Mini Aussiepoo puppy
for sale in Orlando
born 2/20/2023, Brown/Black

The Mini Aussiepoo or Aussiedoodle is a hybrid dog, typically bred from a mini Poodle and a mini-Australian Shepherd. It is the second smallest size of the Australian Shepherd and Poodle mix, coming in after the toy Aussiepoo. According to the We Love Doodles website, minis grow to be around 17-18 inches tall and weigh between 20 to 30 pounds. On average, this small breed lives up to sixteen years. Sporty, gorgeous, and highly intelligent, the mini Aussiepoo is the entire package. 

Mini Aussie Pups are considered hybrid dogs, so there is no uniform health, look, or temperament, even for puppies in the same litter. Although, most Aussiepoo tend to have wavy, curly, or even crimped hair. The curly/wavy coat sheds less and bodes better for mild allergy sufferers. It's also possible that the dog inherits the Aussie's straight double coat. However, this is less likely because all Aussiepoo generations contain at least 50% Poodle DNA, if not more. Unless, in the rare case, a breeder decides to backcross Aussiepoo with a purebred Aussie, which could likely produce offspring that resemble the Aussie more. 

Due to the Shepherd influence, Ausiepoo is usually multicolored and can have merle. Sometimes they even have different colored eyes! One of the most common coat colors is the blue merle pattern. However, if they are a solid color, with curlier fur instead of wavy or straight, they could take after their Poodle parent more. The pup can inherit any color combinations possible in either parent breed. 

According to the All Things Dogs website, the Mini Aussiepoo is a reasonably new designer dog breed. It likely originated in the late 90s or early 2000s when the Poodle was bred with many other breeds, such as the Golden Retriever, to help provide service dogs to blind people with allergies to pets. The exact origin of the breed is unknown. However, it is known that people mixed the two to see if they could limit the shedding of the Aussie's coat and instead promote hypoallergenic qualities by introducing the Poodle's curly coat gene. It worked beautifully! The mini Aussiepoo was born. However, crossing two breeds does not necessarily make a breed. A breed is a group of animals related to a common ancestor and shares the most visible characteristics. To become an official breed, breeders must be able to produce puppies with the same desired traits consistently enough to reproduce the same look for generations to come. The Aussiepoo is a hybrid breed, not a breed itself, so each Aussiepoo will be unique and could have different coat colors or textures, even if they are from the same litter.  

There are numerous ways to make a mini Aussiepoo. Typically it is done by breeding a mini Poodle and a mini Australian Shepherd for a 50/50 gene split. They can also be made by breeding an Aussiepoo back to either a purebred Poodle or Australian Shepherd, called backcrossing. In the latter case, the pup may resemble the backcrossed pure-blooded parent more, as it possesses a higher percentage of their genes, about 75%. If breeders decide to backcross, they usually breed with a purebred Poodle rather than an Aussie to reduce shedding and bring out the hypoallergenic qualities. If the coat is more straight, the pooch could take after the Aussie side more. Knowing the pup's history, whether it's a backcross or a first-generation, can help determine its' appearance and temperament, which may be necessary for allergy sufferers.

According to the dog breed info website, the best way to measure the temperament of a mixed breed is to find all breeds in the cross. Then you know you can get any combination of any of the characteristics found in either breed. The U.S. Service Dog website claims that a pup's personality and temperament largely stem from their mother's genes, environment, and character while raising them. Factors such as early socialization and learned behaviors (from mother and sibling pups) can make a huge difference in a dogs' temperament. To become well-adjusted adults, puppies need plenty of socialization before and after moving into their new home. A safe, loving home encourages an even keel temperament. 

With that said, owners will need to be sure that they can care for both the Poodle and Australian Shepherd's temperaments and personalities. These two breeds' personalities can vary quite significantly. The Poodle has a proud demeanor and is very open to strangers, while the Aussie is exuberant yet maybe more reserved when first meeting people. However, it does not take long for either breed to make friends. The AKC gives the Poodle top marks for playfulness, openness, and protectiveness, while the Aussie scorched just one notch lower in these same categories. Both the Poodle and Australian Shepherd are highly energetic and motivated, and remarkably intelligent, which means they are one of the easier hybrids to train. It is worth noting that the AKC gives both breeds top marks for mental stimulation needs. Owners should keep in mind that purebred Aussies were bred as working dogs, demonstrating an irresistible urge to herd anything they can. A pup that takes after the Aussie side is happiest while working in a wide-open space. Even though it is a mini, the Aussie's strong work drive combined with the Poodle's energy may prove too much for a solo, sedentary owner. Owners should always strive to select a pooch with a temperament that matches their personality and desired lifestyle.

For young dogs, puppy gates can be an excellent idea to help set boundaries inside. Mini Aussiepoo pups will need a safe space to run, tumble, and do puppy things! They require access to fresh water, a dog bed/rest area, and plenty of fun toys. Puppies benefit from having bone or chew toys, not just for entertainment but because teething can be particularly painful for puppies. Bones, treats, and chew toys, can help alleviate the pain and keep them entertained for hours! 

