There are a variety of weird and wonderful breeds across the globe, all of which promote different ‘ideals’ and ‘benefits’. In recent years, crossing a variety of breeds with the Poodle is a trend that has soared.
There are all kinds of ‘oodles’ and ‘doodles’ from Cockapoos and Cavapoochons, to Labradoodles and even Doberdoodles! But in this article, we’re taking a look specifically at the delightful world of the Aussie Mountain Doodle.
Table of Contents
What is it an Aussie Mountain Doodle?
The Australian Mountain Doodle is a cross of 3 different breeds; the Poodle, the Australian Shepherd and the Bernese Mountain Dog.
Each was historically bred for a specific purpose and bring different qualities to the resulting Aussie Mountain Doodle.
Note: The Aussie Mountain Doodle could easily be confused with the Aussiedoodle, but the Aussiedoodle is a mix of 2 rather than 3 parent breeds, the Australian Shepherd and the poodle.
Let’s explore each of the parent breeds:
The Poodle
Poodles were first bred in Germany, with the name Poodle originating from the German word ‘pudel’ meaning ‘to splash in the water’.
Poodles were bred as water dogs, with an initial purpose of retrieving hunted ducks to bring them back to their owners.
The Australian Shepherd
Australian Shepherds were originally bred in… you guessed it – Spain! What? Spain?! Ironically, it is thought that the breed was brought over from Spain by Spanish Shepherds.
It was the Americans who referred to the breed as ‘Australian Shepherds’ when the dogs were found in Australia.
The breed was then further developed in the United States. Australian Shepherds were bred to herd farm animals.
The Bernese Mountain Dog
Originating from Switzerland, Bernese Mountain Dogs were originally bred to herd animals, guard farms and help to pull heavy loads.
The breed found its way into the USA in the 1900’s and were officially recognised by the American Kennel Club in 1937.
What does an Aussie Mountain Doodle look like?
The Aussie Mountain Doodle combines the best of all three breeds into one loveable hound.
The general appearance, as with all cross breeds, can vary and depends on which genetics and traits show dominance.
There are two different types of Australian Mountain Doodles that are available, depending what breed of Poodle they are bred with.
A standard Aussie Mountain Doodle stands between 20 – 30 inches in height and weighs between 50 – 100lbs. Full adult size is usually reached around 12 months of age.
Or the a miniature Aussie Mountain Doodle is also an option, if a smaller, more compact dog is preferred. A miniature Mountain Doodle stands around 20 – 25 inches in height and weighs between 20 – 40lbs. Full adult size is reached around 6 – 8 months of age.
The breed comes in a variety of colours including white, brown, black, blue, red and champagne. Due to their relation to Australian Shepherds and Bernese Mountain Dogs, the coat can be bi-color, tri-color or merle.
Each coat type is attractive and if you are extremely lucky, your Aussie Mountain Doodle will having striking blue eyes.
lifespan:
exercise requirements:
grooming frequency:
shedding:
* This will depend on the type of coat that has been inherited.
trainability:
friendliness:
good with children:
Aussie Mountain Doodle Temperament
The temperament of the Aussie Mountain Doodle can be described as playful, energetic and easy going. Thanks to their Poodle heritage, they are highly intelligent and loyal, especially to family members and other dogs within the household.
They are highly social creatures who enjoy the company of both humans and other dogs. Sometimes, their friendly nature can make them poor guard dogs.
Due to their loyalty and emotional connection with their families, Aussie Mountain Doodles can often suffer from separation anxiety.
This is a condition when stress and anxiety occurs when they are left on their own and they can often display destructive behaviours as a result.
Speak to your veterinary practice if you are at all worried about separation anxiety.
Training an Aussie Mountain Doodle
Aussie Mountain Doodles are fantastic dogs to train and pick up behaviours and tricks quickly, thanks to their Poodle parents.
Bernese Mountain Dogs can sometimes show stubborn tendencies, so unfortunately Aussie Mountain Doodles can inherit this difficult trait. With persistence and patience, even if your doodle turns out to be stubborn, they should still be easily trainable.
Training should always be carried out with positive reinforcement. New skills should only be taught for short periods of time; between 10 – 15 minutes is ideal. Treats should be offered to reward the desired behaviour.
How much exercise does an Aussie Mountain Doodle need?
The Aussie Mountain Doodle has a medium to high energy requirement, and a good amount of exercise is extremely important.
Ideally, they should have between 40 – 60 minutes of exercise at least twice daily with jogging, walking, hiking and swimming being ideal means of burning energy. Ensure you are cautious with exercise when your dog is still young as their bones will still be developing.
