Aussiedoodle vs Labradoodle – Which is Better?
Goldendoodles are no longer the only Poodlemix you can commonly spot in the neighborhood. Both Aussiedoodles and Labradoodles have become popular pets for many families–and with good reason.
They’re both adorable dogs that share many loveable traits. However, they also have differences that make them very distinct from each other.
So, is one breed better than the other? We’ll take a look at some of their similarities and differences to answer this question.
Before we dive in, please keep in mind that every dog is unique. Therefore, a dog’s appearance and temperament may not always reflect its breed’s distinct traits.
Aussiedoodle vs. Labradoodle Similarities
Personality and Temperament
Both Aussiedoodles and Labradoodles are known for their friendly personalities. One of the reasons for their popularity is that they generally get along with everyone. Both breeds don’t have aggressive or possessive tendencies.
They love their families and children and enjoy greeting strangers and other dogs. They can also learn to live with different types of pets, like cats and birds.
Both breeds can be friendly to a fault. They don’t tend to be good guard dogs because they have welcoming personalities and a natural trust of people.
Their love of people can also cause them to be over-exuberant. Depending on their size, they can unintentionally knock over small children if they get overexcited. Therefore, these dogs should learn greeting etiquette at an early age.
Intelligence and Trainability
Australian Shepherds and Labrador Retrievers are helping dogs, and this helping trait tends to carry over to Aussiedoodles and Labradoodles.
People initially bred Labradoodles so they could be hypoallergenic guide dogs. Aussiedoodles can have herding tendencies as Australian Shepherds originally herded livestock.
These traits make both of these dogs easier to train than other breeds. They have a natural desire to help and are eager to please their owners.
Because of their high level of intelligence and energy, both dogs require regular exercise and mental stimulation. If they don’t receive these things, that energy will channel into destructive behaviors.
Both Aussiedoodles and Labradoodles are also very intuitive. They can quickly pick up on people’s moods and body language. Both dogs often become therapy dogs because of their intuition, sweet personalities, and love for people.
Coat
A common misconception about Poodle mixes is that they’re all hypoallergenic. Many breeders claim that their Poodle mixes don’t shed.
However, neither is guaranteed a hypoallergenic, either Aussiedoodle or Labradoodle. In fact, breeders cannot consistently breed hypoallergenic Labradoodles.
A dog’s coat will depend on how much of the Poodletrait it inherits. Keep in mind that Labrador Retrievers shed constantly, and Australian Shepherds are seasonal shedders.
Overall, you can’t rely on Aussiedoodles and Labradoodles to have hypoallergenic coats.
Size
You’ll find a variety of sizes for both Aussiedoodles and Labradoodles. Both breeds have three size classifications, and these sizes depend on the size of the parent Poodle.
Toy Aussiedoodles can reach up to 10 inches in height and weigh 4-6 pounds. Miniature Aussiedoodles average 10-15 inches and 10-15 pounds. Standard Aussiedoodles are above 15 inches tall and weigh between 40-70 pounds.
Miniature Labradoodles can range from 14-16 inches tall and weigh between 15-25 pounds. Medium Labradoodles range from 17-20 inches and weigh 30-45 pounds. Lastly, standard Labradoodles can be 21-24 inches in height and weigh 50-65 pounds.
As with other mixed breeds, Aussiedoodles and Labradoodles don’t always fit into these size categories.
For example, a dog may have a miniature Poodle parent. However, it can grow outside of the expected sizes of the miniature classification. Therefore, you can end up with a dog that fits in the toy or standard class, even if its parent is a miniature Poodle.
Health Concerns
Both breeds are generally healthy, but they can inherit genetic health issues from both their parent breeds.
Australian Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, and Poodles are all susceptible to hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia occurs when the hip joint loosens, which causes weakness and pain in the hind legs. Hip dysplasia can eventually develop into arthritis.
Australian Shepherds and Labrador Retrievers can also experience epilepsy and have eye problems, such as cataracts.
Poodles have several hereditary health concerns that Aussiedoodles and Labradoodles can inherit:
- Addison’s disease
- Cushing’s syndrome
- Hypothyroidism
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Toy Poodlepoodles are susceptible to Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
- Standard Poodlepoodles may develop certain types of cancers
Aussiedoodles and Labradoodles are also prone to ear infections because of their floppy ears. Therefore, owners must keep their ears properly groomed, clean, and dry.
