Aussiedoodles are a hybrid dog, bringing in the qualities and traits of the Australian Shepherd and the Poodle. But how big does the average Aussiedoodle get and how quickly do they reach full adult maturity? Here is everything you are going to want to know about their size.
So, how big do Aussiedoodles get? There are three different sizes of Aussiedoodles, all of which vary in size depending on the parental dogs used during breeding. The smallest Aussiedoodle is called a Toy – ranging from 10-12 inches in height and 6-12 pounds in weight. Slightly larger is the Mini Aussiedoodle – ranging from 12-19 inches in height and 15-35 pounds in weight. The largest and most common Aussiedoodle is the Standard; ranging from 19-24 inches in height and 40-70 pounds in weight.
Since Aussiedoodles are crossbreed dogs, you will not always know exactly what size they will become when fully grown. A lot of it depends on the parents.
Just like their size, you will not always know what kind of coat, or what color, they will have/ The parental breeds have very different coats when it comes to texture and color.
While the mystery coats are often touted as hypoallergenic and not known to shed much, this doesn’t mean the coats are low maintenance. They still require adequate grooming as is the case with other breeds.
Let us now take a closer look at an Aussiedoodles general size along with other considerations so you can get a better understanding and set your expectations if you do decide to get one!
Average Aussiedoodle Height, Weight, and Size
As with many crossbreeds that involve poodles, Aussiedoodles come in three sizes; Standard, Miniature, and Toy versions.
In the case of the Aussiedoodle, both parents have different sizes versions, though it’s the poodle parent that often determines which version the Aussiedoodle will be.
Australian Shepherds and Standard Poodles both can weigh up to about 70 pounds, with an Australian Shepherd standing up to 23 inches tall at the shoulder and the Standard Poodle can be up to 21 inches at the shoulder.
They both can be considered to be medium-sized dogs.
Aussiedoodles can vary quite dramatically; although they do tend to be solidly built with slender bodies.
As the Aussiedoodle is not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), there are no official standards when it comes to their size or appearance, but we can go by average sizes for the breed.
Standard
Standard Aussiedoodles are a cross between a Standard Poodle and an Australian Shepherd.
On average they usually grow to be between 19 inches to 24 inches in height at the shoulder and can weigh anywhere between 40 to 70 pounds and are classified as medium-sized dogs.
Miniature
The Miniature Aussiedoodle is a cross between a Miniature Poodle and an Australian Shepherd. They are slightly smaller than the Standard Aussiedoodle and can grow anywhere between 12 inches to 19 inches at the shoulder, weighing between 15 and 35 pounds.
Toy
The Toy Aussiedoodle is the result of breeding a Toy Poodle and an Australian Shepherd and is the smallest type. They are usually around 10 inches in height and can weigh between 4 and 12 pounds.
Again, with no specific standards in place you can find some discrepancies when it comes to Aussiedoodle sizing, but these sizes are generally acceptable for each category.
When Is An Aussiedoodle Fully Grown?
Aussiedoodles hit full maturity at different ages, depending on which version they are.
As with dog breeds overall, the larger the dog the longer it takes for them to become fully grown – there is just more dog to grow!
In most cases, a dog will reach their full height first and then will bulk up in the following months. Here, they will put on added weight and fill out with muscle. At this stage, they will be considered fully grown.
Depending on the dog breed, the difference between full height and being fully grown can be a matter of weeks or up to several months.
However, again we can take averages for this hybrid breed:
- A Standard Aussiedoodle, which is considered a mid-size dog, will become fully grown when they are about 12 months old.
- A Miniature Aussiedoodle, while a little smaller is also a mid-sized dog. They will also reach their full height and weight at about the same time as a Standard, so they will be considered full grown at about 12 months.
- A Toy Aussiedoodle doesn’t need the same amount of time as the Standard and Miniature versions to grow, and being much smaller will be fully grown once they are around 8 months old.
Aussiedoodles are known for having hip dysplasia. For this reason, it’s quite possible that your veterinarian may want to slow down the rate of growth. This will prevent your Aussiedoodle from getting too big too quickly.
This problem is generally more of an issue in larger breed dogs, but it’s still something to think about and it might be a conversation you want to have with your vet nonetheless.
What Contributes To An Aussiedoodle’s Final Size?
There are a couple of different contributing factors when it comes to the final size of an Aussiedoodle, no matter which version they are, and it all depends on the Poodle.