Aussie Mountain Doodles should also be offered plenty of mental stimulation through the use of puzzle toys or learning new tricks.
How often does an Aussie Mountain Doodle need grooming?
The Aussie Mountain Doodles may inherit different types of coats, from tight curls to wavy or straight fur and anything inbetween.
Whatever their coat type, they will need regular professional grooming sessions. If your dog has a curlier coat, they should have a professional groom at least every 8 weeks, and also regular brushing by the owner.
Claws should also be checked and clipped to ensure that they are not growing too long. In some instances, they can curl back on themselves and into the paw pad. Walking your dog on harder surfaces, such as tarmac, can help to naturally file them down.
The eyes and ears should be free from discharge and routinely checked to make sure there is no infection present.
Good oral hygiene is essential and it is a good habit to get your dog used to brushing their teeth to avoid expensive dental treatment in the future.
What should an Aussie Mountain Doodle eat?
No matter what breed of dog you own, they should always be offered a high quality and well balanced diet. If you are unsure of what to offer your pooch, speak with your veterinary practice who will be able to recommend a diet for you.
Follow the manufacturer’s requirements on how much to feed in relation to their age and predicted adult weight. It is important to feed your dog a food that is relevant to their breed and neutered status.
When dogs are neutered, their metabolic rate slows down, meaning they can be more prone to weight gain ad so their diet may need to be adapted to accommodate this.
The Health of the Aussie Mountain Doodle
There are many different illnesses and conditions in the canine world that our furry friends can unfortunately fall victim to.
By cross breeding different breeds of dog, the likelihood of them suffering from breed specific diseases is reduced. However, they cannot be discounted completely.
Cancers – Unfortunately, Bernese Mountain Dogs can be susceptible to cancers, such as Osteosarcomas. Osteosarcomas are a type of bone cancer. Mast cell tumours are also common, which is a form of skin cancer.
Hip and Elbow dysplasia – Bernese Mountain Dogs can often suffer from hip and elbow dysplasia. This is a genetic disease which causes abnormal growth and development of the hips and elbows.
Dental disease – Unfortunately, Poodles can be prone to dental disease. Ensure that you get into a good habit of cleaning your dog’s teeth and taking them for regular health checks at your veterinary practice.
How much does an Aussie Mountain Doodle cost?
From a reputable breeder, prices of puppies range from $2,000 – $8,000. Aussie Mountain Doodles are a popular breed and this is reflected in their price tag. Puppies that have unique colours can often go over this price range.
If you are lucky enough to find an Aussie Mountain Doodle in a rescue shelter, prices can vary from between $200 – $800.
Where can you get an Aussie Mountain Doodle from?
Like all cross breeds, the Aussie Mountain Doodle is most definitely not a breed that is registered with the AKC, and is extremely unlikely to ever become one!
However it may be possible to find a Aussie Mountain Doodle breeder through the American Kennel Club website by approaching registered Poodle, Bernese Mountain Dog and Australian Shepherd breeders.
You might get lucky, you might not, they at least may be able to point you in the right direction.
Suggested reading: How to find a reputable dog breeder
Aussie Mountain Doodle forums may also have useful information on where to find litters throughout the USA. Search for ‘Aussie Mountain Doodle’ on social media groups and online communities.
Suggested reading: Adopting Vs Buying a dog, Reasons to adopt a shelter or rescue dog
Can you adopt an Aussie Mountain Doodle?
It may be difficult to find a rescue Aussie Mountain Doodle, due to their popularity and high price tag. If you are looking for a rescue dog, Poodle, Bernese Mountain Dog and Australian Shepherd rescues may house an Aussie Mountain Doodle who is looking for a home.
You should definitely check out pet adoption websites if you’re looking to rescue an Aussie Mountain Doodle too.
They are a great place to start your search but you will need to bare in mind that as a cross of 3 different breeds, they may not be accurately described if little is known about the dog’s history, so cast your net wide and keep an open mind!
Aussie Mountain Doodle Pros and Cons
Aussie Mountain Doodles make fantastic pets that are brilliant for families, active singletons or someone in search of an active canine companion.
Pros
- Non-shedding fur
- Great with children
- Easy to train
- Extremely photogenic
- Loyal
- Charismatic
- Playful
Cons
- Expensive to purchase
- High maintenance coat
- Regular grooming needs
- Can suffer from separation anxiety
- High energy requirements
- Not the best at being a guard dog
- Can be prone to breed specific disease
