Doodles of all kinds are amazing. It can be hard to choose only one, especially when it comes to similar breeds like the Borderdoodle and Aussiedoodle. Besides a slight difference in appearance, can they be different? We are going to look at the similarities and differences of the Borderdoodle vs Aussiedoodle.
Origins
The first way that the Borderdoodle and Aussiedoodle differ is their origins. Both of them are indeed half Poodle. But they also have a whole other half that makes up their unique personalities and quirks that we love.
Borderdoodles are a Poodle/ Border Collie mix. Border Collies originated in Scotland and Northern England as herding dogs for sheep. Shepherds hailed the Border Collie for their focus abilities and willingness to learn. Collies don’t break focus for even the juiciest bones, which makes them great for farm work.
Aussiedoodles are a mix of Australian Shepherds and Poodles. But despite the name, Aussies aren’t from Australia. They originated right here in the USA as a herding dog. These dogs make great sheep and cattle herders. Most owners even find that their Aussies try to herd them as well.
Temperament
As you can see, both of these breeds have similar origins. So you might find that Borderdoodle vs Aussiedoodle temperament is complimentary as well. Both of them make very focused breeds that love to have a job. Training is a must for these guys, and they make excellent therapy dogs.
Both of these Doodles love their owners and families with intensity. They are loyal and delightful dogs. When they aren’t at your heels for attention, they are playing. They also make great family pets with kids of all ages. Fitting the cookie-cutter Doodle standards we all love.
Intelligence
Herding dogs takes a lot of focus and agility. Both the Borderdoodle and the Aussiedoodle are extremely intelligent. You will find that even as puppies, they have a superior focus compared to other breeds. Your Border or Aussiedoodle will fly through training classes.
High intelligence also means that they have a strong emotional connection with their people. They will do anything you ask them to simply because you asked. That is all the motivation they need. And they genuinely enjoy training. You will find that they crave the activity even.
Most Borderdoodle and Aussiedoodles need training every few days to keep them entertained. Since these dogs are working dogs, they need it for mental stability. A few days a week, you will need to have a training session with them and teach them new tricks. Otherwise, they might start some destructive behaviors out of boredom.
Energy Levels
Endless energy is another thing the Borderdoodle and Aussiedoodle have in common. Both of them will need ample room to run about and stretch their legs. They also need to have at least a one-hour long walk daily. And that’s not even including playtime.
Your dog will also need activities that encourage their herding abilities. Frisbee, fetch, and agility training are all great outlets for herding dogs. All of these games will give your dogs an outlet to burn energy and focus on something they love. But be warned. Once a game starts, neither will want to quit anytime soon.
There is another aspect that people don’t think about, and that is their active minds. When you aren’t home, you should be prepared to keep your Doodle entertained. Puzzles and chew toys give your dogs a fantastic outlet to keep their minds busy. And with any luck, your dog won’t realize you were gone for long.
Coat Types
We love Doodles for their hypoallergenic coats. Both the Borderdoodle and Aussiedoodle shedding is very minimal. You might not even notice it at all if you keep up with grooming regularly. The Borderdoodle vs Aussiedoodle coat is very similar in texture and coloring due to this hypoallergenic nature. There are three coat types curly, wavy, and straight.
Wavy coat types are the most common in first-generation Doodles. They shed very little and have a soft wispy coat. But if you want an even more hypoallergenic Doodle, you will need an F1B generation. This generation is when the first generation is bred back to a Poodle to create a curly coat.
Straight coats aren’t usually purposely bred for, but they do happen on occasion. Straight coats shed the most of all the coat types and don’t usually have Poodle properties. If you need a Doodle because of their low shedding coats, you will need to stay away from flat coats.
Another great thing about these dogs is that they come in so many color varieties. Borderdoodles come in varying colors of black, white, brown, and even sable. The most popular color morphs are the black and white parties. The Aussiedoodle blue merle is also a favorite among Doodle owners. But they also come in every color you can imagine.
Grooming
Since both of these dogs have the same coat types, they also have the same grooming. As you know, grooming Doodles is no easy task. It takes time every day to make sure there are no tangles and knots in the fine fur. This job also requires a variety of different tools. You will need to have a slicker brush, de-matting rake, and a stainless steel comb.