For both the Australian Shepherd and the Poodle, the males are larger than the females of their respective breeds.
So, if the Poodle is the father parent then the Aussiedoodle will be bigger in size than if the mother was a Poodle.
This rule applies whether you are cross breeding a Standard Poodle, Miniature Poodle, or a Toy Poodle with an Australian Shepherd to come up with the corresponding Aussiedoodle.
Another factor that could contribute to the final size of an Aussiedoodle has nothing to do with genes, and that is how long you feed them puppy food.
Puppy food will make dogs grow larger, faster than adult food.
While puppies need the nutrients in the food at some point, they do need to be switched to a different food so that they don’t grow too big too fast.
At the same time, if you take them off their puppy food too soon, they can miss out on important nutrients and may not reach their full potential size.
Talking with your vet about your Aussiedoodles diet, and when they should switch foods, is highly recommended so that you can ensure you are providing your dog with the proper nutrients and ensure a proper growth rate.
Read more: Best Dog Food For Aussiedoodles [My #1 Pick & Why]
What Does A Full Grown Aussiedoodle Look Like?
A fully grown Aussiedoodle can oftentimes be described as fluffy, almost looking like a stuffed animal.
Their coats are usually a medium length and anywhere between wavy to very wavy thanks to their Poodle parent.
Under all that fur is a body with a slender and muscular build.
As Australian Shepherds come in many different colors, more so than a Poodle, there are a number of potential variations for an Aussiedoodle’s coloring.
On seldom occasions they can be one solid color, like their Poodle parent, however the majority of the time they will have at least two colors.
There are different hairstyles that you can have for your Aussiedoodle depending on what type of coat they end up with and the look that you want for them.
Whichever cut you choose; you’re still going to have to do a lot of maintenance to ensure that their coats don’t get full of mats and tangles.
A Standard Aussiedoodle will be a mid-sized dog that will reach the same height as its parents’ average, which can be anywhere from 19 inches to 24 inches.
The Miniature and Toy versions of the Aussiedoodle will look the same as a Standard, they will just be in smaller forms.
In Summary
Aussiedoodles are a cute bundle of fluffiness. They have lots of energy and come in three versions, or sizes, which include Standard, Miniature, and Toy.
Which version you get depends on which version of the Poodle was used to breed with the Australian Shepherd.
Within the versions of the Aussiedoodle, the final size of the dog will depend on whether the Poodle used was the mother or father parent in the breeding.
For both Australian Shepherds and Poodles, the males are larger. If the father was the Poodle the dogs will be bigger than if the Poodle was the mother.
There are a number of color variations that your Aussiedoodle can become, and you won’t know before they are born what they will look like.
It’s also possible that different dogs within the same litter look different due to the coloring and patterns.
Most often your Aussiedoodle will be a combination of at least two colors, however, it is possible for them to be one solid color, such as a Poodle.
If you are looking for a dog breed that is great for people with allergies and isn’t a big barker, then the Aussiedoodle might be for you, but just know that you will need to do some work to keep up their lovely coats.
These are not low-maintenance dogs, but all the hard work will be worth it.
Aussiedoodles are a loving and loyal breed who always want to be with their people. They love to please their owner and work, which is no surprise having a Mom and Dad who are a herder and a hunter.
Aussiedoodles make great family companions as they get along with everyone they meet, whether it’s a child, stranger, or other family pet.
So, although the AKC does not recognize the Aussiedoodle; this should not stop you from considering getting one. Just remember that with herding and a hunting dog as parents – it’s no surprise that the adorable Aussiedoodle is a bundle of energy.
Generally though – with all their traits and characteristics – you can’t go wrong with an Aussiedoodle!
Related Questions
Aussiedoodles typically live for around 10-12 years, on average. However, if you take appropriate care of your dog and provide them with the best life you can, you may be able to extend their life by a couple of years. Optimal nutrition, appropriate exercise, sufficient mental stimulation, and appropriate hygiene and grooming are some factors to consider. Unfortunately, some Aussiedoodles may inherit or develop health conditions from their parents or throughout life. This can impact their quality and length of life.
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I am an experienced pet owner with decades of experience owning a number of different pets, from traditional pets like dogs and cats, to the more exotic like reptiles and rodents. I currently own a Cockapoo (pictured) called Bailey. I am also the main writer and chief editor here at Pet Educate; a site dedicated to sharing evidence-based insights and guidance, based on my vast pet ownership knowledge, experience, and extensive research.