat Types

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Featured Image Credit: (L) IK Photography, Shutterstock | (R) Andy Køgl, Unsplash