When looking into owning a new puppy, or rescuing any dog, many people will want to know more about the breed. In fact, this is vital before taking on the responsibility of any new pet. You need to research as much as you can about the breed before making that huge commitment to welcome an animal into your home. When it comes to researching dog breeds, it’s important to think about whether the dog is likely to shed much, particularly if you’ve got anyone with allergies in your household. If you’re thinking of owning an Aussiedoodle, you need to know the answer – do Aussiedoodles shed?
What is an Aussiedoodle?
An Aussiedoodle is a mixed-breed dog and is a cross between an Australian Shepherd Dog and a Poodle.
They are fun-loving, adventurous dogs making them a great addition to any active family who loves to explore the outdoors.
As with all mixed breeds, there is no way to predict what an Aussiedoodle puppy will look like before they’re born, or what their temperament will be.
Do Aussiedoodles Shed?
As with most of the breeds where the Poodle gene plays a part in the genetic make-up, Aussiedoodles are considered a low shedding dog. In fact, one of the attractions of these breeds is that they are often sold as being dogs that don’t shed at all. But there’s no way we can guarantee that a dog won’t shed. Most dogs will shed at some point during their lives.
So, when asking the question do Aussiedoodles shed? Or do Mini Aussiedoodles shed? The answer is usually no, but there will be times when these mixed breeds do shed.
Are Aussiedoodles Hypoallergenic?
Like the Cavapoo, Aussiedoodles are often described as hypoallergenic dogs. This means that they’re perfect for owners who suffer with allergies.
But it’s important to note that no dog can be 100% hypoallergenic, despite what a breeder may tell you.
The temperament of the Aussiedoodle and the impact on shedding
Calm and happy dogs are likely to have healthier coats and are less likely to shed. It’s really important to recognise the needs of your dogs and make sure that they are mentally stimulated and physically exercised the right amount. Over-exercising and over-stimulation can cause stress and anxiety which can lead to excessive shedding.
Health issues that can impact shedding
If you own an Aussiedoodle and you don’t usually have shedding issues, then any change could indicate that there’s a health issue going on, so you should always speak to your vet.
Here are a few of the health issues that could cause shedding in Aussiedoodles.
- Allergies – including skin allergies
- Infections
- Fleas, ticks and parasites
- Malnutrition
- Food intolerance
- Anxiety (including separation anxiety)
Impact of diet and nutrition
The type of food you feed your dog can have a huge impact on their coat. If you’ve recently changed their food and you’ve noticed that they are shedding more, then the new food could well be the cause.
There are lots of different options available when it comes to feeding your Aussiedoodle, and it may take a bit of trial and error for you to find a diet that works for them.
Many Aussiedoodle owners like their dogs to have a raw diet, whilst others opt for a grain-free diet.
Will I need to groom an Aussiedoodle?
You will need to groom an Aussiedoodle, but the way you groom them and how often you do it will depend on the type of hair they have.
Do some Aussiedoodles shed more than others?
Some Aussiedoodles do shed more than others, this mostly depends on the type of hair they have. Aussiedoodles who have more of the Poodle gene tend to have curly hair which usually needs grooming more often. Aussiedoodles with more of the Australian Shepherd gene are more likely to have wavy hair rather than thick curls, whilst this will still need grooming, it is usually easier to maintain.
Aussiedoodle Coat Types
As the Aussiedoodle is a mixed breed, their coats can vary a great deal from dog to dog.
Aussiedoodle Curly Coat
An Aussiedoodle who inherits the dominant Poodle gene is likely to have a single coat of curly hair. Whilst dogs with curly hair tend to shed less, their coats can be more difficult to maintain. These dogs are likely to need daily brushing in order to keep their coats free from mats. Matted hair can cause a lot of pain and discomfort for dogs and can even lead to infections, so it’s important to groom regularly both at home and using a professional dog groomer.
Aussiedoodle Wavy Coat
An Aussiedoodle who inherits 50% of their genes from each parent is likely to have wavy hair. This could be a single coat, but some Aussiedoodles with wavy hair have double coats.
The wavy coat is a popular look for Aussiedoodles and it is much easier to manage than a curlier coat.
Aussiedoodle Straight Coat
An Aussiedoodle who inherits the dominant genes from the Australian Shepherd Dog may have a straight coat. These dogs often have a double coat with a coarse, thick coat underneath.
Straight coated Aussiedoodles shed far more than those with a wavy or curly coat, so this is something to bear in mind if you’re looking for a low-shedding dog.
Tools to help groom your Aussiedoodle
Even if you take your Aussiedoodle for a regular grooming session (and if you don’t, then you should), you still need to take care of their coat at home too. No matter what type of coat your dog has, regular brushing will help them to maintain a healthy coat.
Here are a few grooming tools that are perfect for Aussiedoodles:
- Slicker brush – ideal for thick, curly coats
- Pin brush – ideal for wavy or straight-haired Aussiedoodles and other low-shed breeds
- Steel comb – perfect for working through clumps of hair that has become matted.
You should also be prepared to bathe your dog too. Whether they’ve got themselves filthy swimming in the river, or they’ve rolled around in fox poo, there will be times that they need a good wash. You can just use ordinary baby shampoo for this, or you can use a special dog shampoo.
Do Aussiedoodles lose their puppy coat?
Aussiedoodles lose their puppy coat at some point during the first year of life, usually between 6 and 8 months old. Even the most hypoallergenic breed will shed their hair at this point regardless of the gene pool.
What does the amount of shedding depend on?
As touched on a little earlier, the amount of shedding depends on various factors.
Genetics and DNA
A dog’s genetic make-up and DNA can have a huge role to play in how much they will shed. An Aussiedoodle with a dominant Poodle parent is likely to have minimal shedding, whilst one with a dominant Australian Shepherd parent will probably shed more, but there aren’t any guarantees here.
The dog’s age
Young dogs in their first year of life will shed their puppy coat.
Older dogs can also be more susceptible to shedding as they are more likely to suffer with health conditions that can have an impact on their coat and how much they shed.
Seasonal shedding
Double-coated Aussiedoodles may have some seasonal shedding. This usually takes place twice a year as the weather starts to get warmer during Spring, and again once we hit Autumn or Fall.
Straight-haired, single-coated Aussiedoodles may also lose some of their hair during seasonal shedding, but it’s likely to be far less severe. This is one of the reasons why there is no such thing as non-shedding dogs, they are likely to shed at various points throughout their lives.
Nutrition
If a dog doesn’t get all of the nutrition it needs, then this could show through loss of hair and poor coat condition. Poor nutrition can lead to skin discomfort, loose hair and shedding.
You may also notice changes in your dog’s skin and coat condition if you switch their food suddenly. You can minimise this by making gradual changes to their diet and introducing new foods slowly.
Bathing
Regular bathing can really help to minimise shedding as it helps to keep the coat shiny and healthy.
Do Aussiedoodles shed?
In conclusion, some Aussiedoodles do shed, even once they’ve got their adult coat. There’s no guarantee with any hybrid breeds that they will be 100% non-shedding.
If your dog suddenly starts to shed when they never have before, then take a look at their diet, ensure they’re getting the right amount of physical exercise and mental stimulation, and if you’re at all concerned take them to visit your vet.
