The Aussiedoodle and Goldendoodle are two popular poodle mixes, also called doodles. Both doodles are popular as family pets in the United States. The main difference between these two designer dogs is their parentage. While the Aussiedoodle is a hybrid of the Australian Shepherd and a Poodle, the Goldendoodle is a hybrid of a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. Both Doodles are brilliant, friendly, loyal, and loveable, but which option is better for you? What sets Aussiedoodles apart from their Golden counterparts? In this blog post, I’ll compare the Aussiedoodle and Goldendoodle to find the best doodle for you! If you considering welcoming one of these designer dogs but can’t decide who to take home, then keep reading.
History
There isn't a whole lot of information available about the Aussiedoodle's history, other than they were first bred in the late 90s or early 2000s in North America. After all, the dog has only been bred for a little over two decades. According to Poos and Doodles, the Aussiedoodle's original purpose was to be a companion dog for people with allergies. That's thanks to their hypoallergenic coats that do not shed much. The first Aussiedoodle was the result of a cross between an Australian Shepherd and a Standard Poodle. Similarly, the Goldendoodle has a relatively short history. According to popular accounts, Goldendoodles were initially bred in the late 1960s to serve as guide dogs for visually impaired individuals with allergies. The first Goldendoodle was created by breeding a Golden Retriever with a Standard Poodle. Both doodles are deemed hypoallergenic as their coats do not shed much.
Size
Aussiedoodles come in three sizes, including Toy, Miniature, and Standard. Toy Aussiedoodles measure 10 to 12 inches in height and will weigh in at 6 to 15 pounds. Your Toy Aussiedoodle will be fully grown before its first birthday. Miniature Aussiedoodles generally weigh 15 to 25 pounds and stand 12 to 18 inches tall. Your Mini Aussiedoodle will reach its adult size at around 13 months old. Standard Aussiedoodles weigh from 45 to 70 pounds and stand 19 to 24 inches tall. Your Standard Aussiedoodle will reach its adult size at 12.5 to 16 months old.
Goldendoodles, on the other hand, come in four sizes, including Toy, Miniature, Medium, and Standard. Toy Goldendoodles stand 10 to 14 inches tall and weigh from 10 to 24 pounds. Toy Goldendoodles reach their adult size at around 12 to 14 months. Miniature Goldendoodles usually stand 16-20 inches tall and weigh in at 20-40 pounds. Adult Medium Goldendoodles typically stand around 18 to 21 inches tall and weigh between 35 and 55 pounds. The largest of the Goldendoodle sizes, Standard Goldendoodles typically weigh between 50 and 90 pounds and measure between 21 and 25 inches in height.
Temperament
In terms of temperament, Aussiedoodles are characterized by a playful, friendly, and active nature. They learn quickly and are highly trainable, thanks to their smarts and adaptability. When well socialized, Aussiedoodles get well along with other pets and children. Aussiedoodles are generally considered highly-energy dogs, albeit each Aussiedoodle's energy level can vary. To stay happy and healthy, Aussiedoodles require regular exercise and mental stimulation. They love jumping, running, and fetching and adore people of all ages. However, if not given enough stimulation, Aussiedoodles can easily get bored and turn to destructive behaviors.
Australian Shepherds were originally bred to herd whereas Poodles were primarily used for wildfowl hunting. Put this herder and hunter together and you’ve got a high-energy, very smart dog that needs to keep their mind busy. Due to their hunting and herding instincts, Aussiedoodles require early socialization and obedient training.
Goldendoodles are usually friendly and sociable, making them excellent family companions. These dogs make ideal family dogs for both novice and experienced dog owners due to their affectionate, loving, kind, and social personality. As with Aussiedoodles, Goldendoodles require lots of exercise and mental stimulation to stay happy and healthy. They love canine activities, such as fetch, long walks, jumping, and running. Goldendoodles also love the water because their parents do, too!
The Golden Retriever and Poodle were originally bred to work in the water, so your Goldendoodle has webbed feet, which allows them to move plenty of water with each stroke. Most Goldendoodles possess strong hunting instincts likely since both Golden Retrievers and Poodles were bred as hunting dogs. As a result, most Goldendoodles instinctively have a high prey drive, meaning they will chase anything that runs. So your Goldendoodle may need to be trained and socialized so early as not to chase smaller animals.
Care
Both the Aussiedoodle and Goldendoodle have low-shedding coats but require high-maintenance grooming. Both doodles' hypoallergenic coats have their pros and cons. While Aussiedoodles and Goldendoodles are often a great choice for people with allergies due to their hypoallergenic coats that don't shed much, they are prone to developing knots and mats. In addition, an Aussiedoodle's coat, without grooming, can grow up to eight inches, and a Goldendoodle’s coat has a similar potential.
The maintenance of both doodle dogs entails a meticulous hair care regimen. This includes regular brushing sessions and scheduled visits to a professional pet groomer. Aussiedoodles need to be brushed at least 3 times a week, albeit daily is better. They need occasional baths and the fur around their eyes trimmed. However, how often they get haircuts varies, depending on the specific coat type. As with all dog breeds, Aussiedoodles need nail trims and ear cleaning regularly. This regular grooming care also applies to Goldendoodles as well.
In the end, both the Aussiedoodle and Goldendoodle are deemed high-maintenance dogs in terms of grooming care.
Exercise Needs
Aussiedoodles are high-energy dogs that require playtime and long walks every day, especially those that take after their highly energetic Aussie parent. They love playing fetch, running, and swimming, especially if they take after their water-loving Poodle parent. PetMD recommends an hour of movement every day for Aussiedoodles. Goldendoodles are also generally very energetic dogs that need about 30 to 60 minutes of exercise daily.
Health and Lifespan
Both the Aussiedoodle and Goldendoodle are generally healthy dogs. According to Dr. Matthew Wheaton, owner of Alicia Pet Care Center in Mission Viejo, California, Goldendoodles have less problems than a golden retriever or standard poodle. Wheaton explains that you’re in fact diminishing the health problems instead of magnifying them by breeding the golden retriever and standard poodle together. Comparably, the health of the Aussiedoodle is also expected to be good. However, this doesn't mean they're free of health problems, they're just dogs with the least health problems. When purchasing an Aussiedoodle or Goldendoodle, make sure you’re dealing with a breeder that health tests their adult dogs and practices ethical breeding.
Aussiedoodles can live 10 to 13 years on average while the average lifespan of a Goldendoodle is 10 to 15 years.
Price
In the United States, Aussiedoodles typically cost $1,200–$4,000, depending on factors like breeder reputation, coat color, bloodline, and size. The initial cost of Goldendoodle puppies in the U.S. can range from $2,000 to $5,000, with the most expensive being those with the rarest, multi-colored coats, such as Phantom, Tri, Sable, Merle, and Parti.
Conclusion
Both the Aussiedoodle and Goldendoodle are smart and full of energy, so they’re perfect for active pet parents and families. Either breed can become destructive, hard to handle, and bark more often if not given enough playtime or mental stimulation. Both doodles have a lot of energy and stamina, although the Aussiedoodle is often deemed to be more energetic than the Goldendoodle.
Furthermore, both doodles are full of traits that dog owners covet. The Aussiedoodle combines the traits of an Australian Shepherd with the friendly, playful, responsive temperament of the Poodle. Conversely, the Goldendoodle blends the affectionate nature of a Golden Retriever with the qualities of a Poodle. Both doodles are equally great with kids.
You can choose the Aussiedoodle because of its Australian Shepherd lineage or the Goldendoodle because of its Golden Retriever lineage.
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