Teaching your puppy to be alone is an essential step in growing up. Crate training your puppy can help. Make sure to make the crate as warm, safe, and relaxing as possible. To make it feel like home, feed them meals there, give them special treats and toys they only get while in their crate. You want them to associate the crate with all positive things and not see it as a punishment. An incredibly anxious puppy may benefit from a white noise machine or other anxiety-easing products. Put the puppy in the crate or exercise pen and leave the room to see how he reacts. If the puppy whines, wait to see if he will self-soothe. Once the puppy responds positively and self soothes, leave the room for a little longer each time.

The mini Aussiepoo requires less space than the standard size. Therefore, it should be okay in smaller spaces, such as a condo or apartment, although larger spaces with a backyard are preferred as the puppy grows larger. Even though they are minis, these dogs still have abundant energy and will need time outside every day to expel their energy.  

Coat care will vary depending upon whether the dog inherited the wavy/curly, hypoallergenic coat of the Poodle or the straight, thick double coat of the Australian Shepherd, which sheds a bit more. According to the CPR website, the coat can be an even combination of the two, such as curly hair on the head and wavy/straight hair on the body. Keep in mind that your pup's fur could change slightly as they age. 

Sometimes breeders backcross to create a mini Aussiepoo. In which case, breeders almost always breed an Aussiepoo back with a purebred Mini Poodle. This produces a 75% Poodle 25% Aussie mix, so there are higher chances of a curly or wavy, more hypoallergenic coat. Usually, the mini Aussiepoo will have a curly or wavy coat, a superb choice for moderate allergy sufferers. The curlier the coat, the less it sheds, making this generation an excellent choice for moderate allergy sufferers. Ask your breeder about the dogs' age and general information about their parents to better understand appearance, temperament, and allergy sensitivity.

Regardless of coat type, mini Aussiepoos will need frequent brushing to prevent mats in the coat because both parents have long hair. If your pup has a very curly coat, it will need regular daily brushings. Be sure to brush down to the skin, but be gentle enough not to irritate the skin. Purchase a brush for long hair for best results. The curlier the coat is, the more trimmings it will require to avoid mats and tangles because the hypoallergenic fur does not fall out nearly as much. A trim or trip to the groomers every 6-12 weeks should keep the curls coiffed and help keep your mini Aussiepoo looking its' best. Be sure to trim the nails every week or two. 

Mini Aussiepoo is known for their high energy and playful nature. Veterinarians ask owners to consider factors such as age, size, and personality to help gauge exercise needs. Even though a mile is the same distance, owners should remember that a smaller dog will have to take 2 to 3 times the number of steps a larger dog would. They will tire out faster and require a little less exercise. Puppies will need more exercise during the first two years of life. As a general rule for puppies, many veterinarians recommend 5 minutes of exercise every month, twice a day. This means a 3-month-old would need 15 minutes of exercise twice a day, six months would be 30 twice a day, and nine months would require about 45 minutes twice a day. Even though the Aussiepoo is a mini, both of its parent breeds are very playful and have a lot of energy, so they could require more. Pay attention to your dogs' body language while exercising, and that will often tell you when they've had enough. If they are panting heavily and lay down, they are tired and could likely use a break.

Your dog must get time outside every day to ensure overall mental and physical health. Owners with a fenced backyard should have no problem meeting their dogs' exercise needs. However, many fun games can be played inside or outside, such as fetch, wrestling, hide-and-seek, and tug-of-war, which are also great for exercise. Early socialization is very important for puppies and dogs. A trip to the local dog park is one of the best ways to ensure that your pup gets enough mental and social stimulation and physical exercise, all in one stop! Remember, the Aussiepoo are very smart dogs. Their brains need as much exercise as their bodies. Purchase horns to chew on or dog puzzles that allow them to work and use their big brains when you're too busy to play. If these are not addressed, your pup could engage in destructive or unwanted behavior like any breed.

The Pomapoo will do well on any type of high-quality dog food. Commercial dog food or home-prepared food is recommended with your veterinarian's approval. According to the PetMD website, some studies have shown that dry food is more beneficial to dogs' health overall than a canned food diet, larger kibbles. One study found that increasing the kibble size by 50% resulted in a 42% decrease in the accumulation of dental tartar. Supplementing their food with a daily dental chew can further help oral hygiene. However, if the veterinarian says the dog is lean and needs to put on some weight, incorporating canned meals with their dry food diet works well. However, a diet that consists of purely wet food can make stools loose, not always!

It is essential to select an age-appropriate food for your dog (puppy, adult, or senior). Dogs' nutritional needs vary slightly with age. Typically, a pups' food contains more calories, while a senior dog's food usually contains fewer calories and more fiber. As dogs age, they need to consume fewer calories (than a puppy). Treats should be given in moderation and according to instructions. If your dog is obese, speak to your veterinarian to learn about weight and diet options. To keep your dog in optimal health, learn about which human foods are safe or unsafe for canine consumption. Make sure your dog gets plenty of freshwaters every day! Multiple water sources are encouraged.