First, you will take the comb and detangle any large mats gently. If there are larger mats, you might need to use a de-matting rake to break them up. Once you are sure that all of the mats are out, you will then use a slicker brush throughout the rest of the fur. Working from the ends to root will keep your dog feeling and looking great.
In addition to this daily brushing, your Doodle will need a hair cut every 6-8 weeks. Because of the Borderdoodle and Aussiedoodle hypoallergenic coats, their hair grows continuously. Without regular hair cuts, your Doodle is more prone to matting.
Not to mention it’s uncomfortable to run around as they do with mats close to the skin. On average, you can expect your Borderdoodle or Aussiedoodle haircuts to cost $75-$100 depending on what other services you have done. And once your pups are feeling fresh and clean, they will enjoy their activities more freely.
Sizes And Lifespans
Size is where the Borderdoodle vs Aussiedoodle finally starts to differ. While both of these dogs come in three different sizes, they are very different. Borderdoodles come in mini, medium, and standard sizes. The mini Borderdoodle weighs less than 30 pounds, which makes them the perfect size for smaller homes. But don’t be fooled into thinking this means they have less energy.
Your mini will still need lots of physical exercise, no matter what house you have. The most significant advantage to minis is that they are usually an F1B generation, which gives them a curly coat that sheds very little.
Many breeders will also have a medium size available resulting from smaller Border Collies crossed with mini Poodles. These sizes are harder to predict and are considered anything between 30-40 pounds. But when you consider that a standard is any Borderdoodle above 30 pounds, you can see where this gets murky. To get a better sense of how large your medium-sized Borderdoodle will be, you should view the parents in person. And, if possible, any past litters.
Aussiedoodles come in toy, mini, and standard sizes. The Aussiedoodle size is a little more defined and easy to spot in a litter because of its mix. A Toy Aussiedoodle is the result of a Mini Australian Shepherd and a Toy Poodle. These small dogs only get 4-6 pounds of fluffy cuteness. But don’t let that fool you. They will still love to run and play all day.
It’s just easier to wear out their little bodies faster than larger breeds. Aussiedoodle mini sizes get anywhere from 10-15 pounds and are a hybrid of the Mini Aussie and Mini Poodle. And finally, we have the Standard Aussiedoodle full grown size of 40-70 pounds.
As you can see, the Borderdoodle tends to be smaller in standard sizes. But when it comes to the mini and toy breeds, the Aussiedoodle comes out smaller. But when it comes to lifespan, both dogs are almost even. A Borderdoodle lifespan ranges from 12-15 years, and the Aussiedoodle 10-14 depending on size.
Medical Conditions
Doodles are hyped for their health vigor and superiority in unknowing breeders. They claim that since Doodles are a mixed breed, they aren’t as likely to inherit their parents’ diseases. But you can consider this myth busted. Genetics doesn’t work the way we want it to always. So whatever the purebred lines are prone to developing is passed down to their puppies. It might skip a generation, but the gene is still there. That is why a responsible breeder will always run a DNA test before breeding a pair.
Some common Borderdoodle diseases include:
- Epilepsy
- Allergies
- Deafness
- Eye disease
- And hip dysplasia
Common Aussiedoodle diseases include:
- Epilepsy
- Eye disease
- Hip dysplasia
- Autoimmune disease
- Cataracts
- And Sebaceous Adenitis
It might not be possible to get rid of these issues altogether. But choosing a reputable breeder with healthy dames and sires can improve your chances. These puppies might cost a little more, but it is worth it.
Price
We will conclude the Borderdoodle vs Aussiedoodle debate with the cost. These designer breeds are already expensive, but you pay for what you get here. The average Borderdoodle can cost anywhere from $1,000-$6,000. And the Aussiedoodle puppies cost, on average, $1,500-$4,500. You might be thinking that is a lot for just one puppy. But let’s break down why that is.
You have to consider that these breeds come from pure bloodlines with AKC documentation and superior genetics. They have all the paperwork and DNA testing to prove it as well. And some of these smaller breeds are only possible through artificial insemination. Then you factor in the vet care and daily cost of the puppies. It all adds up quickly. And we think they are totally worth it.
Do You Have A Favorite?
Choosing between a Borderdoodle vs Aussiedoodle is near impossible. They both have so much to love and respect that it makes the decision hard. You might as well go out and get one of each for good measure.
Below is a Pinterest friendly photo…. so you can pin it to your Doodle Board!