Aussiedoodle Vs. Labradoodle Differences
Appearance
In general, standard Labradoodles are larger than standard Aussiedoodles. Both dogs can have wavy or curly hair, but they have distinct colors and patterns.
Aussiedoodles can have tricolor or merle patterns and have the following colors:
- Gray
- Blue
- Cream
- White
- Fawn
- Red
- Brown
- Black
Aussiedoodles that carry the merle or piebald genes may have variant eye colors. Their eyes can be bright blue, green, amber, or deep brown. They can also have heterochromia, which means each eye is a different color.
Labradoodles don’t have as many color variations. They can have bicolor patterns with the following colors:
- Brown/chocolate
- Red
- Gold
- Yellow
- Black
- White
- Cream
Energy Level
Both Aussiedoodles and Labradoodles tend to have higher levels of energy. They will both do well with having daily walks.
However, Aussiedoodles tend to have more energy than Labradoodles. Aussiedoodles can live in urban areas, but they would love a yard where they can run freely. They are also great companions for extra long walks, hikes, and nature excursions.
As a reminder, Australian Shepherds are herding dogs, so they are also bred to think. Therefore, they will benefit significantly from mental stimulation.
Aussiedoodles will often look for something to do. You can keep an Aussiedoodle happy by teaching them tricks or doing agility training. You can also try giving them a job like carrying items or becoming a therapy dog.
Aussiedoodles may also have the herding instinct, so they may nip and nudge people if they have nothing to herd. It’s non-aggressive, but it’s not an enjoyable behavior, so owners may have to do extra training to redirect the herding instinct.
Overall, both Aussiedoodles and Labradoodles are intelligent and have high energy levels. Therefore, they’ll do best with owners with an active lifestyle. Just remember that Aussiedoodles tend to have even more energy and require more mental stimulation than Labradoodles.
Companionship
Aussiedoodles and Labradoodles generally love being around people. However, they have slightly different companionship needs.
Labradoodles love their families and have an easygoing nature. As adults, they do well being left alone for several hours. However, they’re companion dogs, so they won’t do well if they’re consistently left home alone for long hours.
Aussiedoodles don’t tend to do as well as Labradoodles when they’re left alone. They have a mix of high energy and a need for mental stimulation. They get bored quickly, so if they’re home alone for an extended time without anything to do, it’s a recipe for disaster.
Labradoodles also tend to warm up to people more quickly. They love all people in pretty equal measures. Aussiedoodles may love and greet everyone they meet, but they tend to form strong bonds with just one or two specific family members.
Health Concerns
Although we previously discussed common health concerns that Aussiedoodles and Labradoodles share, Australian Shepherds and Labrador Retrievers have a few different concerns.
Labrador Retrievers are susceptible to skin disease and heart disease. A lot of Australian Shepherds have Multiple Drug Sensitivity (MDS). Owners should be aware of MDS and consult with their veterinarian to avoid any bad reactions to medications.
Again, Aussiedoodles and Labradoodles are generally healthy dogs. It’s just helpful to have an awareness of a dog’s genetics and hereditary traits. This information can help immensely with improving a dog’s quality of life.
Just like with humans, a dog’s health depends on a mix of genetics and lifestyle choices.
So, Which Dog Breed is Better?
People bred Aussiedoodles and Labradoodles for different reasons. Therefore, they will be a better fit for different kinds of people and families.
In general, both breeds are great family dogs. They’re friendly and love people. However, an Aussiedoodle may do better with families with older children because of their herding instinct. Labradoodles have a gentle trait, which can make them more careful around small children.
Aussiedoodles love being around their humans and also have a high drive to work. Therefore, they won’t do well being home alone for long hours. They’ll do well with owners who spend most of their time at home or can take their Aussiedoodle outside with them.
If you work long hours or aren’t home often, a Labradoodle may be a better fit for you. They have an easygoing nature and can do well by themselves for a longer time than Aussiedoodles.
In short, Labradoodles are better dogs for beginner dog owners. They’re friendly, smart, and easy to train. They also do well with families with children of all ages.
Aussiedoodles are a little more challenging because they’re active and need consistent training. They’re a better dog for more experienced dog owners who live an active lifestyle and enjoy dog training.
When you’re looking for a dog, it’s easy to get lost in its cuteness. However, make sure to bring home a dog that matches your lifestyle and your capacity to care for it. Just like with human relationships, it’s easier to form a bond with a dog when you have similar lifestyle preferences.
