The life expectancy for your Ausiedoodles is obviously on your mind, especially at a time when you are seriously considering having an Ausiedoodle puppy as your very own little furry companion in your home. The Aussiedoodle has become one of the most popular choices in many homes.
The breed is known to have a calm, happy temperament and overall friendly character, which makes it an excellent family pet. The sad part about most pets is that we don’t get to spend a lot of time with them since they typically die faster than we do. Could we say the same about these dogs?
So, how long do Aussiedoodles live?
“Aussiedoodles can live anywhere from 10 to about 13 years of age. This is a very short time for such a loving dog. However, some Aussiedoodle owners have indicated that their dogs have lived longer than this. The lifespan mainly depends on the diet as well as the amount of health care that they are given. Be sure to check your dog for any signs of skin or ear infections during bath times. Also, make regular visits to the vet for checkups in order to ensure that your dog’s health is maintained. “
About the breed
The Aussiedoodle is the hybrid produced by crossing the Poodle with the Australian Shepherd, both of which originated in North America.
Also, both parent breeds are popular for their intelligence, and this is the noticeable trait that comes through in their pups.
These dogs are said to be perfect therapy dogs. In fact, some say that an Aussiedoodle breed can almost read your mind. Here, they will tell if you having a good or a bad day, and they adjust accordingly.
For the most part, the Aussiedoodles are extremely active dogs, and this mixture of intellect and high energy can sometimes be a formula for bad behavior, especially if they are not given adequate stimulation as well as companionship.
Because of their activeness, the ideal home for this breed is with an active family, since they such dogs need to be exercised frequently. Also, the presence of children in the home is a plus, as this gives the dog someone to play with- at least on the Aussiedoodles point of view.
The sizes of these dogs vary greatly. Overall, it depends on the pure breed parents that were used to produce the Aussiedoodle pups. So, if a standard poodle was used, the result will be a standard-sized Aussiedoodle, and if a smaller poodle (Toy or miniature poodle) was used, you are likely to get a smaller Aussiedoodle.
Just as the size varies, so does the color. Also, the rearrangement of the Australian Shepherd’s and Poodle’s color variations means that no two of their pups can have the same color.
The main problem with hybrids is that they often have a lot of health issues. These diseases are often the same diseases that are suffered by both of the parent breeds. As such, there are several health conditions that can be encountered, some of which the parents should be screened for before breeding.
History
As confusing as the name might be, the Australian Shepherd actually has a very little connection with Australia, but is a very popular dog in the United States, where it was mainly developed as a herding dog.
The Australian Shepherd is naturally clever and very energetic. Therefore, it needs a lot of commitment, especially on physical and mental stimulations.
On the other hand, the Poodle has been known to be one of the most intelligent dog breeds- second most intelligent, to be precise.
Also, the dog is very active, similarly to the Australian Shepherd, so it some to no surprise that the crossing of these two breeds produces these very energetic and excitable pups.
Appearance
With the birth of every Aussiedoodle, the pure genetic chain is broken as they can come in a wide range of sizes and coat colors.
Besides that, the texture of the coat can also vary. Most have wavy hair is somewhere between the straight and tightly curled coats of the two parents. Some Aussiedoodles, however, may have completely straight hair.
As we said before, the size of the pups generally depend on the parents. As such, Aussiedoodles that have been bred from Miniature Poodles may be as little as 30 cm (12 in) tall, and weigh around 10 kg (22 pounds).
Also they may be fine-boned and lithe. On the other hand, Standard Poodles can produce hybrid pups with a weight ranging between 24 and 28 kg (53–62 pounds), with an average height of 56 cm (m or 22 inches).
Few other pups can have several color combinations, with different patterns as well.
Below are the common color combinations:
- Black and white
- Red and white
- Cinnamon merle
- Blue merle
- Red merle
- Chocolate and white
- Tricolor
- Red sable
- Black and tan
- Cream
- Silver
Because there are so many color combinations, breeders are sometimes not sure what the resultant mixed breed will look like. As such, every new pup will have a unique appearance.
Character & Temperament
Aussiedoodles are naturally cheerful dogs that have so much energy. For the most part, these dogs like to stay indoors- where their owners are, because they need to feel included at all times.
Because they are very active, they don’t tolerate boredom. If they are left without something to for an extended period of time, Aussiedoodles become destructive or hyperactive. The same thing happens if they feel ignored or they have been left alone.
Otherwise, this hybrid is a perfect choice for families that have kids, and will get along with them very well. Also, Aussiedoodles get along well with other pets, just as long as they have been trained and socialized at a very young age.
Trainability
As we mentioned earlier, the Aussiedoodles is a very smart and intelligent dog. In fact, most people say that it has the intelligence of a small human child.
Because of its high intelligence, the dog is very easy to train. Naturally, these dogs love to learn, and will understand even the most complex commands within just a few repetitions.
Since one parent has a very strong working background, the Aussiedoodles love to be given work to do at all times. They can carry your groceries, retrieving mail, or even pick up your laundry.
However, there is the issue that Australian Shepherds have a herding background, which is also noticeable in the Aussiedoodles as well. Due to this trait, the dogs like to round up other pets, children, or even the adults.
As such, you should interpret this as aggression. The best part is that you can train your dog out this behavior. At the first sign, the dog should be given an instruction to sit. In time, your dog will grow out of the behavior, but that doesn’t mean it won’t still try to round you up during play times.
Health
While a large number of Aussiedoodles live a long, healthy life, there are several genetic disorders that can be inherited from its parents.These have been explained below:
Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture
Cranial cruciate ligament Rupture is simply defined as the loss of stability in the knee joint. This disorder comes as a result of degeneration of ligament fibres. Signs mostly appear after minor trauma, such as landing clumsily after a jump. The only way to treat this condition is through a surgery.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is commonly seen in dogs that are at least six months old. Though the episodes can be hard to witness, many dogs actually grow out of them without ever needing any medications.
Other common diseases:
- Hip Dysplasia
- Ivermectin Sensitivity
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Exercise Requirements
Plenty of exercise is a must for the Aussiedoodle breeds. If you are not giving your dog regular exercises, the dog will likely become hyperactive. Besides this, Aussiedoodles can be prone to weight gain if they are not exercised.
So, you should plan on spending at least ninety minutes of walking every day. Also, you can take your dog for a swim, run or many other activities. Also, subject your dog to the right diet. Your vet will likely give you the best recommendations on the right diet.
Grooming
Due to the low-shedding traits of the poodle, the Aussiedoodle is expected to be a light shedder. But, this isn’t always guaranteed, particularly if the Aussie genes favor the Australian Shepherd.
All in all, you are supposed to brush your dog on a daily basis to prevent excessive shedding. On top of this, the hair should be trimmed once every two months. It is also recommended that you should clip your dog’s nails and brush its teeth as well.
Conclusion
While Aussiedoodles may have several health issues, they have a lifespan ranging from 10 to 13 years on average, with some living longer than this.
So, you have to ensure that you take your dog to the veterinarian for regular checkups. If a symptom of a certain disease is picked up in time, you may tackle it before it gets worse.
